Without any hesitation, FIVE STARS! Escargot was perfect with enough garlic butter to consume all of the bread provided. Onion soup as a second course was hidden beneath the light and perfectly browned puff pastry covering. The soup was perhaps 30% cheese and the rest perfectly rendered onions in a wonderful house-made beef broth. (I would have ordered a second bowl if I hadn't ordered an entree). The main course was what we came for: Beef Wellington. Perfectly cooked to order and a luscious and outstandingly tender and flavorful generous selection of filet mignon! I enjoyed my dinner with a house Cabernet which was a perfect match. So far so good. However, the highlight of the dinner was Cherries Jubilee created table side by Owner-Mater'D, Charlie Forman. So you don't have to spent $50 in gas money plus $35-50 for parking to go to any one of the San Francisco first class houses, when the gem of the Bay Area is right in Fremont. (48 years in operation and going strong!) read more

I really wanted to like it. We went on the hottest day (so far) of 2026. They somehow seated everyone in the area in the side room that seems like it was converted from an outdoor area. There was no AC in the room and we were all relying on the little bit of cool air that flows from the main building through the hallway. All the staff were nice, but it felt like that they were a bit understaffed. The main issue we had was the food. Everything was so heavy, and visually, some dishes are not very inviting, for example, the fried forest raviolis. They were underneath a pile of greenish sauce, with 3 tomato halves that kind of didn't need to be there. The French Onion Soup - extremely salty. My kidneys were crying. At the same time, seafood Wellington? Bland, and what's up with the rice???? Why rice??? It doesn't go! I was kind of disappointed and unfortunately, probably won't be visiting again anytime soon. read more

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My boyfriend brought me to Papillion for our anniversary dinner. The place doesn't look like much from the outside, hiding on the outskirts of Niles Canyon. But once I stepped in you can't help but feel the classic white tablecloth dining experience was coming. The maître d', dressed in a white tux, welcomed us and escorted us past a polished wood bar area, into our dining room. Our server, Connor was friendly, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. We began with the Encrusted Baked Brie w/ a Peach jam. Rich and creamy cheese baked in. Puff pastry. And the jam sweetness paired so well. Along with that we shared the Roasted Beet and Hearts of Palm Salad and the Onion soup which were both delicious. For our entrees I had the Halibut topped with lump crab and lobster sauce. I don't usually like breaded fish and was somewhat surprised when it came that way, but I will say it was lightly breaded and not greasy at all so I thoroughly enjoyed it. My boyfriend ordered the Classic Beef Wellington which was tender and tasty but wished it had a sauce with it. We finished the evening with the Creme Brûlée, which came with a mango sorbet. Creamy with a nice Brulé crust, and the mango sorbet cut perfectly through the richness. It was definitely a nice romantic dinner and I would love to go back and try some of their other dishes. A great place for a special occasion. read more

Papillon - Classic Beef Wellington - French Near Me - Fremont, California

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Last Valentine we wanted to try this restaurant but we couldn't get the reservation in time so this year on my wife birthday we got the reservation even it's on Saturday. The restaurant is in a place by itself, plenty of parking spaces for its capacity. It's a very nice restaurant, dated but very simple and classic. The service was extremely attentive and pleasant. The prices are quite reasonable for a French restaurant. We started with Butterfly Mai Tai and Tanqueray and tonic. My wife loved the Mai Tai and my Gin was just right. We always like Escargot and Calamari so we ordered these for appetizers. The Escargot was flavorful and tender, the best we've had so far at any restaurants. The sauce was so good that we dipped the excellent sourdough bread in it to enjoy. We were thinking we wouldn't have room for the main course LOL. The Calamari is quite delicious and tender with the sauce on its own. The portion is not big but enough for both of us. I've never had Chicken Cordon Bleu so my wife ordered this one and I tried the sea bass in miso flavor. The Chicken was a little rich for my wife so we traded our dishes. The chicken sauce is creamy with the flavor of white wine which is every flavorful, the chicken stuffed with crab meat quite tender and tasty. The sea bass for me is a little light on the miso sauce, not as flavorful as I would like but my wife liked it so that's all it mattered. We had no room for dessert, but the restaurant brought out a birthday plate with some ice cream and chocolate mouse that's very nice. My wife was thinking of taking our kids here for dinner when my daughter comes back from NY for the holidays, she loves French Duck Breast in wine sauce, not sure what my son would have but he did eat our chicken cordon bleu left over the next day and he liked it. I forgot about the French Onion Soup which will definitely try next time we're here. It was a nice dinner and especially Charlie came to our table to say hi and thank us for the business. My wife thought it was a nice touch. read more

