Café Provence

The Hidden Paris I Found in Prairie Village🥖 Who would have thought my desperate search for authentic French cuisine would end in Prairie Village, Kansas? After years of working in Paris and annual trips to visit my French friends, I had resigned myself to American versions of French food that always fell short—until I discovered Café Provence. My French buddy and I now have a catch-up lunch at this Prairie Village gem whenever I'm in KC. Walking through the door, the familiar aromas instantly transport us back to those little bistros tucked away on Parisian side streets where tourists never venture. For a few hours, we're not in Kansas anymore (though Dorothy would certainly approve of this upgrade!) 🤣 The Quillec family has owned this treasure for over 20 years, creating a space that captures the essence of French dining without a hint of pretension. Their commitment to local farmers and artisanal purveyors mirrors exactly what makes French cuisine special—that reverence for fresh, seasonal ingredients transformed through technique and tradition. One bite of their Terrine de Foie Gras, and my friend stops mid-sentence, closes his eyes, and whispers "C'est comme chez nous" (It's like home). The Pavé de Saumon and Les Coquilles Saint-Jacques are executed with the kind of precision that would make my Parisian chef friends nod in approval rather than launch into their usual tirades about American interpretations. And then there's the Palais Royal—chocolate mousse, hazelnut pailletté feuillantine, chocolate ganache, chocolate génoise cake creation so divine we always order a second to take home, pretending it's "for later" when we both know it won't survive the car ride.🤤 Insider tips: Reservations are absolutely necessary (this isn't a secret anymore). The patio dining is lovely in good weather, but parking can be challenging during peak hours. Always ask about the specials, though the regular menu staples never disappoint. Some restaurants serve food, but Café Provence serves memories—both the ones you've already made in France and the new ones you'll create in this unlikely Midwestern outpost of authentic French cuisine. Turns out the Eiffel Tower of flavor was hiding in Prairie Village all along! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The location honestly took me a bit aback. Its in a strip mall. The patio seating has people walking through it the whole time. It is cute and they try to make it look as "French bistro" as possible so I applauded the effort. The inside is adorable but very small. Very very small. You will 100% need reservations. The food was really delicious. Bread is so good. Wine selection is huge. Average portion for the style of restaurant. Everything we had was cooked perfectly and tasty. My husband had the lamb chops. He really enjoyed them. I had the duck and it was really yummy as well. Price tag is pretty steep, but the food+ambiance was worth it to us.

I stumbled upon this hidden gem while visiting my friends in Kansas. Even my Kansas-native friend was unaware of its existence. The restaurant exudes a cozy and well-decorated ambiance, reminiscent of a French bistro. Every dish is meticulously prepared and bursting with flavor. Our waiter provided exceptional service throughout our meal. To my surprise, I later discovered that this restaurant is ranked among the top 10 French restaurants in the United States!

Our dinner was delicious. The service was top notch. I really enjoyed the whole experience. We had the scallops. Foie gra, crab cake and veal scallopini. The only dish I did not love was the foi gra. Just not my thing but everything was great!

Visit this quaint restaurant to experience a relaxed European style dinner sitting outside in their white tablecloth cafe seating under scalloped patio umbrellas. Choose from chef prepared and plated options to suit your pallet. The veal scallopini and swordfish were perfectly plated and tasted amazing. The wine list is well picked with an assortment of fine wines and delicious economical varieties. We will revisit and request our server, Danielle, who made our evening enjoyable as she guided us through the evening with ease and her beautiful accent. We enjoyed a bottle of sparkling Rose wine, perfectly chilled, then ended the evening with the apple dessert, a must try! We loved everything!

Today was my second time to Cafe Provence for their phenomenal French onion soup!! 🇫🇷 Literally THE BEST. And their bread they serve on the side is so tasty. For my birthday a few weeks back, I had their pistachio ice cream with chocolate sauce and pistachio nuts — to die for. They even wrote “Happy Birthday” in caramel and a kind stranger paid for my meal. So touched. The staff is so friendly and the atmosphere so cozy. Can’t wait to come back to try the Quiche Lorraine 😍

Food was truly something to write home about. Every dish was delicious. The French onion soup cannot be missed!

