Best French Restaurants in Boston

These four French restaurants stand tall in the excellent Boston dining scene, from the luxurious and traditional L'Espalier to the more casual and experimental Chez Henri.

L'Espalier
Widely agreed upon as the single best restaurant in Boston, L'Espalier serves only the finest French food paired with carefully selected wines. If you have the cash, this Back Bay French restaurant will win you over with its attentive service, impeccable food and high dose of class. The chef will take you on a sensorial journey with your order of a tasting menu with wine pairings. Note: Wearing a jacket is recommended, and jeans are discouraged. Enthusiasts will also enjoy their weekly events: Wine Monday, Cheese Tuesday, and Fantasy Tea (Weekends).

Sel de la Terre
Situated on the Waterfront, L'Espalier's younger sister restaurant is a rustic brasserie inspired by Provençal cuisine. Serving a seasonal menu in a more casual setting, Sel de la Terre is a more affordable experience, but receives top ratings nonetheless, including two years of being named "Best French Restaurant" by Boston Magazine.

Chez Henri
French cuisine with a Latin twist, Chez Henri combines flavors and cultures with fantastic results. This Porter Square gem serves dishes that at first glance seem very French (such as foie gras), but actually have special touches that make them different (like sweet plantains in the case of the foie gras). Chez Henri artfully blends a number of Latin influences into his menu: Brazilian through its Caipirinha cocktail, Cuban through its pork sandwich, Peruvian through its ceviche. A great place to savor French cuisine (and a few others) in a bistro setting.

Troquet
Its location near Boston's theater district makes it a popular choice for pre-theater dinners, but Troquet's appeal goes beyond that. Its French and American fusion cuisine is prepared in a kitchen visible to patrons on the 2nd floor, who also get a view of the Boston Commons. The principal menu offers wine pairing suggestions for each of its courses, and for those seeking a varied experience, the chef offers a 5 to 7 course tasting menu.

Restaurant Information

L'Espalier
Address:
30 Gloucester Street
(between Commonwealth Avenue & Newbury Street)
Boston, MA 02115
Telephone: (617) 262-3023
Website: www.lespalier.com

Sel de la Terre
Address:
255 State Street
(between Atlantic Avenue & Long Wharf)
Boston, MA 02109
Telephone: (617) 720-1300
Website: www.seldelaterre.com

Chez Henri
Address:
1 Shepard Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Telephone: (617) 354-8980
Website: www.chezhenri.com

Troquet
Address:
140 Boylston Street
(between Charles Street & Hadassah Way)
Boston, MA 02116
Telephone: (617) 695-9463
Website: www.troquetboston.com