Bistro du Marché by Tapenade

French restaurant · San Diego

Bistro du Marché by Tapenade

French restaurant · San Diego

3

7437 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

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Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade by null

Highlights

Bistro du Marché serves up classic and elevated French bistro fare in a chic, art deco space perfect for savoring authentic flavors and fine wines.  

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7437 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037 Get directions

bistrodumarche.net
@bistrodumarche.lajolla

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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7437 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037 Get directions

+1 858 551 7500
bistrodumarche.net
@bistrodumarche.lajolla
𝕏
@BistroDuMarche

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Jul 30, 2025

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@eater

The Best Restaurants in La Jolla, California

"The adjacent Sunday farmer’s market inspired the name for this second La Jolla restaurant from acclaimed French chef Jean-Michel Didot (Tapenade), a “gastro-bistro” that incorporates seasonal ingredients into classics like duck confit, coq au vin, and more with an elevated touch. Expect very French touches like white tablecloths, red seats, and mood lighting." - Candice Woo, Helen I. Hwang, Eater Staff

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-bars-food-la-jolla
View Postcard for Bistro du Marché by Tapenade
@eater

Where to Eat French Food in San Diego - Eater San Diego

"Bistro du Marché by Tapenade is La Jolla village’s preferred French restaurant, where classic dishes like moules frites can be found on the menu." - Jackie Bryant

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/where-to-eat-french-food-in-san-diego
View Postcard for Bistro du Marché by Tapenade
@asiandriver

French food! Best steak frites! outdoor seating

San Diego Eat here! EPIK HIGH
View Postcard for Bistro du Marche by Tapenade

3G Climate Kids

Google
Good food, some dishes were lacking salt. I wish they had bigger portions. The duck confit, truffle sauce chicken, the salad, and scallops were very good.

Scott Osburne

Google
We had an amazing dinner. The food was authentic and well-prepared. Our server was professional, efficient, and very personable. We had the best seats in the house and enjoyed every minute.

Michael Hansen

Google
If you're in the mood for French food, French wine, and excellent service, give Bistro du Marché a try. It's a real treat if you'd like to pamper yourself a little. Try the classic Coq au Vin, pheasant, or wild boar. Highly recommended.

Tina Miles

Google
We went last night for a birthday with my foodie girlfriends. We all ordered different entrees and they were all amazing. Our waiter Steven was very attentive and took care of every detail. Great wine! We will definitely be back. Thank you for making our evening so special. ❤️

luvtub_ca

Google
From the escargot, onion soup, to the profiteroles everything was excellent and superior. The staff provides a great description of the featured dishes; always friendly and confident; provide answers to questions and obtains alternatives with allergy issues. Flavors are properly melded and distinct to the individual dishes. A great place to take visitors.

Lanie

Google
As La Jolla locals, we would pass by Bistro du Marche and always said we needed to try it. We finally gave it a shot last night and have nothing but compliments. It is the perfect date night spot. We started with a bottle of Bourogne Rouge, a Pino Noir that complimented every dish we ordered. The server brought out freshly baked bread and butter that was fantastic. We ordered the escargot and Roblochon en Croute Dorée. The roblochon was baked in a flaky pastry with pepper honey - I highly recommend. For our main dishes, we got the rabbit and duck leg - both were tender and out of this world. For dessert, we ordered their special which was a coconut butter cake topped with coconut ice cream served in a chocolate bowl. We couldn't get enough. 10/10 recommend Bistro du Marche. We will definitely be coming back to try the brunch!

F'burg Foodie

Google
We absolutely luv a nice, casual French bistro experience and Bistro du Marché didn’t disappoint! Our server, Tomas was excellent, definitely knew the menu well and easy very helpful! They had so many amazing items on the menu, it was hard to decide, so I let him pick for me and he did a great job! Their grilled shrimp “cocktail” appetizer is highly recommended… it’s not the typical shrimp cocktail tho, it’s grilled with an amazing sauce and a small, tasty salad. The shrimp was perfectly seasoned and prepared! Wine list is very nice here too, and save room for dessert, there’s plenty worth trying! Highly recommend making reservations for a really good dinner here!

adrian lagomarsini

Google
A true hidden gem in the city. The decor is modern and stylish, and the food is absolutely phenomenal. I had the pan-seared scallops and my friend tried the filet mignon — both dishes were cooked to perfection. The cocktails were also impressive, especially the house special with basil and gin. It’s rare to find such attention to detail in both food and service.
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Amy R.

