A Taste of France in Texas: The Top 5 French Restaurants in Houston

Almost everyone we’ve talked to who has eaten at Toulouse mentioned the food is authentic and the outdoor ambiance that transports you to the streets of Paris. We went to see if the restaurant’s French cuisine truly measures up! 

For starters, we recommend booking a reservation before you go because getting a table without one can be challenging. So, we snagged a booking in advance. 

Inside Toulouse, we thought the restaurant’s ambiance was intimate and cozy. The décor was simple yet elegant, with white tablecloths, elegant white plating, wine glasses, and dim lighting adding to the cozy atmosphere.

We opted to sit outside on their patio and join the other diners enjoying the live music. Even the outdoor seating area was very chic and had a chill ambiance. 

The authenticity of Toulouse was palpable from the moment we perused the menu. The selection of traditional French dishes was impressive, with various options to suit all tastes. 

While we noted that the restaurant was busy, we liked how the staff managed to keep up with the demand without sacrificing the quality of the service. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and gave us recommendations. 

We started with the escargots persillade, served in a garlic pernod sauce, and complemented by parsley leaves. We thought they were cooked to perfection. 

The snails were tender and flavorful, and the garlic sauce had just the right amount of pernod (an anise-flavored liquor, if you’re not familiar with it), which we felt complimented the escargot without overpowering it.

We also tried their mussels mariniere. The plump and juicy mussels were cooked to perfection in a broth of butter, chardonnay, and garlic with hints of thyme and shallots. 

The aroma alone was enough to make our mouths water with anticipation. When we finally took our first bite, we were greeted by a burst of flavor that was both rich and savory, with just the right balance of saltiness and sweetness.

The broth, often the star of the show when it comes to mussels marinière, did not disappoint. It was light yet flavorful, with a hint of tartness from the chardonnay. 

We also thought the buttery richness of the broth was complemented perfectly by the sweetness of the mussels, creating a harmony of tastes that was simply divine.

Now for our main course, we had the petite filet au poivre. We liked how the petite filet was tender and juicy, with just the right amount of pink in the center. 

Furthermore, the peppercorn sauce was rich and creamy, with the perfect amount of spice that hit the back of our throats and lingered there, inviting us to take another bite. We also thought the mushrooms and asparagus had a slight crunch that perfectly contrasted with the tender beef. 

And the pommes frites, oh mon Dieu, the pommes frites! Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, with just the right amount of salt—we couldn’t help but finish every last one on our plate.

The only downside was the price, which was on the higher side, but in our opinion,  the quality of the food and the experience made it worth it.

When we went to Maison Pucha Bistro right away, we noted that in terms of authenticity, they had some authentic French items on the menu. Still, other dishes were more of a French-American fusion. 

So, we decided to give their take on two French classics, coq au vin and duck a l’orange, a try. 

For one, we thoroughly admired the presentation of the culinary expertise of the chef for both dishes. It looked almost too good to eat! 

As we savored the coq au vin, we liked how soft and easy to chew the baby carrots and the mushrooms were. The chicken was cooked to perfection and was tender and juicy, while the red wine sauce was rich and flavorful. 

We also enjoyed every bite of the creamy mashed potatoes, which we thought complemented the savory flavors of the chicken and wine.

Next, we indulged in the duck a l’orange. The duck was succulent with a crispy skin that had a smokiness to it. 

We thought the orange demi-glaze was tangy and sweet, providing the perfect balance of flavors to the duck and roasted vegetables. However, we thought the parsnip mousseline was too salty. 

Another thing we didn’t like about our experience at Maison Pucha Bistro was the service. Granted, it was a little crowded when we went, but it took half an hour for someone on the waitstaff to attend to our table and start us off with water and a bottle of wine. 

We also didn’t think it was great that they added an extra charge to our bill without informing us first—it was an additional 20% gratuity charge on top of the usual rate.

Etoile has been making waves in the city’s culinary scene. So, we recently visited to experience their take on French cuisine. 

