Brooklyn has become the culinary center of New York. Between the traditional, cultural cuisines that have flourished in the borough and the addition of fine dining in the last 20 years, Brooklyn quite simply has it all. And there is no shortage of good French bistros. Best of Brooklyn readers vote every year for their favorite local businesses. Read on to see which spots made the list, and were voted Best French Restaurant in Brooklyn.
2024: Brooklyn Voted Le Paddock Best French!
Le Paddock
1235 Prospect Ave, Brooklyn
(718) 435-0921 – lepaddockbrooklyn.com
Le Paddock is a culinary gem nestled in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, where French bistro fare and a warm neighborhood vibe shine. This charming eatery offers both indoor and outdoor dining with first-come, first-served seating. The daily specials are the main attraction, with themed nights like Pizza Monday and Taco Tuesday offering delicious surprises. Sip on their smooth house red wine and enjoy attentive service that adds a touch of humor to the dining experience. The menu features a standout lamb burger with feta cheese, a satisfying choice for those who crave a hearty bite. Le Paddock is a family-friendly spot, but for a quieter meal, guests can visit later in the evening. Street parking is available, making it convenient for visitors. This restaurant is a top choice for enjoying a delightful French feast!
2023: Brooklyn Voted Bar Tabac Best French! (Tie)
Bar Tabac
128 Smith Street, Brooklyn
bartabacny.com
Bar Tabac, situated in the charming neighborhood of Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, is a true gem for lovers of French cuisine. The restaurant’s cozy and intimate ambiance immediately transports diners to the bistros of Paris, while the mouth-watering aromas wafting from the kitchen further heighten the senses. From the classic steak frites to the indulgent escargots, every dish on the menu is expertly crafted and bursting with flavor. With attentive and friendly service, coupled with an extensive wine list, Bar Tabac is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic French dining experience in New York City.
2023: Brooklyn Voted French Louie Best French! (Tie)
French Louie
320 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
frenchlouienyc.com
French Louie restaurant in Brooklyn is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts looking for a taste of authentic French cuisine. Located in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, the restaurant’s cozy and intimate ambiance is the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner or a casual night out with friends. The menu boasts an impressive selection of classic French dishes, ranging from escargot and coq au vin to steak frites and bouillabaisse, all prepared with fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The wine list is equally impressive, with a curated selection of French wines that perfectly complement the menu. With exceptional service and an unforgettable dining experience, French Louie is a true gem in the Brooklyn food scene.
2022: Brooklyn Voted Le Garage Best French Restaurant!
Le Garage
157 Suydam St, Brooklyn
(347) 295-1700 – legaragebrooklyn.com
La Garage has exceptional service and creative food. At the helm are a mother-daughter team that brings flavorful French-inspired cuisine with global inspiration to Bushwick. Special occasions like a birthday, bringing a date, or going for a solo-only dine-out weeknight are all rewarded with a beautiful meal in a relaxing, low-key space. The fare that considers spices and flavors from around the world is always spectacular. The waitstaff is attentive and caring. Start your meal with a creative cocktail and begin to unwind in a quaint atmosphere while you consume a meal you’ll describe as amazing. Menu highlights are plenty and include hanger steak à la plancha, potatoes in duck fat, béarnaise and organic chicken for two and thyme crushed potatoes!
2021: Brooklyn Voted Bar Tabac Best French Restaurant! (Tie)
Bar Tabac
128 Smith St, Brooklyn
(718) 923-0918 – www.bartabacny.com
Everyone in Brooklyn knows Bar Tabac — and not just for its famed french onion soup. Bar Tabac has made a name for itself as being the crème de la crème when it comes to French cuisine. From Country Pâté and Baked Burgundy Snails to Bar Tabac “classics” like Le Couscous and Pork Schnitzel, there’s something for every Francophile at this eatery. At home on Smith Street in Cobble Hill, Bar Tabac embodies the spirit of the French Tabacs, small annexes to French bars where patrons purchase lottery, gum, and tobacco. The classic ‘60s bar, the antiques, and camaraderie all fuse and transport you to la République!
2021: Brooklyn Voted French Louie Best French Restaurant! (Tie)
French Louie
320 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn
(718) 935-1200 – www.frenchlouienyc.com
French cuisine isn’t as easy to come by in Brooklyn as, say, pizza. But at French Louie on Atlantic Avenue, you feel like you’re miles away from the Five Boroughs, and right in the heart of France. At this trendy French bistro, creative French-American meals are showcased in a stylish, sleek venue with patio seating. The eatery — named after “Mule driver, lumberjack, fisherman, trapper and happy hermit” Louie Seymour — features the tastiest French cuisine in Kings County, and some of the most delectable wines to match. This French-American restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and (everybody’s favorite) brunch in Boerum Hill, where patrons come again (and again) to experience a little taste of Europe in their own backyard!
2020: Brooklyn Voted Cafe Luluc Best French Restaurant!
Cafe Luluc
214 Smith St, Brooklyn
(718) 625-3815 – www.cafeluluc.com
Ooh la la! Located in a beautifully bustling area of Brooklyn, the cash-only restaurant makes some of the area’s best foods with many different options, mostly French bistro style and occasional Mexican specials. Plan a brunch date at the cafe, but be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes in line in the cramped entrance. Enjoy warm, fluffy pancakes, topped with fresh fruit and paired with local maple syrup. The pancakes are served as a side or an entree, and are offered anytime of the day. Also indulge in traditional eggs benedict with ham, and thinly cut fries from the brunch menu. Overall, the ambiance at Cafe Luluc is usually casual indoors and offer outdoor seating on the patio.
2019: Brooklyn Voted Bar Tabac Best French Restaurant!
Bar Tabac
128 Smith St.
(718) 923-0918 – www.bartabacny.com
Ooh la la! Bar Tabac imparts the vibrant energy of France into the Cobble Hill neighborhood in Brooklyn and compliments Smith Street’s bohemian spirit. The colorful corner storefront embodies the spirit of the tabacs in France, the ubiquitous small storefronts and annexes in bars that sell lottery tickets, chewing gum, and of course, tobacco. Bar Tabac may not actually sell tobacco, but the lively camaraderie and antique 1960’s bar conspire to compose a unique place that is authentically French but delightfully local. Live jazz four times a week, storied weekend brunches and irresistible Bistro Bites have led to Bar Tabac’s loyal following. Guests return again and again to enjoy themselves in the lively bar, or to spend an intimate evening in the back room amidst the glow of candles illuminated under the atrium skylight.
2017: Brooklyn Voted Petit Oven Best French Restaurant!
Petit Oven
276 Bay Ridge Avenue
(718) 833-3443 – www.petit-oven.com
This intimate bistro at home in the heart of Bay Ridge serves up seasonal French fare à la carte and as part of a three-course tasting menu. From fried oysters and warm brie to salmon tartare and crispy rohan duck breast, there is something for everyone – even those who are new to the delicacy of French cuisine. Often renowned as one of Brooklyn’s best kept secrets, it’s no secret that Petit Oven is the best of the best borough-wide when it comes to French fare.