Do you have an affection for the rich flavors, delicate pastries, and exquisite wines that France is known for?
The French saying “la vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin” means our time is too short to drink bad wine. And we concur – why settle for anything less than exceptional?
Let’s be like the French and only visit the best of the best. In this guide, we’ll share recommendations for where to find the most delectable French dishes in Kansas City, all from the experience of locals.
French restaurants in the heartland range from classic dishes to those with a more contemporary take on the cuisine.
From intimate bistros to elegant upscale dining, Kansas City has a vibrant French culinary scene with restaurants that will leave you coming back for more.
So, let’s get into it – here are our local recommendations for the best French restaurants in Kansas City followed by French bakeries and breakfasts.
Bon appétit!
French Cuisine in Kansas City
Whether you’re seeking to indulge in rich French cuisine, get cozy at an intimate bistro, or celebrate Bastille Day at an authentic French restaurant, these are the best of the best in Kansas City.
1. Le Fou Frog
Neighborhood: River Market
Pricing: $$$
Le Fou Frog stands as a testament to imaginative yet classically influenced French cuisine. Since its establishment in 1996, this charming French bistro has been a beloved spot for locals seeking an authentic French dining experience.
From the outside, it’s quite unassuming, but the interior offers a blend of French elegance with a touch of quirkiness and eccentricity. The ambiance is charming and intimate with soft lighting and cozy booths, earning Le Fou Frog recognition as one of the most romantic restaurants in Kansas City.
Le Fou Frog is renowned for its generous portions, with sides included. You’ll order from a chalkboard, but don’t be deceived by the seemingly casual nature of this – the dishes are expertly prepared and beautifully plated.
They hold annual events, like their Noel en Provence and Bastille Day Celebration, that are so popular that regulars often make reservations a year in advance.
Le Fou Frog creates a truly remarkable French dining experience.
Menu highlights include their in-house baked bread, French onion soup, duck confit, lobster bisque, scallops, and lamb chops.
2. Westport Café and Bar
Neighborhood: Westport
Pricing: $$
Westport Café offers a delightful blend of modern French cuisine and craft specialty cocktails, creating dishes with simple, fresh ingredients. The quaint interior is reminiscent of a French bistro with exposed brick, checkered floors, rustic tables, velvet curtains, ambient lighting, and oversized mirrors.
When we visit, we opt to order several dishes from the shareable plates menu. The offerings are inventive with a wide range of flavors, from curries to béarnaise sauce. The dishes are plated beautifully and brought out by friendly, upbeat serving staff.
The authenticity of Westport Café comes from its owners, who both hail from France.
Their happy hour specials are great as well as the Steak Soiree, held every Tuesday, offering the signature steak frites with a traditional béarnaise sauce and house butter, accompanied by bottomless pommes frites for $15.
Menu highlights include mussels with coconut curry broth, lamb kefta, beignets, and scallops with black truffle risotto.
3. Ça Va
Neighborhood: Westport
Pricing: $$
Ça Va is a personal favorite of ours. Since its opening in 2014, Ça Va has catered to those seeking French flair with a Midwestern heart, providing an approachable and delightful champagne experience.
They have been named in Champagne Bureau’s list of the top ten places to enjoy champagne in the nation.
Their champagne and sparkling wine list features bottles from around the globe, including South Africa, England, and even Missouri. Ça Va takes pride in sourcing from small producers who intimately know their terroir and nurture their grapes, akin to a “farm-to-table” approach in the world of champagne.
Chef-owner Howard Hanna, a James Beard Award semifinalist, imparts the philosophy that champagne is for everyone, and celebrations need not wait for a special occasion.
Ça Va’s rustic-chic décor enhances the overall experience, providing a cozy and intimate setting for bubbly enthusiasts. The space is small and intimate – their quaint outdoor patio is lovely during the warmer months.
