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    Le French Diner

    4.4 (218 reviews)
    ModerateFrench
    Closed 5:30 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Le French Diner Photos

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    LE FRENCH DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Le French Diner

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    Margaret L.

    Decent food, mixed service, questionable ambience. As many establishments do in in the city, this place manufactures scarcity by providing a minuscule number of seats. We love lining up for what we perceive to be rare, sought-after tables, even in sub-10 degree temps. The space goes beyond cozy; it's uncomfortably crammed. This could be someone's hallway in a house. I like cozy dimly lit interiors, but not when my back is literally pressed against another guest's and I'm contorting myself to fit in my corner, and I'm a petite person. Music - loud, all over the place in genre from classical to rock and roll. I was expecting something more laid back and intimate. Hard to hear my friend over the music. Bathroom right up against the kitchen, which is sus. Waves at 5:30 (opening), 7/7:30, 8:30/9. Line up early (20 min at least) before open, and you might get a table for 2. After that, put your name down on the list for 7/7:30 and hunker down at a bar - what we did. And when they call you, PICK UP. Because they will be annoyed if you don't and still show up at their door. They call people as seats become available so they'll keep going down the list if you don't answer. (I saw this happen to a couple who showed up and the owner claimed they hadn't picked up his call. Awkward.) Food was decent tasting but overpriced. Escargots buttery and garlicky, but very small. Crunchy charred sourdough on the side for dipping. Octopus was cooked well, though the accompanying sauce was quite bland. Hanger steak was tender and really salty, with a bed of caramelized onions on top. Reminded me of a French onion soup in a good way. Delicious, piping hot potato gratin complimented the steak. Their offering for glasses of wine is quite limited so you are better off ordering a bottle. The skin contact from Alsace was tangy and reminiscent of a beer to me. Service was great initially considering how much multi-tasking the 3(?) staff members had to do. We were able to place our orders and get our food without too much wait. The owner checked in here and there, always with a smile. However, at the end we miscalculated our tip and received a harsh "you can't do math or this is a really *expletive* tip" reprimand before we corrected it, which soured the experience a good bit and eliminated our desire to return.

    Grilled Hanger Steak
    Samantha W.

    Cozy little spot with very limited seating, so getting there a bit before opening is key if you want a table. The intimate, no-frills vibe is part of the charm. The food was outstanding. The escargot was perfectly garlicky and easily one of my favorites, and the steak tartare was hands down the best I've ever had, incredibly well balanced, flavorful, and spicy-mustard-forward. The perfectly cooked steak with the potato au gratin-style side was creamy and rich. The wait staff was clearly busy but genuinely friendly and working their butts off, which only added to the experience. Definitely worth the effort to snag a seat.

    Asparagus

    Really amazing food! Reasonable price for what it is given it is NYC but not cheap. Would definitely go back. No reservations and every time I've gone on a weekend they're full and the wait is an hour plus. Saturday showed up 10 minutes after opening at 5:40pm, everything was already full, but got a bar seat at 7pm. Place is very small like 10 bar seats and 3 tables. Wish it was bigger! Not too loud. Atmosphere not very special. Would go back for the food!

    Perfect little starters
    Kat C.

    Such a lovely, cozy French spot offering authentic and delicious food and ambiance. Super friendly staff and filled with locals who know how wonderful this place is. We've enjoyed so many wonderful dinners and the place lends itself to a laid-back romantic evening.

    Wine
    Moeka S.

    When I look back on this dinner, the biggest thing I remember is the Hanger steak. I think I am a little picky on steaks and meat and this one was just the perfect marinade, texture, everything. And the au gratin had the best sauce in between I wanted it as my pillow. I went on Saturday around when they opened and I got a seat for two people but they do get busy very quickly so go early or put yourself on the waitlist and go get boba or something! It is a smaller restaurant with some nice music playing. I'd go when I don't have discussion points and serious things to talk about with my friends but rather for the vibe and good time. I'd go back for that steak for sure, I would love to try their octopus next time.

    Chickpea crepe
    Shawn H.

    Incredible crepe, duck, and octopus, and the steak tartare and green salad were pretty amazing as well. Might skip the steak next time.

    Menu
    Gab G.