Yelp
Perfect food, spectacular service. I was in town for a conference & dined alone at the bar. Julian was so kind and attentive. A highlight of my trip to San Diego & I will definitely return!

Jocelyn C.

Yelp
The steak with frites and coq au vin were really good. But the star of the night was the merengue dessert. We think it's the best dessert we've ever had. Service was excellent.
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Joyce L.

Yelp
Signature pour commencer (appetizers), hearty plats principaux (entrées), and classic desserts done very well at this neighborhood French bistro! Appreciated the Art Deco touches in the restaurant's understated design too. We got off to a fantastic start with the rich Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Port Sauce and Parmigiano Reggiano and refreshing Blue Crab & Mango Salad with Coconut Milk & Lime Emulsion to share along with a complimentary, freshly baked tower of house bread. I enjoyed both the presentation and taste of my Mediterranean Branzino with Potato Scales, Spring Vegetables, Fresh Herbs Salad, and Beurre Blanc, while my companions eagerly devoured their Duck Leg Confit with Mashed Potato and Market Vegetables and Wagyu Beef Top Blade Braised in Red Burgundy Wine Sauce, Yukon Gold Mashed Potato, and Spring Vegetables. Profiteroles with Grand Marnier Ice Cream, Warm Chocolate Sauce, and Almonds offered the perfect sweet ending to an impeccably cooked meal. Service was typically French as well, which is to say be prepared for a 2-3 hour dinner... ;) With good food among good company, I don't consider this a negative at all!
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Jacqueline L.

Yelp
Wonderful dinner here last weekend. We came in earlier than our reservation and still got seated quickly even though the dining room was already full. The service was great. Helpful for wine and food recommendations, lots of great French dishes, some with a twist and some very classic. You can definitely plan to come here for a great French meal and awesome wine selection. Don't miss out on the endive salad. It's light, refreshing and then the Gorgonzola gives it a creamy bite!
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Tracy M.

Yelp
Bistro Du Marche is a wonderful French restaurant in La Jolla. Their duck is amazing. The steaks are the best in town. The service is fancy hi bunny.

Jenn B.

Yelp
Excellent food, excellent service! We went to Bistro Du Marché for my birthday dinner. We had been through southern France about a year ago and were looking for a French restaurant to recapture some of the tastes on our trip. We also wanted a place that was a little more low key than most stateside French restaurants. The ambiance was definitely closer to that of a bistro than to a super fancy restaurant, which we appreciated. Everything about our meal was top notch, the food was outstanding, the waiter was just the right kind of attentive, and the atmosphere was upscale but comfortable.
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KC C.

Yelp
Amazing authentic French restaurant. So glad I tried this establishment. Service is great, atmosphere is nice (very elegant and sophisticated), and the food they serve is simply magical. I've had their "Saint Jacques du Maine, Risotto de Petits Pois, Asperges" (English: Maine Diver Scallops, English Peas Risotto, Asparagus). The scallops were very sweet and tender, and the risotto was so tasty- I could simply taste the deliciousness of the fresh peas they use. I absolutely loved it. Can't wait to go back to try more of their different things in the menu :) definitely recommend but don't forget to make a reservation especially on weekends.
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Mimi N.

Yelp
I had the wagyu beouf braise. Delicious. Other members in my party had the duck confit and steak frites. Their fries are my favorite type of fries. Larger cut, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Duck was the same, to my surprise. It was also crispy on the outside and soft (tender) on the inside. Had their Cabernet from France, very good. The salmon (lox) appetizer was basic. Happened to crave a lemon tart that day so ordered that for desert and enjoyed the how they made it a crossbreed with crème brûlée given the flambéed sugar top. Weird, but the green beans that come with the duck confit were soooooooooo good. Table bread was amazing. Table butter, ditto. They told us they make the bread in house so now I'm for damn sure this place deserves 5/5 stars. ***went back again and everyone ordered different dishes just to truly try this place out. Nothing disappointed. Rack of lambs, beef tenderloin, scallop risotto, mussels. Chefs kiss.
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Jason W.