Not aware they prefer reservations. Peek lunch time and they managed to seat our party of four. Food was amazing, service was stellar. Staff knowledgeable about the food. We sat at the bar, due to tables all being occupied, but this was a wonderful experience, the woman working the bar, chatted with us about the foods, and answered all the questions, we had young teens with us, she gave them the same respectful service as any adult, she went above and beyond, helping them to choose foods they would enjoy. Thank you for making this experience a fabulous memory for our teens, as well as us. ❤️❤️❤️

The food was outstanding. Each dish was beautifully presented, and made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. I especially enjoyed the scallops and the halibut which was cooked to perfection and bursting with taste. It's clear that the chef puts a lot of thought and passion into the menu! What truly set this experience apart was the superb service. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making excellent recommendations.

Location: Prairie Ville Kansas City Ambiance: outdoor and indoor ambient. Nice, comfortable Food: Delicious. Perfectly cooked salmon, crispy skin. Excellent combination with beets. Polenta was also great. Scallops were juicy. Service: Excellent.

Wow--what an unforgettable experience! I ventured out to Prairie Village as part of my Adventure Challenge Book, and this stop did not disappoint. The vibrant orange umbrellas at Café Provence immediately caught my eye, and I knew I had to stop. The patio is absolutely charming--transporting me straight back to a little café in the south of France. I ordered the bay scallops with sweet corn risotto and julienned veggies, and it was truly delightful. The flavors were fresh and well-balanced, though I will say the dish wasn't as warm as expected--but it arrived impressively fast. My server was incredibly professional and full of helpful recommendations that made the experience even better. And the martini? Let's just say--it did not hold back.

Wonderful place! They were so extremely accommodating and kind. I had a reservation for 4 and last minute a 5th person came to town. I didn't realize how quaint the restaurant was and they don't have many larger tables. They still were able to make it happen without an issue. We were so grateful! The food was spectacular. We started with French onion soup, escargot, mussels, and foie gras. The table was oohing and awe-ing over every appetizer. For dinner we had a mix of the veal, lamb neck, halibut, and veggie pasta dish. Everything tasted fresh, perfection, and made to order. I highly recommend this place for a date night! 10/10!

Our favorite restaurant in the area. Great service. Great food. Great atmosphere, inside or outside. Bartender makes great drinks. Last visit they even made a portion of Mac and cheese for our 3 year old granddaughter. We make it a point to go every time we are in the area .

Eating here is an experience! Prepare for a cozy, intimate space with great service. Warm bread and butter to start, we then followed that with salads and then our entrees. The Poitrine de Poulet aux Morilles was tender, juicy and delicious. The daily soup was also great, especially dipped with the fresh bread. Embrace the French cuisine with a paired glass of wine! Definitely a highlight of our trip, and would return.

Quick summary: overpriced for what it is. The restaurant is super adorable and a perfect date spot, but the food itself was mediocre. My friend and I both weren't impressed - my grouper was overcooked and the flavors were just off, and my friend didn't like her dish either. Wasn't thrilled by our service either, so all in all this was just an OK experience. Would mayyyybe go back for lunch to try again, but don't think dinner prices are worth it.

I had one of the best steaks I've ever eaten here. Their filet is cooked PERFECTLY. The staff were gracious, accommodating and friendly. The atmosphere was laid back and a bit romantic. We had a lovely time with the other couple that we dined with that evening. Highly recommend this spot for a small taste of France.

Always fabulous. It's a cozy place so make a reservation. This is the best French restaurant in the KC area and there are some others that are great. Awesome seafood and the steaks and veal are just as good. A gem.

Very charming café in Prairie Village. The food was delicious. The escargot was right on point a little on the garlic side, but I'm not complaining good service good ambience reservations must.

The French Onion Soup is to die for. The Veal Scallopini was excellent - whoever decided to add capers was a genius. The Service was perfect - just there when you wanted them to be. It's a small, nice comfortable place to eat a nice meal.

