Not sure how I found out about this place but loved the experience. Made a reservation several weeks in advance at the chefs counter and this did not disappoint. You get the see all the action in the kitchen! Loved that there were different stations for different items and I was sat next to the meat station. Nothing like smelling grilled/seared meat throughout your dining experience. To see the passion for each station as they meticulously created the dishes with consistency and beautiful execution. I got the French onion soup and man talk about cheesy! The broth was flavorful and plenty of onions, the cheese was def the star in this one. Also got the lamb which took a minute to come out after the French onion soup was finished. Worth the wait for sure. Ended up nawing on the bones to get those last bits. Who cares who looks?! Not I! The soufflé was also amazing. With a strawberry anglase which made it the right balance. I finished the whole damn thing! The style is very upscale with an old school retro vibe. The chefs counter rally made an impression and Nate the person who took care of me was amazing. He did a great job not rushing me into a decision and beautifully explained any question I had. read more

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Pro tip: Escargot? Get it. A beautiful experience with exquisite service. Great attention to detail, and great spacing of meals, especially for a larger party. We were even invited into the private room, at no additional cost, but decided to stay out in the hustle and bustle. Even amongst the noise of other guests, we thoroughly enjoyed our time! Hits: - Pepe Le Jardiniere cocktail ($18, Lalo Blanco) - Escargot (comes with a mini baguette) - Popovers - Duck two ways - Lyonnaise Salad (great portion) I did enjoy the Mafaldine Pasta, but did expect more flavor and didn't realize it was $38 (my eyes assumed they saw $28). Quite pricey for a pasta! read more

Restaurant Francois - Duck 2 Ways roasted breast / confit leg alsatian cabbage tart cherry sauce - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Seldom compelled to leave a review, but this was such an amazing meal, with even better service. John was insanely awesome and accommodating. We had a difficult guest in our party and he and the staff handled it with grace. Food was amazing. Can't wait to come back. read more

Great quality food and cozy especially when looking for warm long cooked meal. Kind staff and attention to quality - not inexpensive yet good read more

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What an amazing dining experience at restaurant Francois for our anniversary! The place is such a vibe and the staff were fabulous. The blue cheese stuffed olives for the dirty martini was a great start to the evening. The bread and the morel mushrooms were so decadent and the Dover sole is a must! Highly recommend adding to your list of must get to in Austin! For those like me that collect, they also have matchbooks! read more

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Food was good but not wow for the price . Service was good and restaurant has a nice ambiance.

"Enfin un morceau de la France ici !" (Finally a piece of France here!) -- La classe! I've been waiting for an authentic French restaurant to grace our city, and Restaurant François absolutely hits the mark. If the stern food critic from Ratatouille had a Yelp account, I imagine it would read something like this -- dramatic pause, distant accordion music, one single tear over a perfect sauce. The moment you step through the doors, you're transported. Not in a cheesy Eiffel Tower wallpaper kind of way -- but in a "did I just become a local Parisien?" kind of way. The ambiance whispers elegance without trying too hard. The bar? Stunning. Cocktails on point. Balanced, intentional, and beautifully presented. The food -- mon dieu. Start with the escargot. You will not be disappointed. Buttery, garlicky perfection that makes you wonder why you don't eat snails more often. Each dish arrived beautifully plated. Profiteroles. The perfect ending to a flavorful dinner. Reservations were easy to make online, and yes -- they offer valet as well as your server will call for your ride when you're about to be done. From the ambiance to the attentive service to the impeccable dishes, here's hoping Restaurant François is here to stay -- because we've been craving this level of authenticity. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Came here for a friend's birthday celebration and the staff made her feel special initially -- there was a card on the table and our party received a small pour of bubbles. We ordered the popovers, Salade Lyonnaise and beef bourguignon along with a side of fries. The popovers and bourguignon were the stars of the show; the cocktails and salad were just okay. One note of caution: if you're celebrating a birthday but don't order dessert, you'll receive a plate with nothing on it but a candle. It was an awkward and honestly embarrassing moment for our group. Since we hadn't ordered dessert we weren't expecting anything, but a small gesture -- a scoop of ice cream, a tiny cookie -- would have gone a long way. Instead it just came across as cheap. read more

