A slice of French art de vivre is headed Houston.
Café Feuillette, the celebrated French café and bakery founded by renowned baker and pastry chef Jean-François Feuillette, is preparing to open its first-ever U.S. location in Houston’s River Oaks District this November. The upcoming outpost will mark the brand’s fifth café worldwide, and its first location outside of France.
When Café Feuillette makes its U.S. debut in Houston this fall, it won’t be by chance. Founder Jean-François Feuillette personally selected the city as the launchpad for his acclaimed French bakery and café, betting that Houstonians are ready to embrace the brand’s all-day blend of artisan baking and café culture.
Feuillette chose one of Houston’s most vibrant, high-traffic areas for the cafe’s first international outpost positioning it as an appealing destination for both locals and visitors. Located at the corner of Bettis and Westcreek, and set to open daily at 6 a.m., Café Feuillette will serve as a comfortable, all-day retreat within River Oaks District, fit for a meal, afternoon snack, or a sweet pause between errands.
The café will serve everything from specialty coffee—including playful “pastry drinks” inspired by classic French desserts—to breakfast rolls, fresh salads and sandwiches. The real draw, however, is the bakery case, where guests will find house-made French classics like éclairs, Paris-Brest, canelés, filled madeleines, chocolate-covered “Nounours” marshmallows, vanilla flan and the signature Brioche Feuillette, all baked fresh daily on-site.
“I’m thrilled to bring the Café Feuillette concept to the United States and especially to Houston,” says Feuillette. “This city truly won me over—its energy, cultural richness, and culinary scene made it the ideal place to introduce our French coffee shop concept abroad.”
Feuillette enters the Houston market with decades of pastry experience. After honing his craft at storied institutions such as Pierre Hermé and the Four Seasons George V in Paris, he opened his first bakery in Blois, the capital city of Loir-et-Cher in Centre Val de Loire, in 2009. The concept quickly gained a devoted following, expanding beyond its hometown to become a national presence known for sweet and savory eats. Today, he represents 100 bakeries across France.
Feuillette further expanded his horizons by venturing into the restaurant business, taking over Frédélian, a tea room and patisserie located in Cap-Ferret, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France in 2022; and opening Chez Lucette, a traditional bouillon eater in Blois in 2023.
Staying true to the philosophy that has defined his bakeries across France, Feuillette insists on a fully from-scratch approach at Café Feuillette. Every element of the menu is prepared on-site, from fresh salads and sandwiches to the sauces and bread that bring them together. “We take pride in making everything ourselves, from the vinaigrette to the mayonnaise, and of course, the bread in every sandwich. It’s all about taste. That’s how we stand out, just like we do in our bakeries in France,” he says.
That commitment to craftsmanship extends to the beverage program, which includes inventive “pastry drinks” inspired by French desserts like Vanilla Flan and Paris-Brest. Sweet offerings round out the experience with a selection including classic French treats like filled madeleines, canelés, brioches, and rich chocolate fondant.
Feuillette has high hopes for the new store. With Houston as its starting point, the brand has its sights set on a broader U.S. expansion. “The potential for growth in the U.S. is endless. We are passionate about showcasing our French know-how to Americans, and this is just the beginning.”
Café Feuillette, 4444 Westheimer Rd., Houston, cafefeuillette.fr/
