When you’re in the mood for a hearty French onion soup or a mouthwatering Coq au Van, you’ll find there are enough French restaurants in Raleigh to shake a baguette at.
If you’ve just woken up and fancy a flaky croissant or you’re planning a date night spent sipping Pinot Noir over a cheese platter, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we dive fork-first into the crème de la crème of French dining in Raleigh. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or someone who believes “escargot” is a fancy way of saying “delicious snails,” this guide has the best places to get your French on!
Coquette Brasserie
Coquette is where you’ll find some of the city’s finest French fare. The minute you walk through the door, you feel like you’ve stepped into a Parisian brasserie – and we’ve been to Paris several times, so we know how authentic its design is.
Imagine walking into a room tiled with mosaic floors, surrounded by marble table tops, and mirror-backed bars. If this doesn’t feel quite French enough, there’s even a French flag behind the bar. It’s sophisticated, but you don’t feel like you need to dress up.
Profiteroles / French onion soup
This family-friendly restaurant in North Hills has an extensive menu, including kid-versions of French dishes. There’s only one word to describe the food – Délicieux! We’re big fans of their Sunday brunch menu and their espresso martini is the best in Raleigh.
Must-Try dishes: steak pomme frites, mussel frites, quiche, croque monsieur and madame, French onion soup, and Escargot. We wouldn’t say “non merci” to their desserts, who can resist a macaron or profiteroles dripping in chocolate sauce? Read our full review of Coquette Brasserie.
- Address: 4351 The Cir At N Hills St, Raleigh
- Website: CoquetteRaleigh.com
Jolie
Jolie Restaurant is a French bistro that’s perfect for a special occasion or for a summer evening out on their amazing rooftop called Le Rooftop.
Enjoy repas en plein air by candlelight or head indoors for an intimate dining experience, with warm lighting and classic French decor – it’s the perfect setting if you want to feel the romance of France.
Mussels / Duck on golden rice
Jolie is owned by local restaurateur and chef Scott Crawford, of Crawford & Son on North Person Street, and features traditional French meals such as French onion soup and escargot.
Must-Try dishes: some popular items on the menu are the escargot, steak frites, and mussels followed by the Videri chocolate cake (of our local Videri Chocolate Factory).
- Address: 620 N Person St
- Website: restaurantjolie.com
Margaux’s Restaurant
For something a little bit different, head to North Raleigh to dine at Margaux’s Restaurant, which has an innovative menu combining French, Asian, and Southern cuisines.
Margaux’s feels elegant and the dishes have been styled in a way you’d find in a cordon bleu establishment, but the open fireplace and high stool seating bring the sophistication down a notch so anyone can feel at home here.
Get there Tuesday – Friday after 6:30pm, or all day Saturday, for some good deals on the Prix Fixe menu which includes three courses for a fixed price.
Must-Try dishes: the salmon steak and duck confit go down a treat, followed by the chocolate mousse or creme brulee for dessert.
- Address: 8111 Creedmoor Rd, Suite 111
- Website: margauxsrestaurant.com
La Farm Bakery
One of our favorite bakeries in Raleigh is the French bakery, La Farm, which is like a modern-day boulangerie with some of the highest quality baked goods in all of Wake County.
Rather than your store-bought loaves of bread, load up on traditional breads and baguettes made with locally sourced wheat. The owner, Lionel Vatinet, produces 15 different styles of bread (plus seasonal bread) using centuries-old baking traditions from a European-style hearth oven.
White chocolate mini baguette’s
If you fancy something sweet, sink your teeth into one of their succulent pastries or head to their flagship bakery at 4248 NW Cary Parkway to enjoy a cooked breakfast in the cafe. They also have a very popular store at Raleigh Durham International Restaurant.
Must-Try dishes: people go wild for their white chocolate mini baguette’s, croque madame and monsieur, white chocolate raspberry bread, brioche, scones, and quiches.
- Address: Cary and Raleigh locations
- Website: LaFarmBakery.com
Press Coffee + Crepes
Fancy a crepe? Head to the charming French-style cafe on Hillsborough Street, the aptly named Press Coffee + Crepes. They opened their Hillsborough Street location in late 2023 and we’ve been regulars there ever since.
As the name suggests, they specialize in pressed coffee and scratch-made crepes, both sweet and savory, and we love the cozy, yet rustic decor. They also have excellent seasonal coffees and specialty teas, and in the evening, the wine menu and cocktail menu come out of the shadows!
Fantastic crepes!
This always-busy cafe is one of Raleigh’s best breakfast spots, but we would come here any time of day. It’s where we take all our visitors, and they love it. It’s currently ranking at the top of our list for favorite coffees in Raleigh and made our best places to eat in Raleigh last year.