    Came on a Friday 5 minutes before they opened at 5:30 PM, and there was already a line but we got bar seats (which is definitely the move). My boyfriend and I ordered: + Socca de nice + Ouef de mayo + green salad + grilled hangar steak with gratin + Panna cotta with sour cherries Wow, just wow. All of the food was amazing... best eggs ever... every single bite was good though. I usually dislike panna cotta and even that was fantastic. Great wines, too. Overall this is such a tiny and special spot that I almost don't want to tell people about it...maybe that's why I didn't know this place has been here for over 10 years, because they didn't want to tell me either.

    Chickpea pancake
    Tony Y.

    If you're looking for an intimate, authentic dining experience that feels like a teleportation to a Parisian side street, Le French Diner is it. The Ambiance This is the ultimate date spot. It's incredibly small and cozy, which creates a warm, bustling energy that feels exclusive rather than cramped. Because of the size, it's best for a duo. We arrived at 4:45 PM on a Wednesday to get in line; they opened at 5:30 PM, and we were seated immediately. You probably don't need to arrive before they open to get a sear during the weekday. The Food The food was nothing short of fantastic. Every dish felt intentional and perfectly executed. Two absolute must-orders:     *    The Chickpea Pancake: A unique, savory start with the perfect texture.     *    The Hangar Steak: Cooked exactly to medium-rare, tender, and seasoned beautifully. It's easily one of the best versions of this cut I've had in the city. The Service The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. It's clear they care about the food and the experience. Just keep in mind that because the kitchen and floor space are so limited, the service can get a little slow during peak hours. Don't come here if you're in a rush; come here to enjoy the wine, the company, and the atmosphere.

    Cheese board
    Andrew K.

    I really really wanted to enjoy this meal because of how exclusive getting a table feels. In the end, it was a fine meal that wasn't worth waiting an hour to get a table for. The menu is small so we got most of it: grilled octopus (will never not enjoy), oeuf mayo, socca de nice (not a dish I was familiar with, interesting), escargot (always interested in this and this was just as buttery and well-seasoned as I wanted), rabbit leg confit. We also got a cheese board which we usually don't do and in the end it was an interesting mix of cheeses. One thing I particularly enjoyed was how many of the dishes came with an ample amount of bread, which is unusual. Service was quick and super nice. The restaurant is small almost to a fault, so everything is very cramped (especially going to the bathroom). To have such a small restaurant and still be walk-in only is an interesting choice I don't particularly agree with, because inevitably everyone waits at least an hour to be sat.

    Taylor Z.

    Really awesome french food. The space is tight but man the staff here are just handling everything. Cooking, bussing, waiting, etc etc. The small team of ins a tight ship. Favorite was the hanger steak.

    Socca de Nice
    Winnie L.

    One of my favorite spots in the neighborhood that offers amazing food with cozy ambience. Everything we had was delicious and I highly recommend: socca de nice, green salad (best salad I've had in town), escargots, seared sea scallops, and steak tartare. Don't forget the sour cherry panna cotta to round out the meal!

    dami d.

    This place is AMAZING. I loved everything and which I could have more. Booked and busy from the minute the door opened, the owners and staff were very nice and attentive and I love how the only marketing they do is word of mouth. The music was a little much at times for how intimate the restaurant is but I will 100% be coming back and ordering everything on the menu I didn't get to try this time

    Seared Scallops with squash and pea puree
    Al H.

    I have heard and seen the crowds, so I came in mid week just at the time of opening. The gentleman taking my order, as this was a small place, recognized I was new, and answered my questions patiently as he poured me a glass of water. I had the seared scallops. Laid on top of pieces of squash. Seasonal ingredients. I usually am not a fan of squash, but this was really good, and had the consistency of a ripe pear. Not mushy at all. The seared scallops were amazing, swimming in a lightly buttered sauce. The best I ever had.

    Grilled Octopus

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    Page 1 of 6

    Le French Diner Reviews in Other Languages

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    Do they take reservations ? Also, how accurate are these violations? Yikes 👀

    Walk-ins only. Put your name down and grab a drink at a bar nearby.

