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    La Bonne Vache

    4.5 (180 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    La Bonne Vache Photos

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    LA BONNE VACHE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - La Bonne Vache

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    Kailee B.

    I had the mussels with fries, it was very good including the flavor of the juice that came with the mussels. I got their spritz drink, does have alcohol in it. It was good and refreshing. The service is always great and ambiance is good.

    pommes de frites
    Madison C.

    Just like they say - approachable and affordable french upscale casual fare. The burgers are delicious and the fries were nice and crispy. Drinks are also great - the espresso martini is delicious and unique. Service is pretty quick, they are busy here trying to get people in and out! Honestly worth the wait outside in the cold if you have to!

    Cod sandwich (left) Steak au poivre burger (right)  Beef roti (front)
    Aundya A.

    La Bonne Vache lived up to the hype! Pro tip: Go for a late lunch to snag a table right away since they are walk-in only. The Hot Spiced Pear cocktail is the perfect seasonal sip, and the mushroom tartine is a total standout. I ordered the Beef Roti and it was 10/10. Great atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious food. I'll definitely be back soon!

    Burger "Soupe a L'oignon"
    Reynu S.

    We beelined here, fresh off a plane, only to wait in line for ~35mins. We figured that if the lines that long, it's got to be worth the wait, right? My goodness, it was! The restaurant has such a cute cottage ambiance from the exposed wooden beams and floral wallpaper. It is quite lively so those sensitive to loud noise might consider to sit outside. We were seated at a tiny table with a direct view of the kitchen and we watched in awe as the crew adroitly prepared meals for dozens of tables, churning out freshly toasted buns and perfectly fried pommes, amongst many other delicious treats. And the smells had us antsy with anticipation for our meal. The gougères arrived first. They're small puffs that are lightly crispy on the outside and soft and mildly cheesy on the inside. They're so perfect on their own that they don't really need any accompaniment but the cream cheese sauce is tasty. The cauliflower and Gruyère soup was so bright and flavorful. We couldn't get enough of it. Definitely going to try to make something like it at home. The burger soupe a l'oignon" is a thin burger on a beautifully toasted brioche bun with garlic aioli, Gruyère fondue, caramelized onions and crispy onions. It was such a perfect burger - the beef is ground in house with a proprietary ratio of different cuts. You can tell the quality since there isn't any gristle or weird rubbery bits. I'm counting days before I can enjoy it again. I'll be back for sure!

    Artichoke, bread with butter, salade lyonnaise
    Nadine L.

    We came here around 11am on a Saturday - peak lunch time. There was already a line but it moved relatively quickly. It took awhile for our waiter to get around to us but not a big deal. The food itself was great! I especially liked the butter that came with the bread. It was really good and smooth

    Truffle burger
    Khanh-Chau M.

    I totally understand the hype now! I came around 4 pm on a Saturday, and there was a line, but was seated within 10 minutes. I was shocked at how packed and tight it is in the restaurant, but apparently it's the European vibe lol. I had their truffle burger and ordered some fries on the side. The fries were crunchy and tasty with the aioli sauce. But the truffle burger was so delicious, juicy, and flavourful! It was such a great burger, I'd say it's my favourite burger in DC! I'd definitely come again if I was craving a good burger and was in the Georgetown area. I'd probably just plan out timing, since it's walk-in only and the line can build up fast.

    Fries
    Jorge Z.

    Really loved this place! It's small and cozy, and sitting near the kitchen lets you feel all the great energy. We were a group of four and waited about 30 minutes. If you don't want to wait too long, the tip is to come during non-peak hours or a little before peak to beat the rush. The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly in getting us seated, and they have a fair policy where your entire party must be present to seated. We had a few minor mix-ups with our orders, but the team was quick to fix them and made everything right. I had the French Onion burger, which was unique and delicious. We also ordered sides of fries that come separately. They are definitely worth it as well. I'm already looking forward to coming back!

    Chicken paillard, steak au poivre
    Maddy A.

    Went here on Sunday and there was no wait. The service was fast and the food came out quick. We got the olives and fries to start and both were amazing. We ordered the chicken paillard and steak au poivre. Both dishes were so good. The restaurant vibe was super cute as well

    Onion burger
    Christine J.