Yelp
Unassuming bistro atmosphere where you can find top notch, very approachable, provincial French cuisine. They serve a mix of French comfort food and more upscale creations on the menu such as the crab and mango salad served with a coconut milk foam emulsion. Their version of beef bourguignon was hearty, flavorful and tender. Portions are larger than upscale French restaurants, which is a welcome change if you're a hearty eater like me. Service was attentive and excellent.

Patrick D.

Yelp
We went yesterday to Bistro du Marche to celebrate our anniversary and had a great time. The food, attentive service from Julien and Adrien added to our good experience. We had the crab salad, the mousse de Canard, Wagu braised beef and pappardele with shredded duck pieces and green peppercorn sauce. Every dish was delicious. We had the profiteroles for dessert offered for our anniversary. Highly recommend this restaurant for an amazing meal and experience worth the price
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Kiki H.

Yelp
Debated between 4 and 3.5 stars so I rounded up. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and friendly enough, but service was very slow. Took too long to get a drink order in and there were long gaps between courses. The complimentary bread and butter were really good! For apps, we had French onion soup and the country pate. The onion soup was delicious! Very rich though with the added beef. The country pate was a miss. There was something very off putting in the flavor. Maybe it was fennel? Pepper? Something very bitter and not tasty. I would definitely skip. For my main I had the scallops and the butternut squash risotto. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the risotto was good but together they just didn't jive completely right. I'd give this another shot but would choose a different app and entree.

Tom L.

Yelp
Great wine list. Filet is awesome. Service is great love the friendly staff and the outstanding vibe.
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Alexander C.

Yelp
From their well oiled service to so many outstanding dishes, Marché was a five star from start to finish. Just magical. Food highlights: Foie Terrine Scallops and Risotto Steak au Poivre So many other amazing plates but these left me craving more. Looking forward to another occasion to celebrate at Marché. "Life itself is the proper binge." -Julia child
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J E.

Yelp
We absolutely luv a nice, casual French bistro experience and Bistro du Marché didn't disappoint! Our server, Tomas was excellent, definitely knew the menu well and easy very helpful! They had so many amazing items on the menu, it was hard to decide, so I let him pick for me and he did a great job! Their grilled shrimp "cocktail" appetizer is highly recommended... it's not the typical shrimp cocktail tho, it's grilled with an amazing sauce and a small, tasty salad. The shrimp was perfectly seasoned and prepared! Wine list is very nice here too, and save room for dessert, there's plenty worth trying! Highly recommend making reservations for a really good dinner here!
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Irina K.

Yelp
My mom & I had a girls' night out on Friday. Before going to a comedy show we decided to have a meal at the Bistro. We really enjoyed our dinner. Service was impeccable, atmosphere classy yet lively, and the food was delicious. We ordered wine & were given some complimentary bread & butter . Their menu was filled with many wonderful items which made it hard to decide. For an appetizer we shared escargots. They weren't served in their shells as we prefer, nevertheless were very delicious. For entree I ordered lamb chops. They were cooked medium rare & were accompanied by ratatouille. Mom had scallops with peas risotto & asparagus. Both dishes had beautiful presentation & were very delectable. Their dessert menu looked quite enticing but we were pretty full & only ordered some sorbet as pallet cleanser. Overall we had a wonderful experience & will definitely be back to try other things on the menu.
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Leslie B.

