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Escargot at Perle in Pasadena.
Escargot at Perle in Pasadena.
Cathy Chaplin

14 Essential French Bistros and Brasseries in Los Angeles

Bouillabaisse, steak frites, croque monsieurs, and escargots

by Eater Staff Updated
17 comments / new
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Escargot at Perle in Pasadena.
| Cathy Chaplin
by Eater Staff Updated
17 comments / new

Los Angeles is in the midst of a certifiable French moment. With Margarita and Walter Manzke’s Bicyclette Bistro now open and Lincoln Carson’s Mes Amis on the horizon, a taste of the City of Light is as easy as ever in the City of Angels.

For those seeking French fare across the city, look no further than these charming bistros and brasseries. Each spot fits the bill for romantic date nights or casual lunches with friends over classics like steak frites, croque monsieurs, and escargots, all washed down with a bottle of Bordeaux of course . Here now are 14 charming French bistros and brasseries in Los Angeles.

Removed: Papilles, Belle Vie Food & Wine, Cafe Stella, Barbette

Added: Perle, Loupiotte Kitchen, Gigi’s, Pasjoli, L’Appart by Air Food

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Petit Trois Le Valley

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Ludo Lefebvre and partners Jon Shook and Vinny Doloto already had an LA legend on their hands with Petit Trois on Melrose and Highland. Their sophomore effort in the Valley goes far beyond the limited counter service seating of the original, with a massive space and all-day service that makes diners feel like they are transported to the heart of Paris. Expect fun twists on American classics like the breakfast sandwich, the Mec Muffin, and the signature burger, the Big Mec.

13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 989-2600
(818) 989-2600
Petit Trois in Sherman Oaks. Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Perle Restaurant

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Chef Dean Yasharian takes French technique to the Los Angeles suburbs with Perle in Pasadena. The easygoing bistro serves classic French fare including steak tartare, escargots, and what may be the best tarte tatin in town.

43 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 460-8819
(626) 460-8819
Perle restaurant Pasadena
Perle
Perle

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Loupiotte Kitchen

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This charming Los Feliz spot does all-day bistro fare in a rustic farmhouse-style storefront right on Vermont. Loupiotte Kitchen, which is owned by longtime Parisian restaurateur, Sarah Bessade, serves up basics like soft-scrambled eggs and and pain perdu for breakfast, with options ranging from quiche to a goat cheese salad for lunch.

1726 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 445-2738
(323) 445-2738
Loupiotte Kitchen

Tesse

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Tesse’s French-esque menu takes inspiration from both France and California. The food starts with a strong charcuterie selection, followed by wide-ranging apps and mains that hit a slew of French flavors, ticking off everything from crispy veal sweetbreads to pork belly cavatelli and a 34-ounce dry-aged ribeye.

8500 Sunset Blvd ste b, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 360-3866
(310) 360-3866
Tesse, West Hollywood Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Gigi's

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Executive chef Matt Bollinger, who previously cooked at Jean-Georges and Trois Familia, serves well-worn and beloved French fare at Gigi’s. Look for approachable dishes like a country pate, Parisian gnocchi, and halibut beurre blanc, along with showier takes like the Regiis Ova caviar with potato chips and a seafood tower that blows past the expense account minimum.

904 N Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Banquettes and booths with illustrations at Gigi’s Hollywood.
Gigi’s
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

The Little Door

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It’s all about the romantic ambiance here.. Try the steak tartare with burnt onions and pickled egg yolks, and the filet mignon with celery root puree and pickled pearl onions.

8164 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 951-1210
(323) 951-1210

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Monsieur Marcel

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Far more than just a specialty grocery store in the Original Farmer’s Market, Monsieur Marcel is also a full-service restaurant set just across the walkway. With a plentiful wine list, oysters, cheeses, and all the classics, there may be no better way to refuel from an arduous day shopping at the Grove than at this friendly spot.