Restaurant Francois - bourguignon, popovers and Salade Lyonnaise - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This is one of the newest places in Austin and it is such a vibe. It really gives off great Gatsby and New York Feels inside. You definitely need a reservation for any word in the restaurant. When you arrive, the house is greets you and check your reservation and get you seated right away. They were so pleasant. Once seated, they had a great selection of wine and yes, it was all French, which is some of the best. I got a French rosé, which was very full of body and light at the same time which is a great mix. We started off with the stake tartare and let me tell you it was phenomenal and it was a good portion enough for three people or more. We also got the escargot since I'm a huge fan of it and the little biscuits that they put on top were so good to dip in the oils and butter that the escargot was cooked in definitely a must eat here. We then shared the stuffed lamb, which was different but very delicious. The lamb was so soft and not chewy and perfectly balanced and savory taste. It was stuffed around with mushrooms and spinach, which was really nice. The dessert menu you look great we decided we will have to come back and try it. But definitely coming back again cause there are so many more trays that I need to try. This is a perfect date night or girls night spots since it's very glam and moody inside. read more

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New French restaurant in downtown. Hard to get a reservation. Famous for their duck fish. We ordered lamb, duck and steak. Highly recommended lamb and duck. Duck is not fatty at all. For appetizers, escargot is too oily, one star for that. Lobster bisque is delicious. read more

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I got to try the new Francois downtown on a Friday and had a good experience. The space is big, but set up in different areas like the bar/ lounge which has cozy intimate booths, then you have more of a restaurant tablecloth vibe on the other side. The bar seats are very comfortable, and my cocktail was presented on a tray with the champagne on the side. Very cute. My friend and I ordered the cheese popovers, a steak, and the angel hair lobster dish. Everything was delicious, our only critique was that the pasta got cold pretty fast. We also ordered the creme brulee and we thought it could have used some berries. It was the perfect amount to split since we were going to another bar afterwards. Service was friendly, but for a restaurant at this price range I was expecting our server to have more knowledge of the menu. read more

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Francois is a home run and the perfect new sibling to Red Ash, Kimberly, and J. Carver. I went in with high expectations and they never missed a beat, from the luxe beef tartare crowned with truffle and egg to the warm and flaky popover and butter. The star of the night was the lamb in puff pastry, which tasted like if a Greek spanakopita and a beef Wellington had a baby and it grew up to be a very chic French adult. Paired with a beautifully charred bone‑in steak, creamy morels, and crab, plus warm, polished service and a not-too-stuffy room, Francois is an easy yes for date night or any excuse you can come up with. read more

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I had a fantastic fine dining experience at Restaurant Francois, from the valet attendants, the hosts and our server. The space is beautifully decorated and dimly lit. It's a perfect spot for a date or intimate gathering. I opted for the Lyonnaise Salad and Crudo du Jour to start. For the main dish, I had the Pappardelle (rabbit ragout). Everything tasted great and was portioned well enough that I left the restaurant full and happy. One unique touch that I appreciated was that the server will hold onto your valet ticket and have the valet attendant fetch your car around the time that you've been brought the check! It's the small things :) read more

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15/10 recommend for a girls night or a date night!! We had a great waiter (Zach) who was so attentive and made sure to give recommendations which were a hit. Everyone says get the popovers and the soufflé of the day and they're correct- but a reminder to get the soufflé before you order because it takes 30+ minutes (100% worth it). The place is so chic and intimate feeling, with a lot of classy touches and very cool glassware. Knives are authentic French shop pieces which was a great addition. A couple of things to note are that the Dry Aged steaks are precut each day (the ribeye was 32 oz today) so ask about that firsthand. Additionally, the bar side did get loud by about 6 pm so if you have anyone who is sensitive to noise plan accordingly. We loved our experience and will definitely be back! read more

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I really love the space. The environment is welcoming and warm but still feels luxe. I also enjoyed the open kitchen concept. Our waiter and waitress were helpful and fun. They had great drinks, you really can't go wrong. The food itself was pretty exceptional. The jumbo lump crab villon, the comté cheese popovers, and crab stuffed Maine lobster thermador were standout dishes in my opinion. I knocked off a star because the rack of lamb came out extremely rare. For a $90 dish I expect it to be cooked to the right temperature. Overall it was a fun and delicious dinner, would definitely love to come back. read more