Yelp
A couple of weeks ago, some friends took me to Bistro Du Marche' in honor of my birthday. It was my second time at Bistro, the first having been over two years ago. I had been wanting to get back there, but it is a bit out of my usual stomping grounds, and I wanted to be sure to be with friends who also enjoy fancy French fare. Both times, I sat along the sidewalk in the outside area. The inside of the restaurant is quite charming, but the outside feels more spacious. This time, we started with the house bread, which is on the house (as many places it no longer is), and the gougeres, ( puff pastries that are made with cheese). The bread and butter were delicious, and the gougeres melted in our mouths. The next course was the mushroom ravioli. This was actually my favorite part of the meal. Somehow the pasta was so delicate and perfect, and the mushroom flavor really shined. For our entrees, we shared the quenelles Lyonaises and the roasted chicken. If you haven't had quenelles before and enjoy fish, I highly recommend them. They are soft and flavorful. The roasted chicken was also very good, and had the slightly crispy outside and tender inside. It looked a bit like art, with the greens and sauce on top and surrounding. All of the food in this restaurant is very beautifully plated. For dessert we ordered the chocolate tarte with pistachio ice cream. It was rich and not too sweet, and definitely went very well with the ice cream. As it was my birthday, we were given dessert free of charge. Throughout our meal, we enjoyed a lovely rose' from Provence. Service was very good. I will say that the service here is done in true European style, meaning that it takes a while for dishes to come out. You are given time to socialize and savor each dish. Make sure to plan for a couple of hours to dine.
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Sandi T.

Yelp
This was my first time trying Bistro du Marché and it was 5 stars all the way ! Parking was surprisingly easy on a Saturday night. Plenty of free street parking right in front. The atmosphere is warm and quaint. The restaurant is a decent size with a lovely bar and exquisite cocktails. Our service was phenomenal, thank you Hadrien! Everything we ordered was outstanding and very reasonably priced: the caviar, the blue crab mango salad, the duck, the branzino which was cooked and plated to perfection! My friend ordered the cassoulet and she raved about it. What really impressed me is that I ordered the oysters and Hadrien returned to the table to inform me that when the shipment arrived it was not up to their standards and the chef declined to serve them- that's how you know QUALITY is key to this restaurant and Chef! Absolutely fantastic food and service. We will definitely be back soon as we hope to try everything this establishment has to offer!
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Andrew R.

Yelp
Fantastic surprise bday dinner for my wife ( Mrs Notorious MD). Great atmosphere, food, beverages, and service. Felt like a dinner out in Paris ( but without the attitude). We splurged and had caviar as an appetizer. Champagne and wine were reasonably priced for such a nice restaurant. One of the easier places to find parking in La Jolla. We'll be back again soon. Merci beaucoup Bistro du Marché.
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Ang P.

Yelp
Hadrian and Sammy welcomed us into the bistro as if we were being welcomed as guests in their home. A polite, formal and witty service style was appreciated. My favorites tonight : 1. Escargot ! Delicious and sauce marinade was bread dipping worthy. 2. Chocolate fondant ; beautiful ! ( with fruit , gelato , a nice crumble and spices) The rack of lamb was tender. A bed of ratatouille served as a base for this entree. The dish was a bit mild. I'm used to a more peppercorn garlic crust on the lamb but the entree was still delicious. The chickpea fries listed in the menu with the rack of lamb is more of a triangle croquette. I wish the chickpea fries or croquettes were more of a highlight on their menu ... Other guests in my party enjoyed their entrees equally. My in laws are regulars here! I was impressed by the service and French cuisine. We will be back. I love restaurants that become a part of the community and clearly this establishment has deep roots in La Jolla.
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Roxanne S.

Yelp
I don't know why I've never taken the time to review Bistro du Marche before. I've been here a handful of times now, and each is just as good as the last if not better. Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants in all of San Diego, and is fantastic from every angle. The wait staff is fantastic and kind, the atmosphere is lovely (though we usually sit outside and enjoy the night), and the food is absolutely incredible. While parts of the menu are seasonal, which makes me miss certain dishes when they rotate out, I think this helps ensure you're always getting the best flavors and quality possible. Some of my favorite dishes are the Mushroom Ravioli, which are decadent without being too rich, the Endive Salad with Quail Egg, which is probably just the best salad I've ever had in my life, and the Tapenade, which seems like it would be a simple appetizer but is bursting with flavor. I've also tried foods here I would not normally be partial to (escargot and duck, just generally not for me) and have absolutely loved them and would order them myself. My friends and I make a point to come out whenever we have something to celebrate, and I highly recommend this spot for anyone who's looking for a place to do the same -- or who's just looking for a place to splurge on amazing food!

Dave W.