6333 W 3rd St #150, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-7792
(323) 939-7792
Monsieur Marcel Farley Elliott

République

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Stationed in what feels like the restaurant epicenter of LA, République is more popular than ever. Those weekend lines for breakfast and lunch are an initiation into LA dining, but well worth the wait. Approaching République for dinner should not be done without reservations, which will ensure a faster route to oysters, duck breast, and housemade bread with pan drippings.

624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(310) 362-6115
(310) 362-6115
Inside the colorful and soaring dining room at French restaurant Republique. Elizabeth Daniels

Also featured in:

Oriel

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Oriel in Chinatown is simply a beautiful room to behold. They’ve kept things simple with a wonderful wine list and short menu with onion soup, charcuterie, ratatouille, escargots, and beef bourguignon.

1135 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 253-9419
(213) 253-9419
Oriel Chinatown
Oriel
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Le Petit Jardin Cafe

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Over its four-decade history, Le Petit Jardin changed venues and went through a few owners. This daytime neighborhood staple cranks out breakfasts, crepes, salads, and open-faced sandwiches which are best eaten on the outdoor patio.

1456 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 278-5294
(310) 278-5294

Pitchoun

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Fabienne and Frederic Soulies of Downtown’s Pitchoun uses their family’s traditional French recipes to bake their bread and pastries every day. Beyond an expansive pastry counter, sit down for a casual lunch of tartines and salads.

545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 689-3240
(213) 689-3240

Also featured in:

L’Appart by Air Food

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Don’t be put off by the slightly quirky name, this funky and inviting French spot is an offshoot of the now-closed Air Food in Santa Monica. The vibe feels like dining in someone’s Parisian apartment, while the food hits all the classic notes with duck confit, croque monsieur, and the like on the menu.

130 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 628-3158
(213) 628-3158

Pasjoli

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Chef Dave Beran’s Pasjoli strikes the perfect balance between upscale and relaxed. Settle into this Santa Monica bistro for refined takes on French classics like steak au poivre and halibut meunière. Save room for a chocolate souffle for dessert.

2732 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(424) 330-0020
(424) 330-0020
The tall room with brick and golden bar.
Pasjoli
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Chez Tex

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France meets California at chic Venice eatery Chez Tex. The mom-and-pop restaurant feels right at home in the hip neighborhood with its blend of California and French flavors, from skirt steak and chicken paillard to housemade veggie burgers and chickpea salads.

218 Main St, Venice, CA 90291
(310) 314-1314
(310) 314-1314

Also featured in:

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Petit Trois Le Valley

13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Ludo Lefebvre and partners Jon Shook and Vinny Doloto already had an LA legend on their hands with Petit Trois on Melrose and Highland. Their sophomore effort in the Valley goes far beyond the limited counter service seating of the original, with a massive space and all-day service that makes diners feel like they are transported to the heart of Paris. Expect fun twists on American classics like the breakfast sandwich, the Mec Muffin, and the signature burger, the Big Mec.

13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 989-2600
(818) 989-2600
Petit Trois in Sherman Oaks. Wonho Frank Lee

Perle Restaurant

43 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103

Chef Dean Yasharian takes French technique to the Los Angeles suburbs with Perle in Pasadena. The easygoing bistro serves classic French fare including steak tartare, escargots, and what may be the best tarte tatin in town.

43 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 460-8819
(626) 460-8819
Perle restaurant Pasadena
Perle
Perle

Loupiotte Kitchen

1726 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

This charming Los Feliz spot does all-day bistro fare in a rustic farmhouse-style storefront right on Vermont. Loupiotte Kitchen, which is owned by longtime Parisian restaurateur, Sarah Bessade, serves up basics like soft-scrambled eggs and and pain perdu for breakfast, with options ranging from quiche to a goat cheese salad for lunch.

1726 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 445-2738
(323) 445-2738
Loupiotte Kitchen

Tesse

8500 Sunset Blvd ste b, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Tesse’s French-esque menu takes inspiration from both France and California. The food starts with a strong charcuterie selection, followed by wide-ranging apps and mains that hit a slew of French flavors, ticking off everything from crispy veal sweetbreads to pork belly cavatelli and a 34-ounce dry-aged ribeye.