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Ooo, a new and shiny, super posh restaurant. Our server was awesome and amused by my commentary. I liked the drinks. I got the moulin a passion and it comes with a side of champagne to cleanse the palate (too fancy, I don't really sip my drinks!) Then I ordered a dirty martini. Get their cheese popovers! You can get a portion for 2 as well. They also had really yummy pomme frites, they are skinny and crunchy. My Duck 2 ways was perfect. One medium rare breast served alongside a confit leg was just scrumptious and perfectly cooked. My boyfriend's gulf red snapper was made well too, with the capers giving a nice touch to the beurre blanc. I wish I had room for dessert. I would've tried the crème brulee or their signature dessert dish (next time!). Nice place, great ambiance and downtown prices. read more

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RF is really, really nice! I came here for a work dinner on a Monday evening and the staff were fast, courteous, and helpful especially with explaining the menu. There also happened to be some issue with the fire alarm and even though no one had to act on it (eg nobody had to vacate or anything) and the staff gave everyone at our table a glass of champagne as an apology for it. The food was excellent! I ordered the filet mignon steak ($65) and the Belgian endive salad ($18) that I shared with folks at the table. We also got their comté cheese popovers which were basically huge, soft rolls that came with a really lovely cheese spread. They had a really unique texture and excellent flavor, I haven't had anything quite like them. I also got a cocktail (the Pardon my French), and my supervisor got the "free man in Paris" cocktail. I really enjoyed mine! I also had a glass of the Royal tokaji after which is a sweet dessert wine similar to Canadian ice wine. I haven't had it in a long time and it's fantastic!! If you like dessert wines you've got to try this one!! Of note, parking is limited because this is a restaurant downtown on a corner - if you go after 6p on Mon or Tues there's free street parking but otherwise it's all paid street or garage. They do have paid valet out front as well. Otherwise: the vibes in here are definitely upscale/fancy, all the servers are in suits. The bathrooms are immaculate. read more

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A beautiful upscale spot for date night, or - as in our case, a reward for walking to city hall to vote. The duck was crisp and delicious. The dover sole had a decadent sauce that would have paired well had it came with a bit of a side grain to soak it up. I was excited about the black currant gelato since currant is making a comeback but the Li Hing seasoning was a bit overwhelming. read more

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Food was delish, cocktails were superb. Highly recommend the Free Man in Paris. They gave my daughter the bill at the end, and now we're in crippling debt. Five 's! read more

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Food - 5 stars Ambiance - 4.5 stars Service - 5 stars We started with the crudo of the day which was very fresh and well prepared. We then had the Dover Sole topped with lump crab. Delicious and beautiful whitefish in a perfect sauce. We also had the wagyu beef short rib. OMG!! Rich, fork tender, umami! For dessert, we chose the soufflé of the day, which was vanilla cream...I think. Again, hot and perfect with no deflation until we opened it. Very satisfying cake and cream. Nice wine list. Service was impeccable! I believe our servers name was Josiah Definitely a restaurant we will return to! read more

Restaurant Francois - Dover Sole with the addition of a lump crab topping - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Food was sublime, and beautifully presented. The courses thoughtfully timed by Chelsea, her service impeccable and genuine! Celebrated our anniversary here, and planning our soon return! Thanks for a memorable evening! read more

Restaurant Francois - Duck, morels, stuffed lamb tenderloin - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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As the name says: French. Delivered crisp ambiance with an open kitchen sitting squarely in the center of the main dining room. Service is engaging and well trained (e.g., bottle label always squarely presented). Food dishes are all very fresh with impeccable taste. read more

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4.5 stars Great experience here. Food: Pop overs - very good Beef tartare - delicious Pate - decent but wouldn't order again Duck 2 ways - very good Lamb - delicious similar to a beef Wellington read more

Wonderful! Staff welcomed me with a card for my birthday and the service was great! Not to mention every single item was absolutely delicious. One of the best meals I've had in a while. I live in Dallas but would happily drive the three hours just to eat here again. read more

We chose this spot for NYE and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. The décor is incredibly well thought out -- it honestly felt like we were dining in New York or Chicago rather than Austin. The space has that polished, big-city energy while still feeling intentional and welcoming. We were seated directly across from the open kitchen, which I loved. The aroma of brown butter drifted through the air without being overpowering, and watching the kitchen in motion added a fun, almost theatrical element to the evening. Klaudjo took great care of us and offered thoughtful suggestions. We started with the Comté cheese popovers and the jumbo lump crab villon. For my main, I stepped outside my comfort zone and ordered a special featuring fish fin. It was skillfully prepared and plated, but I'll admit I had a hard time getting past the idea of eating the meaty portion of a fin. My husband and son, however, thoroughly enjoyed the prime double-cut ribeye. Dessert is usually my favorite part of any meal, so I was a bit disappointed by the bananas foster, which leaned more egg-forward than banana-forward. That said, it was removed from the bill, which we appreciated. Overall, the ambiance and energy made for a memorable New Year's Eve, and we'll definitely return. read more

