My daughter and I wanted to try one of the nice restaurants in Old Naples and chose a French restaurant. The French did not disappoint. We both commented that our meals were the best meals we could recall EVER having at a restaurant. Both were cooked to perfection (Fettuccine with Maine Lobster tail and Halibut with Scallops). Christina was a phenomenal server and made the dinner that much more special. It is definitely not inexpensive, but it was well worth the money. I highly recommend for a special occasion or just when you want a great meal!
MMiller1000
Nothing beats a GREAT experience than an AWESOME server like Susie who we just met but learned so much about through “hair of the dog” to food to a wine tasting to dessert after the rain dampened the New Years Art Festival. Hard working, talked pride in her craft and just a great personality in an industry decimated by lacking hard workers. Thank you Susie!
barbarafD7036VH
We always look forward to dining at The French when in Naples. Excellent service, delicious food, energetic setting. Last night, for me, checked only two of those boxes. The positives were a great outdoor table on a bustling night. The bistro was definitely at near maximum capacity with very few unoccupied indoor tables or empty bar seats. Our server, Simi, excelled. My fellows each enjoyed their entrees [salmon, short ribs, roasted chix]. I order cassoulet for my main course and was left deeply unsatisfied. Rather than the fortified, velvety, heirloom bean laden comfort food anticipated, I was served what seemed to be an oily brown crock with an overcooked sausage, duck leg, and pork belly. Perhaps my dish sat too long under the salamander? Not sure. Had to request Dijon mustard to jump-start the flavors. Was able to assemble, maybe, four forkfuls of beans, one or two of pork, and a bit more duck confit. This cassoulet did not hold up as one of the hallmark dishes of French country cuisine. I chose not to explain my disappointment to Simi because my husband and friends so loved their meals. But, at $48? So very very very sad. Pass the bread, please.
1949michelf
Excellent salads for Lunch, the lettuces like picked that day from a garden....I dined there at least four times in October 2023.....The Chicken Paillard is my go-to along with Salads: Shrimp & Cantaloupe (I always ask them to chop the prosciutto) large lightly grilled shrimps and fantastic tarragon-shallot vinaigrette; also the Tomato & Artichoke Salad teamed with a creamy burrata and pickled red onions. Their Lobster Bisque is the Best in town along with their Steamed Mussels. This is one of my favorite places to dine on Fifth along with Osteria Tulia. As a Journalist and a cook, I know good food. When the girls asked me where I would like to go on Dec. 7th for my Birthday, I immediately said "The FRENCH"....
margaret b
Ok but nothing brag about. The staff behind the bar were great but the food was so-so. Although the presentation was appealing, nothing had much taste. My croque monsieur was burnt and served like a day old grilled cheese sandwich.
AshleyJ976
Traveling solo so didn’t want a big dinner. Had a couple of cocktails and the onion soup - and the bread basket! Wow - would definitely return.
Devin C
We went to a movie and had decided to go for a nice dinner afterwards the food was amazing. The service was outstanding. We have the lamb and the beast burger, peach salad, and the crème brûlée outstanding. The food taste so deep and complex, but also like your grandma made it With love! Thank you we will be back
Go45476065817
This restaurant is consistently, highly rated on Tripadvisor and other sites, the question I would like to pose is, why? This might have been one of the more mediocre meals I have experienced in years. I have given The French two stars for the service, because our server, an absolutely delightful young lady, not only provided us with wonderful service, but she very expertly opened the bottle of champagne we brought with us to dinner. Without her, this was a one star experience. Concerns arose when they brought the bread basket. Bread was fine, but the butter? Whipped, airy, airy and laced with garlic. One of the pleasures of going to an authentic French restaurant is that a big square pack of salted butter, creamy, and absolutely delicious. This butter was vapid. Foie Gras was meh. When they brought the escargot, I ate two and honestly could not eat anymore, it was absolutely awful. The wife had the French onion soup, which was OK. Salad that followed was tasteless. Grilled Gambas were over cooked and underseasoned. Seriously, this place is so highly rated everywhere, and I do not understand why, because our meal was poor. The companion Italian place, Osteria Tulia? Absolutely outstanding, but skip the French.
Lee S
Very good food and excellent service. Lovely hand painted murals. Good prix fixed luncheon menu. Lively atmosphere.
Linda M
Love the atmosphere! We both had the onion soup which was delicious and the Bordeaux beef special. Our waitress surprised me with dessert for my birthday. She was lovely and attentive!