    Really fantastic burgers with unique flavors. The place was decent size but packed and they don't take reservations. Only thing I didn't care for was the thinner style of fries.

    Pommes Frites
    Roger P.

    ~Food/Drinks~ Pommes Frites: So crispy and comes with a side of garlic aioli. Ask for some extra because we killed the sauce so fast! Salade de l'Endive: I wasn't really sure what the salad entailed but I was pleasantly surprised. The greens (endive) have a bitter taste but mixed with the vinegrette and sweet fruits, it all balances nicely. There's a very fresh feeling with the crunchy greens. Burgers: We ordered the Steak au Poivre Burger and the Truffle et Brie Burger. I thought the burgers looked dry but it was a lot more moist than you'd think. Between the two, I preferred the au Poivre because it had more of that meaty taste that I was looking for in a burger. The burgers are a bit smaller than usual so I'd recommend ordering appetizers too. ~Service~ Staff was very friendly and were always apologizing when there was a wait. We kind of interacted with the manager/owner and he was talkative and made jokes every now and then. ~Atmosphere~ I wasn't expecting how busy and packed the restaurant would be on a Thursday night. It does seem that they tried to pack as many tables as possible indoors because there's a lot of tight spaces, especially near the kitchen. We sat at one of the tables between two walkways so it felt like we constantly had to scooch our seats in every time someone walked by. We were also seated next to the kitchen so it felt extra toasty. There's also a couple tables outside if you want to enjoy the cool evening breeze and it really gave off the same vibes as a restaurant in Paris. ~Logistics~ When you arrive at the restaurant, there's just a line outside, no sheet to sign in for a waitlist. The hostess would come down the line and asked for our seating preference. She was telling everyone about a 5-10 minute wait and the line was moving fast. If you don't want to wait, the bar is actually open seating but there aren't that many counter seats. No matter the size of your party, the bill has a 20% service charge added on. ~Conclusion~ Overall, very good meal and hope to be back someday! I feel like there aren't many good French restaurants so I'm always excited when I find one.

    Steak Poivre
    Chris D.

    It's in a really nice part of Georgetown down a cute back street. There are no reservations so you have to wait in line. The line moves fast though so it's not a long wait. I got a table for 1 that was about a 20 minute wait. I would mentally be prepared to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. I got the Steak Au Poivre burger, frites Au fromage and ginger ale. The burger was really juicy. I wish I got a better shot of it, but it was good. The frites Au fromage were really good! The cheese was not overwhelming. It was the right taste to it and the spring onions enhanced the taste! The fries were crispy, so no sogginess at all. The service was good and wish I had a chance to try more of the menu, but will be back. I would make a day out of being in Georgetown and then go to the restaurant or vice versa. I don't think it is a destination restaurant, but it is a great highlight to a day in the city.

    Caroline H.

    LBV has the best burgers. The fries are skinny and good too. There is always a line but it moves, about 30-45 minute wait. Sit outside, enjoy some wine and have a really good burger.

    Victoria B.

    Overall, the food was good but it needed some salt and/or seasoning. I got the Goujon de Morue, which is a McDonald's style crispy fish sandwich for $16. The fish was battered nicely, but it just wasn't seasoned. Luckily, the housemade tartar sauce made up for it. I also got a side of the pomme frites and the portion was smaller than it looks online, at least mine was. They were also lacking salt, which is unfortunate since they cost $7. I was still a little hungry after finishing my meal. The drinks were interesting and well made. I was also impressed that they're all ABV. After two delicious St Tropez Spritzes, I felt very happy. They're so flavorful, that you don't miss any extra alcohol. The restaurant is very cute, and the staff is nice.

    Beef tartare

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    9 days ago

    Super busy but they find a table for you quickly. The food is fantastic and the service is incredible.

