These NYC Food Spots Will Make You Feel Like You've Escaped To Paris
By Charlene Lazewski
Whether you live in New York City or are visiting it, you have probably experienced the feeling of taking a quick ride in another neighborhood and feeling like you have traveled to a different town. New York City is a world in itself, meaning there are ways to travel abroad without having to go very far. While you may be dreaming of a trip to Paris, maybe enjoying the culinary pleasures of France is enough to restore your joie de vivre. These 10 restaurants prove that you can visit Paris without leaving NYC.
L’Apartment 4F
L’Apartment 4F in Cobble Hill is a two-person cottage bakery that brings France to NYC. Enjoy a freshly made buttery croissant and grab a loaf of handcrafted sourdough to have with dinner later. The beloved bakery closes at noon, but it is well-worth the early rise even if you don’t live in the neighborhood. Gautier and Ashley, the young couple that started this bakery, began in their own Brooklyn apartment, hence the name “L'Appartement 4F.” They ensure that each individual baked good is created with homemade care as they roll each croissant by hand.
La Goulue
La Goulue on the Upper East Side establishment that has offered an elegant French dining experience since 1972. While many come for classic French dishes like roasted chicken and steak au poivre, they are also known for offering a variety of sushi rolls. Whether you are seeking comfort food or feeling adventurous, you are sure to have a memorable visit. The timeless dark wood interior and gleaming white tablecloths create a romantic ambiance that set the stage for your imagination to take you away to Paris.
Le Dive
Le Dive is a natural wine bar on the Lower East Side which features an extensive wine list and delectable small plates. Behind the bar are retro knick knacks, reminiscent of a summer in the South of France, which will make you feel like you are on your very own seaside vacation. Whether you are in the mood for a cool drink on a sunny afternoon or a late-night-bite, Le Dive is a relaxing spot to share a bottle of wine and dig your hands into a warm baguette.
French Cheese Board
France is home to some of the best cheese in the world, but you don’t need to fly across the Atlantic to gain an appreciation for the variety of fine cheeses that France has to offer. French Cheese Board – located at 56 Spring St – offers cheese tasting events, wine and cheese pairing sessions, cooking classes, and exhibits that explore the art of cheese.
Benoit
Benoit’s luxurious atmosphere offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of Midtown Manhattan. Anyone visiting during a NYC summer will be excited by the variety of ice cream and sorbet flavors. The cocktail menu features pleasing combinations likely to spark your interest. Benoit specializes in timeless dishes that aim to carry you to another place and time. If the painted clouds on the ceiling don’t convince you you’re in heaven, the food surely will.
L’Express
L’Express is a cozy Parisian bistro located on the lively corner of Park Ave and Gramercy Park South. The café tables make a lovely spot to sit and people-watch at all hours. This neighborhood gem is one you can rely on for satisfying French classics such as a warming and indulgent French onion soup, or a satisfying and refreshing tuna niçoise salad. Follow your meal with a stroll around Gramercy Park and continue down Irving Pl - the neighborhood has a quaint and historic feel that will make you question whether you really have teleported to a charming Parisian neighborhood.
Buvette
Buvette brings a rustic French country charm to NYC’s West Village. A vintage bicycle with a straw basket sits outside, adding authentic European curb appeal. Careful attention to detail comes across in the food as well as the menu itself, which include delightful illustrations and a drink menu that shares the origin stories of their featured wines. Cool off by sipping a glass of bibonade – white or rose wine infused with fresh fruit, served sparkling over ice. According to @Deuxmoi, the celebrity gossip Instagram account, Buvette has been a known spot for Timothée Chalamet sightings…it may just be your lucky day!
Lafayette
On the corner of Lafayette and Great Jones St. in NoHo, Manhattan is a restaurant that embodies French elegance. Lafayette takes standard menu items and elevates them to a new level; the breakfast menu features oatmeal topped with fruit that has been stewed in cognac, and croissants infused with amaretto. Smoked salmon benedict and croque madame are savory brunch favorites, and popular dinner orders include spaghetti niçoise and rotisserie chicken. Though there is no wrong way to go, even something as simple as French country sourdough - “pain de champagne” with cultured butter and sea salt – is an absolute delight. Their creative cocktails and luxurious desserts are not to be missed either, so come when you have something to celebrate!
Balthazar
Balthazar is timelessly cool, with a bustling atmosphere that is home to frequent celebrity sightings. Its iconic red awnings on the corner of Spring and Crosby St. can be spotted from blocks away. Balthazar is all about enjoying the classics – like French onion soup, shellfish, steak frites, martinis, and crème brulé. They also excel with breakfast items like eggs Florentine, quiche, and savory crepes. While a meal at Balthazar is something to be savored and enjoyed without concern for time, they also have a bakery next door which provides specialty pastries to New Yorkers on-the-go.
Frenchette
This one-of-a-kind gourmet diner is located in Tribeca among buildings that are relics of old New York. Frenchette’s chic leather booths, rich mahogany wood, and mid-century modern curved edges create a retro-glam vibe that feels exciting and new. Similarly, Frenchette adds fresh new flavors to old-world recipes. The left side of the menu, called “Amuses” and “Garnitures,” is made up of delightful small plates and side dishes, including charred carrots with labneh and za’atar. The dinner menu includes a few lovely fish entrees and a mouth-watering roast chicken. It also features some flavorful vegetarian entrees, like tajine de légumes or courgette farcie with romano beans and couscous. For the final round, the Paris-brest à la pistache is a beautiful, crowd-pleasing dessert.