To date, the best restaurant my partner and I have been to in KC. And that is coming from a foodie who is a little scared of French food... Service was amazing but the food was even better. Quaint dining room with a staff that knows their regulars names, a kitchen that pours love into each dish, and a dinner experience worth a thousand words. I never had would have tried the Salade de Betterave if I had known exactly what it was and for that reason I am so glad I didn't know. The beet and orange combination is killer. The Dos de Saumon Laqué au Vinaigre de Pomme*... oh my god... best salmon dish I have ever had (and the lentils...). The filet mignon was cooked perfect and the potatoes were melt in your mouth. The desserts were epic. We will most definitely be back and bringing with us family that we want to try this cozy spot.

What a nice little spot! I called because open table had no spots and they were able to get us in at the time we wanted. I really appreciated that! We started out with cocktails, and they were strong and delicious. Next we had the French onion soup. It was really delicious. We also shared the crab cake. Then we shared the soufflé with vegetables and pea purée. That was my favorite of all of the things we had. The flavors were so good. Then we ended with the apricot tart with creme. The creme part had a hint of mint and that was so delicious. We will definitely be back for special occasions. There was a really wonderful band playing outside as well.

Oh my this place is good. It's adorable on the inside but with the weather being nice we sat outside on the front patio. Our waiter was so nice and attentive. I did the french onion soup and it was the best I've ever had! The lunch special was a basil seafood crepe with saffron rice. I enjoyed the crepe but the rice was very bland. Would definitely come back!

Excellent food and service!!! I love French food and Cafe Provence did not disappoint! We started with the escargot and crab cake. They were both amazing!! Huge chunks of crab in the crab cake and the butter sauce the escargot was cooked in was so flavorful. I had the sole fish, which I love and always order at French restaurants. It was cooked perfectly. We also tried the rabbit and sausage gnocchi. It was very tasty and gnocchi was soft and pillowy...perfect! I definitely recommend and would eat there again!!!

Excellent food, prompt classic service, cozy and romantic atmosphere, extensive wine list. . We have dined there for lunch twice with friends. Most recently (yesterday) 3 of 4 had seafood item for lunch: one had grilled salmon on a caesar salad, one had a trout special entrée, one had a cod entrée with an amazing sauce. We all shared 2 bottles of an excellent Le Clos de Pallus Chinon Cab Franc.

Great cosy atmosphere and customer service. Chicken was moist and really good- even the next day for leftovers.

After living in Prairie Village for decades, I finally went to Cafe Provence with 3 great friends for a birthday lunch. Wow! Now I know why people love it so much. The food is out of this world good. And the desserts are shareable and well worth the calories. So glad to b have found a celebratory restaurant to fill the hole of Tatsu's closing.

This place was so so cute. Felt very French and cozy inside. Service was fine and food was just fine as well. I was hoping for something outstanding based on reviews and prices, but the only vegetarian entree they had was just not that great. Very cute and fun to try out though!

My wife and I selected Cafe Provence to celebrate our 35th Anniversary. It did not disappoint. Our meal and the service was excellent. We had the Dover Sole and a Snapper Special for our main meal and previous to the main meal we had a Crab Cake Appetizer and a cup of the French onion soup. Everything about our experience was excellent and we would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a great venue with wonderful ambiance, excellent service and great food!

Delicious! We decided to go to Cafe Provence on a Tuesday night--surprisingly it was packed but we got a table since we arrived earlier in the evening. The food was great!! The onion soup is absolutely worth getting. They will also give you complementary bread/butter. I got the crab cake--meh, may never get that again but it was pretty good. The chicken entree was AMAZING!! Lightly fried and cooked perfectly! Bravo to the chef! My friends all loved their meals too (salmon, veal, & filet mignon). I mean, we really LOVED the entrees!!! So good! Dessert was decent too. The passion fruit cheesecake was tasty; the apple pie didn't have much crust but it is great if you are just thinking it will be cinnamon apples! Lastly, I got a lemon drop martini since they had a full bar--that was made perfectly! Overall an AMAZING restaurant!!! Highly recommend.

