There is something magical about authentic French cuisine that turns an ordinary dinner into a special occasion. Perhaps it’s the unique flavors and preparation methods. Or maybe it is the atmosphere and decor that evokes the feeling of dining at a Parisian bistro. Either way, nothing compares to dining at the Best French Restaurants in New Jersey.
Many of the spots on this list are fine dining options, but a couple of them are more casual. Likewise, while most are straightforward authentic French cuisine, some specialize in unique French fusion menus. But all of them are high-quality French restaurants that offer an unforgettable experience.
Quick Click Guide: Select an NJ Region below to find the Best French Restaurants nearby.
| North Jersey | Central Jersey | Jersey Shore | South Jersey |
North Jersey
Barbès
Where: Hoboken
Details: Barbès is a unique fusion restaurant that combines French and North African (specifically Moroccan) cuisine. The restaurant is named after a Parisian neighborhood, which itself translates to “a little piece of North Africa”. Patrons can expect a Parisian bistro vibe and a menu with both French classics and Moroccan specialties. Highlights include French onion soup, Mariniere (mussels), Magret de Canard (duck breast) and Kefta Tagine (Moroccan lamb meatballs).
Bistro d’Azur
Where: South Orange
Details: The menu at Bistro d’Azur focuses on Southern French and Mediterranean specialties. But refined palates will detect an infusion of flavors from Spain, Greece, Northern Africa, and even the Middle East. In addition to a 5-course Chef’s Tasting, the menu exclusively offers 2 or 3-course prix fixe dining. The menu also changes daily depending on available ingredients. But as an example, they serve diverse items such as lobster crepes, grilled swordfish, and roasted lamb rib chops.
Brasserie Memere
Where: Closter
Details: A relatively new addition to North Jersey, Brasserie Memere is already a fan favorite among locals. As the name implies, the restaurant is modeled after a classic French brasserie (meaning “informal restaurant”) with a casual atmosphere. Chef Thomas Ciszak combines traditional French cooking techniques with a number of German recipes from his grandmother (or “mémère”). They serve a lunch, brunch, and dinner menu that includes Foie Gras, tuna tartare, schnitzel, and steak frites.
Faubourg
Where: Montclair | Weehawken
Details: Montclair’s culinary diversity extends to fine French cuisine thanks to Faubourg. (The restaurant also has a newer, second location in Weehawken.) Serving seasonal French cuisine, patrons can expect to find lunch, brunch, dinner, and even a separate midday menu. The latter serves lighter bites like Eggplant Baba Ganoush or Grilled Shrimp & Heirloom Tomatoes. Meanwhile, the full dinner menu features favorites such as ricotta ravioli & corn, ratatouille, and grilled octopus with lentil.
Latour
Where: Ridgewood
Details: This BYOB French American grille boasts a casual vibe and a seasonal menu. They serve a variety of traditional French staples like duck breast, bronzini, and lamb. But the menu also includes non-traditional choices such as lobster “mac and cheese”, lump crabmeat strudel, and beef wellington. Owner and Executive Chef Michael Latour has been in charge of the restaurant for over 20 years. He is also a part of the Societé Culinaire Philanthropique, a community and association supporting French migrant chefs.
Madame
Where: Jersey City
Details: This modern French bistro and cocktail parlor has flair, flamboyance, and style, in addition to creative French cuisine. Besides the dinner menu, which focuses on sharable plates, they have handcrafted cocktails and must-try desserts. We recommend the chicken cordon bleu with brussels sprouts, Marie Curie cocktail (or Phony Negroni mocktail), and “crepe brulee” dessert. It’s a cozy spot with music playing throughout the restaurant, so keep that in mind when planning for date night.
Madeleine’s Petit Paris
Where: Northvale
Details: This long-time landmark in Northvale has been serving authentic French fare for nearly 25 years. Longtime Owner Chef Gaspard Caloz and his wife Madeleine retired in 2020, but their son Francois now manages the restaurant. Their a la carte menu offers appetizers like frog legs, wild mushrooms, and escargot. But their specials are always standouts, with inventive options including smoked pork shoulder, braised eye round beef, and apple strudel.
Restaurant Lorena’s
Where: Maplewood
Details: Classic haute French cooking techniques meet modern flavors and seasonal ingredients at Lorena’s. Their classic menu is brimming with favorites like French onion soup, salmon tartare, mussels, duck, filet Mignon, and roast chicken. Patrons love the warm and welcoming, bistro-like atmosphere, the exceptional service, and of course, the food. The restaurant frequently introduces new concepts like their summertime weekend brunches with live jazz.
