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Brasserie Ten Ten is worth the trip to Boulder for French fare
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Denver’s Essential French Restaurants

The bistros, the brasseries, and the bakeries with the finest fare

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Brasserie Ten Ten is worth the trip to Boulder for French fare
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Full fat, heavy cream, herbaceous, saucy, meaty, and flavor-filled. These are the words of true food romance, and of French cuisine. Since the 18th Century, France has been synonymous with fine food, thanks to staples from crunchy baguette to comforting beef bourguignon. And since the 1960s, thanks to Julia Child, American cooks have brought the best of the French canon home.

These days, at home in Denver, other cultures’ cuisines are more widely represented than that of the French, especially following a series of closures including Bistro Provencal, Le Grand Bistro and Oyster Bar, Cafe Monet, Amass, and more.

Look in the right places, however, and quaint bakeries, all-day brasseries, and soul-warming bistros serving everything from croissants to coq au vin freckle the Front Range. Some are more sophisticated than others, some are dedicated entirely to French fare, while others highlight only a few signature dishes. Organized from west to east, these 15 eateries are worth a spot on any Francophile’s list.

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Brasserie Ten Ten

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Outdoor enthusiasts, professionals, and out-of-towners staying at Boulder’s St. Julien flock to this French-inspired dining room and open-air terrace. The menu includes classic bistro dishes such as steak frites, brique au poulet, bouillabaisse, warm goat cheese salad, and chocolate pot de creme, as well as an upscale brunch menu with everything from oysters to chicken and Belgian waffles to French dip sliders with gruyere and horseradish creme.

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The Truffle Table

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Indeed, the French have a timeless love affair with cheese — stinky, creamy, indulgent cheesy goodness — which is why LoHi’s cheese bar, Truffle Table, earns its way onto this list. Pair a Brie, Camembert, or Roquefort with a Bordeaux, chardonnay, or pinot noir, or, go big with a steaming, sloppy portion of fondue.

The Bindery

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Chef Linda Hampsten Fox’s first foray into the Denver dining scene came about late last year with The Bindery in LoHi. Having spent 10-plus years in Europe, she brought back modern American twists on classic fare, including her eatery’s delightful take on Boulder hen coq au vin.

Adam Larkey

Coohills

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Proprietor and chef-owner Tom Coohill trained with culinary masters at the three-Michelin-star L’Oustau de Baumaniere in France, among others. He has been invited as a guest chef at the James Beard House in New York and was the owner of the renowned Ciboulette in Atlanta. Back home in Denver, his inspiration transforms into a relaxed French-influenced dining experience, spotlighting Colorado raised proteins and produce.

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Bistro Vendôme

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Parisian cuisine comes to Denver’s Larimer Square community, reflecting the City of Lights’ Left Bank. Though the bistro has been in place for more than a decade, chef Jennifer Jasinski still manages to make it feel like an undiscovered secret. Thursday evenings are exclusively reserved for French classics, including tournedos Rossini, coq au vin, and sole meunière.

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French 75

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This retro bistro is the latest of Frank Bonanno’s culinary creations in the Mile High City, which serve to spread the gospel of classic French cuisine. Try the Hudson Valley foie gras, the escargot gratin with garlic parsley butter, the canard a l‘orange with roasted fingerling potatoes, and haricots verts, or the bouillabaisse with salmon, shrimp, mussels, tomato fumet, and baguette. Lastly, a wide variety of the eatery’s eponymous cocktails are a must-try.

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Trompeau Bakery

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Francophiles and habitués find themselves in love with Trompeau’s croque monsieur, macarons, and madeleines, baguette, bâtards, and boules. This petite eatery, owned by Barbara and Pascal Trompeau, produces pastries and other scratch-baked goods based on the family’s original French recipes. The dining and counter space offer a grab-and-go case, made-to-order breakfast, lunch croissants, and a patio.

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A neighborhood eatery highlighting French cooking techniques, Mizuna combines high hospitality with culinary mastery. Restaurateur Frank Bonanno’s Capitol Hill gem is intimate with a stunning wine list — it makes for a memorable first-date location, bound to secure a second. Try the decadent mac and cheese with hunks of butter-poached Maine lobster and the breast of pheasant au jus with creamed kale.

