The Resy Guide to Chicago’s New Wave of French Restaurants

Argot, or “slang,” aptly captures this team’s stylish twist on the French café-wine bar, inspired by spots they’ve visited in Paris, New York, and beyond. Enter the spacious dining room and slide into one of the banquettes as you take in colorful artwork, French pop music, and bites from chef Lucas DePerry and team. Start with veg-forward plays on the classics like mushroom “escargots” or carrot “tartare”; for mains, don’t miss the duck confit, cured and braised for 18 hours. Managing partner and master sommelier Dustin Wilson helms the fittingly thoughtful wine program, a small producer selection spanning styles and price points (like that of their next-door property, Verve Wine).

This recently opened restaurant from brothers Oliver and Nicolas Poilevey (of Bucktown’s beloved Le Bouchon) was quick to garner recognition on a local and national level for its imaginative fare and lively brasserie feel. French classics undergo updates with global twists in offerings  like duck pozole with chicharron or foie gras and otoro tuna crispy rice. Bring a plus-one to share some things here—a bottle from the team’s carefully curated wine list, and one of the plates for two (e.g. beef Wellington with prosciutto and puff pastry). If you can’t snag a table for dinner, swing by for brunch instead.

It feels like a scene from Emily in Paris at this West Loop restaurant, where pink reigns supreme and bulb chandeliers mirror the bubbles in your glass (or the grapes that got them there). It’s an arrival from the design-forward Bonhomme Group (Beatnik, Porto), so expect the same vibrant approach  as their other spots—examples here being tarte flambee with delicata squash, steak tartare with black currant mustard, and baked scallops with beet hollandaise. A wine list features overlooked French options, with a special focus on the natural wines of Beaujolais and grower producers of Champagne.

Visit this intimate, elegant dining room for Beard Award-winning chef Carrie Nahabedian’s updated take on classic French cuisine. That translates to dishes like grilled French prime sirloin steak or whole roasted European dover sole meunière (as the menu notes, one of Julia Child’s all-time favorites). Wine director Michael Nahabedian guides a list of French and Old World offerings, and save room for dessert from pastry chef Craig Harzewski—namely, the baked cherry and almond clafoutis.

Understanding that community is at the core of bistro dining, this Lincoln Square charmer places an emphasis on warm, home-away-from-home hospitality alongside thoughtful French cuisine. With a focus on the sustainable and seasonal, the team puts forth a menu of favorites like poulet rôti forestière (roast half-chicken with wild mushroom ragout and onion frites) and steak frites, with your choice of bavette or filet mignon. Pair them with a glass from beverage director Alex Uribe’s all-French list, or sip on cocktails like the Grand Marnier-laced French Manhattan.

The team from The Barn Steakhouse recently opened this restaurant, an ode to French-Moroccan cooking in the heart of Evanston. Several distinct dining rooms comprise the circular space, with an arched bar, bright artwork, and Middle Eastern-inspired light fixtures. Call (224) 999-7085 for reservations

Enter this restaurant and feel instantly transported to your favorite Parisian brasserie, thanks to varnished mirrors, handpicked lighting, and tobacco-stained walls. Settle into one of the leather booths with a glass from the list (a selection that spotlights Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux), then try the warm tomato tarte with creamy fromage blanc, roasted tomatoes, and herbs de Provence, or the mussels mariniere with garlic and Chablis. Return during warmer months, when a streetside patio further evokes European vibes.  

Presented with the opportunity to open his own restaurant, chef Martial Noguier (Pump Room, one sixtyblue)  knew it would be in the style of a French bistro—a place where he could serve approachable, regional cuisine rooted in classic technique. Neighborhood regulars and first-timers flock here for that cooking, which shows up in orders like cassoulet, pate en croute, and bouillabaisse, plus new specials daily. Call (312) 944-8400 for reservations

Situated on the lobby level of the tony Pendry Chicago, Venteux evokes opulent Parisian nights with its plush red velvet banquettes, eclectic gallery walls, and chandelier lighting. It all sets the stage for upmarket brasserie staples like escargot, steak au poivre, and moules frites. During summer months, keep the French vibes going with a nightcap at Chateau Carbide, the hotel’s rooftop retreat for absinthe and small plates. Call (312) 777-9003 for reservations

After the success of Evanston’s Koi restaurant, proprietor Sandy Chen was traveling through Provence when she was struck with the idea for another venture. Her time dining in quaint, countryside eateries reminded her of her Chinese hometown—both regions, she realized, that prioritized fresh, local ingredients and generations-old recipes. Today, the Roscoe Village restaurant fills up on the nightly for its French-Mediterranean fare, with options like parmesan-garlic frites, French onion soup, and mussels Provencal. Enjoy year-round al fresco dining with their enclosed sidewalk café, or request Table 23 (where 23% of your bill benefits a local nonprofit).