So, I asked for "experiences" instead of stuff for Christmas. We decided a long weekend in Kansas City fit the bill. My wife found Café Provence and surprised me with reservations. Walking in, It was what I thought a French café might look like, low lights, intimate tables, warm feelings. This was one of our favorite meals we can remember. Our 5:30 reservation was ready when we arrived. A choice of tables were offered and we chose one in the front window. Our waiter, Tom, came by after we settled and was so helpful with his suggestions as to our meal. A before dinner drink was followed by escargot, and we used the remaining bread in our bread and butter basket to soak up the butter garlic sauce from them. The next course was French onion soup ( with a hint of bacon in it). My wife's entree was walleye with cauliflower and carrots and I enjoyed the Pork Cheeks. We finished with Crème brûlée and espresso for my bride and coffee for me. Stepping a bit out of my comfort zone was rewarded with a great dinner. We found out Tom's mom attends the same church we attend in the St. Charles, Mo. area. (Small world, huh?) We talked on our way back to our hotel about the meals we have shared over the last 27 years together, and realized that this is close to, if not at the top of the list. Thank You for a wonderful evening of food and experience.

Amazing, and authentic French, unlike other French restaurants. It's no joke, authentic French cuisine from people who are actually French. It's quality, go there.

Such a lovely place for lunch on the patio. Everything was excellent and felt like a little escape to the south of France. Wonderful service and the food was delicious. The scallops were cooked to perfection, seared and soft inside. The French onion soup had a lighter broth than I prefer, but still great flavor. Mussels were fresh and the broth was perfect for enjoying with bread. I especially loved the crab cake - full of crab meat and crunchy on the outside.

French onion soup - the best I had in the United States. Escargot- little too much garlic, but very tender. Beef Bourguignon- tasted like someone burnt the pot of stew. Cappuccino- The best I had in the United States.

All the superlatives apply. Outstanding cuisine and service in a charming small bistro feel. Perhaps my new favorite restaurant in the ENTIRE greater Kansas City area. Note: I personally would NOT recommend the outdoor seating except perhaps for a very casual lunch on a nice day. The establishment is located in an upscale strip mall but the outdoor tables are in the walkway for other shoppers and not exactly picturesque.

had a lovely birthday dinner here during their weekly Tuesday Prix Fixe Dinner. Was very full and satisfied with the portion sizes. reservation was for 8pm but we were seated early.

Allons-y to the best French in town. Rsvp recommended as they're booked lunch and dinner. Not heavy. Imagine that little Parisian bistro you fell into one autumn afternoon et voila, vous etes la une fois encore

I enjoy eating here with my sisters. Great food and friendly service. If you can't get to Paris, get a taste of it here.

Our server Jody was excellent. I had heard their soups were amazing and I had the French Onion Soup - wow! Hubby had the Red Pepper Bisque - also wonderful. I had the Veggie Quiche and Steve had the Chicken Crepes. My only complaint is that I was too full to try the desserts so I WILL be back. Did you know Monday nights are Special Soufflés?? Yum.

Made reservations for a Tuesday evening without realizing they offer a prix fixe option on Tuesdays for $48. We all opted to have the prix fixe and it was awesome. It was a salad, soup, strip steak with green beans and potatoes and a delicious pastry and custard dessert. It was sooo good. It is a tiny place so you definitely need reservations!

We enjoyed an incredible dinner date at Cafe Provence, and everything was delicious. From the cozy atmosphere, the impeccable service, the cocktails (a Kir Provence will always have my heart ), and of course the food, everything was perfect. The dining room is small, and they are very popular, so you will need a reservation. And this is your sign to make one!

Came in with our son for a 630pm Friday dinner. Table was ready and we were taken to a nice booth at the back - the Tony Soprano booth. The place was about 2/3s full with the early seating. Last time we were here we sat at the smallish bar. We started with cocktails which were prepared and served perfectly. A French 75, a Vesper and a Kronenbourg. Our server was a delightful French woman who explained everything. Interestingly there are nice pieces of art hanging around the place but all have prices. The server said the owner collects many pieces and is always ready to sell any item. I got the mussels and Alaskan halibut. They were very good and I could have used a loaf of bread to soak up the tasty mussel broth. Fish was flaky, firm and lightly seasoned. Others enjoyed their mains. There are two unisex bathrooms, very spacious and clean. This is a very nice higher end dining experience. We will definitely return when in town. Mark & Nancy.

