Le Papillon

410 Saratoga Ave, San Jose
(408) 296-3730

Recent Reviews

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dashizzle1985

Food was alright.
I don't think I will go here again.
For three people it was around $500
The food wasn't mind blowing. For the money the food should have been mind blowingly amazing.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Sankha Hota

From the price point, we did not find this restaurant justify the food it delivered.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

mars severe

Superb dishes, great staff

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Roasted Duck Breast with Pinot Noir Vincotto Jus and Stuffed Morels

B Craig

I love this place. Delicious food and great wine selection. The atmosphere is intimate, so expect soft lighting and a quiet background. The menu changes seasonally, but some items return year after year.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Renard Korzeniowski

Beautiful building, average interior, other guest being very loud but for Americans it might be normal. Food was good but for Michelin star restaurant at this price it was poor at least compared to places I've been to in other countries. Jazz guns and rouses felt kitschy. Service was very nice and made an effort to answer all of my questions about the food

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 5

Dashiell Renaud

Form over function. Excellent service, decent wine menu. The cocktails were quite basic. The food is pretty but leaves a lot to be desired.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 5

Gabby J

Slightly pricey but the food is unique and delicious

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Oksana Prodan

Le Papillon catered our wedding, and we are still floating from the incredible experience. From the very first meeting to the final plate served, everything was beyond perfection. My husband and I were absolutely blown away—not only by the quality and taste of the food, but by the genuine care, professionalism, and warmth of the entire Le Papillon team.
We had the pleasure of working closely with Tamera, who guided us through the entire process with such grace, patience, and clarity. Every step was transparent, organized, and honestly a joy to go through—something I never expected to say about planning wedding catering! Tamera helped us schedule our tasting at the restaurant, where we had the absolute honor of being served by Mike, Le Papillon’s founder and owner, who also shared stories of his culinary journey. That tasting made us feel like we were the center of the universe—and sealed the deal. We knew we were in the best hands.
Now, let’s talk about the food. WOW. I’m not even a soup person, but we were served a salsify soup with duck pâté, and my husband and I looked at each other and said, “We have to have this at the wedding.” I would honestly die happy eating that soup for the rest of my life. And that was just the start! The hors d’oeuvres were so good we wanted to make a meal of them, and our guests couldn’t stop raving. We opted for a three-course meal, including a ravioli course that was out of this world, and a main course duet of duck and filet mignon—both cooked to absolute perfection. Every plate was a masterpiece. Even our most discerning family members (who always have something to say) were speechless. They’re still talking about the meal!
One of the things we’re eternally grateful for was how seamlessly Le Papillon accommodated our guests’ food allergies and dietary needs—without hesitation or compromise. Every substitution was just as thoughtful and delicious as the originals. As someone who is gluten-free, I couldn’t eat the ravioli course, but instead I was served a toasted polenta with mushroom sauce that was SO good, I honestly think I got the better end of the deal! I still think about that dish—it was packed with flavor and beautifully balanced. We are so thankful for the care and attention that went into making sure everyone at our wedding could enjoy an exceptional meal.
To top it all off, Tamera and Mike personally attended our wedding alongside their staff, ensuring everything went smoothly. Their presence meant so much to us. The service was five-star across the board—from the kitchen to the waitstaff—and the entire experience was seamless, joyful, and unforgettable.
And this 5-star review doesn’t just go for the catering—it’s for the restaurant as well. Our families were so blown away by the food and hospitality that they immediately asked Mike if he could host us the following night for a post-wedding family celebration. He graciously agreed, and while the restaurant menu differs slightly from the catering options, it was equally as extraordinary. Every course was executed with the same elegance, care, and bold flavor. It was the perfect way to extend the joy of our celebration—and Le Papillon truly made it unforgettable.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Israel Soriano

Le Papillon is simply outstanding! The food is exquisite, the presentation is beautiful, and the service is elegant and attentive. A true fine dining experience! 🍷🍽️✨

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

KATHERINE HSU

Le Papillon catered our wedding and they went above and beyond! A special thank you to Mike, Tamera and team—what a special evening with the very best. All of our guests were raving about how great the food was! We feel so grateful and lucky that we found Le Papillon—you will not go wrong with choosing Le Papillon.

Noreen King

My team and I went to Le Papillon for a celebratory dinner - it was sheer perfection. The food and service were excellent. This has always been one of the top Silicon Valley restaurants for special occassions - I am so glad to see that the standard is still top notch. Expensive of course but definitely worth it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Stephanie Lovell

Had a wonderful mid-week dinner at Le Papillon with Nicky and Kristen. We ordered the tasting menu, which came with a few extra bites from the kitchen.

The highlights:
• Chilled poached lobster with corn custard, kumquat, and caviar – silky and balanced.
• Maryland soft shelled crab – crisp, delicate, and flavorful.
• Rabbit terrine – my personal favorite, though Kristen’s least, earthy and refined.
• Breast of pheasant with confit fig, pine nut, and Madeira jus – a great balance of sweet and savory.
• Tenderloin of bison with green peppercorns and tempura enoki mushrooms – bold, tender, and beautifully presented.

Service was attentive without being intrusive, and the pacing of the menu made the evening feel relaxed and special. Overall, a thoughtful seasonal menu and a great spot for a fine dining experience in San Jose.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Angela Chetina (Psychology and sexology)

Le Papillon in San Jose offers a wonderful fine dining experience that combines excellent service, beautifully prepared dishes, and a warm, elegant atmosphere. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome and comfortable. They were attentive without ever being intrusive, striking just the right balance between professionalism and friendliness. It set the stage for a truly enjoyable evening.

The food itself was fantastic. Every dish was presented with care and precision, and the flavors were both refined and memorable. The rack of lamb stood out as one of the highlights — tender, perfectly seasoned, and cooked exactly as it should be. Each bite was rich and satisfying. For dessert, we tried the Grand Marnier soufflé, and it was absolutely delightful: light, airy, and paired perfectly with fresh berries and cream. It was a beautiful way to end the meal and one that I would happily order again on my next visit.

The atmosphere inside Le Papillon is intimate and inviting. It feels special without being pretentious, making it a great choice for celebrating an occasion or simply enjoying a high-quality meal. The dining room is elegant and quiet, which added to the overall sense of ease and comfort.

Overall, Le Papillon deserves every bit of its strong reputation. With exceptional food, attentive service, and a charming setting, it easily earns five stars. I would gladly recommend it to anyone looking for a fine dining experience in the Bay Area.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jeff Kao

I first came here in Y2K. The tech giant we were working with wanted to come here. I didn't know the area nor the caliber of the restaurant. Fortunately for me our company paid for the meal.

We have returned to Le Papillon on and off all these years. They do not change the menu much. We went with one 3 course and one 4 course prix fixe. Don't let the number fool you. We were both stuffed by the time we were done. Service, as it should be, was top notch. Unfortunately the halibut was really bland. It felt as if they forgot to season the fish. Sea bass was excellent. Make sure you order the souffle.

They do not allow mixing prix fixe with tasting. I don't understand why. Perhaps I am not at the level to understand the reason behind it. Wouldn't it make sense to let patrons taste as many of the restaurant's creations to 'expand our horizon?' While I know tasting menu typically takes much longer to go through, if the guests are going to share the food, I think there are ways to pace it for the table. Perhaps I'm a bit naive on how they operate in the back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Clement Hall

We made reservations to celebrate

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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