Sharing a building with chef Michael Lachowicz’s tasting menu restaurant George Trois, Aboyer manages to be nice enough for date night while also filling tables on weeknights with regulars looking for a burger and a beer. The French-American brasserie is located right across the street from the Metra, so it’s easy to make the trip for escargot in a rich garlic sauce and perfectly cooked steak. Book a reservation through OpenTable.

James Beard Award-winning chef Debbie Gold taps into the Moroccan influences found in Southern France at the latest concept from Amy Morton with dishes like mussels in spicy red harissa broth and chicken tagine served alongside steak frites and brown butter skate wing. The huge patio is partially covered, though the large windows and trees in the dining room make for a beautiful setting even when the weather is too cold to eat outside. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

A neighborhood favorite for nearly 15 years, Café Touché serves generous portions of French comfort food such as beef bourguignon and chicken cordon bleu in a space well suited for both dates and larger parties. Visit for bottomless brunch to sip mimosas and bloody marys while digging into quiche florentine or a French omelette with brie, caramelized onion and herbs. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

Dear Margaret has earned a spot on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list for the past two years, with chef Ryan Brosseau offering an affordable taste of French-Canadian cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. The often bustling bistro has simple decor but beautifully plated seasonal dishes like parsnip ravioli and slow-roasted duck with golden beets plus housemade bread and charcuterie. Make a reservation through Tock.

Bringing the vibes of an old school French bistro to Lakeview since 1972, La Creperie offers an extensive selection of versions of its signature dish including chicken in curry cream sauce with mango chutney and caramel sauce with salted butter. You’ll also find other French staples like onion soup with a rich covering of melted cheese. Cozy up by the fireplace in winter or grab a patio seat when the weather’s nice.

Take it as a good sign that there’s usually a line at this small neighborhood bistro. It’s because guests know the wait is worth it. Escargot, Alsace onion tart, cheesy onion soup, and a whole roasted duck for two are just a few of the highlights, though there’s always a good selection of seasonal dishes. Visit Mondays for a half-price bottle of wine.

Located just two blocks off the Mag Mile, this modern day bistro is the passion project of French vet Martial Noguier and his wife Lulu. The food shines with simplicity, utilizing ingredients sourced from Midwest farms. Guests have various French cheese and charcuterie choices alongside items such as housemade country pate, roasted lamb rack, and an outstanding Le French burger. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

Fancy and intricate French dishes are always a pleasure but sometimes all you need is a cup of coffee, a croissant, and prime views. This breakfast and lunch café inside The Peninsula offers a casual setting that’s ripe for people-watching in the heart of downtown. Though the menu includes items like tarte flambée, quiche lorraine and baked mac and cheese, the restaurant’s bakery is its biggest standout. No matter how full you may be, save room for the beautiful macaroons, cakes, and pastry selection.

The white tablecloth experience to end all white tablecloth experiences, Les Nomades is a venerable fine dining restaurant that’s been wowing diners since the ‘70s. Chef Roland Liccioni serves edible art on a plate inside an intimate Streeterville brownstone, making it the perfect spot for a special occasion. Gentlemen are required to wear jackets and it’s tasting menu-only, but those willing to take the plunge are treated to ever-changing luxuries such as seared foie gras, warm lobster salad, roasted Peking duck breast, creme brulee, and much more. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

James Beard Award-winner Carrie Nahabedian has been running Brindille with her cousin and wine director Michael Nahabedian for a decade, serving both a regularly changing a la carte menu as well as five- and eight-course tastings. Creative and playful dishes include seared foie gras with green almond tea gelee and a breakfast for dinner plate with cheese fondue and crisp pork belly. It’s a meal worth the splurge. Book a table through Resy.

Seafood is the star of Venteux, the brasserie on the ground floor of the Pendry Hotel Chicago. Visit on Tuesdays for $1.50 oysters or go all out with a shellfish tower stacked with lobster, mussels and king crab. Get extra decadent with caviar served with chilled vodka or opt for a shooter from the raw bar. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

Coquette, the bright pink bistro attached to Bambola, serves modern spins on French fare focused on live fire ovens and dry-aged meats with options ranging from lamb merguez-stuffed dates, to beef wellington to baked scallops with beet hollandaise. Pair the meal with a glass of champagne or natural wine or an Armagnac old fashioned. Book a table through Resy.

Bandol offers a little something for everyone, serving grab & go croissants and cappuccinos in the morning, chicken salad on a multigrain croissant for lunch, a luxurious dinner menu with seafood platters and coq au vin, and mimosa flights for a boozy brunch. Visit when the weather is nice to grab a spot at the flower-lined patio and watch the bustle of the Loop. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

It’s not just all about Italian food on Taylor Street. Brothers Joël and Ahmed Kazouini proudly fly the French banner with Gallic specialties such as coq au vin, steak frites, and bouillabaisse. For a romantic night out, it doesn’t get much more charming than the dining room here. All that’s missing is a view of Tour Eiffel.