Top Best French Restaurants in Chicago

"Take it as a good sign that there’s usually a line at this small neighborhood bistro. It’s because guests know the wait is worth it. Beef bourguignon dumplings, Alsace onion tart, cheesy onion soup, and a whole roasted duck for two are just a few of the highlights."

"Le Bouchon has served great tasting dishes and customer service since 1993. This classic French bistro transports their diners to Paris. It is also recognized as one of the best French restaurants in the country."

"If you're going to create a space reminiscent of a particular time, place and spirit, 1920's Paris would be it. Margeaux Brasserie is Chef Michael Mina's "moveable feast" to double metaphor Hemingway's ode to the city of the 20's. The restaurant's traditional brasserie fare is enlivened by Midwestern ingredients and bonhomie."

"The Loop isn’t quite rife with French cuisine so this casual steakhouse, attached to the Hyatt Centric and run by WellDone Hospitality Group, has been a welcome addition to the area since opening two years ago. Whether guests stop in during lunch for a beef dip sandwich or treat themselves to a nice hunk of dry-aged beef at dinner, there are plenty of delicious choices that’ll evoke visions of Paris."

"Kick off the last day of your Chicago itinerary with brunch at Cochan Volant, a French bistro in the Loop that is basically a brunch-lovers paradise."

"Fortunately, you don’t have to take a 10-hour flight to get a French croissant. Bonjour Café Bakery is the perfect place to grab a chocolate croissant on the go or sit, relax, and enjoy a warm quiche. This cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, making this the perfect place to enjoy warm weather with fresh pastries."

"For when you want a pastry to go with your coffee, the Bonjour Cafe should be your top pick. Unsurprisingly from the shop’s name, this French-style bakery has a changing seasonal selection of fresh baked goods. They range from rose-flavored macarons, eclairs, and croissants."

"Hidden in a cobblestone alley, RM Champagne Salon is a West Loop gem exemplifying a Euro-inspired ambiance with contemporary flair. Warming and most definitely romantic, this hideaway haven is a French bistro, giving up impeccable eats such as their Lobster Mac & Cheese or Steak Frites. Chandeliers decorate the ceiling, and their marble fireplace takes the limelight."

"With excellent food and a European tone, RM Champagne Salon is simultaneously dainty and unpretentious. Enjoy the abundant champagne and mini-dessert selections, and if you’re in a hungrier mood, peruse their various entrees that range from lobster mac and cheese to salmon tartare. If the weather is nice, grab a table on the brick patio draped with string lights."

"Photo courtesy of RM Champagne Salon on rmchampagnesalon.com. A quaint, European inspired place. The salon is made even more cozy with the installation of marble fireplaces and a roomy patio."

"For more than 30 years, Oceanique has presented top-notch French seafood with touches of Asian and Latin flavor. Chef-owner Mark Grosz treats seasonal produce with as much care as ..."

"Chez Moi serves a traditional French menu prepared by a French Chef. The restaurant’s menu is created by Chef Dominique who has a passion for sharing French cuisine. In addition, he cooked and trained under great culinary chefs."

"Chez Moi is a traditional French Bistro located on Halsted in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago that is small and rarely crowded, making it a local favorite."

"An ape house, birdhouse and a working model of a five-acre Midwestern farm are just a few examples of what makes this zoo special. Founded in 1868 and known as America's oldest free public zoo, the Lincoln Park Zoo still manages to charge no admission and remains open year-round. Set on scenic park grounds with lush lawns and pleasant walkways, the zoo greets visitors with the beauty of Georgian Revival buildings and a spectacular greenhouse."

"Description: Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond was built in 1908 and it reflected the Victorian romantic and leisurely concept of nature in the city. Almost a century later, Studio Gang transformed this early 19th century urban pond into an ecological habitat buzzing with life. This wood pavilion works as an outdoor classroom and as a structure that frames the superb skyline views at this point."

"An alternative to Lincoln Park is Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo, located in the nearby western suburb of (you guessed it) Brookfield. Brookfield Zoo is spread out over 200 acres and offers larger, cage-less exhibits such as Tropic World, a massive indoor habitat with three distinct environments, filled with primates from around the globe. 1st Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, Ill., 708-688-8000."

"Not only is Brookfield Zoo a wonderful place to visit the animals, it’s also a world leader in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Admission is free for zoo members and all active, reservist, and retired members of the military."

"The Helen Brach Primate House is yet another extension of the Lincoln Park Zoo and is home to primates of varying shapes, sizes and colour. The area is made in a way to imitate the natural habitat for the primates to make them feel safe and familiar at the place that they are residing in. It was opened back in 1927 which finally underwent an extensive renovation in the year 1992."

"If you don’t want to bake, or fry in this case too, then decorate with DIY cookie and doughnut kits ($14) starring colorful icing and sprinkles. You may find inspiration in the bakery’s smiley face cookies and Easter lamb cakes, wearing icing medical masks. Owner Can Lao, who revived the historic bakery in the Bridgeport neighborhood back in February, recently added Chinese egg tarts, plus a few staple items like paper towels, gloves, milk and Yakult, the yogurt-like drink."

"Restaurants Bakeries Bridgeport. This iconic Polish bakery closed in October 2019 after decades of serving pączki, doughnuts, cookies and other candy-colored sweets to its fans. Thankfully, new ownership swept in and restored the spot to its former glory."

"If you’re wondering what happened to Bridgeport Bakery 1.0, it closed. But thankfully version 2.0 has the same delicious treats as the original. And while they have a lot of baked goods besides donuts, we like coming here for their long johns and bismarks."

"Cupitol is an all-day eatery located in Streeterville and Evanston that serves just what you crave after the sun rises. Choose various breakfast sandwiches and protein breakfasts like housemade corned beef hash poached eggs; a deliciously sloppy country Benedict with buttermilk biscuits, pork sausage gravy, eggs; and a European Breakfast with the thickest Greek yogurt you've ever witnessed, sprinkled with homemade almond granola, berries and local raw honey. Pancakes and Belgian waffles are made with a proprietary mix."