I recently had dinner at Quenelle with two work colleagues and we sat at the bar. Overall, we had a good experience. The bartender's service and cocktails were very good and the food was well prepared. The one issue that significantly changed my impression came when we received the bill. A 3% credit card surcharge was added without it ever being disclosed beforehand. I dine at higher-end restaurants frequently and have no problem paying for quality food, drinks, or service. However, I honestly can't recall ever being surprised by a credit card surcharge at the end of a meal. For me, it wasn't about the amount--it was about the lack of transparency. The surcharge was not disclosed before ordering. I hope Quenelle reconsiders this policy or, at a minimum, makes it clearly visible to guests before they order. Unfortunately, it left a bad taste and makes me unlikely to return. I'd simply encourage others to be aware of the surcharge before dining. read more

Food and service are spectacular. Well decorated with a beautifully landscaped patio. Great for a special occasion

The food was pretty good, and the drinks were well made. My biggest issue was the undisclosed 3% credit card fee. For a restaurant with a premium menu and premium pricing, I would expect that cost to be built into the prices or, at the very least, clearly disclosed before payment. I've dined in major cities across the country and can't recall another restaurant charging a surprise credit card fee like this. It left a bad impression and took away from an otherwise solid meal. read more

I've been to Quenelle three times since they opened, and it's quickly become one of my go-to spots for a cute night out. The vibe is definitely the highlight. Dim lighting, chic decor, and an intimate atmosphere make it perfect for date night or a girls night. It just feels elevated without being too stuffy. Food-wise, they've been super consistent every time I've gone. I tried frog legs for the first time here and was honestly surprised by how much I loved them, definitely better than expected. The escargot and oysters were also delicious, and the drinks have been just as solid across the board. The beef bourguignon wasn't my thing but I think that was a preference thing. I don't particularly love braised shortrib and it was a shared dish with my friend. I'm giving 5 stars because my most recent visit really stood out, the service that afternoon was amazing, and our waiter even sang happy birthday to my friend (I wish I remembered his name because he deserves the shoutout). It made the whole experience feel so special, and I'll be including a video because it was such a great moment. That said, if I'm being completely honest, I'd rate it more like a 4.5 overall. The other two times I visited, the service was good but not as attentive or friendly as this last experience. Still, between the consistently great food, drinks, and the beautiful atmosphere, it's absolutely worth it, and I'll definitely be back again. read more

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We had reservations for 6pm and arrived at 5:50. We weren't allowed to be seated until exactly 6, so we sat at the bar. We waited about 5 minutes until the bartender acknowledged us (it's a small bar, she was making drinks right in front of us), and she goes "happy hour is still on for another 10 minutes" or something like that. No hello. Off-putting. The table service was fine. The fromage plate was disappointing...no crackers, no fruit; but they did have pickled carrots! Lol. We split the mussel/fries for dinner. Something was off with the mussel broth...come to find out, there was licorice flavored liquor in itwhy ruin a good thing! The fries were delicious though. Overall, there are many other places I would go to before here again. read more

Esmay is the best bartender! She was training Lua and actually gave me a tester drink. Delicious! The $2 oysters are also amazing!! Beautiful bar! read more

The CUTEST brunch place!!! The backyard vibes is like a secret garden. Food is top notch and drinks take the cake. Not to mention the phenomenal service!! Our server, Taylor, was so lovely!! read more

Quenelle - Backyard garden - French Near Me - Buffalo, New York

My husband and I celebrated new years eve with Quenelle. Although it was a slow go to get there due to the weather, the atmosphere and service at Quenelle quickly warmed us up. We got the seafood tower, French fries, escargot, a wonderful golf drink that I dont remember the full name but it was the best drink I have ever had in my life with bananas, and dessert. It was a nice night to decompress and talk about what our goals are for 2026. The escargot was noteworthy. Delicious and delicate. The dessert i had was impressive and so so delicious and featured hazelnut balls and was gluten free. I highly recommend this establishment. Try it out. read more