Yelp
Great food - really authentic. I felt like we were having an evening in Paris. The Coq Au Vin and stuffed duck were delicious.
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Marilyn G.

Yelp
We celebrated MOTHER'S DAY ahead of time 'coz I didn't want to be in a big Crowd on the exact Mother's Day. I chose FRENCH FOOD for my Mother's day at this restaurant called "BISTRO DU MARCHE" in LA JOLLA. Upon arriving, a very Tall guy welcomed us and it was so cool to hear his French accent. Our server came and took our order. We got: *PATE - Country Pate "Grand Mere", pickled vegetables, and baby greens. *CASSOULET - Duck confit, Pork Shoulder, Pork Belly, Homemade Sausage, and Stewed tarbais beans. *DUCK LEG - Mashed Potatoes and Market Vegetables. *SPAGHETTI - Vongole, clams, Garlic, Saffron, Chorizo, and Piquillo. *KEY LIME DRINK * FONDANT AU CHOCOLAT - Chocolate Fondant, Vanilla Ice cream, and Mixed Berry coulis. My KEY LIME is a very Refreshing drink and it was followed with a complimentary bread, with a nice standing twisted bread presentation. When our food came, as always, before my Husband and Son eat their food I would ask for a small slice of their food for me to taste so that I know how it tastes like so that I can review it after. For our appetizer we chose the Pate and it was really good with Salad and Toasted Bread . My Husband's CASSOULET came with different meats, each meat was well Flavored, which I really like, and my husband enjoyed it. My Son's DUCK LEG had Skin with a nice crunchy texture and meat that was tender and juicy on the inside, putting a sauce on it made it even better. My PASTA, like other pastas that I've eaten at other French Restaurants, had a sweet sauce again, it's okay, but I'm not really used to eating a white sweet sauce on spaghetti. Maybe I will get used to it if I eat more often at FRENCH RESTAURANTS ;) . For the dessert part, I only ate a small piece, and it has this very rich chocolate taste and yet not too sweet. Everytime a server comes to our table omg I love the French accent. I think that so far in all of the French restaurants that I've dine in, this one had mostly all French Staff. This restaurant has Good Food, a Nice ambience, and Good service. It's been a while since I have Visited PARIS FRANCE, and here it REALLY feels like I'm back in FRANCE again 'coz of the food and the French Accents of some of the servers ;)
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Brian M.

Yelp
Thoroughly excellent from start to finish. This is truly fine dining in the French sense with a seasoned wait staff that thoroughly understand the menu and can guide you through a deep and reich menu. Loved the Wild Mushroom Ravioli with a combination of intense and subtler flavors that truly left us wanting more. The Tournedoes au Poivre was one of the best versions of this dish I've ever had. Perfectly medium rare, just the right amount to seasoning and a silky smooth sauce that made the filet melt in your mouth. Profiteroles for desert were off the charts and the service was spot on. Sat outside but the ambience inside was delightful as well.
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Nikita P.

Yelp
Amazing food, service and ambiance. From the bread st the beginning to the fresh salad for appetizer to the incredible mushroom ravioli and two desserts (they gave us an extra bc we were with our 3 year old) this place is def a five star fancy dining spot! Highly recommend and will be back

Lily K.

Yelp
We are coming to this place millions times and still love it like first day and Estefania is super amazing unbelievable doing on desertsdefinitely 5 stars
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Victoria V.

Yelp
The food is mediocre at best--often overcooked and lacking flavor. The waitstaff can be a bit pushy, especially when it comes to tips. Plus, the location in La Jolla is dull and uninspiring.
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Pac C.

Yelp
Started my birthday celebration here and I would highly recommend this restaurant. The staff are professional and friendly, and they really made me feel welcome. The food was beyond delicious. We didn't feel rushed and the ambiance is also chic. The dessert they gave me for my birthday was a slice of heaven. Thank you for making my birthday celebration memorable.

Lindsey A.

Yelp
The hospitality was amazing and our server Julian was fantastic. I had the pheasant dish and it was extremely tasty. This was our first time trying the restaurant and I will definitely be back. I felt like I was back in France again!

Gene ..