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Always an amazing time when we come to Papillon. I had the French onion soup and the beef Wellington. Both dishes were 10/10. My beef Wellington was perfectly cooked and the meat melts in your mouth. The service is always great! We had the pleasure of having Sam as our server who has been there for many years. I can't wait to come back! Already craving that soup again! read more

Papillon - Beef Wellington cooked medium rare - French Near Me - Fremont, California

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Came to Papillon to celebrate a special occasion. This is a family-owned restaurant that I've always wanted to try, and it's been a part of Fremont for quite some time. The owner came by during our dinner, introduced himself, and chatted with us for a bit. He was incredibly genuine, friendly, and welcoming. His wife does the cooking, which gave the experience a nice personal and family-oriented feel. I ordered the chicken cordon bleu and French onion soup. The soup was a little on the salty side. The chicken cordon bleu had its own unique twist and was my favorite of the two. The main drawback for me was the interior. It feels quite dated and could definitely benefit from some redecorating and updating. Given that this was a special occasion, the atmosphere didn't quite match what I was hoping for. Overall, I'm glad I finally got to try this longtime Fremont restaurant. The personal service from the owner was a highlight read more

Papillon - Chicken Cordon Bleu - French Near Me - Fremont, California

Here with 15 good friends for a birthday event, reservation was made, Food was yummy great, awesome professional & very very friendly services, comfort seating with nice cool dining atmosphere. only 1 thing minus was the "restroom" , be great if with a good renewer projects. :) Yes, i 100% recommended Papillon for anyone, solo, couples, large group event or just few friends get together. read more

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I came here during Fremont Restaurant week for their special promotion of appetizer or dessert, salad and entree. This is not my first time coming here so I was excited about the promotion. I am never disappointed about the food and service when I come here. The wait staff are always attentive and accommodating. I requested my bread to be hot and they were able to do it for me. The food was delicious as always and cooked perfectly. The only drawback is that the restaurant looks outdated. The carpet is worn and I can smell cleaner they used. Overall, it's a place worth coming back again since the food is delicious and the staff is very friendly. The owner even came to the table and offered us a drink on the house. read more

Papillon - Escargots de Bourgogne and calamari - French Near Me - Fremont, California

Papillon (French for "butterfly") has been on my list of Michelin-starred and special-occasion restaurants to visit in the East Bay. So when Citizen Medic Foundation hosted a Heroes in Helmets dinner here in October 2025, I had to come out here, especially since proceeds went to support Citizen Medic Foundation, and there were photo ops to ride our motorcycle without our helmets, and to sit and have our photos taken in the Arch Motorcycle KRGT-1 owned by the Citizen Medic Executive Director. Papillon is kind of a hidden gem tucked away on Mission Blvd near Niles Canyon in Fremont. If I was passing by and not on the lookout for this restaurant, I would totally miss it. I rode here on my motorcycle. It's a hilly ride, and coming down south-bound on Mission Blvd, I have to take a right turn to enter the restaurant parking lot. After waiting for traffic to pass, I then zip up the hill into the restaurant's parking lot. We had a really great event. We had photo ops to ride our motorcycles and get helmet-less photos in the parking lot before heading into the banquet room for dinner. The ambiance is quite small, intimate, and cozy, and has a vintage charm that you don't see in newer restaurants. We sat in a banquet room around a long dining table beneath a vintage chandelier and in front of a fireplace and stained-glass windows depicting butterflies. Appetizers: prawns, calamari, lobster ravioli, and grilled brussel sprouts Filet mignon: I asked for rare, came out more medium and kind of tough. I didn't bother asking for it to be changed Cheesecake: was told it comes with seasonal fruits, strawberries and raspberries. It only came with one strawberry. It might be because this is an old building, but the bathroom is rather small and cramped. To leave, I have to ride downhill (way nerve-wracking on a motorcycle than in a car), and be hyper-vigilant about any oncoming traffic before I can safely zip off down Mission Blvd. A lovely old-school restaurant that is definitely worth a visit for a special occasion in East Bay! read more