Picked this restaurant as it is one of our favorites for special occasions. Last night was no exception as we were celebrating a birthday. The server was very good. Pleasant and attentive. The Brussels sprouts appetizer was not very good, tasteless and dry. The escargot was also tasteless. If there was garlic in it, it certainly wasn’t enough. The steak Tatar was very good. My branzino was dry, which is sad because it used to be my favorite there. The server brought out a large eclair with a candle for my birthday. It was much appreciated and very good. We won’t go back for awhile, if ever, as there are so many other choices and our dinners just weren’t that great.
thecruiseladySeattle
I’ve only lived in Naples for two years but have dined at many of the top rated spots. This is, hands down, my favorite by far, tho I’ll admit it’s off season so not super crowded and we had a brunch rez at 1130 which is when they open so service was not rushed and parking a breeze. We love umbrella tables but a bit warm in June so opted for the cool, dark and very French ambience inside. The wood paneling and wall murals! But, the best is the food. The best French bread in the USA and ditto for the butter. Had a perfect Aperol Spritz and the best (I know I’m saying best a lot) omelette I’ve ever had anywhere. One friend had the raisin walnut French toast and went crazy. Will be coming back often and especially for dinner before the theater at Artis Naples this winter - it will be the perfect place for that. Thank you for a delightful experience. Cheers!
InlovewGstaad
Charming place, right on 5th, with room to dine inside or outside. Great, professional service. (Though the hosts were a bit cold and not friendly). My waiter was great. I had the Boeuf Bourgignon- and it was delicious. Authentic. No room for anything else. The bread too, was wonderful, and served with butter in olive oil with roasted garlic cloves. Yum!
Greg B
We went to Sunday Brunch just to hear Dan Heck and his awesome trio. We made a reservation . We showed up on time. The hostess seated us it an unshaded table along a white wall. The Tempe true was about 105 degrees in that spot. We asked to be moved a shaded table, of which there were many, and were told those were for people with reservations. We walked out. As to the food, of course it was ridiculously expensive and exotic. Only actually a few Brunch items, not including a classic Eggs Benedict, but offering a Raisin Walnut French Toast, whatever that is. On the way out we glance at a few tables that had been served. The food looked ordinary. The issue here for the management. They let a minimum wage hostess toss a $60 check and a $20 tip out the door. And lost a customer forever. Bad deal for the waiter. And all with a snooty attitude. This is a training issue.
cjoyn
Delicious food. Exceptional service. Fun atmosphere sitting on 5th and people watching. Only negative is food is priced slightly higher than some of the high end restaurants in the area.
My daughter and I wanted to try one of the nice restaurants in Old Naples and chose a French restaurant. The French did not disappoint. We both commented that our meals were the best meals we could recall EVER having at a restaurant. Both were cooked to perfection (Fettuccine with Maine Lobster tail and Halibut with Scallops). Christina was a phenomenal server and made the dinner that much more special. It is definitely not inexpensive, but it was well worth the money. I highly recommend for a special occasion or just when you want a great meal!
Nothing beats a GREAT experience than an AWESOME server like Susie who we just met but learned so much about through “hair of the dog” to food to a wine tasting to dessert after the rain dampened the New Years Art Festival. Hard working, talked pride in her craft and just a great personality in an industry decimated by lacking hard workers. Thank you Susie!
We always look forward to dining at The French when in Naples. Excellent service, delicious food, energetic setting. Last night, for me, checked only two of those boxes. The positives were a great outdoor table on a bustling night. The bistro was definitely at near maximum capacity with very few unoccupied indoor tables or empty bar seats. Our server, Simi, excelled. My fellows each enjoyed their entrees [salmon, short ribs, roasted chix]. I order cassoulet for my main course and was left deeply unsatisfied. Rather than the fortified, velvety, heirloom bean laden comfort food anticipated, I was served what seemed to be an oily brown crock with an overcooked sausage, duck leg, and pork belly. Perhaps my dish sat too long under the salamander? Not sure. Had to request Dijon mustard to jump-start the flavors. Was able to assemble, maybe, four forkfuls of beans, one or two of pork, and a bit more duck confit. This cassoulet did not hold up as one of the hallmark dishes of French country cuisine. I chose not to explain my disappointment to Simi because my husband and friends so loved their meals. But, at $48? So very very very sad. Pass the bread, please.
Excellent salads for Lunch, the lettuces like picked that day from a garden....I dined there at least four times in October 2023.....The Chicken Paillard is my go-to along with Salads: Shrimp & Cantaloupe (I always ask them to chop the prosciutto) large lightly grilled shrimps and fantastic tarragon-shallot vinaigrette; also the Tomato & Artichoke Salad teamed with a creamy burrata and pickled red onions. Their Lobster Bisque is the Best in town along with their Steamed Mussels. This is one of my favorite places to dine on Fifth along with Osteria Tulia. As a Journalist and a cook, I know good food. When the girls asked me where I would like to go on Dec. 7th for my Birthday, I immediately said "The FRENCH"....
