When thinking of French cuisine, the vision of a white tablecloth restaurant with elegant plates like duck confit and a bottle of fine Bordeaux may come to mind. But in Dallas, French food is well represented in casual all-day establishments and bakeries, as well as more formal, full-service restaurants. Whether you want to enjoy a flaky pain au chocolat during a solo breakfast outing in a lively bakery, or spend date night in a dimly lit restaurant sharing escargot and French onion soup with an epic cheese pull, the city has no shortage of options to consider.
From a beloved boulangerie to a très chic little bistro known for its steak frites, this list maps out seven restaurants and pâtisseries serving the best French fare the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has to offer.
Rise
With four locations around the Metroplex (and one in Tulsa, Oklahoma), “salon de soufflé” Rise is a French restaurant specializing in soufflés. Choose from 20 sweet and savory options, including escargot, ham and gruyere, truffle-infused mushroom, and praline pecan. Warm soufflés arrive puffed up in little white ramakens, ready to pair with a flight of French wines or a French-pressed coffee. Multiple locations, risesouffle.com
Lavendou Bistro Provençal
Specializing in food from the Provence region in the south of France, Lavendou delights diners with its rustic, country-inspired setting and classically French dishes. The menu begins with flavorful potages like French onion soup, foie gras, and mussels in white wine cream sauce. Entrees include roast duck in Cassis sauce and veal medallions in Port wine cream sauce. Savor a platter of assorted cheeses for dessert, or indulge in the buttery French apple tart. 19009 Preston Rd. Ste. 200, Dallas, lavendou.com
Tulla
An open-floor plan affords diners a view of the kitchen at this Frisco-area patisserie and cafe. Share a whole ham or spinach-and-feta quiche with friends, or venture in for a midday coffee and croissant pick-me-up. The bakery’s display cases feature a number of viennoiseries, including classic pain au chocolate, pistachio raspberry croissants, and cheese and fruit danishes. For macaron fans, Tulla’s offerings are satisfyingly airy and crisp on the outside with a soft chewy center, and come in flavors like lemon, salted caramel, and espresso. A wall with a mural showcasing a scene by the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, plus wooden tables with bistro chairs complete the Parisian vibe. 12020 Teel Pkwy. #102, Frisco, tullapc.com
Cadot
The menu at this Far North Dallas fine-dining restaurant, helmed by Parisian chef Jean-Marie Cadot, is unapologetically French, with dishes like duck terrine, escargot, and steak frites. Chef Cadot was raised by bakers and is a trained pastry chef himself, so don’t sleep on desserts like the apple tart with almond cream. 18111 Preston Rd. Ste. 120, Dallas, cadotrestaurant.com
Mamani
The Michelin Guide has doled out stars to only two Dallas restaurants, mostly recently the chic, yet homey Mamani, where chef Christophe De Lellis, formerly of the three-Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas, whips up elevated bistro recipes inspired by the cuisines of Paris and the French and Italian Rivieras. This is one of those places where you can’t order the wrong thing, but if you don’t start with the blue crystal prawns, you’re missing out. 2681 Howell St. BU4, Dallas, mamanirestaurant.com/
Knox Bistro
This Michelin Recommended bistro on Knox-Henderson is a go-to for fresh pastries and a killer café au lait, but it’s also one of the best places for French comfort food. Start with smoked fish dip topped with trout roe or beef carpaccio fragrant with black truffle aioli, before digging into a whole branzino in garlicky à la Provençale sauce. Brunch spotlights classics like quiche Lorraine and croque monsieur. The chic, airy space and minimalist décor feel decidedly French. 3230 Knox St. #140, Dallas, knoxbistro.com
Gemma
While not technically a French restaurant, Gemma is the place you want to go if you’re serious about steak frites. The modern American bistro devotes an entire section of its menu to the dish, giving diners options beyond the standard cut of red meat. Choose from duck, mussels in white wine, or chicken breast with peppadew jus—all served with frites. 2323 N. Henderson Ave. #109, Dallas, gemmadallas.com
Village Baking Co.
The aroma alone at Village Baking Co. is reason to venture in. This boulangerie, with four locations in Dallas, slings savory croissants, baguettes, tarts, quiche, scones, and eclairs, plus a rotating menu of sandwiches built on freshly baked bread. Co-owner Clint Cooper studied baking in France before opening the first outpost of Village Baking Co. with his wife, Kim, another seasoned baker. Grab a caffeinated beverage from the full espresso bar and pick a pastry to pair, and then take home a sourdough boule or demi baguette for later. Multiple locations, villagebakingco.com
Frenchie
Pile into a cozy blue booth or sit outside under a big blue umbrella at the newest addition to Travis Hospitality’s restaurant collection. This all-day brasserie serves French favorites, like a creamy twice-baked soufflé, Texas wagyu steak frites, and buttery escargot. The cocktail menu also includes nods to French culture. Try the Gin e Sais Quoi: mint-infused roku (a Japanese gin), amaro Montenegro, cucumber, and lime. 8420 Preston Center, Dallas, frenchiedallas.com/
Le Margot
From the geometric-patterned tiles on the floor and sweeping wall art to the bright chandeliers and bouquets hanging from the ceilings, this French restaurant in Fort Worth serves tasty food and provides a picturesque backdrop for photos. Sip a Papillon Violet (gin with lavender syrup) and enjoy pâté, filet mignon, or quiche Lorraine. 3150 S. Hulen St., Fort Worth, lemargottx.com/
Mignon
This French steakhouse in Plano is a white-table-cloth-and-full-bodied-Bordeaux kind of place—no flip-flops or ball caps allowed. Start with a French onion soup or lobster bisque, and then enjoy a prime filet garnished with jumbo crab meat or beef stroganoff with pappardelle pasta. Mignon also serves a popular weekend brunch with a decadent filet mignon omelet. 4005 Preston Rd. Ste. 518, Plano, mignonplano.com/