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    Marseille

    Marseille

    3.9
    (1.3k reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$$

    Friendliest and nicest hosts and staff I've encountered recently!! We arrived right at our…read morereservation time and were promptly seated for a rare date night. Although I would've preferred to have been seated away from a family with 3 loud, ill-behaved kids, it was still a nice cozy table. On our table we found a nice Happy Anniversary card, which was very sweet! Our server Selma L. greeted us warmly and with a smile. Selma L. was very knowledgeable and helpful with the menu and remained very available and checked in on us often throughout our meal. I knew I wanted the Escargots en Persillade(my favorites!), and we paired them with Mushroom&Ricotta ravioli, and the Branzino. Every dish was perfectly paired with sauces and flavors blended well together. The Branzino skin was perfectly crispy, the potatoes were a little softer than I'd personally like but were still tasty. We made sure to save room for dessert and I'm so glad we did. We tried the chocolate lava cake and the cheesecake and were gifted two glasses of dessert wine and truffles. Everything is made from scratch, in-house. The New York cheesecake stood out ahead of the lava cake but I would order both again. This restaurant is perfectly situated to accommodate you for a pre-show dinner, and offer discounted meals starting at 8pm-close. We'd definitely return to try other menu items, and enjoy another date night, albeit not surrounded by kids!!!

    This place is around the corner from where i live, and the food is consistently good. Been here a…read moredozen times for their oyster happy hour (most evenings) The non alcoholic drinks are great. service was amazing. our waiter Henry was very attentive and made sure we had a pleasant dining experience.

    Photos
    Corner booths often used for group dining
    Corner booths often used for group dining
    Fresh Berries - yogurt & granola
    Fresh Berries - yogurt & granola
    Croque Madame - griddled bistro ham & gruyere on brioche topped with mornay and a sunnyside up egg, chips

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    Croque Madame - griddled bistro ham & gruyere on brioche topped with mornay and a sunnyside up egg, chips
    Chez Josephine

    Chez Josephine

    3.8
    (723 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$$

    The service and ambiance is what made this place really nice. We walked in and it's like a whole…read moredifferent world with live piano music as well. The wonderful lady who was singing and playing the piano did a really good job, it's such a romantic place. The food was good and I split a bottle of wine with my partner. We ordered off the pre-fix menu and added oysters on top. The oysters were so good and I really liked the vinegar. For the appetizers, it was a beet salad and pate. The pate was SO good, I get it again to be honest. Then came the entrees, we ordered the medium well steak frites and pan seared stripped bass. The steak came out rare and the fish was okay, it could have been a bit more seasoned for my personal taste. I traded dishes with my partner because I can't eat rare steak but he can. We also got the peach ice cream dessert and the dessert of the day which was a coconut gelatin(?) dish and it was AMAZING. Overall experience was good, the only thing that was kinda a miss was the entrees.

    Went here after a movie the other night and had the price fixe dinner which is such a great deal…read more Terrific and inexpensive wine list. Onion soup and pate starters were prepared just right. Steak and mussel frites came out perfectly. Chocolate lava cake and peach melba were a great way to end our meal. We will return!

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Chocolate lava cake! ($19)
    Chocolate lava cake! ($19)
    From my table, thru the bar, to the front door.

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    From my table, thru the bar, to the front door.
    Steak Frites Bistro

    Steak Frites Bistro

    4.6
    (304 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$$

    Finally. I've been on the search. City after city. 6 different French restaurants in Chicago. Not…read moreto mention Washington DC and other cities. But I finally found authentic steak tartare. Hand cut. Not run through a blender. The closest to the nest that I've had in Paris. Ambiance: 10/10 Steak tartare: 9/10 Pomme fritte: 7/10 Service: 10/10 Don't get me wrong these fries were good. Better than all the others. Not quite good as in Paris. It was a joy to eat here. And I feel like I've finally found a place that compares to Paris. The best of Chicago produced nothing to compare to Paris.

    While in the theater district I decided to satisfy my craving for steak and fries. I looked up a…read moreplace nearby and this one came up. It was a 12 minute walk from my original location. I played myself by getting the pre frixe menu. I did not care for the French onion soup at all. It has a sour taste to it..not savory. I asked for my steak medium well. It came exactly to mh liking. I had not had read meat in a while and I might have been low on iron. It was tasty. I ordered the creme brulee for desert which was yummy. I sat at the bar. I will definitely asked to be seated next time because the bartender hovered over me a lot. I didn't need much service. The steak was good next time I will have the salmon. I want to try other places that specialize in this fare.