Ok but nothing brag about. The staff behind the bar were great but the food was so-so. Although the presentation was appealing, nothing had much taste. My croque monsieur was burnt and served like a day old grilled cheese sandwich.
Traveling solo so didn’t want a big dinner. Had a couple of cocktails and the onion soup - and the bread basket! Wow - would definitely return.
We went to a movie and had decided to go for a nice dinner afterwards the food was amazing. The service was outstanding. We have the lamb and the beast burger, peach salad, and the crème brûlée outstanding. The food taste so deep and complex, but also like your grandma made it With love! Thank you we will be back
This restaurant is consistently, highly rated on Tripadvisor and other sites, the question I would like to pose is, why? This might have been one of the more mediocre meals I have experienced in years. I have given The French two stars for the service, because our server, an absolutely delightful young lady, not only provided us with wonderful service, but she very expertly opened the bottle of champagne we brought with us to dinner. Without her, this was a one star experience. Concerns arose when they brought the bread basket. Bread was fine, but the butter? Whipped, airy, airy and laced with garlic. One of the pleasures of going to an authentic French restaurant is that a big square pack of salted butter, creamy, and absolutely delicious. This butter was vapid. Foie Gras was meh. When they brought the escargot, I ate two and honestly could not eat anymore, it was absolutely awful. The wife had the French onion soup, which was OK. Salad that followed was tasteless. Grilled Gambas were over cooked and underseasoned. Seriously, this place is so highly rated everywhere, and I do not understand why, because our meal was poor. The companion Italian place, Osteria Tulia? Absolutely outstanding, but skip the French.
Very good food and excellent service. Lovely hand painted murals. Good prix fixed luncheon menu. Lively atmosphere.
Love the atmosphere! We both had the onion soup which was delicious and the Bordeaux beef special. Our waitress surprised me with dessert for my birthday. She was lovely and attentive!
Restaurantji Recommends
Picked this restaurant as it is one of our favorites for special occasions. Last night was no exception as we were celebrating a birthday. The server was very good. Pleasant and attentive. The Brussels sprouts appetizer was not very good, tasteless and dry. The escargot was also tasteless. If there was garlic in it, it certainly wasn’t enough. The steak Tatar was very good. My branzino was dry, which is sad because it used to be my favorite there. The server brought out a large eclair with a candle for my birthday. It was much appreciated and very good. We won’t go back for awhile, if ever, as there are so many other choices and our dinners just weren’t that great.
I’ve only lived in Naples for two years but have dined at many of the top rated spots. This is, hands down, my favorite by far, tho I’ll admit it’s off season so not super crowded and we had a brunch rez at 1130 which is when they open so service was not rushed and parking a breeze. We love umbrella tables but a bit warm in June so opted for the cool, dark and very French ambience inside. The wood paneling and wall murals! But, the best is the food. The best French bread in the USA and ditto for the butter. Had a perfect Aperol Spritz and the best (I know I’m saying best a lot) omelette I’ve ever had anywhere. One friend had the raisin walnut French toast and went crazy. Will be coming back often and especially for dinner before the theater at Artis Naples this winter - it will be the perfect place for that. Thank you for a delightful experience. Cheers!
Charming place, right on 5th, with room to dine inside or outside. Great, professional service. (Though the hosts were a bit cold and not friendly). My waiter was great. I had the Boeuf Bourgignon- and it was delicious. Authentic. No room for anything else. The bread too, was wonderful, and served with butter in olive oil with roasted garlic cloves. Yum!
We went to Sunday Brunch just to hear Dan Heck and his awesome trio. We made a reservation . We showed up on time. The hostess seated us it an unshaded table along a white wall. The Tempe true was about 105 degrees in that spot. We asked to be moved a shaded table, of which there were many, and were told those were for people with reservations. We walked out. As to the food, of course it was ridiculously expensive and exotic. Only actually a few Brunch items, not including a classic Eggs Benedict, but offering a Raisin Walnut French Toast, whatever that is. On the way out we glance at a few tables that had been served. The food looked ordinary. The issue here for the management. They let a minimum wage hostess toss a $60 check and a $20 tip out the door. And lost a customer forever. Bad deal for the waiter. And all with a snooty attitude. This is a training issue.
Delicious food. Exceptional service. Fun atmosphere sitting on 5th and people watching. Only negative is food is priced slightly higher than some of the high end restaurants in the area.
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