As one of just two cities in the United States that boasts a French Quarter, there are plenty of options for those seeking out steak frites, duck cassoulet, crepes and other quintessential classics — meaning it’s no small feat to be named one of the top five French restaurants in Charleston. There’s no shortage of options, but we’re here to help narrow down the list with a couple local favorites from our Dish Top 50 Spring 2021 Restaurants.
On the City Paper’s list of top five French restaurants in Charleston, you’ll find a hidden gem with a handwritten menu that changes daily, King Street cocktail bar, Parisian eatery with the decor to match and two French-inspired restaurants from chef Nico Romo. Plus, we added in a couple honorable mentions that are worth checking out.
Charlestonians can’t physically travel to France just yet, but there’s plenty of French food to keep you preoccupied in the meantime. Here are the City Paper’s top five French restaurants in Charleston.
Bistronomy by Nico
Expensive
Downtown. 64 Spring St. (843) 410-6221
bistronomybynico.com
Serving Dinner (daily)
One month after getting the keys to 64 Spring St., Bistronomy by Nico co-owners Nico Romo and Dominique Chantepie opened the French bistro after revamping the space previously occupied by Josephine Wine Bar. Since opening in November 2020, Bistronomy has served playful plates like escargot rice dumplings, goat cheese spring rolls and lobster with candied ginger in a setting reminiscent of a Parisian bistro.
The cuisine mirrors the vibrant atmosphere and draws on celebrated dishes from Romo’s 10 years at Fish, which closed in 2017 after 17 years on King Street. Romo calls Bistronomy’s menu approachable French cuisine with an Asian fusion twist.
“There were a lot of dishes and food I was doing like the duck steam bun that I had,” Romo told the Charleston City Paper. “I had a big following then for that food, which I do not do at NICO, which is more flat classic French with an oyster bar.”
Look for those duck steamed buns, tuna tartare with shrimp “chips” and a tomato and panko-fried mozzarella salad in the small plates section, while the entrees consist of plates like truffle chicken, cassoulet and scallops with coconut rice, all under $30. —Parker Milner
Chez Nous
Expensive
Downtown. 6 Payne Court. (843) 579-3060
cheznouschs.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Tues.-Sun.), Sun. Brunch
Most mornings before lunch, the Chez Nous Instagram feed (@cheznouscharleston) features a picture of the day’s menu, handwritten in black ink on a small white card in executive chef Jill Mathias’ eccentric and highly stylized script. Next comes a separate picture of each and every dish being served that day, taken from above in flawless light. Admittedly, it’s only seven pictures total, since Chez Nous serves just two starters, two entrees and two desserts, and the selection changes daily.
The setting is charmingly old and the cuisine European-inspired, but it’s hardly a throwback to an older mode of dining. Chez Nous stands alone just as it is, an eccentric outlier. With such a dynamic menu, any review of Chez Nous is by necessity a fleeting snapshot. On my last visit each of the courses balanced a dark, heavier dish with a brighter fish-based option, and each was splendid, though in very different ways. —Robert F. Moss
Felix
Moderate
Downtown. 550 King St. (843) 203-6297
felixchs.com
Serving Lunch (Mon.-Fri.), Dinner (daily), Weekend Brunch
Front and center on its swanky website — well, right below the martini-quaffing frog GIF — Félix Cocktails et Cuisine declares its intent to serve “creative cocktails and small plates, all with the flare of today’s Paris.” Félix has nailed its stylish intent with respect to a hip, European vibe. The food is polished. The decor is suitably chill, while effortlessly chic and accompanied by jazzy music playing softly overhead.
Félix’s food is predominantly small portions with an emphasis on familiar French classics like croque monsieur and steak frites. Executive chef Andrew Miller added a seasonal approach after taking over in June, giving the restaurant more substantial mains to pair with popular small plates like crab croquettes and chicken liver mousse.
Overall, Félix itself is resolutely thoughtful and perfectly executed. Whether you’re looking to sample the broad array of custom cocktails, share some small plates or simply enjoy a conversation in an environment in which you can actually hear yourself talk, it’s a welcome addition to the Upper King scene. —Vanessa Wolf
Maison
Expensive
Downtown. 708 King St.(843) 990-9165
maisoncharleston.com
Serving Dinner (Mon.-Sat.)
Maison shares a low, unassuming King Street building with a climbing gym, but step inside and you’ll find an immaculate invocation of a stylish French bistro. There’s a pewter-topped bar, hexagonal white and black floor tiles and Parisian-style bistro chairs with white and black woven backs. The menu options — escargots, steak frites au poivre, coq au vin — seem to hew to traditional bistro standards at first, but chef Vandy Vanderwarker gives each a creative, flavorful spin. The sultry coq au vin is a deconstructed delight, with long-marinated chicken that’s braised, shredded and blended with roasted ramps into an intensely flavored patty. A thick wedge of monkfish tail has a smooth, buttery bite beneath its golden brown sear, heightened by the unexpected richness of roasted chicken butter sauce. With deep, intense flavors and a playful sensibility, Maison’s daring interpretations of traditional French plates are a welcome addition to the Charleston scene. —Robert F. Moss
NICO
Expensive
Mount Pleasant. 201 Coleman Blvd. (843) 352-7969
nicoshemcreek.com
Serving Dinner (daily) and Weekend Brunch
NICO was the fine dining establishment Shem Creek had been waiting for when it opened in 2018. You wouldn’t know it based on the buzzing atmosphere and trendy decor, but NICO is located in a former Pizza Hut, adding to the restaurant’s allure. Executive chef Nico Romo’s menu has hints of flash with beautifully arranged raw bar platters and dishes like whole roasted lobster. Each plate that comes out of the open kitchen is a display of classic French techniques using South Carolina ingredients. Take his bouillabaisse de Marseille, which incorporates local fish, shrimp, mussels, clams and scallops, resulting in a perfect rendition of the famous French dish.
Eating at NICO feels comfortable and thrilling at the same time, meaning guests are always wanting to come back for more. If you’re looking for ambiance, show-stopping dishes and plenty of fresh oysters, NICO is your spot. —Parker Milner
Honorable Mention
39 Rue de Jean
Moderate
Downtown. 39 John St. (843) 722-8881
holycityhospitality.com/39ruedejean
Serving Lunch (Fri.-Sun.) and Dinner (Tues.-Sun.)
Bistro A Vin
Moderate
Downtown. 40 Archdale St. (843) 974-4441
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
Bistro Toulouse
Moderate
Mount Pleasant. 1220 Ben Sawyer Blvd. (843) 216-3434
bistrotoulouse.com
Serving Dinner (Wed.-Sun.); Sunday Brunch
Fast & French
Moderate
Downtown. 98 Broad St. (843) 577-9797
fastandfrenchexpress.com
Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Mon.-Sat.) and Sunday Brunch
Goulette Rotisserie and Grill
Moderate
Downtown. 210 Rutledge Ave. (843) 805-6699
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
Ville Sainte Bistro
Moderate
Mount Pleasant. 1035 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. (843) 388-5778
villesaintebistro.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No newspaper subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations from downtown to North Charleston to Johns Island to Summerville to Mount Pleasant.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.