    Photos
    View from our window table
    View from our window table
    Cute salt and pepper
    Cute salt and pepper
    At the entrance

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    At the entrance
    Chez Napoleon

    Chez Napoleon

    3.9
    (344 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$$

    Thursday night dinner for 3. Very charming, quaint restaurant with vintage artwork and a small bar…read more There is a front room with a small bar and another room around a wall on the other side. We ordered a traditional gran marnier soufflé with our dinner order as it takes that amount of time to make it. I came for the duck confit. It was tasty with the right amount of crispy skin. My sister ordered the Moules Marinieres which I think was the winner. It came with fries and a few small dishes of green beans. The Buf Bourguignon was rich and hearty. I've been craving a soufflé, and I'm not an expert but I wish I hadn't poured all the sauce in as the mariner was fairly strong and almost overpowered the soufflé in flavor. Overall, happy to support a small mom and pop business. You have to call for reservations. No resy or open table.

    I grew up nearby and been wanting to come here for over 30 years- since I was young- but was a…read morelittle intimidated. Im sad about that. Putting the food aside (which was VERY good), the place is beyond charming... like walking into your nonna's living room- and the staff was welcoming. As for the food: everything is "perfect" in a simple, old school, traditional way. No trendy twists. This is a GOOD thing in my book. It has been years since Ive had escorgot that I loved, but this brought me back. I had almost sworn off of it. My steak au-poivre was cooked to perfection and green peppercorn sauce was sublime. The fries were basic but in a good, I dare say perfect, way. My gf had the sole and, altho she says it wasnt earth shattering, liked it as well. The soufle was a bit of a novelty for me but worth a try. This place is Old School New York at its finest. P.S. I cant stand liver or pate but my gf ordered the foie gras (which ive never had) and tho i resisted trying it, I finally did and loved it. I think that says something about the place. She said it was perfect.

    Photos
    Chez Napoleon
    Salty crispy half duck with orange sauce and super wild rice.
    Salty crispy half duck with orange sauce and super wild rice.
    The Restuarant is filled with jigsaw puzzles. You can buy a box off of the Puzzle Menu.

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    The Restuarant is filled with jigsaw puzzles. You can buy a box off of the Puzzle Menu.
    S'Aimer

    S'Aimer

    4.6
    (81 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    We were able to get a last-minute reservation at 7p on the Sunday before Memorial Day and entered…read morewhat was a pretty empty establishment. There were only 2 other parties seated and we were seated immediately upon arrival. It's fairly dark inside and the decor reminds me a bit of New Orleans. I enjoyed the ambiance. The drinks were great! I had the cocobella while he had margaritas. The table bread was hot and fresh, so make sure they bring it to the table for you. We had the mussels for an appetizer, lamb chops and bass. EVERYTHING was excellent! The flavor of the broth for the mussels was Devine, so much so my husband used his bread to sop up all he could. The bass had great flavor and came with sautéed spinach that was well cooked. It initially looked like a small portion but turned out to be plenty. The lamb chops were cooked to the requested temp and seasoned well. We left no crumbs. This one is definitely worth a try!

    If you're going to see a Broadway show, plan on stopping here to enjoy some delicious food. This…read moreplace has such a smooth, sexy vibe. Staff are lovely. Decide is classy cool. The food is perfection. The pulled oxtails are delicious. Gave me goosebumps. The fish was cooked to perfection. The sweet plantains were perfect. The drinks were done very well too. It's a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for! YUMMY

    Photos
    Greenery in The Garden at S'Aimer NYC
    Greenery in The Garden at S'Aimer NYC
    The Garden at S'Aimer NYC. A place for quiet conversation in the heart of Restaurant Row.
    The Garden at S'Aimer NYC. A place for quiet conversation in the heart of Restaurant Row.
    Set up for private event at S'Aimer NYC.

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    Set up for private event at S'Aimer NYC.
    maman

    maman

    4.1
    (263 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Maman remains my favorite brunch spot whenever I'm in NYC, and this visit to a new location was…read morejust as lovely as ever. This space felt larger than the other locations I've been to, while still keeping the same cozy, charming, and beautiful vibe that defines their brand. We were a party of three, and each of us ordered different sandwiches and pastries. I got the Katie's Chicken Sandwich, which is one of my absolute favorites and something I order almost every time I'm visiting the city. For pastry, I tried the Cherry Croissant Cube for the first time, and I was honestly speechless. It was incredibly flavorful, delicious, and truly made my day. I 100% recommend trying it. For drinks, I ordered the seasonal Cherry Elderflower Spritz. It was just okay compared to everything else, but not bad. Overall, Maman continues to be my go-to brunch place in NYC, and this visit reminded me exactly why.