Must-Try dishes: My favorite crepes are the BBJ&M (bourbon bacon jam & mushrooms with tater tots), the BLT Morning, and the blueberry lemon curd. NOTE: they have gluten-free crepes using a buckwheat base, and they are fantastic! A unique and popular item on the menu is the French toast crepe!
- Address: 400 Hillsborough St suite 108
- Website: pressccc.com
Lucettegrace
Another French bakery worth stopping by is Lucettegrace, a cute and tiny bakery in downtown Raleigh that specializes in patisserie and pastries. If you want to pick up some creamy French-inspired desserts, macarons, or buttery croissants, this is the place to go!
Lucettegrace is owned by chef Daniel Benjamin, who has spent more than 15 years cooking in the finest kitchens in the USA before opening Lucettegrace in 2014.
Must-Try dishes: Lucettegrace is most well-known for its macaroons, but people also love the cookies, brownies, eclairs, baguettes, and sandwich bread loaf.
- Address: 235 S Salisbury St, Raleigh
- Website: LucetteGrace.com
East End Bistrot
Another elegant restaurant that transports you to a bistro in Paris is East End Bristot, owned by restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias, and driven by executive chef William D’Auvray, who has a background in French and Japanese cuisine.
This bistro is romantic yet playful, with black and white tiled flooring, chandeliers, and a gold wall with a window looking into the kitchen. They source their ingredients from sustainable suppliers, and some produce has been grown specifically for East End Bistrot.
There’s an in-house sommelier who pairs wines with the seasonal menu, so you know you’re in safe hands if you can’t decide between a wine pairing.
Must-Try dishes: some items that fly off the menu are the ribeye steak, gin-cured salmon, and guava cheesecake for dessert.
- Address: 2020 Progress Ct suite 110
- Website: eastendbistrotraleigh.com
Bloomsbury Bistro
Bloomsbury Bistro is a cozy, unassuming hub for a high-end, French-influenced eclectic menu that changes seasonally. Located in historic Five Points, they have been known as Raleigh’s Neighborhood Bistro since 1995.
Serving French-inspired American cuisine crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, Bloomsbury is helmed by Chef Owner Stephen Koster. The menu evolves seasonally to highlight the best flavors of the moment, complemented by an impressive wine list.
Whether you’re looking to cozy up at the bar for a spontaneous night out, enjoy a romantic dinner in the elegant dining room, Bloomsbury Bistro offers an exceptional dining experience perfect for any occasion.
- Address: 509-101 W Whitaker Mill Rd, Raleigh
- Website: bloomsburybistro.com
Layered Croissanterie
A short drive from downtown Raleigh, Layered Croissanterie specializes in, you guessed it, croissants with many unique and delicious options, plus a range of other delectable pastries including sticky buns, paradise donut, apple crumble Danish, and lemon ginger cruffin.
If you love croissants, all items are made fresh daily and best enjoyed the same day. Their seasonal specials are showcased in glass and the baristas are all knowledgeable of the menu and serve espresso, cortado, and cappuccinos.
- Address: 911 N West St Suite 107, Raleigh
- Website: www.layeredcroissanterie.com
Little Blue Macaron
Local pastry chef Allison Vick is the brainchild behind the Little Blue Macaron bakery, which specializes in…you guessed it, macarons! She spent three years perfecting the perfect macaron recipe, and we must say, it was three years well spent!
We love these macarons because they are gluten-free, and there are dairy-free and vegan options available too. While there isn’t a brick-and-mortar store, there are plenty of places that stock these sweet treats – see stock lists here.
Must-Try dishes: the salted caramel ones are to die for but check Instagram for flavors of the week! They also do fun and creative themed macaroons like Halloween monsters.
- Website: littlebluemacaron.com
Lafayette Village
Not a restaurant, but a shopping center, Lafayette is a European-inspired shopping complex with a host of boutique stores and cafes.
You’ll know when you’ve entered Lafayette Village when you see the wrought iron spiral staircases, the country house architecture, and the shuttered windows. Rather than feeling like Paris, this village feels like a quaint small town in Bordeaux or a village in the Loire Valley.
Some popular places to eat and drink in Lafayette Village are Jubala Coffee (one of our favorite coffee shops in Raleigh), Simply Crepes, Le Macaron, and Farina (a lovely Italian restaurant).
- Address: 8450 Honeycutt Rd
- Website: lafayettevillageraleigh.com
Map of French Places to Eat in Raleigh
Where are some of your favorite French places to eat in Raleigh or the Triangle Did we miss anything?
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