Top Best French Restaurants in Downtown Vancouver

"Located on Abbott Street in the heart of Gastown, Jules Casual French Bistro is a cozy restaurant with an elegant bar and airy patio that serves French bistro classics in a quaint and romantic ambiance. Exuding a charming bistro setting reminiscent of Paris, the café serves a variety of authentic French cuisine with bold flavors and fresh ingredients in the French style of simplicity. Start with shareable appetizers like escargots with parsley and garlic butter or homemade country-style paté followed by entrées of seafood linguini and Brome Lake duck leg confit."

"With its chic and charming French patio, and classic bistro cuisine, Jules is that one spot not many can resist. Located on Abbot Street in none other than gorgeous Gastown, this is the spot to go for some casual bites alone or with a friend. Enjoy some yummy seared scallops, or even a Fish & Chip."

"This charming little bistro is reminiscent of being in France. And it serves some French favourites including chicken liver mousse and beef bourguignon. Where: 216 Abbott Street, Vancouver"

"Le Crocodile has been the recipient of Best French Restaurant in Where Magazine, The Four Diamond Award, and Best Upscale French Restaurant in Vancouver Magazine, among others. Chef and owner Michel Jacob of Strasbourg, brought his dreams of becoming a chef to Vancouver, and opened up a restaurant named for Au Crocodile, his preferred establishment in his French hometown. Jacob’s goal was to match the standard of excellence he found at Au Crocodile, which he has succeeded in doing with an honorable level of consistency over the past 30 years."

"Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the acclaimed Le Crocodile, in the heart of downtown Vancouver, remains steadfast in its French fine dining roots elevated by chef and owner Michel Jacob’s “innovative West Coast style” and “Alsatian flair.”. Location: 100 - 909 Burrard St."

"A post shared by 🐙仔 (@celine_wwwdi) on Jul 19, 2018 at 11:20pm PDT. One of Vancouver’s most upscale French restaurants, this elegant space serves classic French cuisine. Their menu has a little bit of everything, with fois-grais terrine, veal sweetbreads and grilled sable fish."

"A favorite among Vancouverites for sublime cuisine, fine wines and impeccable service, Les Faux Bourgeois is a popular restaurant with couples looking for an intimate, romantic spot for dinner. The French-inspired menu features signature starters of escargots de Bourgogne, country-style pork paté with homemade bread, and a variety of sweetbreads, along with entrées of mussels in white wine, canard confit, and coq au vin. The cuisine is accompanied by a range of fine wines from around the world, craft beers and local microbrews, high-end spirits, and classic cocktails."

"Les Faux Bourgeois is a quintessential French bistro where you’ll find steak frites, escargot, and servers with French accents who might silently judge you for eating your food so fast. Come here when you want some reliable and reasonably-priced classic French food and don’t want to spend forever trying to get a table. Though if you encounter a short wait, you can kill some time over a few beers at Bells and Whistles a block over before consuming a whole bunch of red wine and creme brulee."

"Head to the adored Les Faux Bourgeois, tucked-away near Fraser and Kingsway, for fine comfort food like their Alsacienne tarte flambée with caramelized onions, smoked bacon and crème fraîche ricotta, and a wine list focused on France and western North America. Location: 663 East 15th Ave."

"Take a trip to an excellent Parisian bistro by way of the city’s beachside Kitsilano neighborhood, where up-and-comer chef Dan McGee and team are whipping up French standards with B.C.’s finest produce. The stunning custom-made bar comes from France, and even the serving staff are mostly French, although with the happy addition of Canadian manners. With buttery croissants in the morning, gooey croque-monsieur at lunch, and juicy entrecôte-frites with a mouthwatering crisp char at dinner, anytime is a good time for Au Comptoir."

"Whenever I look for someplace to eat, and that place prides itself on serving a particular cuisine, there’s one aspect that I always look for authenticity. So, here’s an excellent piece of news: Au Comptoir is that restaurant that really deserves infinite stamps of approval for maintaining a level of authenticity and fidelity to French cuisine. From Au Comptoir, I tried out the EntrecÔte Frites, which is a dish consisting of the grilled ribeye steak topped with rich peppercorn sauce, and potato fries on the side."

"A post shared by Au Comptoir (@au_comptoir) on Nov 19, 2017 at 11:02am PST. Reserve a table for two at this Parisian spot for a night of romance. This is the place to savour a glass of fine wine as you tuck into French classics like cassoulet before sharing one of their house-made desserts."

"Husband-and-wife team Cory (chef) and Juliana (front of house) Pearson opened Absinthe Bistro in Vancouver after falling in love with French cuisine while working at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris. Choose from their seasonal fixed price or a la carte menus, and be sure to try one of their absinthe cocktails like the Naughty Fairy or the Absinthe Martini. Location: 1260 Commercial Dr."

"With a menu that changes from time to time, Absinthe is definitely a must-try. Among the popular dishes that I’ve read about, I decided on Absinthe Bistro’s slow-braised (and oh-so-tender) roasted stuffed rabbit loin."

"Since opening in summer 2017 under the experienced hand of Montreal’s Toqué alum chef J.C. Poirier, St Lawrence has been one of the city’s toughest reservations to score. Step behind the velvet curtain of this small dining room in Japantown and you leave Vancouver and its passion for clean, fresh, lean cuisine behind and dive into a delicious butter-hosed world where old-school French technique meets Québecois cuisine."

"A post shared by ⚜️St.Lawrence (@stlawrencerestaurant) on Aug 25, 2018 at 10:56am PDT. It may be a bit outside of your everyday grub budget, but there’s no denying that St. Lawrence is a top spot to dine in Vancouver. This eatery serves classic French cuisine with Quebecois inspiration."