Perhaps the most elegant, upscale decor of any restaurant in Austin. White tablecloth, traditional waitstaff decor gives European vibes. Steak tartar very nicely seasoned. Escargot was a bit herbaceous and needing a little more garlic butter and salt. Oef mayonaisse could use a little salt or chives but we'll priced. The popovers are a must. Perfect fluffy cheesy inside and crisp on the outside. Same with the baguette. Both well priced. Beet salad good and green salad lettuce was excellent with crunchy chilled greens and the vinaigrette was tangy perfection. The bouillabaise was a miss with not enough broth flavor to carry the monkeys which was nice but also needing seasoning. The Dover sole was good but lacking just a touch of salt. The pave potato was worth the price and perfect. The morel mushrooms were spectacular, earthy, well seasoned, and creamy. The cauliflower sauce a bit heavy and also lacking a bit of salt. The profiteroles were amazing flavor and chewy interior similar to the popovers. The creme brulee was outstanding. The lemon tart could use more lemon kick. It was hard to tell it was lemon custard. Overall a great experience. With a few shakes of salt in a few dishes would be outstanding. Service was perfect! Nice addition to downtown. read more

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We celebrated a birthday here. The attention to detail, including reaching out for the birthday guest's name prior to the reservation did not go unnoticed. The ambiance, attentive service, and delicious food and cocktail have propelled Restaurant Francois to the top of our list in Austin. Don't miss the bread service or the au gratin potatoes. Highly recommend the frozen Brandy Alexander and profiteroles for dessert. read more

Restaurant Francois - Frozen Brandy Alexander - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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In my opinion, this was a mixed bag on Mother's Day. Overall rating of 3.6 would be more accurate, but this restaurant charges 5 star prices so should up their game. Individual personal ratings, Bordeaux wine, filet mignon, fries , puff pastry rolls - all 5.0. Redfish, bread - 3.8, angel hair lobster pasta & escargot - 1.0 (worst escargot for me ever with sauce mix all wrong, pasta way overcooked, lobster too fishy taste). Server held wine and water bottle like holding a hammer. Manager immediately removed pasta charge and was not aware of my feeling on escargot. Surprising that for Mother's Day, nothing done for mothers except saying @Happy Mother's Day". Ambiance is good especially if getting a window seat, but also surprised that the door to the dishwasher room was fully open to see that part of the kitchen while on the way to the restroom. They have a curtain at the entrance to possibly protect staff from sun, and would be a good idea to cover that dishwasher door area with some sort of curtain. For $170 pp, it's reasonable to expect more. read more

Overall, nice experience. Was disappointed & surprised at the end of meal when learning there was no espresso machine to make a cappuccino & double espresso. read more

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For a new restaurant this place was amazing! Service was very friendly. It was packed but you're able to get a table at no stress. The interior is very well done and vibes are very comforting and relaxing! The food is on point as well! Stuff lamb is the way to go! read more

Restaurant Francois - Red snapper - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We dined at Restaurant François for our 3 year anniversary and just had the absolute best time thanks to our server (who's name I am completely blanking on at the moment), the delicious food, the vibe of the establishment & of all the workers as a whole and just the kindness & attentiveness we received from the staff. We even got an anniversary card singed by the staff which is just the loveliest thing any establishment has done for us. Our server went above and beyond, as we are not from Texas, and wrote down some after dinner recommendation as well as some cities around the area to check out when we could. Absolutely loved it and will be coming back to Austin, TX just to be able to dine here again. read more

Restaurant Francois - Anniversary card signed by all staff members and personalized intro to our menu! - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Amazing food and superlative service in a beautiful restaurant and atmosphere. Great cocktails and wine list. A French style cuisine exquisitely executed. Looking forward to going back. read more

Restaurant Francois - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

What a fantastic restaurant!! Alexandra our bartender server was well versed in all food and wine. The ambiance was very warm and beautiful. Owners Chef Walter , Jim were great to talk to and obviously care very deeply for their guests The food was 1st class Ahi crudo , house cured salmon were absolutely fresh and delicious . For me the star was the chocolate soufflé with creme anglaise ! Magical read more