The menu complements the bubbly offerings with delectable small plates like pommes frites, deviled eggs with caviar, duck fat kettle corn, cheese boards, and a Sunday brunch.
In the spirit of its French influence, Ça Va’s name, pronounced “sah-vah,” serves as an informal greeting and they embrace that, offering a warm welcome to all who step through their doors.
Menu highlights include chicken liver pâté, croque madame, and croque monsieur.
4. Aixois Bistro
Neighborhood: Brookside
Pricing: $$
Since it first opened its doors in 2001, Aixois Bistro has offered a classic, authentic French dining experience curated by its French native owner.
The restaurant’s intimate, relaxed dining room is adorned with deep reds, dark wood, and antique accents, creating a cozy and elegant ambiance. They are also known for their lovely outdoor patio.
Notable about Aixois is its commitment to using organic, fresh, seasonal ingredients and locally sourced products in its French recipes. The dedication to quality is evident in each dish from its breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings.
The menus at Aixois feature a range of classic French cuisine, all of which pair well with their cocktail and wine offerings. For the breakfast crowd, they have a coffee bar and French bakery.
Menu highlights include quiche lorraine, salmon sandwich, mussels roquefort, and onion soup.
5. Tailleur Restaurant
Neighborhood: Midtown
Pricing: $$$
At Tailleur, industrial chic meets intimate elegance. As you step inside, you’ll immediately notice the attention to detail and the thoughtfully curated antique decor. The walls are painted a rich navy blue, complemented by hexagon tiles and warm brass chandeliers hanging from the domed ceiling.
The equestrian theme is evident throughout, with hunting scene oil paintings adorning the walls and gilded mirrors adding a touch of elegance. Upstairs, the dining room features Victorian settees and cowhide rugs, creating a cozy and intimate setting.
They offer a blend of European and American cuisines – what they call “European Comfort Food” – and many of the menu items are reminiscent of French cuisine.
The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring that only the freshest and most flavorful ingredients are used. From hearty meat dishes to delicate pastries, there is definitely an emphasis on comfort foods with generous portions.
If you arrive early for your reservation, stroll across the street to their cocktail bar and lounge, Cheval, which offers an intimate setting with delightful cocktails and fine wines.
Menu highlights include items include the pork shank, rack of lamb, roasted salmon, and french dip sandwich.
6. Chaz on the Plaza
Neighborhood: Country Club Plaza
Pricing: $$$
Chaz on the Plaza, nestled in the historic Raphael Hotel, offers an intimate French-inspired dining experience in an elegant setting. The restaurant’s cloistered booths and intimate tables for two contribute to its well-deserved reputation as one of Kansas City’s most romantic dining spots.
Each night, they feature live jazz music in the lounge, adding to the inviting atmosphere. Their award-winning boutique wine selection perfectly complements the exceptional dishes.
The French-inspired menu is a celebration of contemporary cuisine with a regional twist, emphasizing the use of local and seasonal ingredients. This commitment not only supports local producers but also ensures the freshest flavors in every dish.
From May through late September, the Wednesday performance moves outdoors for their “Strings in the Green” in the front lawn from 5:00pm – 8:00pm.
Menu highlights include sea bass, bacon wrapped dates, and truffle deviled eggs.
Kansas City French Bakeries and Breakfasts
André’s Confiserie Suisse
Neighborhood: South Plaza
Pricing: $
Founded by a master pastry chef from Switzerland, André’s started as a small storefront on Main Street in 1955. Since then, the locally adored café has expanded yet remained in the family.
While André’s is renowned for its chocolates, it also offers a variety of French pastries and dishes. Quiche has been a staple on the menu since the early days – in fact, André’s quiche lorraine has been a favorite for close to seventy years, showcasing the perfect blend of flavors and textures.
They have several other French pastries – macaron, almond croissants, pain au chocolat – and breakfast offerings that can be enjoyed in their café or tearoom.