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Honestly best dinner I have had in a long time! We went a few weeks ago and they are having a special for their 45th year in business. You get an app/dessert and an entree for $45 (which is an incredible deal when you look at regular entree prices)! I got the French onion soup and filet mignon. Everything was sooooo good and the service was amazing. Ambiance and vibe can't be beat. Definitely worth going to! read more

Papillon - 45 anniversary menu - French Near Me - Fremont, California

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My bosses asked me where I wanted to go for a belated Christmas dinner and I am so glad I chose Papillon! The restaurant is a little dated but the staff is a reminder of the good old days of smiles and wanting to give you the best dining experience. There is ample parking and the bathrooms are gender neutral and clean! We all enjoyed our food and the dessert was amazing. We all had the chocolate mousse I had the filet mignon with Black pepper corn sauce with cognac so tasty and tender! Me and my husband will definitely be back for dinner. They are only open for dinner so plan accordingly. read more

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We took my mother-in-law who grew up in France to Papillon for her first time, to celebrate her birthday. We've gone by ourselves before but it's been ages so seemed like a nice treat to take her out! We made reservations easily online and it was nice and quiet where we were seated. Appetizers came out quickly: we ordered the roasted bone marrow which was their special menu for the day, escargot of course and frog legs! The sauce for the frog legs was so divine I ended up also dipping my 6 year old's chicken tenders in it (heads up, there is an off menu kids' menu but I do think the tenders were dry, but it's a kids' chicken tenders sooooo...) and the bone marrow was heavenly. For our entrees, I split the roasted duck breast with my mother-in-law which was a good idea because it's two breasts and by the time we got to it after all the appetizers AND the onion soup before the entree, I could barely finish just the one breast! The French onion soup tasted so good and truly authentic. My mother-in-law loved it and as a woman who was raised in France, her opinion matters! We ended the night with crème brûlée (bien sûr! Pourquoi pas?!) which came with a sorbet and then the trio of sorbets for the kiddo. It usually comes with a mango sorbet but they were out and replaced it with a huckleberry sorbet which was pleasantly refreshing. My mother-in-law was impressed and will definitely come back with her friends! read more

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Delicious food! We came here for my future mil's birthday dinner. The crab cakes were super flavorful, but we wish they were smaller so the crab cake to crispy exterior ratio was closer. The baked brie is also delicious and pairs perfectly with the apricot jam. We all got the French onion soup with our entrees, and it was so flavorful! Everyone really enjoyed it and said it was the best they've had by far. We ordered the seafood Wellington, slow braised lamb shank, and the steak frites. Everything was delicious and worth trying. Portions are generous and you'll definitely leave full. The veggies are a nice change from the deep flavors. They also gave us a free birthday cheesecake slice that was yummy. Keep in mind that service is on the slower side! I'm aware French culture is big on eating leisurely, but there were odd lulls where we were just waiting for a while. Other than that, they're all very attentive and refilled our waters multiple times and cleared our dishes promptly. The bathrooms aren't super obvious, but they're on the left side past the bar area. Overall, this is a solid spot and worth trying! I'll be bringing my dad here in the future for the onion soup and lamb shank!! read more

