The Chicest French Restaurants in NYC For Celebrating Bastille Day and Beyond

At Augustine, the latest brasserie from Keith McNally, everything the restaurateur has become known for—atmosphere, vintage Parisian decor, flattering golden lighting—is executed even better than before. Get any of the richly flavorful steaks, or the burger, served with Comte and cooked onions plus a shot of bourbon on the side.
Augustine, 5 Beekman St., New York, NY USA +1 212 375 0010
Serving dinner nightly. We will be open for weekday lunch as of Tuesday, Nov 29, for weekend brunch as of Sunday, Dec 4th, and for weekday breakfast as of Tuesday, Jan 3rd, 2017.
A post shared by Augustine Restaurant (@augustinenewyork) on Nov 15, 2016 at 5:42pm PST

Holding three Michelin stars and generally acknowledged to be one of NYC’s top restaurants, Le Bernardin is a veritable shrine to seafood. The cooking incorporates diverse international influences, but its globetrotting chef, Eric Ripert, couldn’t possibly be more French.
Le Bernardin, 155 W. 51st St., New York, NY USA +1 212 554 1515
Spring has sprung in the LB dining room!
A post shared by Le Bernardin (@lebernardinny) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:42pm PDT

Daniel may get all the glory, but we prefer its sister restaurant, Cafe Boulud, also from chef Daniel Boulud. It’s less stuffy than Daniel and more timelessly chic, with fantastic food and a supremely elegant adjacent bar, Bar Pleiades, at which to grab an aperitif or a nightcap.
Cafe Boulud, 20 E. 76th St., New York, NY USA +1 212 772 2600
We’ve got your number. // Sidle on up to Bar Pleiades for a stiff drink to warm the spirits.
A post shared by Cafe Boulud & Bar Pleiades (@cafebouludny) on May 9, 2017 at 12:17pm PDT

At Le Coq Rico, a paragon of all things poultry (even many of the cocktails incorporate egg whites) and a sister to a bistro by the same name in Paris, Alsatian chef Antoine Westermann uses nearly exclusively heritage birds, humanely raised. Pastry chef Matthieu Simon’s ile flottante dessert is not to be missed.
Le Coq Rico, 30 E. 20th St., New York, NY USA +1 212 267 7426
Elegant, creamy and simply sweet – our picturesque Ile Flottante is a must order. #LeCoqRico
A post shared by Le Coq Rico NYC (@lecoqriconyc) on Apr 7, 2017 at 9:02am PDT

Le Coucou represents a return to classic French dining in a room that’s elegant but not at all stuffy: taper candles and white tablecloths, but with a prevailing sense of whimsy. It’s perfect for a killer date or a special occasion, and don’t miss the quenelle de brochet in lobster sauce or the stunning three-dish “tout le lapin.”
Le Coucou, 138 Lafayette St., New York, NY USA +1 212 271 4252
Thank you to our hardworking staff and valued patrons for making this past year so incredible. It has truly been an honor to cook for you and we look forward to serving you for years to come! 🥂 #oneyearanniversary // 📷: @evemaj
A post shared by Le Coucou (@lecoucou_nyc) on Jun 16, 2017 at 12:23pm PDT

It’s the birthplace of the cronut, yes, but Dominique Ansel Bakery has many other amazing pastries and other French treats on offer as well. Try the DKA—Ansel’s perfected version of a kouign amann, a buttery, layered Breton pastry that’s recently taken New York City by storm, or the Paris-NY, the bakery’s twist on the classic Paris-Brest, with a choux dough and a chocolate, caramel and peanut butter filling.
Dominique Ansel Bakery, 189 Spring St., New York, NY USA +1 212 219 2773
Bird’s eye view of July’s Mirabelle Plum & Brown Sugar Cronut® in #Soho. Just a few left to preorder for July at www.CronutPreorder.com. #DominiqueAnselBakery
A post shared by dominiqueansel (@dominiqueansel) on Jul 13, 2017 at 10:34am PDT

Alsatian chef Gabriel Kreuther reigned over the kitchen at The Modern for nearly a decade, earning it a Michelin star, before opening this eponymous restaurant—which instantly earned a star of its own. We love the tarts flambees available only in the more casual (but still lovely) bar room. After your meal, don’t forget to stop by its chocolate shop next door to pick up some delectable pastries, macarons, or chocolates.
Gabriel Kreuther, 41 W. 42nd St., New York, NY USA +1 212 257 5826
Escape #NYC and immerse yourself in a luxurious dining experience.
A post shared by Gabriel Kreuther (@gabrielkreuther) on Jul 10, 2017 at 6:24am PDT

La Grenouille, the remaining bastion of NYC’s midcentury haute cuisine boom, has been dazzling diners for more than a half-century with elegance and flowers—as well as classic French dishes like frogs’ legs and Dover sole.
La Grenouille, 3 E. 52nd St., New York, NY USA +1 212 752 1495
Favorite family tradition! When it’s ❄️ and most are 🙅, we bundle up and 💃🏻!
A post shared by christinatosi (@christinatosi) on Mar 15, 2017 at 8:15am PDT

Channeling a grand Parisian café, Lafayette is a perfect choice for breakfast or brunch, when sunlight floods the spacious room through its enormous windows. It’s an ideal spot to linger over a croque madame and a latte, then grab an eclair at the bakery up front to keep the French vibes going.
Lafayette, 380 Lafayette St., New York, NY USA +1 212 533 3000
Brunch means Lemon Pancakes and Smoked Salmon Benedict #oui #lafayette380
A post shared by Lafayette (@lafayette380) on Jul 2, 2017 at 8:11am PDT

Equal parts wine bar and restaurant, Rebelle has excellent (and Michelin-starred) food, courtesy of a chef that worked in Paris under Daniel Rose (see Le Coucou, above). If you’re into grower Champagnes, you’ll agree its wine list is among the best in town—and what better beverage with which to toast Bastille Day?
Rebelle, 218 Bowery, New York, NY USA +1 917 639 3880
We will be open tonight for dinner ❄️
A post shared by Rebelle Restaurant (@rebellenyc) on Mar 14, 2017 at 7:33am PDT