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, bakeries, as well as more formal, full-service restaurants. Whether you want to enjoy a flaky pain au chocolate 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), Rise is a French restaurant specializing in soufflés, known as a “salon de soufflé,”. 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 ramakins, and 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 ($11), foie gras ($24), and mussels in white wine cream sauce ($16). Entrees include roast duck in Cassis sauce ($39) and veal medallions in Port wine cream sauce ($39). Savor your way through a platter of assorted cheeses ($17) for dessert, or indulge in the buttery French apple tart ($13). 19009 Preston Rd. Ste. 200, Dallas, lavendou.com
Tulla
An open floor plan affords a view into the kitchen at this Frisco-area patisserie and cafe, where diners can witness all of the baking magic. Score whole quiche, and single slices in varieties like ham and cheese, and spinach and feta, 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
This fine-dining restaurant helmed by Parisian chef Jean-Marie Cadot is in Far North Dallas, but it’s well worth the drive. The menu is unapologetically French, with dishes like duck terrine ($11), escargot ($13), and steak frites ($29). 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 ($10). 18111 Preston Rd. Ste. 120, Dallas, cadotrestaurant.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 eats. Start with smoked fish dip, topped with trout roe ($17) or beef carpaccio ($22) fragrant with black truffle aioli, before digging into a whole branzino ($45) in garlicky à la Provençale sauce. Brunch spotlights classics like quiche Lorraine ($21) and croque monsieur ($21). 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 traditional steak frites. 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