Papillon - Lamb shank - French Near Me - Fremont, California

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We needed a restaurant to eat after a funeral for the family. The restaurant was nice to work with us and opened between their lunch and dinner service for a group of 25. I was visiting from So Cal, so my first time there. Plenty of parking in their private lot. The family run business since the 1970s. The original grandparents have retired, their son and his wife and 2 kids now run the show. The 2 kids (adults) were are attentive servers. The food was delicious. The wife is the chef. We started with appetizers for the table: brussel sprouts, crab cakes and calamari. I had the salmon. The restaurant had multiple rooms, we were in the enclosed patio area. But there were other more formal rooms. I'd definitely return if I lived closer. read more

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I had such a great time last week for my birthday dinner. It definitely has an old school formal aesthetic. Our waiter was so polite and prompt. The salad, soup, and dinner was great. My sister and her partner enjoyed the seafood Wellington and skirt steak. I'll definitely be returning! read more

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I've always wanted to check out this French restaurant off Mission in Fremont, but im sorry I did. The moment your walk into the establishment, you are greeted with a foul, sewer-like odor, but thankfully the smell didn't follow us to the dinning room. The waiter and staff were very attentive, but that's the only positive from our dining experience. Everything from the appetizers, to the main courses, and finally the dessert, was just awful. Appetizers were brussel sprouts, which were under cooked, and escargot, which was drowned in too much garlic sauce. For dinner, I ordered the short ribs, overcooked to where it was inedible. Dessert was bread pudding, which is by far the worst bread pudding that I have ever had. It was tough, with an odd taste trhat i couldnt place. Everyone else at our table had similar complaints about their food as well. Definitely not coming back here. read more

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Papillon is a true gem. The service is warm, polished, and effortlessly attentive, making you feel welcome from the moment you sit down. The ambience is classic and intimate, which is perfect for a cozy night out or a special occasion. The food shines, especially the fabulous French onion soup. It was rich, deeply flavorful, and perfectly balanced with that golden, cheesy top. A timeless spot that never disappoints. read more

Papillon - French Near Me - Fremont, California

The lobster ravioli and crab cake pulled this rating from 4 to 5. Ravioli has actual lobster tail and crab cake was full of real crabs. And of course, they were delightful. Everything we ordered was delicious, the lamb shank was tender, the sauce on wellington is like a creamier version of a lobster bisque. The red velvet creme brulee was decadent. Service was great! This is an old reataurant and it would be safe to say they can do a little fixing. read more

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Finally getting around to a review. We went to Papillon for my birthday in February. First time visit. We were seated for our reservation immediately. Fist impression, interesting layout, older decor, older crowd but a very full and happy clientele at all the tables around us. We were seated in a rear long room with odd dividers and seating. The chairs were comfortable but a bit low in height for me. The room was very loud, which I would have thought would be a bit quieter based on dark ambiance upon entry. Service is very, very slow. We waited probably 20 minutes for our initial cocktails. For the price paid for the cocktails, the martini glasses are in the small vintage side. Flavor was great, size make you sio to enjoy vs downing the larger pours you may receive at chain restaurants . Then 30 minutes wait for our appetizers. The bread, baked fresh is so good. I could eat loaves of it. Finally, it arrives. The escargot was divine for my first time ever trying. I appreciate our server taking the time to explain the best way to eat them. To tip them upside down and let them slide right out of their shells. We then waited what seemed like forever for our entrees. It was 45 minutes when I motioned to someone for cocktail refills. Not enough checking in to refresh our cocktails. One mention of the kutchen being behind, with one chef, but dinner coning soon. Once dinner comes, I was very very happy. The seafood wellington is absolutely delicious. Scallops and crab inside of the pastry, in an amazing sauce that just was perfection. My husband was a bit disappointed with the 'small size' of his lobster tail entree for the price paid. He did eat every bite, just wanted more and was not a fan of the veg. He felt it was just there to fill the plate and had no flavor. The happy birthday message on the dessert was a nice touch. The chocolate mousse was very good. With tip for the two of us it was 300 ish and change. Would I want to spend that and have to wait 30 for appetizers and nearly 45 to and hour after that for the entrees? I am not sure. The escargot and seafood wellington would bring me back if dinner could be less than 90 minutes from start to finish. All in all, the food should bring you here as it is definitely worthwhile and flavors memorable. Minus one star for escargot slow service. But thank you Papillon for a delicious birthday dinner. read more