    Unnecessary confrontation over a 5-minute early pickup…read more I'm a regular Too Good To Go customer and have picked up bags from Maman before without issue. This visit was a frustrating exception. The app activated the swipe button shortly after 5PM -- which Maman and several other stores have recently started allowing as an early pickup signal. I went to the store accordingly. The young male Hispanic employee at the register refused to hand over my bag, insisting the pickup window didn't start until 5:15. All the bags were already packed and ready. There were no other customers in line. I tried to explain how the app works and that early pickup had been allowed here before, but he repeatedly cut me off. At one point I said "if you want to play by the book, so be it" -- meaning it as a neutral acknowledgment. He took offense, raised his voice, and kept repeating "I don't play, you play" in an increasingly hostile tone. I asked if he understood the expression. He just kept repeating "I don't play." When I asked to speak with a manager, he said there wasn't one. When I asked what a customer is supposed to do when there's a problem with an employee, he told me to come back tomorrow and talk to him. This was completely avoidable. The bags were ready. It was a 5-10 minute window, allowed by the app. The confrontation served no purpose. I noticed the review posted the day before mine mentions "poor customer service at the register" -- I suspect we encountered the same person. Maman has a good reputation worth protecting. I'd encourage management to review this interaction and make sure this particular staff is trained properly.

    Photos
    Menu. Had trouble deciding as so many great options
    Menu. Had trouble deciding as so many great options
    Maman's Breakfast Sandwich
    Maman's Breakfast Sandwich
    Creme brûlée croissant

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    Creme brûlée croissant
    La Bonne Soupe

    La Bonne Soupe

    4.0
    (311 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    If you're looking to escape the tourist crowds on the UES, La Bonne Soupe is the move. I was back…read morevisiting my old stomping grounds and wanted somewhere outside with a real neighborhood feel and this spot nailed it. I snagged a seat on their upstairs patio, surrounded by the kind of older, well-heeled UES regulars that give the place such a quintessential NYC vibe. I went with the $35 lunch special, which gets you an appetizer and an entrée. For my app, the Escargots de Bourgogne- absolutely the star of the meal, I could've eaten a second order. The Crêpe Forestière for my entrée was lovely too, and I washed it all down with a lemonade. Everything was genuinely delicious. My one small gripe: I got charged for two lemonades, which stung a little given that (a) it's lemonade, and (b) the glass was on the petite side to begin with. Minor quibble, though. Other than that, it was a perfect NYC lunch, exactly what I was hoping for.

    Came here a mere week after five-star my first visit, and this experience was significantly less…read morepositive. While the French Onion soup was still a stand-out dish, the painfully slow service detracted. There appeared to be a single waitress working. I didn't notice during my first visit if there were multiple servers, but the first time I did hear the waiter advise another table that the kitchen was behind and there would be a wait for food. (This didn't affect me since on my first visit I only ordered soup.) Same thing happened this time, and there was a significant delay between our soup/salad course and entrees. We were told the kitchen was backed up. this is apparently the norm. For appetizers, the French onion soup was a gold star dish. My friend had the goat cheese salad which she said was also very good. The Chicken Cordon Bleu was good, and a hard-to-find dish in NYC. While eating our entrees, the server never checked on how things were or if we needed anything. Once finished, we sat there for a long time waiting for our plates to be cleared, and finally had to "announce" that we were done and request our dessert (as we had ordered the prix fixe menu). For dessert we ordered the Dame Blanche and Profiteroles. I would recommend neither. The ice cream (in both) was poor quality, crystallized and not creamy. A real shame. In all, the meal too 2.5 hours due to the slow service. The soup remains fantastic. I'm downgrading my review to recommend this spot only for soup and salad and not a full, hours-long meal. For that, it's 5 stars, for a full meal a middling 3.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Dame blanche
    Dame blanche
    Outside dining on second floor rooftop

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    Outside dining on second floor rooftop

    Le French Diner - french - Updated July 2026

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