Restaurant Serenade
Where: Chatham
Details: Chef James Laird has quite a reputation in the culinary community. The Culinary Institute of America graduate has a pedigree that includes training with acclaimed European chefs Georges Blanc and Alain Pic. He is also the first New Jersey chef to be awarded the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award of Excellence. As for the restaurant itself, Serenade promises high-end, inventive French cuisine. This includes dishes like Poussin, a spatchcock chicken served with creamed spinach, garnet yams, and aji panca.
Central Jersey
Chez Catherine
Where: Westfield
Details: Chez Catherine is one of the oldest French restaurants in New Jersey, first opening in 1979. This pillar of French dining in New Jersey is still just as popular today, thanks to their upscale menu. Dinner offers 3 or 4-course prix fixe dining, whereas lunch allows for ordering a la carte. We recommend saving room for dessert, because Chez Catherine has a number of standout treats. Their chocolate mousse, creme brulee, and strawberry shortcake trifle are all popular picks.
Sophie’s Bistro
Where: Somerset
Details: This classic French bistro aims to offer hearty comfort food at fair prices. The atmosphere is equally inviting, boasting French country antiques, large open shuttered windows, and family pictures along the walls. The menu is a crowd-pleaser, with inventive options to satisfy even those who don’t love traditional French food. For instance, they serve a unique Pizza de Provence with blue cheese, toasted sunflower seeds, and baked pear slices.
Verve Restaurant
Where: Somerville
Details: Verve is one of the few French restaurants in Central Jersey. The a la carte dinner menu is available Tuesday through Saturday each week. Then on Sundays, they provide a 3-course prix fixe Sunday Supper from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The French and American fusion menu includes pan seared duck breast, smoked pork chop, bang dumplings, and more. Besides sit-down dinner, they offer take home catering and a Lit’l Frenchie Brunch every Sunday.
Jersey Shore
410 Bank Street
Where: Cape May
Details: This BYO spot is celebrating 40 years in business. While most of the menu focuses on Creole-Caribbean fusion, 410 Bank Street is also renowned for their French dishes. This includes their baby rack of lamb. Their fresh fish is also a standout, brought in daily from their local fishing fleet. They pair options like Atlantic swordfish, mahi mahi, and yellow-fin tuna with their signature in-house sauces. Be sure to save room for one of their desserts, always baked fresh in-house.
Pascal & Sabine
Where: Asbury Park
Details: Pascal & Sabine takes inspiration for their restaurant from the 1956 short film by Albert Lamorisse, The Red Balloon. In short, the restaurant wants to lift patrons above the mundane nature of day-to-day life. As a restaurant, they fulfill this goal by creating dishes that transport customers through a rich sensory experience. That starts wish small plates like Oysters du Jour and Brandade Croquettes before moving on to entrees including Duck Cassoulet.
South Jersey
Café le Jardin
Where: Audubon
Details: One of NJ’s newest French Restaurants, Cafe le Jardin is less than two years old. But it hasn’t taken long to win over the hearts of locals looking for authentic French cuisine. It helps that the owners have plenty of experience, as they also own fellow French restaurant June BYOB in Collingswood. This neighborhood cafe stands out for their classic bistro menu that includes favorites like grilled short rib and Parisian gnocchi. They also have BLT bao buns, lobster rolls, and grilled cheese on their sandwich menu.
June BYOB
Where: Collingswood
Details: The upscale counterpart to the casual Cafe le Jardin, June BYOB corners South Jersey’s fine French dining market. They frequently craft special menus like multi-course Sunday tastings. In fact, the chef is constantly dreaming up new menu items to introduce throughout the year. One recent example is seared foie gras with peach and brown sugar pumpkin bread, grilled peach, and golden verjus. There’s a reason the intimate dining room is almost always at capacity.
NJ’s Best French Restaurants FAQs
Where are the Best French Restaurants in New Jersey?
Best of NJ is the go-to source for NJ’s best restaurants and services. Of course, that includes a list of The Best French Restaurants in New Jersey, which can be found here.
What are Some Popular French Dishes?
Classic French dishes first-time customers are often curious about include foie gras, escargot, and frog legs. Other common dishes patrons are curious about are creme brulee, coq au vin, and croque-monsieur.
Which French restaurants in New Jersey have Outdoor Dining?
A number of NJ’s Best French Restaurants offer outdoor dining. This includes Brasserie Memere in Closter, Faubourg in Montclair, and 410 Bank Street in Cape May.
What is the Average Price range for New Jersey French Restaurants?
Patrons can expect to pay $50-100 per person at the average French restaurant in New Jersey. The more casual bistros may be less than this. Similarly, the most upscale options will exceed $100 per person.
Which French Restaurants in New Jersey Offer Live Music?
Live music is not very common at fine dining French restaurants in New Jersey. However, there are some exceptions. One such case is Restaurant Lorena’s in Maplewood, which hosts weekend brunches with live jazz.
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Top Photo: © Brasserie Memere / Website