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Old timers and old schoolers will know why after 47 years Papillon still has its charms. Coming back to this restaurant has the nostalgic meaning to us. I don't need to post any photos to show you the exquisite dishes they offer, because it is a given. The friendly staffs and hospitality are also standards. It is the memories and the atmosphere that we cherish and enjoy. After knowing we're celebrating the 39th anniversary, they brought out the Crème Brûlée w/ Mango Sorbet that we love. And the presentation was just heart warming in a rainy winter night. Love the Brussel Sprouts, Onion Soup, Garden Greens, Beef Wellington, Miso-Gazes Seabass, and Halibut topped with Lobster Sauce. They were all freshly prepared and deliciously tasting. read more

Papillon - Brown Sugar Crème Brûlée - French Near Me - Fremont, California

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I've seen and passed by Papillon so many times throughout my childhood and adult life. I actually didn't know it was a legit restaurant because it seemed closed all the time but I guess it's because they're only open for dinner. Makes sense. But yes, we were finally curious to see what it was all about and since we were celebrating, we decided, sure let's do it. Overall, the interior a bit dated, but has it's charm to it. The food was ok and the service very attentive and friendly! L O C A T I O N Papillon is located on Mission Blvd close to the Niles Downtown area. They have a parking lot, but this was all full when we came and we ended up on the dirt lot on the left side. I N S I D E They have a few dining areas. It's like being transported in time. I don't know what time but definitely not the 2020s. It's charming actually. There were a few folks already dining when we arrived. M E N U They had some specials, but in general...would I call it French food? I don't know, but they did have a lot of standards like escargot, frog legs, french onion soup, steak, lobster, etc. They also had a variety of drinks from cocktails to wine. We opted for a couple of appetizers, a couple of entrees, and couple of wines. They had nice fresh bread with butter. Each entree came with a house salad. ~ Escargot de Bourgogne - $15.50 ~ Drenched in garlic and butter. I was going to pay for this in terms of my digestion. Well cooked and nice chew to the snails. I don't think we'd get this again but if you're looking to try some escargot, it's a good one to order. ~ Housemade Lobster Ravioli - $19.50 ~ This was chunky. With nice chunks of lobster inside the raviolis. It was just okay. I don't think we'd get this again. ~ Class Beef Wellington - $53.00 ~ If you like a big hunk of meat, like a thick one, then this is good. I guess I realized after getting this dish, I like my steak a little more on the thinner side. It was just tough to chew. I don't think we'd get this again. But it was cooked to our preference. ~ Pistachio Encrusted Wild Caught Halibut - $43.50 ~ That lobster sauce and crab compote was delicious beside the actual halibut which was nicely crusted and flaky. Definitely glad we got this dish. ~ Housemade Tiramisu - $11.50 ~ We decided for dessert to get the tiramisu and it was definitely worth it! Creamy and delicious. Would get this again for sure! S E R V I C E Top notch. They were quite attentive from the service staff to the front host. We enjoyed our leisurely ~3 hour dinner. They even covered the dessert as we were celebrating a special occasion. O V E R A L L We were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed our time at Papillon. With outstanding service and a good variety of food choices, there's something for everyone. Make sure to get reservations and make sure to also block out a few hours so that you can fully enjoy the experience and meal. read more