Starting with the restaurant’s authenticity, we must say that Etoile has done an excellent job bringing the French dining experience to Houston. From the décor to the menu, every aspect of the restaurant screams French. 

The music playing in the background and the ambiance transported us to a Parisian café, making us feel like we were dining in the heart of France.

The quality of the food was impressive, to say the least. We had the pleasure of sampling various dishes, and the ingredients used were fresh, and the flavors were well-balanced. 

One dish that stood out to us was the beef bourguignon, which was cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. We thought their beef bourguignon was rich in flavor and had the perfect amount of seasoning. 

The presentation was also noteworthy, as it was served in a traditional French pot, adding to the dish’s authenticity.

Furthermore, the chefs at Etoile have mastered the art of French cooking, which shows in the dishes they serve. We liked how our dishes were not overly complicated, but we could tell the chefs paid attention to detail, ensuring every flavor and spice was brought out. 

However, the one thing we thought wasn’t great was that the portions were a bit small for their entrées, and the prices were on the higher side. However, these minor issues did not detract from the overall dining experience.

From what we experienced at Bistro 555, we can say that they are a charming little French bistro that would fit in the French countryside with its authentic French cuisine. 

Although it was cramped inside the restaurant, we loved the paintings and décor that decorated the wall. It was a cozy and intimate atmosphere. 

In our opinion, the authenticity of the food at Bistro 555 was unparalleled. We were transported to the heart of countryside France when we took our first bite. 

It was clear from the taste of every dish we had that the ingredients used in their dishes were of the highest quality, and the techniques used to cook them were traditional French techniques passed down through generations.

We also thought the presentation of each dish was noteworthy. Each dish was presented with elegance and sophistication, and the attention to detail in the plating was impressive. 

It was clear to us that the chefs put a lot of thought and care into each dish. 

Besides the presentation of dishes, we thought the customer service at Bistro 55 was top-notch. The waitress that attended to our table consistently checked up on us throughout the entire time we were there. 

However, when we asked to see their list of wines, we noted that options were limited, and desserts were limited too. Still, it didn’t detract from our experience too much. 

Regarding food, we can say that the escargot is a must-try at Bistro 55. The snails were seasoned just right with garlic and parsley butter. 

We also liked their steak frites that came with crispy fries and a side of delicious garlic green beans. Their steak frites were, in our opinion, very tender and had the right amount of pink in the center. 

We’d also recommend their cassolette de langouste (lobster pot pie) if you’re a fan of seafood. The pot pie crust was flaky, buttery, and melted in our mouths. 

We also thought the lobster blended well with the portobello mushrooms, the creamy pot pie filling, and the saffron rice. 

From the moment we stepped foot into the Brasserie du Parc, we were transported to a classic Parisian brasserie. In our opinion, the interior was tastefully decorated with vintage-style furnishings. 

We thought the ambiance was perfect for a romantic night out or a casual dinner with friends like we were having. 

To start, we thought the food quality at Brasserie du Parc was exceptional. The menu featured classic French dishes such as sole “meuniere,” beef bourguignon, and steak frites, all executed perfectly. 

We could tell from every bite that the ingredients used were top-notch, and the techniques used in cooking were traditional and authentic. The presentation of the dishes was also noteworthy, with each plate looking like a work of art.

Furthermore, we thought the customer service at Brasserie du Parc was impeccable. We noted that the staff was courteous and attentive to our table and those around us. 

We liked how the waitstaff went out of their way to make sure that you have a memorable dining experience. Our waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and made recommendations based on our preferences.

Perhaps one of the things we liked the most about our experience at Brasserie du Parc was the extensive wine list. The restaurant boasts an impressive selection of French wines. 

The sommelier was more than happy to assist us by allowing us to sample a few wines before selecting the perfect bottle to pair with our meal. 

The only downside we have to note about the restaurant is the noise level. The restaurant can get quite loud, which can be distracting if you’re trying to have a conversation.