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    Page 1 of 5

    La Bonne Vache Reviews in Other Languages

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    Bistrot Du Coin

    3.8(2k reviews)
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    This is just such a lively restaurant on all fronts. The high ceilings and knickknacks they have…read morecollected over the years gives this historic home charm that you would like to see in a cuisine that has existed for quite some times. Dispelling the myth that French cuisine is pretentious, we felt like we were in a home, and that we would be fed full to the brim. Came in while it was packed late into the night. We were sat immediately and had a wonderful time. Our waitresses were patient and had great recommendations for our first time trying French food. They seem incredibly experienced and added comfort in the way they spoke to their customers and ran their tables. We were even greeted by the owner who was great and cheery to each table he visited. The one night we went, it was incredibly packed with people having intimate, lighthearted, and laughter-filled gatherings, tables with multiple rounds of wine, everyone sharing their fries, and so he should feel proud of this place. Touches like this made it as though we were dining in someone's house. And I love that they start you off generously with bread and butter. Its a type of french loaf that is nice and fluffy, and I'd recommend setting some on the side if you're ordering a brothy dish. We ordered Moules Marinières, which came in a delightfully large cauldron of juicy plump clean muscles swimming in an herbaceous-garlicky white wine sauce. Unassumable from the simplicity of ingredients they threw together, but incredibly complex in flavor. This is one of the few times I actually tasted bay leaf, and amongst the fewer times I found the use of rosemary not be so overpowering. The mussel liquor at the bottom was perfect when soaked up in bread. What an incredible dish. We also tried a classic, Le Steak Maison, which was also distinctively flavorful. Our steak had a perfect cook at medium rare, and was uniquely seasoned with some sort of blend of herbes de provence. The fries were pretty standard and substantial, but paired with the Béarnaise sauce, it was such a tangy play of richness and acidity. Again really simple ingredients just executed so well. Great job, looking forward to coming again to try more on this large menu.

    I wouldn't go back. Food was fine, service was pretty awful. Not attentive, and not even friendly…read more Then the check came: -5% surcharge -20% tip added automatically -Additional tax on the tip?!?! -Tax on the rest of it What?! That's enough to drive me away, I don't know any other restaurant that does that and it seems petty. I would not recommend.

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    Bistro Du Jour - Oeufs sur le plat

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    3.8(289 reviews)
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    Ouuu I loved this place! Not sure what I expected but the food was great. I've been here twice now,…read moreonce for brunch and then happy hour. I ordered the Plait Americain and I enjoyed that for brunch. Happy hour took me by surprise got a nice burger for like $14 and then French 75 for $8, let me tell you those were the strongest French 75 I've ever had. It had me knocked out for 6 hours straight! I think service could be better, waitress could have been more attentive during brunch time. Ambiance was cool but please why does a restaurant only have one bathroom??? So we had to wait in line to use the bathroom on busy days yeah that was annoying but overall good stuff

    I wanted to love this place so much. I live next-door to it, so I've been looking forward to trying…read moreit. My sons treated me for Mother's Day. From the moment we arrived, the vibe was off. There was no excitement, positivity or welcoming words. No one in the restaurant said happy Mother's Day or even Hello - they looked exhausted and like they were just trying to get through the evening. Perhaps they were overwhelmed and understaffed, so I gave them the benefit of the doubt. The good: - clean seating area - quick check-in - espresso martinis and the French 75 were good cocktails - the vegan entree was good - the mashed potatoes were good The bad: - seated for three people at a table with two of the seats not fitting, one diner had to endure the meal with half of their back against a protruding wall and on a bench seam. - appetizer tray showed up missing one of the four appetizers, when we asked about it, they commented that they were out of it. They brought us some more cheese puffs. We would not have ordered that had we known. - we had to summon the waiter to take our entrée order well after the appetizers had been completely cleared - we had to share Waters when we could not get refills after trying a couple times - atmosphere was bland, didn't seem like effort went into the decor or the experience The ugly: - their signature dish was ordered medium rare: it could not be cut with the table knife and there was no steak knife because it's supposed to be a melt in your mouth dish. It was well done and had to be returned. From our seats, we could watch them inspecting it and talking while one of them rolls their eyes. They bring out another one that was cooked to order. - when we got the bill, they charged for both steaks which was an $82 charge. - again, we have to find somebody to help us with the check. There were no apologies and no offer for compensation for the appetizer, the service, the food, the overcharging, anything. It was really sad because that was to be a very special meal for me and it would be easy to at least try to make things right. :( Please know there are other things I am not including in this review because we are a family that has all worked in the service industry. I hate giving a negative review, but no way around this one. And, yes... my son left a substantial tip. We aren't jerks. :)

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    Bistro Du Jour - Parfait De Yoghurt