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My husband and I tried out Quenelle for our anniversary dinner and we loved it. We started with drinks at the bar- exceptionally handcrafted. Every flavor was thoughtful. Next, we order the bread service and escargot for appetizers. The escargot were so buttery and citrus flavored and were the perfect little bite of goodness. For entrees we had the steak frites and mussels. My husband absolutely loved the hand cut fries served with mayo and the steak had a perfect crust, cooked to perfection. I enjoyed the mussels. The broth was a tad bit salty for my liking but had good flavor. Our server was very attentive and overall we enjoyed our first experience. Looking forward to going back! read more

Tried this place for the first time, and it was outstanding. The ambiance is great, our server, Taylor, was so nice. The food was outstanding and nothing left me disappointed. I will happily return! read more

Quenelle - Blackberry Smash, Dirty Martini - French Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Took my husband, son & his wife here for Father's Day Brunch and it did not disappoint. We were seated in the lovely courtyard that I fondly remembered from Rue Franklin. Our entrees and drinks were quite delicious. It didn't hurt that the sun was out and we could hear cardinals in the trees! My one suggestion was to landscape this special gem with colorful perennials- once planted, bloom year after year. So happy an elegant French Bistro/Restaurant is back. We will be, too! Magnifique!!! read more

Delicious meal, wonderful service! Oysters were excellent. Nicely curated wine list. We will be back!

Absolutely wonderful from the moment we stepped in! Sat in the courtyard and felt transported to another place. Food was wonderful, staff and owner were delightful! Going back soon. read more

What did I like most about Quenelle? The colors, the wine, the Quenelle dish, and my dear companions (in no particular order). I should start briefly from the beginning. The three of us like to visit new places. Quenelle is French. We wanted something simple, but in a sophisticated and elegant way. The restaurant is nice -- neat, lovely colors, stained glass windows, shiny glassware, etc. Very charming setting. From the beginning we got a bottle of sparkling water and a bottle of Cabernet Franc. We decided to have just a few small plates to start, but our server wouldn't take the order until we made choices for the whole meal. Well... That's very French, no problem. After the first food arrived, we immediately attacked the Quenelle, Escargot and Cuisses de Grenouille. The portions were actually small and could be comfortably shared for a maximum of two people. The Quenelle was simply the best! Halibut mousse in lobster sauce, a completely new experience for me. What a nice surprise. The Frog Legs were very tender and moist. Wondering why there were only two pairs of them. It tasted like chicken, anyway ;). The Escargots were prepared with a small amount of butter, almost no garlic or any herbs. It came with a stale, dry baguette toast. We had to be careful when biting into it. The oysters were delicious. Talking about 'Large Plates'. My Bouillabaisse was served in a dip bowl full of broth, and yes, seafood, but I imagined the Bouillabaisse quite differently. The soup was supposed to contain halibut and scallops, and I got mainly mussels. The scallop was chopped. I found some small pieces of fish. Was it even Bouillabaisse, or just a mussel dish masquerading as something else? I wanted my food to have a little more 'wow' factor, but no. The presentation was poor. The bread which came with the fish soup, again, was hard like a rock (ugh!). Also, the broth was too heavy on fennel for my taste. I ate it, but did I actually enjoy it fully? To be honest, not quite. We liked Coquille aux Endives Braisées the most (a scallops dish). Buffalo must be happy to have another French restaurant. You should check this place out for yourself. My experience may be the opposite of yours. Damn, Bouillabaisse! The complementary macaroons were a little treat. I chose the green one. It tasted like my childhood. read more

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In Buffalo for a family wedding and a friend recommended Quenelle. Charming spot, grab a table in the gorgeous garden if you can. The Hidden Driveway may be the best cocktail I've ever had. Meals were all good, as was the service but I'm still dreaming about that drink. read more

Everything was amazing! I highly recommend this place to anyone!!! My bf and I ordered atleast half the menu and we were not disappointed with a single thing! The staff are amazing too! read more

