Where to Find the Best French Food on the Upper East Side

For New Yorkers looking to satisfy their craving for all things French, a quick jaunt to the Upper East Side —home to some of the best French restaurants in NYC — promises to overdeliver. Home to a myriad of restaurants, wine bars, and boutique purveyors offering directly imported French products, the Upper East Side is simply unbeatable for Francophiles, though as always, knowing exactly where to head is key. Whether seeking out perfectly executed pastries, traditional French comfort food, or a solid glass of French wine, follow our expert Francophile’s guide to the Upper East Side here. 

French Restaurants & Wine Bars

La Goulue

For a taste of Old School French charm in the heart of New York, look no further than La Goulue. First opened in the early 1970s by Jean Denoyer (mentioned above), the restaurant shuttered its doors in 2009 before its grand reopening at its current location on 61st Street. Clad with original wood paneling and brass fixtures, this iconic spot has become a go-to staple for satisfying lunches and long dinners, especially amongst local neighborhood dwellers. Unmissable dishes include the soupe à l’oignon gratinée and moules au Chablis et crème normande. Our recommendation? Start with a glass of French bubbles, then spring for a pour of White Burgundy to pair with the mussels —and be sure to save room for one of the restaurant’s stellar desserts, including tarte tatin or mousse au chocolate au lait.

📍 29 E 61st St.

A.O.C. East

For a cozy French wine bar that can go the limits, look no further than A.O.C. East. After 14 years of successfully operating the bar’s original location in the West Village, Head Chef Romain Bonnans took his concept to the Upper East Side and opened this buzzy spot in January of 2017. In addition to boasting an award-winning, French-heavy wine selection, Bonnans food offerings are equally captivating—especially if duck leg confit, vegetarian couscous, or croustillant de chèvre chaud salad is what you’re craving. We recommend a versatile glass of Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley to pair with the above; and best of all, the bar offers live music every Wednesday from 8pm-11pm, along with French Wine workshops led by owner / wine buyer Jérôme Leroy.

📍 1590 1st Ave.

Quatorze

Founded by Mark Di Giulio and Peter Meltzer in 1984, Quatorze’s original location first opened its doors on 14th Street (as per the name), eventually moving uptown to 79th Street in 1990. Today, the spot’s cozy third location—often locally referred to as Quatorze Bis—sits just a few blocks up on 82nd and First. Outfitted with classic red banquettes, vintage decor, and bistro-inspired posters, the restaurant’s rotating list of specials can be found on its handwritten blackboard, though reliable staples like boeuf bourguignon, endive salad with roquefort, and grilled duck magret served with green peppercorn sauce are always up for grabs. Wash down with a glass of Burgundian Pinot Noir or chilled, acid-forward Beaujolais for a match made in heaven!

📍 1578 1st Ave.

Brasserie Cognac

Conveniently situated on the corner of 70th and Lexington, Brasserie Cognac Upper East Side is one of three NYC locations for this Francophile haven. Founded in 2008, the restaurant has become a city staple for luxurious French staples, including foie gras, steak tartare, and airy, cheese puff gougères, served as a basket of eight. In homage to its name, Brasserie Cognac features an impressive 100+ varieties of cognac on their beverage list, alongside a show-stopping wine selection (including First Growth Bordeaux by the glass!).

📍 963 Lexington Ave.

Café d'Alsace

For New York-based oenophiles, Café d’Alsace remains one of the city’s best-kept secrets. The restaurant’s curated wine selection highlights a variety of well-priced, current and back-vintage bottles from nearly every wine-producing region in France, including picks from Pierre Sparr, Domaine Schlumberger, and more. Unsurprisingly, the menu features a number of traditional Alsatian dishes (savory tarte flambée, choucroute garnie), along with standard French classics (roast chicken, canard à l’orange). For one of the best deals in the city, stop by for the restaurant’s $30, 3-course lunch menu, available Monday to Friday from 11:30am to 3:30pm.