Seven Swans Crêperie
Neighborhood: Westside
Pricing: $
If you’re in search of a charming and light-filled brunch spot in Kansas City, you’ll find it at Seven Swans Crêperie. This crêperie offers a delightful array of fresh, local, and organic crêpes inspired by flavors from around the world.
Upon entering Seven Swans Creperie, you’ll be greeted by soaring ceilings, huge windows, and a joyous atmosphere. The mismatched wooden furniture, swan figurines, and tiny white vases of fresh flowers on every table add to the charming ambiance.
With both sweet and savory offerings inspired by Russian and French traditions, you’re sure to find a favorite. The crêpes have a slightly spongy and thin texture, making them the perfect vessel for the delicious fillings and toppings. From garlic-Parmesan cream to Earl Grey custard, the flavor combinations are both comforting and creative.
In addition to their crêpes, Seven Swans also offers a small pastry case featuring homemade tea cakes, cookies, and scones, an espresso bar with homemade syrups, and a cocktail menu. The attention to detail and commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of the menu.
The interior of the crêperie includes folk-art-patterned wallpaper, an ornate oversized iron chandelier, and vintage chairs sourced from various places.
You can expect a wait of up to 45 minutes on the weekends. It’s worth it.
Chez Elle Crêperie
Neighborhood: Westside
Pricing: $
Chez Elle Crêperie, located in the converted historic Summit Theater Building, is a welcoming cafe that serves fresh crêpes, robust coffees, and kind smiles. With a Parisian atmosphere, this charming crêperie offers a delightful café experience.
As you step inside Chez Elle, you’ll be greeted by large windows that let in streaming sunlight, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The café is adorned with books, games, and artwork.
The menu at Chez Elle features over 25 kinds of sweet and savory crêpes, including gluten-free, wheat-free, and buckwheat options. Each crêpes is made to order using only the freshest ingredients.
In addition to their crêpes, Chez Elle also offers a full coffee bar with options like espresso, cappuccino, lattes, and mochas. For those looking to pair their meal with a drink, the cafe also serves French wines and spirits.
Enchanté
Neighborhood: Midtown
Pricing: $
Opened in January 2023, Enchanté is an intimate space that invites guests to indulge in their love for pastries and coffee while immersing themselves in a whimsical atmosphere. It is a sister concept to neighboring Tailleur and Cheval.
The bakery is filled with storybooks and flowers, creating an imaginative ambiance. It has an Old World France feel with exposed brick walls and vintage French posters, The space is small – quaint, rather – with only five tables.
Enchanté’s menu changes weekly, and the bakery takes pride in maintaining the highest quality standards in all their baked goods. One of the highlights at Enchanté is their French macarons. These delightful treats are slightly larger than average and are bursting with flavor. Their croissants are also worth the visit.
Another must-try is the carrot cake, a recipe that has developed and perfected over several years.
Ibis Bakery
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Pricing: $
Ibis Bakery creates pastries inspired by European techniques and recipes and then elevated and handcrafted by experienced bakers. They have a variety of French pastries, including flaky croissants and baguettes.
The bakery is located inside Messenger Coffee, offering a trendy, inviting atmosphere to enjoy your croissant.
French Cuisine Beyond KCMO
For those looking to venture to the Kansas side of the state line, Prairie Village offers two excellent French dining options.
- Café Provence: fine dining, menu highlights include steak tartare, escargots, and French onion soup.
- French Market: marketplace and café, menu highlights include cassoulet, duck confit, sausage, white beans, chicken liver mousse.
Bon appétit!
French cuisine is a celebration of flavors, textures, and culinary craftsmanship. Whether you’re savoring a classic Coq au Vin or enjoying a simple yet perfect baguette with cheese, French cuisine offers a sensory experience like no other.
Kansas City has a variety of excellent French cuisine options, from upscale dining to cozy bistros. Whether you’re on the search for a hearty dinner or flaky pastries for breakfast, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in the heartland.