Good service, great recommendations, and a delicious meal; we enjoyed our experience and will be happy to return. We had the quenelle, escargot, bouillabaisse, pork, and trifle. The wine and dessert recommendations were excellent. read more

A wonderful experience Quenelle is amazing! The staff is friendly and professional, yet not stuffy. The setting is beautiful, reminiscent of a Paris bistro. And the food is superb. The back garden patio is a hidden gem. We especially like that the ambiance is relaxing; you don't have to shout at your dining mates while sitting inside. We will be back. read more

I remember going yo to Rue Franklin West years ago at the location. Quenelle is exquisite! What a beautiful restaurant interior and relaxed elegance. Our server was extremely attentive and friendly-- and everyone enjoyed their dishes -- classic entrees with a unique twist. The cold asparagus soup was also delicious. The server took the extra step to bring the name of the wine that was substituted for the evening. Overall, it was a memorable experience and I highly recommend this gem in Buffalo. read more

From the cocktails to the oysters to the pots de crème. Everything is outstanding. Service is excellent. Perfect for a romantic evening.

Loved the cozy romantic vibe! The Christmas tree and other holiday decor was adorable. Definitely a nice spot to celebrate an anniversary or other special occasion. The food was delicious - I really enjoyed my meal of oysters, the cheese plate and beef tartare. The pistachio crème brûlée was FANTASTIC. Only reason I'm giving a 4 is service was average - didn't really add to the nice vibe of the environment and food. They had a few vegetarian options which was nice for my friend that I went with. She said her veggie quiche was delicious. Would definitely go back! read more

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I really enjoyed Quenelle, especially as a gluten-free person because almost all of their dishes are gluten-free. It's gorgeous inside and the service was good. It was only their second week open when we went so there were some growing pains, but they did great. I'm really excited to go back. It's also a great spot to sit at the bar and have small bites. If you don't feel like having a full dinner. read more

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As always...excellent! This place is a gem! It always looks amazing, has the best servers, and the food is fantastic! Will be back many more times! read more

Cute place, I remember the old Rue Franklin and Quenelle is not that. Ambience and table spacing was great. Everyone was friendly. Attentive/available staff maybe not as much. Missing utensils several times. God bless the service staffs luck, however, in being able to wear jeans and converse with huge hair not pulled back- the only thing French Dining about that to me is that in true French form, most French don't give a feck what you care about lol. Just odd to me. Have some respect for the industry and the 80 bucks you made in 90 minutes. Lol, I have to wear a button down for half that. The wine list is small but ample and enjoyable. Average French menu, nothing crazy. In my opinion- it's a French restaurant in Buffalo. This is not a restaurant in France- while that statement may be obvious just know if you're looking to recreate the cuisine you had wherever you were vacationing while in France proper, this is not the place. The appetizers were fine- oysters, escargot, carrote and bread service. Current Duck entree and bouillabaisse were hits (not a classic bouillabaisse.). Boeuf bourguignon was just ok. Great protein, cold pommes de terre, under salted overall. We ordered all three desserts. Cranberry cake with orange glaze was a perfect holiday desert. Baked Chocolate mousse with salted caramel and creme was delicious. Pistachio creme brulee- custard was weird and pistachio underwhelming- maybe a candied/praline pistachio garnish? read more

Quenelle - Wines by the glass - French Near Me - Buffalo, New York

The place was very posh and beautiful. Highly recommend their French onion soup and the dessert were phenomenal. Everyone in my party enjoyed their dishes thoroughly. The only downfall of the night was our server. She wasn't super attentive and for what you pay you would expect more of a wow factor with the experience. read more

Quenelle - Crème Brûlée - French Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Josh and Greg were wonderful. Try the quenelle, escargot, steak frites, mussels, prawns, crème brûlée and hazelnut chocolate dessert. Convenient pay parking across street. read more

Quenelle - Mussels - French Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Quenelle is a must try when dining in Buffalo. The decor is stunning and the vibe is so cozy and fun. I sat at the bar and the service was friendly and attentive. My only wish was that I could have eaten more. I tried the tartare, the frog legs, and the seasonal tarte. The cocktails and wine list were also on point. I came back on the weekend for brunch. The eggs Benedict was perfection. I can't wait to come back and try other dishes. Thank you for the hospitality, Quenelle! Well done. read more

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Food, drinks, and service were all spectacular. The bar and two dining areas are perfect for a night out with friends, or a more intimate dining experience. read more

Excellent food, pleasant server and a Buffalo gem in the old Rue Franklin. Will definitely be back!

