French Restaurants in Chicago, IL

“I have dined at some incredible restaurants, and Obélix has officially earned a permanent spot on my list.

Our server Alexa deserves her own spotlight. She’s a genuine foodie with wit, warmth, and the rare ability to describe a dish so vividly you’ve practically tasted it before it hits the table. She didn’t recite a menu, she painted a picture. Every dish, dessert, and drink recommendation came with a story and just enough personality to make the whole experience feel effortless and special.

The food: foie gras crisps (10/10 — pure perfection), a beautifully composed duck salad, pristine Dover sole, the most indulgent au gratin macaroni of my life, and desserts — plural — that all exceeded expectations.

Obélix is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why you love food. Ask for Alexa. You’re welcome.“

“Excellent food, friendly staff, cozy atmosphere.“

“Elegantly casual. LUVED. Counter seat into kitchen view was fun, interesting and worth it.“

“This past Friday our party had made a late 13-person reservation following our son's High School graduation ceremony at nearby Credit 1 arena. Unfortunately the activities ran late and we were put in a very precarious position of possibly missing our reservation. A few of us left early to get over there to explain what happened. We were fortunate enough, even with all the street we were under to feed out of 8 out of towners and having to find another location at 9:10p on a Friday evening, the Manager, a modern Saint said they'd keep the kitchen open for us.
I can not tell you how relieved and thankful were to her and the Chez Joel team to ask the kitchen to stay open an extra hour for starters, entrees and desserts. We were humbled by the hospitality.
Listen - the Chez Joel was without a doubt a master class in hospitality, service and kindness from the moment we opened the door until we left and said good night.
Oh, on top of that, the wine recommendations were fantastic, the escargot (OMFG) as were the other starters followed by the amazing entrees and fresh desserts. My goodness. This was a full-experience.
I cannot recommend this establishment enough from a small romantic dinner in a corner low-lit table to a party 13. 1,000/10 starts.“

“Attended a very lovely wedding + reception there today (not a usual function they perform) and it was absolutely amazing! The decor, the atmosphere, the food & service were all top notch! Tres Bien!!!“

“Luxury and meticulousness are perfectly integrated, and every detail is a persistent pursuit of quality. From warm smiles to comfy bedding, everything is there to make your stay perfect. Here, it is not only a place to stay, but also an excellent choice for you to enjoy luxury and tranquility“

“It a classic French Bistro with a wonderful menu and excellent service in the heart of one of Chicago’s friendliest neighborhoods!!“

“We loved our meal last night for Valentine’s Day! pair the duck bread with the squash soup. It was absolutely delicious. The goat cheese salad with the apple dressing was equally as good. My steak was cooked perfectly. We had an amazing espresso martini and a delightful crisp lemon cocktail. My husband also liked their old fashioned. We split caramel ice cream with pineapple and it was a great finishing touch. The Moscato d Asti never disappoints either this is our fourth Valentine’s Day with Brindille and it has been our tradition ever since we have been together. Each year is different and this year was definitely better than the last! Their servers are great too. We are looking forward to our future years here. Thank you. ❤️“

“We really loved the experience here. The food tasted good, the server was good enough, the atmosphere was great. I think it’s a good representation of French classics but not a perfect one. The four gras was quite delicious. The duck was a tiny bit tough but the flavor was incredible. Definitely worth a visit.“

“I found this gem about a month ago and I have been here several times in the past month...and I live in South Carolina! If you have not found this place - RUN to them! Their food is amazing. Their French Onion soup will bring a tear to your eyes... and their Cornish hen is out of this world! Graham and his crew here are kicking out some amazing food you can't find everywhere in Chicago and this place is becoming a fan favorite with our company and some of our vendors/partners. Great place to take a client, date, or just some friends.“

“J'adore la nourriture ici. Ambiance incroyable. Vraiment aimé le vin et le steak. Je reviendrai. ❤️“

“Our first visit! Frank welcomed us and took care of us. I loved the Gazpacho. It's very authentic. We had a house in Barcelona for about 10 years so I know gazpacho pretty well. It was perfection!