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Unexpected Gem on Mission Blvd - A Wonderful French Dining Experience. RESERVE this for your next special occasion dinner. They won't disappoint you at all. We stopped by this restaurant last minute for a family dinner. We've passed by it many times over the years on Mission Blvd but never thought to try it. To our surprise, they were able to accommodate our party of eight right away at 7 PM. The moment we stepped inside, we were impressed by the spacious interior and charming decor. It's a family-owned restaurant, and that personal touch can be seen by their personalized pictures with celebrities on the walls. Owner explained the history of this restaurant how his father started the business and he took over. It's also a perfect spot to do holiday gatherings. The French onion soup was absolutely incredible flavorful, rich, and not overly salty. I never liked onion soups because they are always so salty. The desserts were very impressive, beautifully crafted and delicious. Honestly, you could go just for the desserts and coffee and leave happy. Everything on the menu was thoughtfully prepared and delicious. The service was top-notch, friendly, and attentive. Highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a cozy, authentic French dining experience in the area! read more

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Top notch food and service from start to finish. The bread was soft & delicious while we waited for our meal. We each ordered the filet mignon prepared medium well with sautéed shrimp scampi on top. The salad is included with entree and is tasty, fresh and a nice portion served just ahead of the entree. The vegetables were cooked perfectly. We then opted for a slice of cheesecake and a slice of flourless chocolate torte for dessert. My table-mate said it was the best cheesecake he's ever tasted. The ambiance was dark and quiet in our area- just like I prefer. There are other more lit table areas for one's preference. The servers were low-key, attentive and kind. Looking forward to returning! read more

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Papillon is one of those place that you always drive by and think, "I should go there some time!" Well 30 years later for myself and 50 years for my parents, we finally went to Papillon to celebrate their 50th anniversary. This place has been around since the 70s...and it is still around. So that's got to mean something! The service was good, much better than you'll get most places in the tri-city area. This is the place to go for those special occasions. I also got my first flambé! It was delicious. I would recommend coming early for parking if you are unable to walk very far or have issues with seeing in the dark. When we arrived around 5pm, there was a lot of parking, but when we left, the lot was full (I have no idea where all the guests were). I liked that the other guests were just there for a while enjoying each other's company and we weren't being rushed out or anything. The food was pretty darn good and we all wondered why we hadn't been gone here before. Now that I've been, I'm more inclined to return to try the other menu items. read more

I had an amazing time here!! The waiter Connor did an amazing job for me and my friends. Also the food was absolutely amazing 1000/10 I highly recommend coming here. read more

Food 4.5/5 Service 4 Ambience 4 Escargot 4/5 French onion soup 5/5 Beef Wellington 4.5/5 read more

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We went to Papillon for my birthday. The waiter greeted us and asked whether we were celebrating any occasion when we were seated. We ordered salmon and beef Wellington. Both came with homemade salads as appetizers. The salmon was topped with creamy sauce. Salmon was fresh and the skin was crispy despite the sauce. For beef Wellington , we chose medium rare beef. It was super tender! The puff pastry was thin yet crispy. For dessert, we got cheese cake. I loved their little decoration of butterflies and "Happy Birthday" on the plate. The cheesecake was heavy but the strawberry sauce on it balanced out the sweetness. When we got the check, we were told by our waiter that our neighbor table, a couple who left before us, gave us $50 gift card credit! We were surprised by the warmth of the strangers (thank you!). It really made my day. Overall, food was great and service was excellent. It's a nice place for special occasions. read more

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This was my second time dining at Papillon--two decades after my first visit. That might sound like a bad start, as if the restaurant wasn't worth returning to sooner. But let me be clear: Papillon serves some of the best food, period. I've always wanted to come back, but between life and the constant wave of new restaurants around, it just never happened. Plus, with young kids, the more traditional ambiance may not have been as appealing to them. That said, I do hope the owner considers refreshing the dining area and the façade maybe. While the traditional, old-world charm is part of its identity, a subtle update could breathe new life into the space without losing its character. Despite the dated decor, the food and service are outstanding--and more than make up for it. I highly recommend Papillon to anyone who values a truly memorable meal. read more