Guy and Larry have outdone themselves again! Each time they open a new concept I think... it can't be better than the last... and then it is. The ambiance, top notch service, and food are exquisite. Walking in I felt entirely transported to another city. It is beautiful, sexy, thoughtfully designed, plenty of seating, gorgeous bar, and open kitchen. The smell of deliciousness, smothered in b it there, hits you when you walk in. I absolutely loved the food. As a pescatarian I am always looking for a menu with options, and Francois has them. Started with the endive and green apple salad which was lightly creamy, super fresh, and very refreshing. Alongside cheese popovers with a large helping of divine butter were devoured promptly. For the main I had the peppered swordfish. It was one of the most unique preparations either fish I have ever tasted. So fresh and delicious- do not skip this. My friend had the short ribs and raved about them. We shared a side of the pommes potatoes which were melt in your mouth. Our server suggested cracked pepper and it hit the spot. Do not. Repeat do not skip dessert. The chocolate soufflé was legit with a creme anglais sauce. I hadn't had one in a very long time and it was worth it. Also, the chocolate mousse was so dark, dense but light, and every chocolate lovers dream. We added some vanilla ice cream and definitely gilded the lily. Several champagnes are available by the glass at a very reasonable price point. Bar manager Jess knocked it out of the park with another exquisite cocktail menu. Our service by James and friend, visit by GM Emma and AGM Willie added to the amazing service. I cannot wait to come back for a drink and nibble at the bar, date night out, or family gathering- this is the spot is the place to be! read more

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Oh my word! Just come here! Eat at this restaurant NOW and sit at the chefs table to watch the talent in the kitchen and to meet amazing talented Chef Harold! The food the service the atmosphere: soooo perfect! Apple salad, popovers (!!!), duck, beef, raisin cinnamon soufflé--everything to absolute peak perfection! Even to the pacing of the dishes being served! Shoutouts to Chef Harold and team, server James, and to Emma, plus the lovely hostesses. Just eat here! The BEST in Austin! read more

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Restaurant Francois delivered an absolutely flawless dinner for a special occasion. The space is stunning, the service was impeccable, and the food was simply 5-star+. We had the duck, crudo, and popovers - every single dish was excellent. The cocktails were phenomenal too! What made the evening even more special were the thoughtful touches - our names at the bar when we arrived and a personalized acknowledgment in our menu. Manager Emma Brown and her team clearly care about creating memorable experiences, not just great meals. I split my time between Austin and NYC, and Restaurant Francois is absolutely top-notch by either city's standards. Will definitely be back! New Austin fave!!! read more

This was an absolutely fantastic dining experience. From the moment you enter the restaurant you can feel the strong vibe of a happening place. The food was vibrant and the taste was truly amazing. The staff is very attentive and work to insure that you have the best dining experience possible. I look forward to our future meal here! read more

The food was amazing! The cheese popovers, french onion soup, dover sole, and fries are delicious! The service was super attentive and gave us complimentary champagne for our small party for a birthday we were celebrating. Definitely pricy but worth it for a celebration! read more

I went and celebrated my birthday recently at Restaurant Francois and it was nothing short of amazing. Every dish was delectable but some of the fan favorites were the French Onion Soup (mouth is watering just thinking of it), Crab Villon, Pomme Frites and the Dry Age Porterhouse. Not only was everything delicious but the service and staff were top tier! Everyone from the hostess to additional servers were kind, helpful and just a joy. Mark and Hannah took care of us the most and they were spectacular. Very knowledgeable about the menu and the 20 questions I asked, very accommodating and overall enjoyable to have during our dining experience. We finished up our night with a handful of desserts, you can't go wrong with what you choose, however, the Profiteroles stole my heart with the warm chocolate sauce to dip them. Thank you Restaurant Francois for having our group, it was simply the best night and dining experience. Everyone left happy and very impressed with the level of service and execution, especially since the restaurant had only been open for 2 weeks. read more

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Lovely. Service that is there to ensure you have a great experience. Much of the great dining in Austin is about the food versus the experience. While I love great food, it was wonderful to get to a place where the whole experience was a pleasure. The food was excellent (pate, salad, sole, lamb,...)all expertly prepared and presented. Nothing that was life changing, but everything was beautifully executed. Where things stood out was the service and atmosphere. It was quiet without being static. It was cozy without being cramped. It was attentive without being over bearing. Great cocktails and wine to boot. A great addition to the Austin dining scene. read more