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    4.3(108 reviews)
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    Terrific sit down dinner with friends and colleagues at the 2026 international cleaning advocacy…read moremeeting. A fine variety of foods to choose from so kicked things off with a nice healthy green salad, including mixed greens, asparagus, snap peas, chives, with green goddess dressing. Tonight's entrée was the beef bourguignon. short rib that melted in your mouth. Add in mushrooms laden with pommes purée. served from a super friendly waiter who paid just the right amount of attention to us. They had a house favorite dessert, which was flourless chocolate cake. It doesn't go with my eating healthy, but based on the healthy dinner tonight, I indulged. The dessert... decadent

    Kicked off my visit to D.C. with the cutest little breakfast at this French bistro right in our…read morehotel... it was a lovely way to start the trip! The decor was right up my alley: gorgeous details, stunning florals, absolutely beautiful. We both went with the Plat Américain, a classic breakfast with eggs, bacon, crispy fingerlings, and a croissant. A simple but solid choice! The croissant especially was so soft and fluffy, thoroughly enjoyed that. I ordered an iced latte and asked for it to be sweetened, but it came out pretty punchy... I don't think the sweetener made it in! If you're into a strong, bold latte you'll love it, but if you like yours on the sweeter side, just make sure to double check with your server. The manager also stopped by our table mid-meal which was a nice touch, super friendly and personable. It was a pleasure!

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    Bonne Vie Cafe & Bistro - Salmon carpacio

    Bonne Vie Cafe & Bistro

    3.7(26 reviews)
    1.7 miU Street Corridor

    Went for a birthday brunch. Food was good, and the cocktails were great. I was impressed by the…read morewine by the glass options as well. They don't do any sort of special treatment/desserts, etc. for birthdays which is absolutely fine for me but worth noting for those who may want a more celebratory(?) celebration. I think they might have some kinks to work out between how they advertise reservations for special events (like the Gypsy Jazz brunch). They also seated us at a table for 8 at first even though the reservation was for 10 people that was also not in the area where the live music was although that was what the reservation advertised. When everyone arrived we then had to move tables to make space possibly where we were supposed to be the whole time? From a customer's perspective it just seemed a bit disorganized and confusing.

    3.75 Stars, soooooooo close to 4 and with a few tweaks, could get there!…read more We saw their bottomless fries and salad Thursday special (also the same day as their upstairs jazz night....note...those are different reservations and different specials ($10 martinis and jazz upstairs only).....cause you know a brotha loves some fries!! Taking over the old Baby Shank space with very few changes, the downstairs is moody and great for group dinners. Serving French Bistro style classics like Trout Almandine, Steak Frite and roast chicken the menu is brief (which I appreciate, just do what you do well). The Thursday special, as I said is $45 for a starter, a main, a desert and shared bottomless fries and salad that come with your main dish. The starters. The table got the flat bread (it has some crazy description, but it's just flat bread pizza) was solid coming with a vegie and a meat option. The salmon carpaccio was served with a lemon caper sauce and field greens had a slight texture issue (served more like gravlax instead of diced means the sauce didn't penetrate all of the fish); but if you got the perfect bite, it was solid. The rabbit terrine was the winner, served with a salad and bread, it was meaty with a subtle flavoring. For mains we had the steak (medium rare, I would go medium next time, the cut wasn't medium-rare quality) served with roasted onions and lightly sauced. Solid. The roast chicken. Tender and moist. Solid but needed salt. And the Trout, full fish filet and skin-side smothered in almond parsley sauce. The sauce should have been put on the meat side to imbue that with the flavor, also needed salt and something to lift the flavor (maybe more citrus). The salad and fires come with your main and really are bottomless. Waiving your server down, they come with a giant bowl of piping hot fries. Truely the star of the show. Perfectly salted and went with every main dish. Even the salad was good, with a solid vinaigrette. They have a great priced house caraf of white, red or rose wine that we washed all this down with. We were stuffed to the gills. Service was responsive and the pacing was very good. I know French food is known for understated-elevated; this place is soooooo close to hitting the nail on the head. I'll certainly be back to check out the jazz and tinis (make reservations, we went up to check it out and it was packed)!

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    La Bonne Vache - french - Updated May 2026

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