"Resembling a handsome wood-floored bistro that's been teleported straight from Montréal, this sparkling, country-chic dining room is a Railtown superstar. The Québecois approach carries over onto a small menu of..."

"Ça Marche isn’t the only concept that’s planning to bring some French flair to Vancouver House, as local favourite Linh Cafe is opening a new location at the development also. Linh Cafe’s team confirmed to Dished Vancouver that an outpost would be opening at 1428 Granville Street (exact unit to-be-revealed). Address: 1428 Granville Street, Vancouver"

"Drawing inspiration from the bounty of the Pacific Northwest and seamlessly blending that with French techniques and Asian influences, Pidgin’s cuisine unerringly reflects the blurring of the line between East and West in Vancouver. Although perfect for bar snacks — the gochujang chicken wings are the best in the city — and genuinely thrilling for the creative cocktails with ingredients such as toasted rice rum and gunpowder tea gomme, Pidgin’s prix fixe is an exceptional value with eight mini courses of pure inventive delight for 69 Canadian dollars per person. Whisky and sake fans will love the selection, and the wine list offers global gems too."

"Pidgin is a Gastown spot that feels sort of like a basement, but one with windows that you would want to live in. You’ll find food that’s more creative than anywhere else, and it’s good for a special occasion (especially if you opt for their tasting menu) or a night spent staring into someone’s eyes. Share things like their kombu risotto, short ribs with kimchi, and pork belly rice bowl, just make sure you start with the oysters that come in shot glasses with apple granite - they’re like a briny slushie, in a somehow not weird way."

"Located in historic Gastown, we are a Vancouver restaurant paying homage to the unique cultures that make up the tapestry of this great city by seamlessly using Asian and Pacific Northwest ingredients with current techniques. We recommend the pork"

"Want to feel like you've turned the corner and landed in Paris?. Seek out this little cafe right in the middle of the French Cultural Center and your wallet will thank you in more ways than one; no airfare for starters, and a great value on well-prepared dishes. You'll need a rudimentary knowledge of French to make a selection from a menu that includes classics such as carnard confit and lapin grille entrees and for dessert creme brulée du jour or decadent gâteau ganache."

"If there’s anything about Salade de Fruits Cafe that’s more than enough to bowl me over, it’s the fact that even if it’s quite a small cafe, it offers good food and great ambiance. So, since it’s pretty small and quaint, it might be a good idea to get your reservations ahead of time. We tried their most popular dish: the moules frites."

"The delightful Café Salade de Fruits, owned by Antoine Bonard and Balendran Rameshan, is wonderfully French, with their rotating selection of table d’hote (chef’s choice) and a la carte items, like salade de saumon fumé and poisson du jour. Location: 1551 W 7th Ave."

"Bambudda serves contemporary Chinese food in a modern setting. Inspiration is taken from Hong Kong and southern Chinese cuisine. Modern interpretations of Dim sum are also represented on the menu."

"The lowdown: Devote a special evening out to this intimate 24-seat space in the Fraserhood neighbourhood, which serves some of the finest nigiri in town. Chef and owner Masayoshi Babi trained under Vancouver’s famed Hidekazu Tojo for a decade before opening his eponymous restaurant four years ago. Everything is organic and made in-house, including the soy sauce, and chef Masayoshi asks only for your complete trust in ordering omakase (chef’s choice), which is the sole option here."

"A post shared by Masayoshi | Sushi | Japanese (@masayoshisushi) on Dec 4, 2019 at 10:30pm PST. If you’re a sushi lover and live in Vancouver, chances are you’ve heard of Masayoshi Baba’s eatery, Masayoshi. Open for dinner service Monday to Saturday, this Fraser Street spot offers a sensational nigiri omakase."

"These guys offer a slightly more substantial meal at a slightly higher price point, plus they claim to use real wasabi in their dishes. Now, that is a treat that is incredibly rare. Not just in Vancouver, but around the world."

"A post shared by Fiore Restaurant (@fioreyvr) on Oct 10, 2018 at 4:05pm PDT. This spot for hand-crafted Italian eats is a fantastic place to head in a pair or for a group celebration. Pizza, pasta, wine, and beer – that’s all you need to be content and this South Granville gem has it all."

"The gently rustic Siena yields a bounty of Italian and Mediterranean flavours, perfect before a show at the nearby Stanley"

"It’s hard to visit Vancouver and not feel enamoured with the stunning waterfront views. But, that’s exactly what you’ll find at the enchanting Water Street Cafe. Indulge in delicious Italian dishes made with pillowy pasta and savoury sauces; the place feels more like a quaint European bistro than a stuffy, upscale dining establishment."

"A post shared by Water Street Cafe (@waterstcafe) on Jan 4, 2018 at 4:28pm PST. Enjoy an intimate dinner in one of Vancouver’s most historic neighbourhoods. The menu here features handmade pasta like pillowy soft gnocchi, long ribbons of pappardelle, and perfectly cooked risotto."

"Best egg and salmon croissants plate for breakfast in vancouver:) you have to try it. Price is great and big portion plus great service!!"

"If there’s an OG Italian pizza spot in Vancouver, this is probably it. Marcello Lombardo, the owner, and head chef was born in Palermo and had a restaurant in the Adriatic Riviera before starting up in Vancouver. Neopolitan style pizza, maybe the best lasagna in the city (irrelevant to the story but true), how can you go wrong?"

"Born in the City of Delights, or more commonly known as Palermo, Italy, Marcello fell in love with cooking from a young age. Influenced by the crystal clear water, the flavours of the culturally-rich air, and a little encouragement from his mother,"

"After watching the new Disney movie Luca, I was craving seafood pasta, so during lunch I decided on this restaurant. It was a gem among the many resta..."