Yelp
Such impressive dishes prepared perfectly. The mushroom raviolis are a must the salmon was over the top also. Great service in a lovely atmosphere!
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Melody K.

Yelp
I haven't been back here since 2018 , and it hasn't missed a beat, still as good as my 2018 visit in atmosphere, food and service. We were a party of 3 which included a very elderly person with a walker. We had to dine early, 5:00 Opentable dinner reservations. When we arrived the hostess was very gracious on offering us a table that was convenient for a walker. When we sat down Jessica P. introduced herself. She was very nice and attentive which made our evening wonderful. We ordered cocktails while perusing the menu. FYI they make a great Cosmo. We ordered was the Escargots, Burrata Salad and the Wednesday special: Steak Frites and the Steak Tartare. When the food came out, all was hot, fresh, nice presentation, cooked to order and tasted amazing. This restaurant is my definite go-to for authentic French. See you next visit to La Jolla. Atmosphere: French Bistro feel, indoor and outdoor seating. Service: excellent. Food: excellent.
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Fran L.

Yelp
This quaint French restaurant sits right in the middle of a large Main Street of a beautiful coastal city of La Jolla. After moving from the previous spot that became a music center, the new location at Girard street has a nice, easy access with free parking in front and very little traffic today. Our reservation for four was easy and the wait to be seated was zero. Great service from the friendly staffs and maitre d' to change our outdoor seating to indoor dining upon our request. Our server was changed without any explanation and the first guy made a mistake of ordering a rabbit dish instead of pike dish, therefore, two of the three main dishes came out late without any apology. We all sat there until the third dish came out much later and made it somewhat awkward for four of us; but they split the pike dish into two nice smaller portions for the two people. The lamb was good and the duck was just so so. The pike in rich crayfish lobster bisque reduced sauce had much richer and truly French taste to it. The pastries were excellent and worth the cost. The wine list was reasonable. Due to the mix up and switching the server staffs without much notice and the confusion of our main orders with substantial delay without an apology or explanation and bland tasting rack of lamb and duck dishes give four stars. Overall nice ambience and top notch service with so, so foods for the price. Total check with a bottle of reasonable Cabernet was over $250.
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Johnny N.

Yelp
The wild mushroom ravioli is definitely one of their signature dishes that makes us keep coming back here over and over again. The port sauce along with the Parmesan shavings makes this dish so darn good and mouth watering! Instead of the appetizer we made it an entree that gave us 2 additional ravioli's. Another can't miss appetizer is the escargot that is seasoned just right with garlic butter and fresh herbs. Everything in their appetizer menu was just really good as we also ordered the blue crab and mango salad. The coconut and lime emulsion along with the mango enhanced the sweetness of the blue crab and made each bite simply delectable! For our other entree we ordered the Maine Diver Scallops with white corn risotto. Like the other dishes, the scallops were cooked perfectly and the risotto was delicious. We ended the meal with the grand marnier ice cream profiteroles and Julian apple tart. The grand marnier taste was definitely strong and you can't go wrong with apples from Julian! From beginning to end, everything tasted fantastic. The service was awesome and it was a perfect night eating outside in San Diego with beautiful hanging lights and being socially distanced from other diners!!
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Paula M.

Yelp
This was the best meal I had on a recent visit to La Jolla and one of the best French restaurants I've ever tried. I'm sad I'm not a local so I could go more often! The smoked salmon appetizer, the duck leg confit, the scallops and the cheese plate were all so perfectly prepared and presented. Classic bistro ambiance and professional and friendly service rounded out my fantastic experience.

Catherine M.

Yelp
Always a treat to visit this fabulous French spot. Service is always friendly. Please try the octopus, escargot and anything with peas!
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Shelby E.

