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A bowl of bouillabaisse on blue plateware.
Bouillabaisse at Nico
Andrew Cebulka

Find a Bit of France in These 11 Lowcountry Destinations

The best examples of French cuisine in Charleston

by Erin Perkins and Parker Milner Updated
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Bouillabaisse at Nico
| Andrew Cebulka
by Erin Perkins and Parker Milner Updated

Recent French-influenced openings and mainstays are subtly taking the Charleston restaurant scene by storm. Bistros, brasseries, cafes, cocktail bars, and pastry shops are popping up all over the city. With French cuisine setting the gold standard for technique and preparation, these 11 spots are worth a try — no matter the occasion.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

La Bonne Franquette

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The couple behind Christophe Artisan Chocolatier, Carly and Christophe Paume, opened all-day French cafe LaBonne Franquette. The quaint West Ashley restaurant serves traditional French fare, like quiche, croque monsieur, moules frites, beef tartare, escargot, and more. If the weather is nice, sit on the cheery pink and orange patio.

652 St Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 709-7962
(843) 709-7962

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Maison

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Breezy French restaurant Maison highlights the precision and craft of chef Vandy Vanderwarker (formerly of the Ordinary). The menu adds seasonal touches to dishes like steak tartare, mussels bourride, and dry-aged duck. The plating here is beautiful enough to give pause on any Instagram feed. For a deal, customers should stop in for the $5 champagne happy hour and stay for dinner.

708 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 990-9165
(843) 990-9165

Also featured in:

Bistronomy By Nico

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Spring Street spot Bistronomy By Nico offers Parisian fare with an Asian twist. For example, the chic bistro serves a bouillabaisse, but it’s in a coconut broth with udon noodles. There’s also coq au vin with a tamarind jus and duck confit ramen. It’s something a little different than the classic French menus around town.

64 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-6221
(843) 410-6221

Also featured in:

Chez Nous

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Find a daily handwritten menu at small Charleston classic Chez Nous. Chef Jill Mathias is known for her beautiful plating, and her menu keeps diners guessing as she aims to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind experience.  

6 Payne Ct, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-3060
(843) 579-3060
chez nous
Chez Nous is a cozy spot for romantic dinners.
Erin Perkins

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Felix Cocktails et Cuisine

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This vibrant cocktail bar stays busy on Upper King. The vibe is casual yet classy, as small plates like lobster deviled eggs and French onion soup are served alongside creative cocktails and wine. Felix is a fun place to meet a friend or a date for a drink and quick bites.

5520, 550 King St Suite #100, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-6297
(843) 203-6297
A marble bar with blue stools.
Felix Cocktails et Cuisine.
Erin Perkins

Also featured in:

39 Rue De Jean

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A long-time Charleston favorite, the expansive menu at 39 Rue de Jean presents the classics, like steak frites and mussels pistou. Open since 2001, this bistro continues to be a reliable source of French comfort foods.

39 John St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-8881
(843) 722-8881

Gaulart & Maliclet

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Also known as Fast & French, Gaulart & Maliclet serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in a laid-back setting. Expect satisfying soups, croque monsieurs, and daily specials that come with a free glass of house wine.

98 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-9797
(843) 577-9797
A two-story white building with a palm tree in front.
Find Fast and French on Broad Street.
Erin Perkins

Also featured in:

Le Chambertin

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The owners of long-standing bakery Macaroon Boutique, Fabrice Rizzo and Fabienne Docco, run Le Chambertin for lunch Wednesday through Sunday. The petite cafe sits just off Broad Street and serves a daily lunch, along with coffee, pastries, breads, and imported goods from France. The couple says they wanted it to feel like dining in a small shop nestled in Burgundy. 

113 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 640-3332
(843) 640-3332

Also featured in:

Brasserie La Banque

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Broad Street restaurant Brasserie La Banque offers classic French fare in a stunning space. Look forclassics like foie gras torchon, poulet rouge, bouillabaisse, steak frites, and dry-aged duck. Be sure to order a side of fries with everything.

1 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 779-1800
(843) 779-1800
A high-ceiling dining room with a red leather banquette.
The handsome dining room at Brasserie La Banque.
Mike Ledford

Also featured in:

Nico

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French-trained chef Nico Romo uses a powerful wood-fired oven to create classics like scallops gratin. Shareable raw plates are the other hallmark at Nico, as a dozen different kinds of oysters are carefully selected and served with the abductor muscle on to preserve freshness.  

201 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 352-7969
(843) 352-7969
A dining room surrounded by windows.
The dining room at Nico.
Lauren Utvich

Also featured in:

Ville Sainte Bistro

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“Feels like you’re in France” is a common refrain from visitors to Ville Sainte Bistro in Mount Pleasant. Chef Carole Robert picks traditional dishes from around the country, like frog’s legs, flounder maison, and shrimp provencal.

