French Restaurants and Bakeries in Austin Offer a Taste of Paris Olympics
While France’s culinary flair might not be Austin’s strongest point, there are exquisite French restaurants and bakeries that will satiate your cravings for a Parisian experience. These places cater to a wide selection of traditional French dishes such as roasted chicken, escargot, duck confit, and delicate pastries like macarons and croissants. As the XXXIII Olympiad unfolds in Paris, Austin’s French eateries offer you the chance to revel in the festivities by indulging your taste buds in a gastronomical adventure.
French Cafes and Restaurants in Austin
Baguette et Chocolat
Baguette et Chocolat offers a delightful amalgam of French and Vietnamese cuisine. Helmed by chef Chi Minh Pham Ding, this Bee Cave café and bakery is renowned for their top-notch crepes, croissants, and bánh mì.
Bureau de Poste
Bureau de Poste, a French bistro in Hyde Park, offers a wide range of classics including pomme dauphine, duck leg cassoulet and half roasted chicken. The restaurant is a venture of “Top Chef” alumnus Jo Chan.
Épicerie
Épicerie, under the aegis of Chef Sarah McIntosh, offers a blend of native Louisiana and French flavors. The menu includes beignets, fried shrimp po’boy, and chicken liver mousse.
Hopfields
Hopfields, a campus-area gastropub, offers an extensive menu that ranges from a French ham and cheese sandwich to dinner specials like escargot dumplings. The tap wall and wine selection are also impressive.
Justine’s
Justine’s, Austin’s most celebrated French restaurant, offers an array of delectable dishes including escargot, beef tartare, steak frites, and rotating seasonal specials off the chalkboard.
Péché
Péché is known for its craft cocktails, absinthe and intimate New Orelans inspired vibes. To accompany the drinks, they offer a selection of French cuisine, including bouillabaisse, chicken liver pâté, foie gras, and grilled lamb.
Bakeries in Austin for a Parisian Experience
Bakery Lorraine
Youthful memories turn into culinary art at Bakery Lorraine. Known for dishing out some of the best macarons and croissant sandwiches in the city, the bakery is a brainchild of a San Antonio-based team.
Crepe Crazy
For crepe enthusiasts, Crepe Crazy offers delicious dishes ranging from the savory Norwegian crepes filled with lox and scrambled eggs to a sweet treat like the Jammin’ Jam crepe crowned with whipped cream cheese, strawberries jam, powdered sugar, and caramel sauce.
Heaven’s Bistro Bakery
For a variety of French pastries including macarons and Paris brest or a classic open-faced croque monsieur, stop by Heaven’s Bistro Bakery. Chef Ghufrana Mahrukh’s also offers tranquil patio seating at this bustling Parmer Lane location.
Julie Myrtille Bakery and Rose Bakery
Indulge in the best of French pastries and gourmet delights at both the Springdale General and Arboretum locations of Julie Myrtille Bakery and Rose Bakery.
La Patisserie
Known for their specialty in macarons, eclairs and other French pastries, La Patisserie under the ownership of engineer-turned-pastry chef Soraiya Nagree, is a must-try for authentic French bakery goodness.
Rocheli Patisserie
A sign of Austin’s changing culinary landscape, Rocheli Patisserie brings Old World elegance and French pastries to East 12th Street, offering an array of macarons, almond croissants, eclairs, and more.
In conclusion, the essence of French cuisine can indeed be found in the heart of Austin. Even if you can’t make it to Paris for the Olympics, these restaurants and cafes will offer you a taste of France in your own city. Bon appétit!