Lucien
French Restaurant$$$$
East Village, New York
Has a stamp of approval from Serious Eats and Gothamist
"Still delicious steak frites (and filet) and A++ escargotz 🐌"(16 Tips)
"Bests r the asparagus, artichoke n palm salad, duck n filet mignon."(9 Tips)
"Oysters, escargots, foie gras, steak frites, filet mignon."(3 Tips)
"Very cute local place - the grilled octopus was outstanding!"(3 Tips)
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Giovanni D'PalmaAugust 9, 2015This is the French Bistro to visit in EV hands down. There's nowhere around even close. The ambiance and service were perfect and the food was divine. Try the filet mignon, escargot or moulles!
- Anna FrenkelMay 28, 2013Oysters, escargots, foie gras, steak frites, filet mignon. Oh, and keep that red wine flowing. Cozy spot & great staff. A hidden neighborhood gem that's been right in your face the entire time.
CarolineAugust 16, 2015One of the best French places in the city. The closest I've found to a real French bistro, down to the chairs and the friendly staff. Amazing Moules Marinières!
Cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, best French bistro in the city, without a doubt. Everything on the menu is fantastic. The steak frites pepper sauce is unbelievable!
Lili BazNovember 16, 2019One of the best restaurant ambiance’s in NYC! Great place to catch up with friends, eat and drink! Recommend the filet mignon with fries!
- DensMarch 29, 2017This *used to be* one of the last places in the EV with bernaise sauce... but they no longer have it! Still delicious steak frites (and filet) and A++ escargotz 🐌
Perri SilverDecember 18, 2015This place needs above a 9.0. Such a hidden gem with an amazing wine list. Steak frites are amazing, scallops are excellent, and the French onion soup was the best I've ever had.
Kinjil MathurMarch 28, 2015Not many vegetarian options but an awesome wine list and an authentic Parisian ambience more than makes up for it.
JR -May 31, 2014Amazing and well-executed French dishes that do not stinge on the portions! Charming atmosphere too. Try the magret and confit de canard dish, as well as the bouillabaisse. Very $$$ though!
AmateurConciergeApril 11, 2015The perfect downtown NYC spot for a buzzy evening cocktail, coffee or bite. Take your visiting friends so they can see what the city is supposed to feel like- Susan S.January 3, 2017Very cute local place - the grilled octopus was outstanding! The steak frites and bouillabaisse were perfection!
MarieSeptember 21, 2014This cozy spot boasts an amazing wine list and excellent atmosphere. The roasted chicken and steak frites are both divine!
Sofia PapastamelosJune 21, 2015Delightful and cozy French bistro! Surprisingly large menu filled with French favorites. Try the duck or cassoulet! We loved this place.
Foxxy BMarch 13, 2017Very chic & hip crowd in a packed little French throwback. Do not expect to be seated on time. Wine list is awesome, mussels are good.
The Daily MealJune 9, 2011While the bouillabaisse may be tempting, the highlight of the menu, which you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the City, is the lapin de la moutarde served over broad bright yellow egg noodl Read more
Adrienne SJanuary 13, 2012These guys do a solid French brunch/lunch. Cozy, usually not too crowded, the waiter may give you extra wine if you speak French to him. The steak frites is pretty damn good. (3 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
Stephen MilbankMarch 19, 2016Filet mignon, frisée (great lardons) & fries! Bouillabaisse was pretty good. Chocolate flourless cake was serviceable -- I expected better.
Veronika SonsevJuly 10, 2014Amazing dinner. The sardines and duck cinfit were delicious. The steak was a bit rough, but tasty. Cute date spot.
Jag FirerwalkerSeptember 17, 2016Love the food and the waiters. It couldn't be a better experience and worth revisiting. Definitly leave space for the warm tarte tatin
Very relaxed French place. Good ambient in the evening. Try the Moules! It comes in a very tasting soup
- AmateurConciergeJuly 31, 2015I'd swim in the au poivre sauce if it were socially acceptable. The steak and fries is such a good bet.
- Anthony CastroMay 6, 2016We shared the steak frites, and it was delicious! They even split it into two portions for us!
Serious EatsJanuary 28, 2014At this long-lasting French bistro,the food is reliable, seasoned well, and portioned with hunger in mind.
refinery29August 3, 2014This bistro has got all the regulars, plus specialties like duck-liver mousse and grilled octopus. Read more
Nathan WhitakerFebruary 15, 2013Lovely, relaxed atmosphere. Attentive but not overbearing service. The food is great. The steak tartare and rabbit are standouts.
A favorite of mine! Small space though and gets crowded at night on weekends
Collette SNovember 17, 2015Classic, authentic French bistro in the EV. Excellent wine, get the steak frites.
Joshua NguyenJuly 8, 2011sign of a good French place: the waitress suggested that we should dip bread in the remaining butter-garlic after we finished the escargot as "that's the best stuff"
Monsieur ValentinDecember 26, 2011Most of French restaurants in the city within a reasonable budget are embarrassing for French people like me, but I think we have a winner here, almost everything is wrong from service to food...
Jane KatzMay 7, 2015don't even bother with the menu: steak frites medium rare, green pepper sauce on the side. Bottle of red to go alongside, duh.- Classic French food. The rabbit is good, so are the mussels, and the pigeon
perke perkeNovember 4, 2014Food: simple bistro and good, but most dishes tiny for rather high price. Watch out for some waiters who will upsell you, especially if you come for hoping for a cheap bottle of wine w/ your appetizer- Olympia LambertFebruary 28, 2010Been coming here for 7 years now n never a bad experience. Bests r the asparagus, artichoke n palm salad, duck n filet mignon. Outstanding wine list.
AbbyJune 3, 2012Make a reservation if you're going for dinner; it's small. And be on the lookout for Ryan Gosling.- Ken MatsunoSeptember 30, 2017So, they don't respect reservations. Forget about making reservations. They will tell you 'sorry there's no table at the moment' no matter you tell them we made s reservation.
I love this place. On point authentic french food w great prices. Leave here happy every time!
💖✨Brigitte V.✨💖January 24, 2011Delicious food! My favorite: Octopus salad. It is apparently a 'special', even though I have been having it for a year! :)
Ask for the special wine from Lucien! Cuvée G Vacqueyras ! Formidable
Tara NixonJanuary 17, 2012If you like Red Wine try the 2009 Chinon Cuvee Terroir it will not disappoint!
The fillet mignon...three pepper sauce is awesome!
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Closed until 11:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 11:00 AM–2:00 AM
(212) 260-6481
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Dinner
Drinks
Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
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- 9.2
"LOVE this buzzy low key French bistro spot! Terrific food - we like the tuna crudo, cheese plate, and Niçoise salad."
Bridget Gael - 8.8
"Great newer French spot - try the Duck Frites and the Rillette!"
Julie Soscia - 8.4
"Definitely order one of their signature dishes, like the cous cous or the incredibly simple yet really delicious avocado on toast."
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"Great good. Great customer service. Barely a wait and best of all, One on one is a all in one type of bar. Food, TV and dance floor."
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Grace Barr - 8.2
"Good beer selection - albeit mostly not on tap - and a very nice patio + real outdoor area in heart of East Village. A good “start the night” kind of spot with max 6-8"
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