The beat was also a big hit. Loved it!
We live around the corner and we'll be back often.“

“j'ai passé le meilleur moment ici. La nourriture était si bonne. J'y suis allé avec mes filles après le travail. Maintenant je vais dans ce café presque tous les jours ❤️“

“A well-loved Chicago institution, La Creperie continues to serve great crepes and very good French onion soup. Their wine selection is excellent, and the outdoor patio is quite charming. Be sure to make reservations though, especially on the weekends.“

“We went for the Valentines Day 3 course meal and it was just incredible. The chocolate dessert that they have is to die for! It is also decorated beautifully and you can tell that all of the food is made with quality and fresh ingredients. Will definitely be back here again! My only complaint was our service, we felt like since we weren't big drinkers that we didn't get checked on very much by our waiter compared to some of the other tables & that's that we are generally pretty “easy.” However the hostess, other staff, and food runners were super sweet. Hopefully next time we'll just get a better server. However the food and everything else made up for the lack of our server being too hands on!! Will be back soon!“

“Ty sara“

“Great atmosphere! Wonderful service! Tasty appetizers and fantastic drinks!“

“Great hotel restaurant. Five star for sushi. It's a staple in Chicago. The rooftop is great in the summer. The martinis are great. Slightly expensive though.“

“Coquette is amazing. I appreciate the staffs and managers kindness to me even though I have autism and their food is amazing and really good. Owner Erwin is very nice. The restaurant is in good condition. Amazing mashed potatoes. Must come back. 10/10.“

“Lovely French restaurant! Attentive service. Enjoyed our food. Certainly a work in progress but worth it! Will go back!“

“I took my daughter out for her birthday with my son and his family. Suffice it to say, my family loves good food and the menu hit the spot for us. Warm bread served with a briny tapenade, seafood tower, oyster plate, caviar service, duck, steaks and delicious sides were just a few items that we ate. The drinks were good as well. We really enjoyed ourselves and the service was very good.“

“I lived in Paris for some time and always loved the sandwiches . Leàs baguette sandwiches are just as authentic and coffee was great also . Merci!“

“I seldom do Chicago without coming here at least once. That's at least 70 visits in over ten years. From their French pressed coffee to the bread service, it is tip top always.“

“I had dinner at Le Colonial Chicago during my visit, and it was an exceptional experience from the moment I walked in. The restaurant has a beautiful, elegant atmosphere inspired by French-Vietnamese heritage, creating a space that feels both sophisticated and inviting.

I ordered a few dishes to share, and every plate was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The ingredients tasted fresh, the seasonings were well-balanced, and each dish showcased a nice blend of French and Vietnamese influences. The cocktails were also expertly crafted and complemented the meal perfectly.

The service was outstanding. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and made thoughtful recommendations that enhanced the entire dining experience without ever feeling rushed.

One tip: make a reservation ahead of time, especially for dinner, as it's a popular destination. If you're dining with friends, order several dishes to share so you can experience more of the menu.

Overall, I had a fantastic experience at Le Colonial Chicago. Thank you to the entire team for the outstanding food, impeccable service, and elegant atmosphere. I would happily return on my next visit to Chicago.“

“Les viennoiseries et le pain sont excellents. J’ai particulièrement apprécié les croissants aux amandes. Presque comme à la maison 😉 LaWantzenau (67610) France“

“Since coming back from Paris, I just wanted to re-experience an amazing French breakfast and pastry. And this place never disappoints! I brought my mom here and knowing she has high expectations, I was nervous. But after her first bite, I knew that she loved it! Everyone is always very nice and the atmosphere is just so cozy and very French. The croissants are to die for!“

“Great food and awesome service! Oysters were delicious.“