8500 Sunset Blvd ste b, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 360-3866
(310) 360-3866
Tesse, West Hollywood Wonho Frank Lee

Gigi's

904 N Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Executive chef Matt Bollinger, who previously cooked at Jean-Georges and Trois Familia, serves well-worn and beloved French fare at Gigi’s. Look for approachable dishes like a country pate, Parisian gnocchi, and halibut beurre blanc, along with showier takes like the Regiis Ova caviar with potato chips and a seafood tower that blows past the expense account minimum.

904 N Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Banquettes and booths with illustrations at Gigi’s Hollywood.
Gigi’s
Wonho Frank Lee

The Little Door

8164 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

It’s all about the romantic ambiance here.. Try the steak tartare with burnt onions and pickled egg yolks, and the filet mignon with celery root puree and pickled pearl onions.

8164 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 951-1210
(323) 951-1210

Monsieur Marcel

6333 W 3rd St #150, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Far more than just a specialty grocery store in the Original Farmer’s Market, Monsieur Marcel is also a full-service restaurant set just across the walkway. With a plentiful wine list, oysters, cheeses, and all the classics, there may be no better way to refuel from an arduous day shopping at the Grove than at this friendly spot.

6333 W 3rd St #150, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-7792
(323) 939-7792
Monsieur Marcel Farley Elliott

République

624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Stationed in what feels like the restaurant epicenter of LA, République is more popular than ever. Those weekend lines for breakfast and lunch are an initiation into LA dining, but well worth the wait. Approaching République for dinner should not be done without reservations, which will ensure a faster route to oysters, duck breast, and housemade bread with pan drippings.

624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(310) 362-6115
(310) 362-6115
Inside the colorful and soaring dining room at French restaurant Republique. Elizabeth Daniels

Oriel

1135 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Oriel in Chinatown is simply a beautiful room to behold. They’ve kept things simple with a wonderful wine list and short menu with onion soup, charcuterie, ratatouille, escargots, and beef bourguignon.

1135 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 253-9419
(213) 253-9419
Oriel Chinatown
Oriel
Wonho Frank Lee

Le Petit Jardin Cafe

1456 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

Over its four-decade history, Le Petit Jardin changed venues and went through a few owners. This daytime neighborhood staple cranks out breakfasts, crepes, salads, and open-faced sandwiches which are best eaten on the outdoor patio.

1456 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 278-5294
(310) 278-5294

Pitchoun

545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Fabienne and Frederic Soulies of Downtown’s Pitchoun uses their family’s traditional French recipes to bake their bread and pastries every day. Beyond an expansive pastry counter, sit down for a casual lunch of tartines and salads.

545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 689-3240
(213) 689-3240

L’Appart by Air Food

130 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Don’t be put off by the slightly quirky name, this funky and inviting French spot is an offshoot of the now-closed Air Food in Santa Monica. The vibe feels like dining in someone’s Parisian apartment, while the food hits all the classic notes with duck confit, croque monsieur, and the like on the menu.

130 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 628-3158
(213) 628-3158

Pasjoli

2732 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Chef Dave Beran’s Pasjoli strikes the perfect balance between upscale and relaxed. Settle into this Santa Monica bistro for refined takes on French classics like steak au poivre and halibut meunière. Save room for a chocolate souffle for dessert.

2732 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(424) 330-0020
(424) 330-0020
The tall room with brick and golden bar.
Pasjoli
Wonho Frank Lee

Chez Tex

218 Main St, Venice, CA 90291

France meets California at chic Venice eatery Chez Tex. The mom-and-pop restaurant feels right at home in the hip neighborhood with its blend of California and French flavors, from skirt steak and chicken paillard to housemade veggie burgers and chickpea salads.

218 Main St, Venice, CA 90291
(310) 314-1314
(310) 314-1314

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