3 Best French Restaurants in Riverside, CA

Expert-recommended Top 3 French Restaurants in Riverside, California. All of our french cuisines actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

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LE CHAT NOIR

3790 9th Street,
Riverside, CA 92501 Directions

Since 2015

Specialities:

✓Chef's Snails ✓Mushrooms Stuffed With Roquefort Snails ✓Smoked Salmon ✓Mussels With Chicken In White Wine ✓Mustard Shrimp ✓Homemade Pâté ✓Bread Serving ✓Onion Soup Gratin With Gruyère Cheese ✓The House Salad ✓Provençal Chicken Breast ✓Duck Breast With Exotic Peppers ✓Venison Ribs Bordeaux Style ✓Pheasant Breast With Champagne ✓Sweetbread Vol Au Vent With Sherry ✓Poitrine De Faisan Au Champagne

" Le Chat Noir offers a classic menu and a robust wine list in a polished setting in a charming French bistro. This restaurant was recognized for outstanding food safety by the Department of Environmental Health in 2019. They focus on fresh, all-natural ingredients and offer a carefully crafted menu of traditional French cuisine, expertly prepared by skilled chefs. Signature dishes like rack of lamb and the chef’s special escargots showcase the restaurant's dedication to authentic flavors and high quality. Enjoy exquisite desserts like crème brûlée and freshly made Napoleon for a sweet ending. The restaurant also caters to different dietary needs, offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual night out, you can reserve a table or purchase gift certificates for loved ones. They also serve great cocktails.

2026 Highlights: The exterior features three large awnings that cover their outdoor dining area."

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License #3996895

Menu:

Hors D’Oeuvres:
Escargots Du Chef: $13.50
Champignons Farcis Aux Escargots De Roquefort: $15.25
Saumon Fumé: $14.25
Moules Poulette Au Vin Blanc: $15.00
Les Crevettes à La Moutarde: $13.95
PâTé Maison: $13.50
Bread Serving: $4.50
LA SOUPE:
Soupe à L’Oignon GratinéE Au GruyèRe: $12.00
LA SALADE:
La Salade Maison: $8.95
LES VOLAILLES:
Poitrine De Poulet ProvençAle: $29.95
Magret De Canard Aux Poivres Exotiques: $33.95
LES GIBIERS:
CôTes De Chevreuil à La Bordelaise: $45.00
Poitrine De Faisan Au Champagne: $39.95
LES VIANDES:
La Noisette D’Agneau Du Chat Noir: $38.95
Le Carré D’Agneau Aux Herbes: $38.50
Les Tournedos De Boeuf, Blanc Et Noir: $60.00
Le Filet Mignon Au Poivre: $60.00
LES POISSONS:
Filet De Saumon Poché à L’Estragon: $32.95

Contact:

(951) 786-9266

Tue-Sat: 5pm - 10pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

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LE RENDEZ-VOUS CAFE

123 North Main Street, Lake Elsinore,
Riverside, CA 92530 Directions

Since 2024

Specialities:

✓Garlic Toast ✓Bleu Cheese Wedge Salad Lunch ✓Sautéed Mushrooms ✓Caesar Salad Lunch ✓Cajun Pasta and White Wine Tomato Pasta Lunch ✓Classic Blt Sandwich and Grilled Cheese Panini Lunch ✓French Onion Au Gratin Soup ✓Bouillabaisse Lunch ✓Escargot

" Le Rendez-Vous Cafe serves French-inspired breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner in a quiet ambiance. This modern French-Creole café is located in Historic Downtown Lake Elsinore, CA. The skilled head chef, Manuel Gamboa, previously led the kitchen at San Bernardino's famous Le Rendez-Vous Restaurant. His creative dishes look as good as they taste. The café takes pride in offering vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo options to accommodate various dietary preferences. They also serve great cocktails. Le Rendez-Vous Cafe is a kid-friendly restaurant. Their Classic BLT Sandwich Lunch is served with a choice of sides.

2026 Highlights: The entire dining room operates on one single floor with no stairs or steps to navigate. The entryway and layout easily accommodate walkers and wheelchairs."

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Menu:

Breakfast & Specialty Pancakes
Pineapple
ûLéE Pancakes: $19.00
Bananas Foster Pancakes: $19.00
Soups & Salads
French Onion Au Gratin Soup: $8.40+
Chicken Arugula Salad: $19.20
Caesar Salad: $19.20
Pear Salad: $21.60
Bouillabaisse: $24.00
Burgers & EntréEs
Bacon And Blue Burger: $19.00
Cornflake Crusted Chicken Tenders: $16.80
Cajun Popcorn Shrimp: $16.80
Dinner Appetizers
Garlic Toast: $9.60
Sauteed Mushrooms: $12.00
Fried JalapeñO Coins: $12.00
Mussels Provencal: $14.40
Escargot: $15.60

Contact:

(909) 424-0355

Tue-Sat: 10am - 8pm
Sun: 9am - 3pm
Mon: Closed

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CENTRO BASCO

13432 Central Avenue,
Riverside, CA 91710 Directions

Since 1940

Specialities:

✓Basco Burger ✓Steak Sandwich ✓French Dip Sandwich ✓Lukinka Sandwich ✓Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce ✓Hamburger & French Fries ✓Grilled Cheese & French Fries ✓Chicken Tenders & French Fries ✓Quartered Roasted Chicken & French Fries ✓Iced Tea ✓Lemonade ✓Strawberry Lemonade ✓Hot Cocoa ✓Coffee ✓Perrier ✓Espresso

“ 2026 Highlights: Centro Basco a women-owned, historic restaurant specializes in authentic French-Basque country fare. Standout specialties include their famous marinated beef tongue, oxtail stew, full rack of lamb, lukainka sausage, and Monique’s gateau Basque. Dishes are crafted with rich, savory ingredients like garlic butter, basquaise pepper sauce, and regional meats. Their services feature dine-in table service, curbside pickup, and delivery. Centro Basco amenities include an onsite bar, a private dining room, a historic pelota court, high chairs, and free Wi-Fi. They accommodate large groups with dedicated catering services and private events. For seamless billing, payments accepted include credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments”

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License #202250516850

Menu:

Sandwiches & Burgers
Basco Burger: $14
Steak Sandwich: $16
French Dip Sandwich: $15
Lukinka Sandwich: $13
Kids Menu (12 And Under)
Spaghetti W Meat Sauce: $9
Hamburger & French Fries: $10
Grilled Cheese & French Fries: $9
Chicken Tenders & French Fries: $9
Quartered Roasted Chicken & French Fries: $10
Beverages
Iced Tea: $4
Lemonade: $4
Strawberry Lemonade: $4
Hot Cocoa: $4
Coffee: $4
Perrier: $4
Espresso: $5

Contact:

(909) 628-9014

Mon: Closed
Tue: 5pm - 9pm
Wed-Fri: 11:30am-2pm|4pm-9pm
Sat: 12:30pm-2pm|4pm-9pm
Sun: 12pm-8pm

TBR® Inspection Report: