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BEST RATED SAN FRANCISCO, CA FRENCH RESTAURANTS

3 Best French Restaurants in San Francisco, CA

Expert-recommended Top 3 French Restaurants in San Francisco, 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!

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar - San Francisco, CA French Restaurants - Dish Image
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8+ YEARS IN TBR
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ABSINTHE BRASSERIE & BAR

(4.9 Score)
398 Hayes Street,
San Francisco, CA 94102 Directions

Since 1998

Specialities:

✓House-made Cheese Puffs ✓Basque Fish and Chips ✓Duck Rillettes ✓Eggs and Toast ✓Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Estate ✓Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Reserve ✓Oyster Selection ✓Marinated Local Squid ✓Chilled Marinated Clams ✓Chilled Mussels Escabèche ✓Yukon Gold Potato Purée ✓Cypress Grove Truffle Tremor ✓Valley Ford Grazin' Girl Gorgonzola ✓Cowgirl Creamery Red Hawk ✓Dry Apple Cider ✓Ksa Kölsch Style Ale ✓Champagne Stéphane Coquillette Cuvée Inflorescence Brut

" Absinthe Brasserie & Bar is an elegant Paris-style brasserie and bar that serves French-Mediterranean food and creative cocktails. Chef Ian Begg, an award-winning chef and restaurateur with over 28 years of experience in the Bay Area, has joined Absinthe Brasserie & Bar. They offer a fresh and exciting menu with classic French dishes and unique drinks. Their popular choices include a tasty Caesar salad and a risotto with fava beans, basil, and parmesan. The lively bar is great for enjoying cocktails and late-night meals. They have a private room for business meetings, weddings, or cocktail parties. The menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Curbside pickup and outdoor seating are also available for your convenience.

2026 Highlights: Absinthe Brasserie & Bar offers Private Dining for business meetings, wedding events and more. "

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Best the Award the Excellence by Wine Spectator in 2025
License #0841002

Menu:

Snacks
House-Made Cheese Puffs $10
Basque "Fish And Chips" $10
Duck Rillettes $10
Eggs And Toast $10
Fruits De Mer
Tsar Nicoulai Caviar - Estate $90
Tsar Nicoulai Caviar - Reserve $110
Oyster Selection $5 Each
Marinated Local Squid $22
Chilled Marinated Clams $17
Chilled Mussels Escabèche $15
Trio Of Bivalves $88
Premiers Plats
Soupe à L'Oignon $18
Chilled Early Girl Tomato Soup $17
Heirloom Tomato And Watermelon Salad $19
Mixed Greens Salad $12
Salade Lyonnaise $21
Escargots De Bourgogne $28
Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio 'A La Nicoise' $28
Niman Ranch Beef Tartare $25
Grilled Romano Beans $18
House-Made Pasta
Crescenza Agnolotti $28
Parisian Gnocchi $39
Plats Principaux
Petrale Sole Meunière $37
Pan-Seared Wild King Salmon $48
Pan-Roasted Duck Breast $42

Contact:

(415) 551-1590

Wed: 5pm - 10pm
Sun: 5pm - 9pm
Mon,Tue,Thu-Sat: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

Zazie - San Francisco, CA French Restaurants - Dish Image
Zazie - San Francisco, CA French Restaurants - Restaurant Entrance Image
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Best French Restaurants in San Francisco CA - Zazie video
11+ YEARS IN TBR
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ZAZIE

(4.9 Score)
941 Cole Street,
San Francisco, CA 94117 Directions

Since 1992

Specialities:

✓Victor’s Homemade Coffee Cake ✓Steel Cut Oats With Raisins Walnuts and Brown Sugar ✓Steel Cut Oats With Crème Brûlée and Bananas ✓Toasted Bagel or Baguette With Cream Cheese Basil Tomatoes ✓Toasted Bagel or Baguette With Goat Cheese and Roasted Peppers ✓Toasted Bagel or Baguette With Wild Smoked Salmon ✓Soupe Du Jour ✓French Onion Soup ✓Small Green Salad ✓Small Green Salad With Chèvre ✓Salade Lyonnaise ✓Salade Toscanes ✓Pâté Maison ✓Moules Marinières ✓Steak Tartare ✓Figs Figaro ✓Escargots ✓Wild Mushroom Fondue

" Zazie serves dishes like slow-braised rabbit, cassoulet, grilled fresh fish, and several vegetarian options. They are well known for their gingerbread pancakes, along with savory choices like scrambled egg plates and chicken-apple sausage. Their wine list focuses on small, family-owned wineries that produce fewer than 500 cases. Zazie is also famous for their American-style brunch, available every day of the week. Dog lovers are welcome to bring their pets for dinner on Monday nights on the heated, covered patio. They also offer gift cards and free street parking. Their Eggs Any Style is served with toast and homefries or green salad. Zazie is also recommended for vegetarians.

2026 Highlights: Zazie offers weekly events like Every Monday is "Dog Night" and more for the customers. "

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Best Outdoor Dining by San Francisco Magazine in 2015
License #4193766

Menu:

Brunch Starters
Victor’S Home-Made Coffee Cake $15
Steel Cut Oats With Raisins, Walnuts, And Brown Sugar $14
Steel Cut Oats With Crème
ûLéE And Bananas $22
Toasted Bagel Or Baguette With Cream Cheese, Basil, Tomatoes $14
Toasted Bagel Or Baguette With Goat Cheese And Roasted Peppers $15
Toasted Bagel Or Baguette With Wild Smoked Salmon $30
Scrambled Egg Dishes
Fontainbleau $28
Avignon $25
Italie $25
Greece $24
New York $31
Mexico $30
Genevieve $28
Cannes $28
Soups And Sandwiches
Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich $29
Croque Monsieur $31
Croque Madame $33
Smoked Salmon Sandwich $33
Ahi Tuna Sandwich $33
Sandwich Brigitte $28
B.L.T. Provençal $29
Zazie’s Burger $31
Salads
Seared Ahi Tuna Niçoise $33
Vegetarian Niçoise $28
Salade Alain $30
Salade Marius $28

Discount:

$10 off on a bottle of wine along with a tasty treat for your furry friend

Contact:

(415) 564-5332

Dinner: Mon-Sun: 5pm - 9pm
Brunch:
Mon-Fri: 8am - 2pm
Sat & Sun: 9am - 3pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Chapeau - San Francisco, CA French Restaurants - Dish Image
Chapeau - San Francisco, CA French Restaurants - Restaurant Entrance Image
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Best French Restaurants in San Francisco CA - Chapeau video
11+ YEARS IN TBR
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CHAPEAU

(4.8 Score)
126 Clement Street,
San Francisco, CA 94118 Directions

Since 1996

Specialities:

✓Escargot ✓Salmon Trio ✓Onion Soup ✓Soupe Du Jour ✓Mesclun Salad ✓Lyonnaise ✓Beets ✓Vol Au Vent ✓Scallop ✓Ratatouille ✓Salmon ✓Black Cod ✓Pork Tenderloin ✓Cassoulet ✓Lamb Shank ✓Crème Brûlée ✓Tarte Du Jour ✓Pavlova ✓Side ✓Moules Frites ✓Filet Mignon ✓French Toast ✓Profiteroles ✓Pear Martini ✓Branzino Meunière

" Chapeau is a family-run restaurant owned by Chef Philippe Gardelle and his wife, Ellen, along with their son and sous chef, Andrew Gardelle. This restaurant has been serving classic French dishes like onion soup, coq au vin, and steak frites for over 26 years. The restaurant is known for their high-quality food made with fresh ingredients, offering meals that are both delicious and mindful of health. Guests enjoy a warm and charming atmosphere that feels like a traditional French restaurant, perfect for a cozy and memorable dining experience. Chapeau offers both indoor and outdoor seating, so diners can choose the setting they prefer. They also serve vegan dishes.

2026 Highlights: Chapeau accepts online orders through the opentable platform. "

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Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Inc. Magazine in 2025
License #0322305

Menu:

Appetizers
Escargot $18
Salmon Trio $20
Onion Soup $18
Soupe Du Jour $18
Mesclun Salad $18
Lyonnaise $21
Beets $18
Vol Au Vent $18
Vol Au Vent $18
Entrees
Scallop $49
Ratatouille $38
Salmon $40
Black Cod $44
Pork Tenderloin $42
Cassoulet $44
Lamb Shank $49
Desserts
Crème Brûlée $16
Tarte Du Jour $16
Pavlova $16
Sides
Side $9

Contact:

(415) 750-9787 (415) 387-0408

Wed,Thu & Sun: 5pm - 9pm
Fri & Sat: 5pm - 9:30pm
Mon & Tue: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

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ABSINTHE BRASSERIE & BAR REVIEWS

I recently dined at Absinthe in Hayes Valley, and I must say, it was a delightful experience from start to finish! The atmosphere is charming and cozy, making it the perfect spot for a special occasion or a casual night out. What truly stood out was the attentive service. Our server and server assists were all friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and made excellent recommendations. They checked in on us just the right amount, ensuring we had everything we needed without being intrusive. The food was exceptional! I highly recommend trying their stand out dishes, the duck breast with truffle accompaniment, steak and the truffle burger all bursting with flavor. Overall, Absinthe is a gem in San Francisco located in the great Hayes valley neighborhood With its fantastic service and delicious cuisine.

This restaurant is for a nice dinner before heading to Davies Symphony Hall. The food was exquisite, and the service was excellent. We sat in the veranda area, and it was nice, too. I will be back.

An amazing brunch experience! The food was 5 star and Rick our waiter was the best.

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ZAZIE REVIEWS

I've been to over 10 Michelin restaurants in different parts of France. This restaurant really captures the flavors, sauces, and dishes unique to France. The French onion soup was excellent. But I especially enjoyed the pork chops. The sauce they used paired with the vegetables was amazing. It was among some of the best pork chops I've tried. I'll be back to try more dishes. I'd recommend this restaurant for excellent French food.

Highly recommend this quaint place. Found it online while visiting SanFran and loved it. The food was delicious, we ate a variety of the scrambled eggs, the eggs benedict and the caramelized french toast and oatmeal brulee. Waiter was super friendly and experience was overall pleasant.

I had a great breakfast here! The food was delicious, with a variety of tasty options. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to start the day. The service was friendly and attentive, adding to the overall pleasant experience. I’ll definitely be coming back.

CHAPEAU REVIEWS

One of the great gems in San Francisco. I live in Philadelphia but I travel to SF often and I must say this is one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in your fine city. The escargot were the best I’ve had outside France, and the cassoulet is something I’ll be dreaming about on a snowy Philadelphia evening. The chef embodies the passionate, joyful, and slightly impish nature of all great French cuisine. I love this place, and I mourn that I will be 3000 miles away from its cozy confines.

More than delicious bistro food, what made Chapeau! A French Bistro truly special was the stellar service and hospitality. Run by a French expat family, they know their way around a stick of butter and how to make their guests feel welcome and special. Plus, we were a group of six with as many wine bottles and stems, in a tiny dining room. I would love to do another wine dinner there again soon. #thefoodietraveler.

Incredible French restaurant. Chef greeted us. Staff were quick and very helpful. Food quality was Michillin Star quality. Atmosphere was comfortable and beautiful. Highly recommend.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

ABSINTHE BRASSERIE & BAR Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Experience: 8
Acknowledgments: 10
Awards History: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Online Order: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Study: 10
Social Media: 10
Video: 10
Extensive Menu: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

ZAZIE Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Acknowledgments: 9
Contact Info: 9
Social Media: 9
Awards History: 10
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Online Order: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy of 12.9K: 10
Video: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

CHAPEAU Total Inspection Points: 114/120
Business Hours: 8
Acknowledgments: 9
Contact Info: 9
Experience: 9
Social Media: 9
Awards History: 10
Menu Images: 10
Exact Services: 10
Online Order: 10
Pricing: 10
Video: 10
Extensive Menu: 10