Yelp
We ate at this restaurant with friends on a Friday night a few weeks ago and were very pleased with the food, wine, ambiance, and service of this establishment. Definitely a place we will be returning to sometime in the future! We started with the swiss cheese puffs, which were bigger than they seemed in photos (about the size of a golf ball). Very decadent and slightly salty, they were the perfect amuse bouche for a small group to awaken the palate for the meal. Our group had four different entrees for the main course: salmon, pork chop, duck confit, and pike. Everyone belonged to the clean plate club and enjoyed their meals. Standouts were the pork chop plate and the pike "quenelles" - what an interesting dish! The potatoes with the duck confit, while certainly made with butter, could have used a dash more seasoning and cream. Dessert involved their lemon tart, creme brulee, strawberry shortcake (special), and chocolate fondant. All but the chocolate fondant were fantastic - the fondant had a mushy texture overall, instead of being a more traditional fondant/lava cake, but perhaps that is their version. However, the lemon tart with the sorbet was truly an exceptional dessert. That one I would high recommended. Enfin, we had a wonderful meal here with friends and the service was also fantastic from the moment we stepped in until the moment we left. We look forward to our next visit!
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Julie C.

Yelp
This is a delightful French bistro tucked away in a quaint street in La Jolla! Definitely worth a visit for a culinary transportation to France! This restaurant is on OpenTable and is one of the few restaurants left with $100 redemption for your 10k trade in points. Ambiance: We were seated outside with heat lamps. Most of the shops on the street were closed so there was very little traffic beside the foot traffic with a take out Japanese restaurant next doors. The restaurant was busy, but not loud. Inside, the restaurant was very buzzing, all the staff seemed very upbeat. I absolutely love the vibe there. Food: We got the Endives salad, and it is hands down 11/10. The perfect balance of subtle bitter, sweetness from the pear, crunch from walnut, acid from the dressing and saltiness from the Gorgonzola was just divine. Topped with a quail egg- made the presentation even better. We didn't realize they split our salad- we actually thought we accidentally ordered 2, so the portion was very generous. We also had the country pate, which came with delectable mixed greens and mini pickles to balance out the fat. The problem with this place is- I want to eat everything here! I debated and tormented myself for leading up to the reservation between the duck, scallops and branzino. My husband debated over the lamb, pork chop and chicken. Our server was able to read us pretty well and recommended the branzino and lamb. I finished my entree in record time, hands down best branzino ever, they even had the fish deboned. It was topped potato scales, which was not too hard, crispy or soggy. It was the perfect texture to compliment the fish. The lamb was very rich, very well made. My husband savored very bite and resisted biting off the bits from the bone. Finally, I will have to rave about how amazing their table side bread is. I've been to France many times and though this is not exactly a traditional baguette, it celebrates the freshness, and texture. I can still hear the the crunch, when I tore off the bread. Service: We had a 7:15pm reservation and unfortunately with a few cancelled Ubers, we knew we would be late. I called the restaurant and let them know we would be late, and they were super accommodating and honored our reservation when we arrived at 7:30pm. Our server was very charming, on point for timing. The staff helping out with water and bread were also very friendly and helpful. The cocktails were all brought to us promptly. We were there for over 2 hours, but I had not expected it as we were taking our time in enjoying our company, ambiance and food. Overall, this will be on my default list to visit whenever I need a relaxing meal and be mentally transformed from chaos of day to day life.

Didier D.

Yelp
Jean Michel Diot keeps the highest standards. Excellent for a French getaway in San Diego. Chef Amelie, your crab salad is so good. Beautiful service as well and our waiter Thomas was super nice.

SF G.

Yelp
1st timers & my Bday celebration. Food quality, plating & taste all "A", but our 2 cocktails really sucked, our server even forgot to bring mine even after 30+ minutes at the table, I think he knew we should pass on them, a sign ? Yummy desserts. The true French woman chef knows her stuff & came out of her kitchen in full chef whites as the cooking winded down & the restaurant emptied by early 8:30ish, sooo Downtown La Jolla I guess. My Duck Confit was superb, the Pork Chop & Lamb entrees decent, the Apps very good & the French bread superb. Would recommend. Au Revoir.
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Eddie L.

Yelp
I live in La Jolla. I have been to this restaurant many times with my family and I feel that the quality of their food has come down. However, the last two times I went there the bread was stale and the steak that I ordered was cold. It is a shame that their food and the services have gone down.
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Wendy P.

Yelp
The food is excellent. The service is wonderful. The french ambience is truly present in the decor. It is the best French food in San Diego.
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Aditi C.