Cafe Marmotte

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This warm Washington Park haunt was originally a spinoff of Telluride’s longstanding La Marmotte, but it found new owners early last year. Featuring white linens and delicately artistic flair, the bistro serves up a mussel starter with fennel, prosciutto, tomatoes, and spicy saffron cream; a hanger steak au poivre (with loosely cracked peppercorns), and a brunch selection ranging from beignets to Benedicts.

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Atelier by Radex

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Atelier by Radex, a welcoming French-influenced restaurant, now sits in the space that Il Posto formerly called home. This bistro marks chef Radek Cerny’s re-entry into the Denver dining scene, where he taps into his love of French fare and offers classic dinner dishes such as salade de homard (a lobster salad), Cassoulet d’Agneau (a lamb cassoulet), and Magret de Canard (shaved duck carpaccio) at affordable prices.

Atelier by Radex

Katherine's French Bakery, Cafe & Catering

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Family-owned and operated, Chef Mario Arrua has spent more than two decades in hospitality, food, and beverage. Aiming for well-prepared and properly seasoned food, Katherine’s counter-service and European-style cafe specializes in French pastries, quiches, cakes, and cookies made from scratch.

Facbeook

La Merise Restaurant

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Cherry Creek’s quintessential French haunt gets busy crafting gourmet but homespun French meals, emphasizing seasonal produce, exotic game, and seafood. For morning visitors, the check out the extensive list of crepes. Try the pâté maison — a chicken liver mousse — or the beef bourguignon braised with red wine and a veal demi glace, or the lamb chops provencale. Though vegetarian friendly French fare can be hard to come by, La Merise prepares a daily meat-free main dish as well.

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Crepes ‘n Crepes - Cherry Creek North

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The people of France, especially those of the northwestern region of Brittany, have enjoyed eating crepes since the Middle Ages. Here they’re made by popular Denver chef Alain Veratti on imported iron griddles while customers sip cappuccinos or a glass of French wine. Choose from a selection of gluten-free, buckwheat, or wheat crepes, with a range of fillings from savory salmon to fresh fruits and ice cream.

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La Fillette

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This French inspired bakery in Hilltop dishes out flaky croissants, rotating macarons, baguettes, and beautiful cakes. The brainchild of Melissa Yanc, an experienced chef and baker and her sous baker, Keturah Fleming, La Fillette, meaning “little girl,” is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. presenting freshly baked goods each morning, some sweet and others savory.

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Bistro Barbès

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At this 30-person Park Hill dining room, service is friendly, fresh-cut flowers line the tables, and rotating Parisian fare comes with only a few carefully selected choices for each course. Don’t be shy when it comes to the beef cheeks and seafood tajine of braised octopus, calamari, and saffron couscous. The menu is infused with flavors of North Africa, as indicated by the restaurant’s name (pronounced bar-BESS), which takes a cue from the City of Light’s Algerian quarter.

Brasserie Ten Ten

Outdoor enthusiasts, professionals, and out-of-towners staying at Boulder’s St. Julien flock to this French-inspired dining room and open-air terrace. The menu includes classic bistro dishes such as steak frites, brique au poulet, bouillabaisse, warm goat cheese salad, and chocolate pot de creme, as well as an upscale brunch menu with everything from oysters to chicken and Belgian waffles to French dip sliders with gruyere and horseradish creme.

Facebook

The Truffle Table

Indeed, the French have a timeless love affair with cheese — stinky, creamy, indulgent cheesy goodness — which is why LoHi’s cheese bar, Truffle Table, earns its way onto this list. Pair a Brie, Camembert, or Roquefort with a Bordeaux, chardonnay, or pinot noir, or, go big with a steaming, sloppy portion of fondue.

The Bindery

Chef Linda Hampsten Fox’s first foray into the Denver dining scene came about late last year with The Bindery in LoHi. Having spent 10-plus years in Europe, she brought back modern American twists on classic fare, including her eatery’s delightful take on Boulder hen coq au vin.

Adam Larkey

Coohills

Proprietor and chef-owner Tom Coohill trained with culinary masters at the three-Michelin-star L’Oustau de Baumaniere in France, among others. He has been invited as a guest chef at the James Beard House in New York and was the owner of the renowned Ciboulette in Atlanta. Back home in Denver, his inspiration transforms into a relaxed French-influenced dining experience, spotlighting Colorado raised proteins and produce.

