Top Best French Restaurants in River Forest

"Nothing sounds better right now than sitting in a quaint French bistro together, preferably in France. But there’s a lot about the above statement that’s not happening anytime soon. At least you can still create the illusion by ordering food and wine from Le Bouchon - a charming French spot in Wicker Park."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Le Bouchon (@bouchonchicago)"

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Visit Margeaux brasserie and experience classic, French dining at its best. Nestled on the third floor of The Waldorf Astoria Chicago, this restaurant features an exotic menu filled with exquisite food devoted to retaining the classic French vibe while the bar is filled with a dynamic cocktail menu."

"The extra-light macarons served at Pierrot Gourmet can only be described as very moreish. The European-style bakery and cafe found on East Superior Street inside the Peninsula Hotel, which also boasts a terrace eatery, just like theseother great bars and restaurants with rooftops in Chicago. Pierrot Gourmet is home to a range of fabulous baked goods, including macarons, which are said to pair perfectly with a specialty coffee or a glass of wine."

"Fancy and intricate French dishes are always a pleasure but sometimes all you need is a cup of coffee, a croissant, and prime views. This all-day café inside the Peninsula offers a casual setting that’s ripe for people-watching in the heart of downtown. Though the menu includes items like tarte flambée, boeuf bourguignon, and duck cassoulet, the restaurant’s bakery is its biggest standout."

"It’s part of the Chicago Peninsula hotel and offers authentic Parisian vibes. They have both indoor seating as well as an outdoor patio, adorned with flowers, located in a prime people watching spot in the city. It is incredibly charming."

"Fortunately, you don’t have to take a 10-hour flight to get a French croissant. Bonjour Café Bakery is the perfect place to grab a chocolate croissant on the go or sit, relax, and enjoy a warm quiche. This cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, making this the perfect place to enjoy warm weather with fresh pastries."

"For when you want a pastry to go with your coffee, the Bonjour Cafe should be your top pick. Unsurprisingly from the shop’s name, this French-style bakery has a changing seasonal selection of fresh baked goods. They range from rose-flavored macarons, eclairs, and croissants."

"France comes to Hyde Park thanks to this upscale eatery located in a South Side strip mall. Chef and owner Mary Mastricola’s menu promotes seasonality and diners can look forward to rabbit pate, trout grenobloise, lavender-honey roasted chicken, and an all-French wine list. Early birds will also get the best bang for their buck as a three-course prix fixe special, priced at $38 per person, is offered daily between 5 p.m."

"Located in Hyde Park near the University of Chicago campus, la petite folie serves traditional, classically prepared and artfully plated French food. The quaint atmosphere belies its shopping plaza locale but the free and easy parking is a plus. Duck (including the duck breast salad) consistently gets high ratings among regular diners as do the lovely pastries."

"Translated as "My Friend Gabi," this Lincoln Park bistro and steakhouse is a delightful find for expertly prepared French cuisine. Expect traditional dishes such as steak frites, Roasted chicken grand-mere onion soup au gratin and escargots with garlic-herb butter, plus plenty of fresh seafood and seasonal Plats Du Jour. The French know their way around a dessert menu and Mon Ami Gabi does not disappoint with classic profiteroles with housemade fudge, creme brulee and chocolate mousse."

"It’s Paris vibes all the way at Mon Ami Gabi, a classic French bistro in Lincoln Park from Lettuce Entertain You, the group behind a myriad of Chicago favorites such as Summer House and Stella Barra. Feast on dishes such as escargot, filet mignon au poivre, and trout almondine under the restaurant’s spacious, covered patio. Save room for the seasonally inspired sorbet for a cool and light end of the meal."

"Here you get an absolutely stunning 360-degree view over the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park below. Complete with both an outdoor terrace and an indoor lounge, modern minimalistic in decor, with some grenery and a mix of bar stools, basket chairs and lounge sofas. The rooftop bar offers a quite small but good food menu and a nice selection of craft beer on cans, wines and some exciting signature cocktails named after exotic places."

"The J. Parker, the all-seasons rooftop atop Hotel Lincoln, offers sweeping views of a frosty Lincoln Park Zoo and Lake Michigan. Their outdoor seating now features heaters, plus a glass retractable roof and floor-to-ceiling windows for plenty of air circulation. If you’re looking for wintery cocktails, their seasonal selection include a variety of hot toddies."

"Butternut Empanadas • butternut squash, salsa Bandera, and avocado cream • #JParkerChicago #BokaRestaurantGroup. The J. Parker is a classy Chicago restaurant that not only offers some great food but also an amazing view. Sitting on top of Hotel Lincoln, J. Parker offers 55 indoor seats as well as 140 outside seats."

"Half Shell started their story when Danny, his daughters, Deborah and Candie, along with boy, Ali, functioned alongside establishing a loyal and dedicated restaurant. Their customers cherished the food, but also the warm and fun setting in the small, corner-street restaurant given. It became exactly what Danny always wanted: a family group of owners, employees, and clients who treasured to have pleasure, break bread, and also create fantastic memories."

"The Half Shell is a seafood restaurant that is straightforward with no frills in the format of a neighborhood pub. You get the best of both worlds with an excellent seafood menu that also offers raw bar selections. If you’re a fan of crab and beer and you like a pub environment then this is likely to be one of your better options because the crab is delicious but they insist on payment by cash only."

"Old Irving Brewing is a craft beer brewery and kitchen located in the Old Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago. In addition to a large menu of house brews, they also feature several guest ciders and an extensive selection of bourbon and other whiskeys. Old Irving also offers beer-inspired cocktails, like the Hoplama cocktail, which uses Beezer IPA."

"The food is often very kid-friendly, and parents can kick back with a few craft beers. Old Irving is no exception. It’s bright and spacious with plenty of room for squirmy little ones."

"Inspired by her son’s, and subsequently her own, celiac diagnosis and lack of quality baked goods available in 2007, Ali Graeme set out to blaze gluten-free trails. After playing in her kitchen with different blends of flour and receiving encouragement from family, she opened Sweet Ali’s two years later with recipes perfected that all would enjoy, gluten-free or otherwise. Beyond the cakes, you’ll find pre-packed pasta, bread and baked goods to enjoy later."

"A post shared by Cookie Spin (@cookiespinchicago) on Sep 11, 2019 at 2:57pm PDT. Cookie Spin brings its own unique flavors to the dessert scene, with traditional fare like chocolate chip and sugar cookies and more avant garde treats like the cinnamon-sprinkled caramel apple cookie and blue raspberry flavor-infused sugar cookie. Plus, the shop’s cookie pies are bigger, thicker and richer than your standard cookie, perfect for a guy whose belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly."

"Their shaved ice macaron sandwiches are what dreams are made of. Don’t let summer end before you get to try one of these."

"Magnolia Bakery features a vintage design and crafts unique creations fresh every single day and serves some of the most delicious cupcakes and muffins. If you like your breakfasts to consist of something sweet (like my mother, who grew up working in our family bakery), Magnolia’s is one of the best bakeries in Chicago to visit. Choose any one their various muffin flavors for just $3.50 and bam—your morning’s made."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user joe goldberg used under CC BY-SA 2.0. If you’re passing by this neighbourhood, a stop at Magnolia Bakery is strongly recommended for their much-talked-about banana pudding. It has been deemed ‘all things divine’ by several customers, so why miss out?"