My wife and I have lived in California for nearly 50 years, but return to Overland Park every year to visit my sisters. Unfailingly, we take family members to dine at Cafe Provence. We have dined at many restaurants in San Francisco, Paris and elsewhere, but Cafe Provence remains a top favorite. The food is consistently excellent, with a wonderful, varied menu, and the service is outstanding with an always friendly and helpful staff. The ambience is very welcoming and, while tables are fairly close to each other, the noise is low enough that we can easily carry on conversations. The wine list is very nice, and there is outside dining available. Top marks. Rick

Café Provence has been described as a family-owned neighborhood bistro, serving exquisite French cooking. The restaurant resembles a friendly cottage somewhere in the French countryside. It has been recognized eight times as one of OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S. After our first visit this week, I can't believe I hadn't dined at Café Provence before. Service is as important as the food at Café Provence. When I couldn't secure a 6pm reservation on OpenTable, I called the restaurant and it was accommodated immediately. Natalie was our server and she shared the best of the menu. The pacing of our meal was perfect, with no long gaps between any courses. We started with two of our favorite appetizers: Prince Edward Island Mussels and Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cake. Both were super delicious, beautifully plated and ample portions. We were in heaven dipping bread in the white wine butter broth of the mussels. I had to try the French Onion Soup after being disappointed at another local French restaurant last week. This is the real deal. The bowl featured a thick layer of melted gruyere right from the broiler. For entrees, we ordered three stellar items from the regular menu: Kurobuta Braised Pork Cheeks, Pan-Seared Veal Scaloppini and Pan-Seared Salmon. Each featured classic French preparation and was incredibly flavorful. I wish we had tried several of their amazing desserts, instead of just one. The Tarte Tatin was a decadent caramelized apple tart, with crème fraiche ice cream and caramel sauce. The French Market is a sister property of Café Provence and also located in The Shops of Prairie Village. It's a combination French grocery store and more informal restaurant.

The food here is incredible! Our service was excellent! We had a great experience coming here for dinner. We were seated at a quaint table in the corner which added to the intimate ambiance. The French onion soup is divine! Looking forward to coming back soon and trying more items on the menu!

Our favorite KC restaurant. Becoming a tradition when visiting. Food, service and the ambiance are outstanding.

A truly special place. Kansas City is lucky to have a restaurant of this caliber. Even though it is a great place for a special occasion, it's certainly a place you could go to every week.

The baguette the restaurant served proves me it is the decent French restaurant! This cute cafe seems to be operated by a family, and they serve great French cuisine. The baguette on the table brought me back to the time the local bakery I loved when I was in Paris. The Onion soup was generous with cheese and the right flavor. The snails are also perfectly seasoned with pesto sauce. I got my main dish the mussels. I loved the freshness of mussels. But the flavor of the broth was not the taste I like. A bit sourness a bit to winery. The dessert I got was not that satisfying but it was still a nice presentable dessert, the creme brûlée. It was the moisture paste texture with some vanilla fragrance in it, however, my preference was the original flavor or can add a tiny bit of flavor with more form texture. The price at this restaurant is also fairly reasonable. Overall I enjoyed the dinner at Cafe Provence. And I found that they have Soufflé on Monday only! I will definitely go back to try their Soufflé!

I walked in and was automatically greeted an seated. I sat out doors and the weather and dining area outside was wonderful! I was brought bread with butter and the bread was so fresh and delicious. I ordered a special the waiter offered it was a lamb stew and it was so amazingly good. For dessert I tried the crème brûlée and honestly had too much of a lemon flavor for me but was good.