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Ask about the special desserts! Halibut for her was excellent. Filet Minon for me was outstanding. Service was good even with a full house (get a reservation). A special shout-out for Charles who took care of us with the table side steak preparation and the special dessert. We are regular patrons of Papillon and continue to return. read more

We hadn't been to Papillon in several years and decided to go for our Christmas dinner this past December. Our party of 4 really enjoyed the food (particularly the calamari, duck, and ribeye), drinks, and service. The vibe was on the upscale side but not stuffy, a bit format but still warm. We also like that there were pockets for more private dining. So when it came time to have a small gathering for a group of 10, Papillon came to mind. Papillon's service was excellent - from the time of my reservations to the end of our evening. We requested a private room and boy were we impressed when we got to the venue! Without going into too much detail, because there's so much I can write about, let me just say that if you are looking for a place that is easy to get to, has ample parking, nostalgic and warm ambiance, friendly and professional service, classic and signature drink menu, and balanced food offering that are as well-plated as they are tasty, Papillon is the place! Special shoutout to Shawna (spelling?), our host, who took good care of our dining experience read more

Food 2026 reasonably priced Dated inside, but not in a ew way. Well cared for property. Great service. Good food. I don't know where wow food reviews come from. It's more solid quality which is harder to come across nowadays. Prices fair. In these times hope so. My family said we'd come again but admittedly it'd have to be for a low key event. read more

*LOCATION* This restaurant is a a stand-alone establishment located off of Mission Blvd. It's apparently been here for many years but I actually didn't discover it until recently! There is a decent size parking lot but I had to loop several times since they were very busy the day I went. *WAIT TIME* I dined here for an event so there was no wait as a room had already been reserved for us. However, the restaurant was pretty packed for a random Tuesday ~7pm and it looked like there were several other events/parties at the same time (since it was middle of the holiday season). *FOOD* -Mixed field greens: refreshing vinaigrette, portion was a lil on the smaller side -Grilled Angus Ribeye (med rare): dry and tough meat imo, side veggies were bland -Tiramisu: fluffy and creamy, just the way I like it :) *SERVICE* I was really looking forward to trying this restaurant because of all of its great reviews but I felt that the servers were not very attentive and the food came out wayyy too slow. The first course was served pretty much AFTER the speaker was already done talking (~40 minutes later). I understand the restaurant was busy but our menu had a pre-set salad as our first course.... then, we had to wait another 30 minutes for our entree. They also forgot to serve one person at our table so she had to wait even longer to get her entree after we reminded them. *AMBIENCE* This restaurant gives old classic romantic vibes. I might need to come back on a less busy day to give them another chance... Their yelp page has a lot of good reviews so a lot of other people seem to like it here! read more

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I swear this hidden gems always surprises me. The food last night was outstanding. We started with the tuna tartar. So much flavor with the home made potatoe chips. I had one of the specials last night. The halibut stuffed crab. Outstanding!! So much flavor and that sauce on top of top tier. I always enjoy coming here, the ambiance is great and the staff is always working hard. The customer service and the man Charlie is what keeps me coming back. Thank you again! read more