📍 1703 2nd Ave.

Orsay

Located on the corner of 75th and Lexington, Orsay has been a French-focused, Upper East Side institution for over 25 years. Known for its Art Nouveau-style ambiance—featuring frosted glass windows, mahogany paneled walls, 24-foot pewter -topped bar, and a custom floor created by designer Jean Denoyer himself—this classic brasserie is a staple for all things French comfort food, including salade niçoise, steak au poivre, and escargots de Bourgogne prepared with garlic and parsley butter, bread crumbs, and a touch of Pastis. With regards to the wine list, Burgundy and Bordeaux are the stars of the show here, though the Rhône and Champagne sections won’t steer you wrong (hello, Krug, Ruinart, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine from Michel Chapoutier!).

📍 1057 Lexington Ave.

Boulangeries & Pastry Shops

Aux Merveilleux de Fred

Aux Merveilleux de Fred’s Upper East Side location is the brand’s third NYC-based establishment, conveniently located just one block away from the express train at 86th and Lexington. Similar to its original French locations, this new-to-the-scene Yorkville outpost is best known for its ​​meringues, croissants, waffles, and brioches, as well as its savory sandwiches, coffee-based beverages, and more. For those looking to scratch their pain au chocolat itch, this is hands-down one of the best places in the neighborhood to go. 

📍 1291 Lexington Ave.

Pâtisserie Vanessa

Opened on the corner of 89th and Lexington in March 2023, Pâtisserie Vanessa has quickly become a neighborhood staple for all things sweet. Founded by south of France native Magali Vanessa Silengo and her husband Marc, Pâtisserie Vanessa seeks to transport guests to tranquil south of France, featuring a clean, chic-meets-relaxed aesthetic inspired by the couple’s first years living together in Marseille. All pâtisseries at the shop are handcrafted from all-natural ingredients, a handful of which are imported from France; signature items include colorful macarons, optimally caramelized cannelés, and la charlotte, a ladyfinger cake available in raspberry bavaroise and jam, milk and dark chocolate mousse, or lemon chiboust flavors. 

📍 1340 Lexington Ave.

French Grocery Shops & Stores

Chez les Frenchies

Looking to stock up on all of your favorite French pantry items? Head to Chez les Frenchies, a café-meets-epicerie located on East 75th Street. From imported soups and sauces to condiments, chocolate, and more, the UES Frenchies stock a number of products from beloved French purveyors. In addition to packaged goods, the shop also boasts an on-site café, serving up freshly baked croissants, baguettes, coffee-based drinks, and more—consider it the ideal spot for a typical French petit-déjeuner or your next pause gourmande. 

📍 501 E 75th St.

Agata & Valentina

For an eclectic variety of tasty, imported French cheeses, head to Agata & Valentina, located on the corner of 79th and First. Founded in 1993, the market remains family owned and operated, and features a curated selection of top-quality meats, pastries, cheeses, and more. In addition to the usual staples—think Brillat Savarin, Comté, and over seven types of Brie—Agata & Valentina reliably stocks a number of off-the-beaten-path French cheeses, including pungent Epoisses, creamy Brebirousse d’Argental from Lyon, and Ossau-Iraty, an unpasteurized sheep's milk cheese from the southerly Pyrenees (and don’t forget the seasonal, semi-firm Raclette, perfect for (re)creating chalet-inspired French moments at home!).

📍 1505 1st Ave.

Albertine

Operated by Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, Albertine is a must-visit destination for Franco-American literature, gifting, and culture. Located inside the historic Payne Whitney Mansion, it’s the city’s only bookstore dedicated entirely to French and English titles, with more than 14,000 works from across the Francophone world—including a selection of French cookbooks. The space also serves as a cultural hub, hosting readings and events beneath a striking hand-painted constellation mural on the second floor.

📍 972 5th Ave.

🗺️ Finding French products near you

On the search for authentic French products near you? Check out our map of restaurants and stores offering a wide range of French products.