This place was recommended to us by word of mouth and it did not at all disappoint. A multi-award winning restaurant, I treated my wife to this place for her birthday dinner and we absolutely loved it. The staff was friendly and attentive and our service was great. The restaurant is pretty small, so I recommend a reservation, but very nice for an intimate setting and a classy atmosphere. To start, I had the soupe du jour, which was a potato and artichoke soup. It was pureed and delicious. For my entree, I had le fletan, the Alaskan halibut with shrimp bisque sauce, sweet corn polenta, and chanterelles. The fish was cooked perfectly and all the flavors went together very well and it was easy to eat, not too heavy. My wife had the poitrine de poulet aux morilles, a pan-seared chicken breast. She loved the cook of the chicken skin and the chicken was juicy as well. The gratin potatoes with it were especially tasty. I wish we saved room for dessert, because I assume that would have been amazing as well!

I really miss going to Cafe Provence in Prairie Village, Kansas. I used to live in the area and frequented this quaint, authentic French cafe but moved away 15 years ago. Every time I make a trip back to Kansas City I always find time to squeeze in a meal here and at the French Market for breakfast. The food is fantastic and the ambiance is equivalent to dining at a small cafe in the middle of France. I simply love it. Make your way around the corner to The French Market for crepes or another French treat!

Everything we ate was delicious, however, we originally ordered the duck but did opt to send it back as it was over cooked from having been previously sous vide and then finished to order. Staff was very polite about it and understanding. They took very good care of us! White wines were great too! Filet was my favorite, can't go wrong with that one.

I arrived 20 minutes early for my 7:30 reservation but was seated promptly. What drew me to the restaurant was the Dover Sole. But wait, they had Halibut as a special. I'm going special every time and I was not disappointed. The gratin potatoes were also more than tasty. But the best thing was the Vesper Martini, cold, crisp and delightful. Lastly, the atmosphere of the restaurant was so warm and inviting. The folks at tables around me struck up conversations with me. Even my waiter took out time to engage in conversation and it was a busy night; all tables were filled. I highly recommend.

Cafe Provence is absolutely a gem in the crown of Prairie Village, Kansas and should be hailed as such! We've seen lots of changes in PV recently, right? Some are great, some are a bit heartbreaking... but we only want the best for our friends in PV. Cafe Provence has long been a staple of the Village. It is not a restaurant but rather an experience. Let's be very clear, reservations are strongly encouraged. Their food, wine and staff are all exceptional. If you love French food as much as I do, you can understand the quality and authentic menu that they offer. This is one of those experiences that it isn't about price, it is about the magic of the meal. They can truly take a basic lunch and transform it into a wonderful experience full of lovely memories and happy stomachs. By all means, you need a great place for birthday, holiday, anniversary or date night? You've found your spot!

The service was phenomenal! You definitely need a reservation. Everything we had was delicious!

I'll get straight to it. Souffle is the only item I will come back for over and over again.. maybe if wait staff stops being snooty. My short rib was fatty. The potatoes were bland. My fiance had the salmon. It lacked seasoning and flavor. There is no warmth to the restaurant. I'm not sure who the older lady is with short white hair, but she chooses what tables to stop by, be friendly, and chat. I'm sure they are locals, but as first timers and new to the city, a smile or hello doesn't take much. It also goes down to the wait staff. Just because you are a French restaurant, there is no need to be snooty.

My husband & I are new to this area, we were told by 3 different people to make this our anniversary spot. We took their advice & happy we did. AMAZING! Cute little place, we got there right at 5pm & it got busy quick. My husband said his Filet was the best steak he's ever had in his life. My crab cake was possibly 90% crab meat. Never had such a meaty crab cake before, so good. Can't wait to go back. Just for a reference, we ate plenty, each had 2 drinks & our bill was about $150.

This was a marvel! Located in a shopping center area in the Kansas City. Upon stepping into this restaurant you believe you are in France. The staff speak French upon speaking with you, they also speak English. The customer service is impeccable. I have the chicken dish during lunch with the brandy sauce. If I was not in company I would have licked the plate. That sauce was rich but not overwhelming heavy. My dessert was gâteau d'opéra and since I am not a huge sweet tooth person I had to box that home. Cake was also delightful.