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I got to host a birthday dinner here and it was a very fine dining experience indeed! Surprised I've never been here despite living not too far away - the restaurant is sort of tucked in a side lot on a random street, so it can be easy to miss. However, I've heard that Papillon has been around for quite some time. If you're coming with a large party like I was, you can reserve the banquet room, which is a private dining area off to the side of the restaurant. It was like dining in someone's fancy manor, and service fit the theme well. We were able to order a variety of appetizers to share, including escargot, Brussel sprouts, crab cakes, and lobster ravioli. If you're more into vegetables, the salads are calling your name. The soup of the day was delicious and they even wrote happy birthday in it - first time I've seen that done. Despite the restaurant specializing in primarily French cuisine, I had to order the Beef Wellington since I've never had it and heard that it can be difficult to assemble at home (not that I've ever tried). It's basically steak cooked in a golden pastry - very rich and flavorful! I would recommend trying at least once. Our server was very nice and patient - despite handling a large party, he got everyone's orders right and the food was plated and served with an elegant touch. Not a casual dinner by any means (and the price reflects it) but makes for a memorable experience befitting of any special occasion! read more

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We visited Papillon for Father's Day dinner, and although the restaurant was very busy, the experience was outstanding. We ordered the pâté de foie gras, escargot, French onion soup, clam chowder, Beef Wellington, duck, and lamb shank. Every dish was delicious, beautifully presented, and generously portioned. The service was equally impressive. Charlie, the owner, personally stopped by our table to greet us and share the history of this family-owned restaurant, which has been serving guests for 48 years. It was clear that hospitality is a cherished family tradition. Despite the holiday crowd, the staff remained attentive and welcoming throughout the evening. We had a wonderful dining experience and look forward to returning. Highly recommended! read more

Was here for Grad's 80 birthday. Great service. Large bar for shots before the meal. Nice warm bread and butter while you wait for your food. Everything was good. Went with the Chicken Cordon Bleu with mashed potatoes instead of rice. Really really good. However, I should have ordered the short rib. My goodness! It looked delicious. Smelled amazing. Uncle wanted a pic to remember, picked up the rib to pose....and the rib meat fell in his lap. He was left holding the bone. TENDER-NISM!!!! They replaced it with no charge. Thankfully. The food and fun with family was worth the price. I'll be back again SOON! read more

Great Management , Great Food and Great Service I will definitely recommend and I'll be back read more

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Best escargot locally, and the steak and frittes are delish! Had our Christmas party here, the service is excellent! they set up a whole room for us and the servers were just on point! read more

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The restaurant is very old, rundown, and has a bad moldy musty smell in it. The food is extremely overpriced and below average in taste. Service is comparable to what you would get at Denny's. Absolutely no WOW factor at all. I'm having a very hard time understanding how they can get any positive ratings at all. The experience wasn't good, but then it wasn't horribly either. It's just the price is so exorbitant that you expect more in way of taste, flavor, service, and atmosphere. read more

It saddens me to have to write this review, but I have to write it. I am giving 3 stars which breaks down to 5 stars for the food and service, and 0 stars for the facility. I suppose that should be a nice round 2.5, but that's not possible here. This restaurant exemplifies my worst restaurant pet peeve. CARPET. Restaurants should simply not have any carpet anywhere, ever. And if you must, then you must replace it at least every 6-12 months. We were so excited to finally come to Papillon, but the moment I walked in, I knew how this eventual review would go. The moment I walked in, the restaurant smelled like dirty carpet. Sacrebleu! What a terrible shame. Now, for most people, they get used to the smell after some moments, which is probably why the carpet continues to grace the floor of this otherwise old building. But for me, the stench was my new best friend throughout dinner, and it was a 1-2 punch walking out through the bar area, as it seems like the smell is worse there. The food....was very very good, and the service very attentive. We had the pork tenderloin and the Thai Bouillabaisse. Two great dishes with not a single complaint or issue. The owners need to sit down and pow-wow about the state of the floor in their restaurant. It stinks. Its time to move into the 20th century, even though that was technically the last one, close the restaurant for a few days, and have new hard flooring installed. And, based on the age of the restaurant, I will bet that the subfloor has actually soaked in decades of the stench. I will happily update my review to 5 stars once the facility is brought into the clean, hygienic, and modern era. After a quick search of reviews, there are pages and pages of reviews commenting on the same smell that is the focus of this review, there are even some that are 20 years old with the same critique. read more