Yelp
If you're looking for a shi-shi French restaurant that actually delivers quality French food, served by mostly French people, then give this place a try! We came here during UCSD Family Weekend to take our daughter out for dinner and we were NOT disappointed. We had a escargot to start and they were delectable! For mains we had the Branzino, Duck Confit, and Wagu. All were delicious and this place is on our list of recommendations for sure.
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Cecile A.

Yelp
I am French and was just returning from Toulouse when we had dinner au Bistro, on the recommendation of friends. It felt like I had not left my home country. The food was outstanding and reminded me of the genuine French food found in bistros: exceptionally fresh and full of flavors from the quality of the produce used. Finally an an authentic French restaurant!

Charles W.

Yelp
There are a lot of reasons to go to Bistro du Marche. Great service, amazing food , super ambience inside and out. But Wilson is the best bartender in La Jolla. Go, sit at the bar, and order the drinks and food he recommends. He will take amazing care of you.
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Brandon S.

Yelp
Very french with great service. The food was really solid, but not super interesting. Standard french food.
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Rev Dr John T.

Yelp
EXCELLENT cuisine. Authentic French. Great ambiance. Reasonable prices. Steak Tatar was magnificent. Our server Julien C. was superb. Will definitely recommend and definitely come back. Very extensive wine list and reasonably priced as well
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Sorn Anusorn M.

Yelp
It was my first time here and I came in Sunday. I know on the website they close in Sunday. No they actually sell pastries on Sunday. You can still dining outside and order coffee. The croissants are must-order items. I love the plain croissant a lot. It's very buttery and go perfectly with a hot latte. The almond croissant is very dense and too sweet more me. I also like the Apple turnover because it's not too sweet and the crust is very crispy. You can ask them to heat up the pastries for you. The latte is not special at all. The price is a bit high but not too high. Keep in mind that the tip is 18% default rate. The service was good but a bit slow.
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Grace S.

Yelp
Came here to celebrate a birthday, and did not come away disappointed. The cheese puff here is as delicious as they said. It was puffy and fluffy - one of the pictures I took shows the airyness in the puff. It was hard not to just consume them all - had to leave room for the actual meal. I ordered the Crab and Mango Salad and the Rack of Lamb. The crab and mango salad called my name - with a combination of two items that always call to me when I see them on a menu. Put them together and it might as well be screaming. I was most intrigued by this dish. There is a pile of blue crab meat (which is amazing first of all, if any of you have digged through a blue crab and got frustrated due to the small amount of meat you get out of the small crab!) On the menu it is described as: "Blue Crab & Mango Salad, Coconut & Lime Emulsion". The lime and coconut emulsion (or the foamy texture) had a little bit of a kick at times that I couldn't pinpoint. I would highly recommend this dish to anyone who might like crab and mango and are a bit more adventurous. The mix of the emulsion, the crab, small cubes of mango, the carmelized crisp and the slight kick of subtle tanginess, was just a perfect combination to my tongue. As for the rack of lamb, it was exactly what I expected out of the dish. Flavorful taste of lamb (slightly gamy, which I love), juicy and tender. I'd definitely have it again. Service was attentive and responsive. The mirrors could use a bit of cleaning :P near the back of the restaurant. Was definitely a nice place to come to for a special occasion. The decor was more traditionally French and of the old "fine dining" than the modern $$$ places, but I didn't mind. I think it is mostly the red that one doesn't normally see. Would love to return at some point in the future.
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Wendy P.

Yelp
A VERY DEFINITE YES!!! This is one of San Diego's premiere restaurants. I highly recommend it.

Dolores P.

Yelp
Good martini,terrible Bordeaux by glass,appetizer. Crab & mango salad was o.k.Main dish Branzino with scaled potatoes which amounted to a hard crust the whole thing was completely tasteless.I enjoy branzino frequently it is a sweet delicate fish.However this which my guess is it is purchased frozen with the scaled potatoes not even a dash of salt.The bread is good.Service waitress was not great.Price is high for what you get.With the branzino comes vegetables tiny don't know what a baby tomatoes,a tiny portion of an asparagus & not sure what else & herb salad really what a pinch of herbs & it is called a salad.Again Bordeaux wine from France tres ordinaries.