1035 Johnnie Dodds Blvd B7, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 388-5778
(843) 388-5778

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La Bonne Franquette

652 St Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407

The couple behind Christophe Artisan Chocolatier, Carly and Christophe Paume, opened all-day French cafe LaBonne Franquette. The quaint West Ashley restaurant serves traditional French fare, like quiche, croque monsieur, moules frites, beef tartare, escargot, and more. If the weather is nice, sit on the cheery pink and orange patio.

652 St Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 709-7962
(843) 709-7962

Maison

708 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Breezy French restaurant Maison highlights the precision and craft of chef Vandy Vanderwarker (formerly of the Ordinary). The menu adds seasonal touches to dishes like steak tartare, mussels bourride, and dry-aged duck. The plating here is beautiful enough to give pause on any Instagram feed. For a deal, customers should stop in for the $5 champagne happy hour and stay for dinner.

708 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 990-9165
(843) 990-9165

Bistronomy By Nico

64 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

Spring Street spot Bistronomy By Nico offers Parisian fare with an Asian twist. For example, the chic bistro serves a bouillabaisse, but it’s in a coconut broth with udon noodles. There’s also coq au vin with a tamarind jus and duck confit ramen. It’s something a little different than the classic French menus around town.

64 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-6221
(843) 410-6221

Chez Nous

6 Payne Ct, Charleston, SC 29403

Find a daily handwritten menu at small Charleston classic Chez Nous. Chef Jill Mathias is known for her beautiful plating, and her menu keeps diners guessing as she aims to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind experience.  

6 Payne Ct, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-3060
(843) 579-3060
chez nous
Chez Nous is a cozy spot for romantic dinners.
Erin Perkins

Felix Cocktails et Cuisine

5520, 550 King St Suite #100, Charleston, SC 29403

This vibrant cocktail bar stays busy on Upper King. The vibe is casual yet classy, as small plates like lobster deviled eggs and French onion soup are served alongside creative cocktails and wine. Felix is a fun place to meet a friend or a date for a drink and quick bites.

5520, 550 King St Suite #100, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-6297
(843) 203-6297
A marble bar with blue stools.
Felix Cocktails et Cuisine.
Erin Perkins

39 Rue De Jean

39 John St, Charleston, SC 29403

A long-time Charleston favorite, the expansive menu at 39 Rue de Jean presents the classics, like steak frites and mussels pistou. Open since 2001, this bistro continues to be a reliable source of French comfort foods.

39 John St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-8881
(843) 722-8881

Gaulart & Maliclet

98 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401

Also known as Fast & French, Gaulart & Maliclet serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in a laid-back setting. Expect satisfying soups, croque monsieurs, and daily specials that come with a free glass of house wine.

98 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-9797
(843) 577-9797
A two-story white building with a palm tree in front.
Find Fast and French on Broad Street.
Erin Perkins

Le Chambertin

113 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401

The owners of long-standing bakery Macaroon Boutique, Fabrice Rizzo and Fabienne Docco, run Le Chambertin for lunch Wednesday through Sunday. The petite cafe sits just off Broad Street and serves a daily lunch, along with coffee, pastries, breads, and imported goods from France. The couple says they wanted it to feel like dining in a small shop nestled in Burgundy. 

113 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 640-3332
(843) 640-3332

Brasserie La Banque

1 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401

Broad Street restaurant Brasserie La Banque offers classic French fare in a stunning space. Look forclassics like foie gras torchon, poulet rouge, bouillabaisse, steak frites, and dry-aged duck. Be sure to order a side of fries with everything.

1 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 779-1800
(843) 779-1800
A high-ceiling dining room with a red leather banquette.
The handsome dining room at Brasserie La Banque.
Mike Ledford

Nico

201 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

French-trained chef Nico Romo uses a powerful wood-fired oven to create classics like scallops gratin. Shareable raw plates are the other hallmark at Nico, as a dozen different kinds of oysters are carefully selected and served with the abductor muscle on to preserve freshness.  

201 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 352-7969
(843) 352-7969
A dining room surrounded by windows.
The dining room at Nico.
Lauren Utvich

Ville Sainte Bistro

1035 Johnnie Dodds Blvd B7, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

“Feels like you’re in France” is a common refrain from visitors to Ville Sainte Bistro in Mount Pleasant. Chef Carole Robert picks traditional dishes from around the country, like frog’s legs, flounder maison, and shrimp provencal.

1035 Johnnie Dodds Blvd B7, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 388-5778
(843) 388-5778

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