Facebook

Bistro Vendôme

Parisian cuisine comes to Denver’s Larimer Square community, reflecting the City of Lights’ Left Bank. Though the bistro has been in place for more than a decade, chef Jennifer Jasinski still manages to make it feel like an undiscovered secret. Thursday evenings are exclusively reserved for French classics, including tournedos Rossini, coq au vin, and sole meunière.

Facebook

French 75

This retro bistro is the latest of Frank Bonanno’s culinary creations in the Mile High City, which serve to spread the gospel of classic French cuisine. Try the Hudson Valley foie gras, the escargot gratin with garlic parsley butter, the canard a l‘orange with roasted fingerling potatoes, and haricots verts, or the bouillabaisse with salmon, shrimp, mussels, tomato fumet, and baguette. Lastly, a wide variety of the eatery’s eponymous cocktails are a must-try.

Facebook

Trompeau Bakery

Francophiles and habitués find themselves in love with Trompeau’s croque monsieur, macarons, and madeleines, baguette, bâtards, and boules. This petite eatery, owned by Barbara and Pascal Trompeau, produces pastries and other scratch-baked goods based on the family’s original French recipes. The dining and counter space offer a grab-and-go case, made-to-order breakfast, lunch croissants, and a patio.

Instagram

Mizuna

A neighborhood eatery highlighting French cooking techniques, Mizuna combines high hospitality with culinary mastery. Restaurateur Frank Bonanno’s Capitol Hill gem is intimate with a stunning wine list — it makes for a memorable first-date location, bound to secure a second. Try the decadent mac and cheese with hunks of butter-poached Maine lobster and the breast of pheasant au jus with creamed kale.

Cafe Marmotte

This warm Washington Park haunt was originally a spinoff of Telluride’s longstanding La Marmotte, but it found new owners early last year. Featuring white linens and delicately artistic flair, the bistro serves up a mussel starter with fennel, prosciutto, tomatoes, and spicy saffron cream; a hanger steak au poivre (with loosely cracked peppercorns), and a brunch selection ranging from beignets to Benedicts.

Facebook

Atelier by Radex

Atelier by Radex, a welcoming French-influenced restaurant, now sits in the space that Il Posto formerly called home. This bistro marks chef Radek Cerny’s re-entry into the Denver dining scene, where he taps into his love of French fare and offers classic dinner dishes such as salade de homard (a lobster salad), Cassoulet d’Agneau (a lamb cassoulet), and Magret de Canard (shaved duck carpaccio) at affordable prices.

Atelier by Radex

Katherine's French Bakery, Cafe & Catering

Family-owned and operated, Chef Mario Arrua has spent more than two decades in hospitality, food, and beverage. Aiming for well-prepared and properly seasoned food, Katherine’s counter-service and European-style cafe specializes in French pastries, quiches, cakes, and cookies made from scratch.

Facbeook

La Merise Restaurant

Cherry Creek’s quintessential French haunt gets busy crafting gourmet but homespun French meals, emphasizing seasonal produce, exotic game, and seafood. For morning visitors, the check out the extensive list of crepes. Try the pâté maison — a chicken liver mousse — or the beef bourguignon braised with red wine and a veal demi glace, or the lamb chops provencale. Though vegetarian friendly French fare can be hard to come by, La Merise prepares a daily meat-free main dish as well.

Facebook

Crepes ‘n Crepes - Cherry Creek North

The people of France, especially those of the northwestern region of Brittany, have enjoyed eating crepes since the Middle Ages. Here they’re made by popular Denver chef Alain Veratti on imported iron griddles while customers sip cappuccinos or a glass of French wine. Choose from a selection of gluten-free, buckwheat, or wheat crepes, with a range of fillings from savory salmon to fresh fruits and ice cream.

Facebook

La Fillette

This French inspired bakery in Hilltop dishes out flaky croissants, rotating macarons, baguettes, and beautiful cakes. The brainchild of Melissa Yanc, an experienced chef and baker and her sous baker, Keturah Fleming, La Fillette, meaning “little girl,” is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. presenting freshly baked goods each morning, some sweet and others savory.

Facebook

Bistro Barbès

At this 30-person Park Hill dining room, service is friendly, fresh-cut flowers line the tables, and rotating Parisian fare comes with only a few carefully selected choices for each course. Don’t be shy when it comes to the beef cheeks and seafood tajine of braised octopus, calamari, and saffron couscous. The menu is infused with flavors of North Africa, as indicated by the restaurant’s name (pronounced bar-BESS), which takes a cue from the City of Light’s Algerian quarter.

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