Welcome to Buffalo, Quenelle! We are so happy to have you. We visited for the first time last evening and had a wonderful experience. It was nice to see the old Rue Franklin revisioned into a lovely and inviting new French restaurant. We had cocktails at the bar to start. I did not get a specialty cocktail but instead opted for a cosmopolitan, and my husband ordered their specialty old fashioned that came with a beautiful lemon rose garnish. Both were delicious and our bartender was friendly and attentive. After, we sat in the garden room for dinner. The ceiling is beautiful as it is filled with flowers. Our server, Lola, was so kind and helpful. We started with a meat and cheese board which featured some very non-traditional meats and cheese. For dinner, we had beef bourguignon and duck confit. The food was tasty and comforting. We are looking forward to going back already. read more

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5/5 service, food and ambiance. Ribeye 5/5 Mussels 5/5 Salmon 5/5 Pistachio Crème brûlée 5/5 Well worth a stop! read more

The food was good, but the service was too slow. My party had to wait an hour to get our main dish, and took half an hour to get bread. It was also a bit overpriced. read more

The food was good, but the service was too slow. My party had to wait half an hour to simply get bread and an hour to get our main dish.

Wow. Incredible. From the atmosphere to the service to the FOOD. Traditional French cooking in a cozy, Modern environment. The martini was perfectly balanced with a hint of something I won't spoil. The frites were crisp and have the BEST saffron aioli. These mussels though.... Ooooooooo my god. The both was rich, acidic, garlicky, savory, smooth, and a hint of anise. It was alive, bright. And the mussels were cooked perfectly, Top 5 mussels I have had and BETTER than the ones that I had in France. Couldn't rave about them enough. Everyone else I ate with had the same experience with their own dishes. The chicken was probably my second favorite. And do NOT skip out on the chestnut soup. It is a beautiful experience. 5/5. You don't want to miss out. read more

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As French and from Lyon we were exited to try the quenelle unfortunately there was nothing anywhere close to the real taste and texture of it !!!. Such a disappointment . Also it was over salty for the quenelle and also the steak tartare !!! Unfortunately the only French in quenelle is the name of the dishes and overpriced wines list and food! First and last we will be there Such a disappointment ! read more

The food was amazing and the service was impeccable! We will definitely return. The food was fresh and delicious!

Great food, drinks, service and atmosphere. Definitely add this to your date night spot list, or for a couple cocktail's in a laid back atmosphere. read more

Quenelle - French Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Food was delicious and service at the bar was excellent. Great experience as a solo diner

It's truly a wonderful spot in the old Rue Franklin locale. Very attentive friendly staff...definitely geared towards a younger crowd but it's great they are trying to do a French eatery in a town that has historically had them, but Webster up in North Tonawanda was the last one standing for a few years (excellent place btw..). Quenelle has wonderful PEI oysters (I grew up in New England so this is my soul food..)...very fresh. The other dishes are a work in progress. The escargot really should be done in the classic prep (this one had no parsley)...really for visuals too (this one had butter and garlic). The frog legs were really a sauté and not visually appealing... I would have done them in the flour, egg, crumb dredge. I want this place to do well and will return..it's still a relatively new joint so there are tweaks to be made. The drinks (my Manhattan) was also very good. French food in a brasserie form can be really successful...but I would stick to classic prep on these dishes. read more

What a welcoming atmosphere, gorgeously decorated. Love a small menu that offers a fresh wide variety of offerings. Our service was "spot on" every detail to attention was executed. We both loved the mix matched vintage silverware! read more