In search of a new favorite French spot?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top French restaurants around Cincinnati, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fulfill your urges.
1. Boca
Topping the list is Boca. Located downtown at 114 E. Sixth St., the Italian, French and gluten-free spot is the highest rated French restaurant in Cincinnati, boasting 4.5 stars out of 360 reviews on Yelp.
The upscale menu offers French fare like Sunchoke Soup with butter-poached lobster, black truffles and shaved fennel, and the Haricot Vert with spring mix, bacon lardon, almonds, farm eggs, sherry vinaigrette and butternut squash. (See the full menu here.)
Megan S., who reviewed it on Nov. 11, said, "Boca is flawless, from the decor to the service to the food. There isn't a bite you'll take that you won't enjoy. I've been here a few times now and it's so consistent in its flawlessness. I love a restaurant you can count on every single time."
2. Buona Terra
Next up is Mt. Lookout's Buona Terra, situated at 1028 Delta Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 146 reviews on Yelp, the creperie, which also offers desserts, gelato and more, has proven to be a local favorite.
Its crepes include the Grandma's Kitchen with apple butter, baked apples, cinnamon, caramel sauce and candied pecans; the Veggie Lover with roasted veggies, Gruyere and spinach; and the Belgian Breakfast with Nutella and bananas. (Explore the full menu here.)
Yelper Leif H. wrote, "They have a great selection of gelato flavors, including some classics, and they have their crepe selection, both savory and sweet. Our favorite crepe is the Belgian Breakfast. It definitely hit the spot and we'll be back to get another crepe."
3. Bauer Farm Kitchen
Bauer Farm Kitchen, a modern European, German and French spot downtown, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 116 Yelp reviews. Head over to 435 Elm St. to see for yourself.
When it comes to French fare, keep your eye out for the Coq au Vin with confit chicken leg, whipped celery, root vegetables, caramelized onion and vermouth-chicken jus; the Choucroute Garnie with smoked pork belly, potato sausage, pork ribs, apple-fennel kraut, crispy potatoes, a pretzel and a pickle; and the Ratatouille with wood-grilled eggplant, onion, smoked tomato, confit fennel, herbs de Provence and dehydrated olives. (See the full menu here.)
Krista N., who reviewed it on Nov. 26, said, "A great hidden gem in Cincinnati! The location can be easily missed and the basement restaurant is not ideal. However, the restaurant itself had a homey feel and the food is excellent."
4. Restaurant L
Finally, over in downtown, check out Restaurant L, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 74 reviews on Yelp. You can find the bar and French spot at 301 E. Fourth St., Suite 450.
The upscale restaurant offers dishes such as the foie gras with rhubarb, steel cut oats, turnips, duck confit and duck jus, or the filet mignon with haricots verts, navy beans, nebrodini mushrooms, nefla and bordelaise. (See its menus here.)
Flo P. wrote, "Amazing top end food. Would deserve a Michelin star based on quality of food, presentation, service, atmosphere and wine selection. Pricey for Cincinnati, but not at all considering everything."
