Precise in execution and technique, French cuisine has often been credited with providing a rich foundation for other cuisines and the culinary world in general. French food is something to be experienced and indulged in fully, whether opting for a casual lunch, a romantic night out, or a quick bite in a bakery, and lucky for Houston, new French restaurants have been cropping up in celebration of French culture and flair.

Places like the vibe dining restaurant and lounge mamajuana, the French love letter of a restaurant PS-21, and Rice Village’s French and European fusion restaurant Eau Tour all offer a new approach to French fare. Meanwhile, older mainstays, like Chez Nous, Cafe Rabelais, and French Gourmet Bakery continue with the classic staples that are certain to satisfy any Francophile. So pop open a bottle of Beaujolais and use this map to find your slice of the Rhône here in Houston. Here are some of the city’s most charming French restaurants.

Don’t see your favorite French restaurant on the list? Shout it in the comments.

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Cafe Rabelais

This Rice Village brasserie is a great spot to grab classic French fare, with small plates ranging from escargot to foie gras terrine, and rich dishes like cassoulet, boeuf à la Bourguignonne, and its tender roasted rack of lamb served with a honey-thyme brown sauce. Choose from its extensive wine list, which features more than 600 varieties of wine, and then, settle into the cozy dining room and pretend you’re in Paris. Order the profiteroles. You won’t regret it.

Eau Tour

This new French concept by restaurateur Benjy Levit offers a fun seafood-centric approach to French and European cuisine in Rice Village. Find delicious crudites, baked mussels drenched in rich snail butter as a call to escargot, the bone-in crispy pork Milanese that nearly covers the plate, and standout caviar service, with selections ranging from Kaluga Amber to the ultra-premium Calvisiis Oscietra Royal. The restaurant’s bright and flowery decor adds to the experience and is complimented by its flirty cocktail menu, with creative offerings like the Spa Day — a refreshing mix of Haku charcoal vodka, aloe liqueur, nori simple citrus, and aquafaba — and the Mean Left Hook, a combination of rhum agricole, green chartreuse, coconut, pineapple, and lime served in a fish-shaped glass.

PS-21

A love letter to France, owner Sebastien Laval and chef Philippe Schmit collab to create a menu that’s rooted in traditional French cuisine but with a modern flair. Open for lunch, brunch, and dinner, items like steak tartare made with prime-grade tenderloin, seared foie gras and truffle vinaigrette, and rich lobster bisque, served two ways — topped with a flaky pastry puff, and baked with fish quenelles serve — as prime starters, while entrees like the duck breast Wellington, the steak frites, and the cheesy tableside raclette experience are sure to appease. Treat yourself to a glass (or bottle) of wine from the exclusively French wine list, and end with a chocolate crepe to seal the experience.