Restaurant François

Hands down one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Austin. The service was next level, super warm, professional, and just spot on. Everything we ordered was 🔥 seriously high quality, perfectly cooked, and beautifully plated. The place itself is gorgeous, stylish, and feels special the second you walk in. I came here to celebrate my birthday, and they absolutely nailed it. They surprised me with a personalized birthday page printed inside the menu (!!) and also gave me a birthday card. Such a cool, thoughtful touch and totally unexpected and so appreciated. This wasn’t just dinner, it felt like a full on experience. Unique, classy, and genuinely memorable. Perfect for celebrations or when you want to treat yourself to something special. 10/10 would come back

Comte’ Cheese Popovers! First and foremost - WOW!!!! The simple apps can be amazing! First time trying this restaurant and the experience was great. Introduction to this place by those who know their food fare! We were there to do drinks and tasting of several dishes on a Saturday around 5:30 after they opened.The staff was very accommodating upon arrival. We sat at the bar for a bit (great service) and then transferred to a table. Of course, getting there early, it was fairly quiet as the night (and wine) progressed, has any good restaurant does, it got a little louder, but nothing too crazy. There were four of us and we shared all of these. Tried the Escargot, the Steak Tatar, Pappardelle, scallops, The Belgian Endive and Green Apple Salad and Haricots Verte Almondine ( Green beans with almonds😁). One glass of Bourbon and two glasses of wine were also had. We'll have to come back for a few of the main dishes when we have more time. The ambience was a little similar to J Carver‘s steakhouse (yet another amazing restaurant - don't just go there for steaks, go for the fish dishes). Definitely a great French vibe. They had some pretty cool vintage silver flatware. You should try it out

I went and celebrated my birthday recently at Restaurant Francois and it was nothing short of amazing. Every dish was delectable but some of the fan favorites were the French Onion Soup (mouth is watering just thinking of it), Crab Villon, Pomme Frites and the Dry Age Porterhouse. Not only was everything delicious but the service and staff were top tier! Everyone from the hostess to additional servers were kind, helpful and just a joy. Mark and Hannah took care of us the most and they were spectacular. Very knowledgeable about the menu and the 20 questions I asked, very accommodating and overall enjoyable to have during our dining experience. We finished up our night with a handful of desserts, you can’t go wrong with what you choose, however, the Profiteroles stole my heart with the warm chocolate sauce to dip them. Thank you Restaurant Francois for having our group, it was simply the best night and dining experience. Everyone left happy and very impressed with the level of service and execution, especially since the restaurant had only been open for 2 weeks.

Restaurant François delivered an absolutely perfect night. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt intimate and elevated without being pretentious. We started with the escargot, which was rich, buttery, and perfectly seasoned — a classic done right. The duck two ways was outstanding, with incredible depth of flavor and beautiful execution. The Boneless Wagyu Short Ribs Bourguignon completely stole the show: melt-in-your-mouth tender, deeply savory, and comfort food taken to a luxury level. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and truly memorable. Service was attentive and seamless, making the entire evening feel special from start to finish. If you’re looking for refined French cuisine in downtown Austin, Restaurant François is an absolute must. We can’t wait to return.

It is sad when the highlight of the dinner is the pomme frites. We tried the following dishes: - Pate Maison: it was ok. - Chef crudo du jour: the fish lacked basic seasoning and it was too meaty for crudo. - Escargot: those were good but I wish they had even more garlic. - Veal (it was a special): it was BAD! It was rubbery, had water taste in it, no seasoning. We asked for it medium rare, it came well done (it was grey), I don’t know if they overcooked it or reheated it or what. The only good part was the puff pastries with chicken liver mousse, I would put those as a menu item, they were excellent. - Pomme frites: they were crispy and well seasoned

A Beautiful French Dining Experience in Austin My family and I had dinner at François last Saturday, and the entire evening was outstanding. The service was warm and attentive, managers came by a couple of times to check on us, which made the experience feel personal and genuinely welcoming. The food was truly exceptional. The duck absolutely phenomenal. It genuinely reminded me of the top bouchons in Lyon. Beautifully cooked, rich, and full of classic French character. The lamb was tender, flavorful, and prepared with real finesse. Ok The Dover sole was one of the best I’ve had in the last 10 years—delicate, buttery, and beautifully cooked. If there was one dish that could use a touch more refinement, it would be the soufflé. It was good, but I felt it needed a bit more flavor and love to match the incredible standard set by the rest of the menu. Overall, François is a gem in Austin—authentic French cuisine, excellent service, and a dining experience that feels truly special. We will definitely be returning.

Went last night for Valentine’s Day and I saw that there were a few mixed reviews on here, but WOW, let me tell you, this restaurant was truly beyond spectacular. I can honestly say, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while. I also have Celiac and they were super knowledgeable on what I could and couldn’t eat and made tweaks to dishes even to make them celiac-safe for me! Here’s what we ordered: - Pepe Le Jardiniere cocktail - Moulin à Passion cocktail - beef tallow fries (my boyfriend who doesn’t have celiac got these and is obsessed) - chilled gulf shrimp - Dover sole - petite filet - asparagus w/ hollandaise - crème brûlée Simply 10/10 meal & experience

Restaurant François delivered a truly memorable French dining experience, perfect for a special occasion. From the first bite to the final flourish, everything was executed with elegance and care. We began with Comté cheese popovers, warm, airy, and deeply flavorful, followed by the Jumbo Lump Crab Villon, which was fresh, delicately seasoned, and beautifully balanced. These appetizers set a high standard for the evening. For the main courses, the Stuffed Lamb Saddle en Croûte was outstanding—tender, richly flavored, and wrapped in a perfectly golden crust. The Swordfish Steak au Poivre was equally impressive, cooked to perfection with a bold yet refined pepper sauce. On the side, the Jumbo Asparagus with Hollandaise was vibrant and indulgent, a classic done right. To finish our birthday celebration, we shared the Soufflé of the Moment, light, decadent, and flawlessly prepared—an unforgettable ending to a remarkable meal. Special recognition goes to our server, Marc, whose professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail elevated the entire experience. His service was impeccable without ever feeling intrusive. Restaurant François is a must-visit for anyone seeking refined French cuisine, exceptional service, and a truly celebratory dining atmospher

Guy and Larry have outdone themselves again! Each time they open a new concept I think... it can't be better than the last... and then it is. The ambiance, top notch service, and food are exquisite. Walking in I felt entirely transported to another city. It is beautiful, sexy, thoughtfully designed, plenty of seating, gorgeous bar, and open kitchen. The smell of deliciousness, smothered in b it there, hits you when you walk in. I absolutely loved the food. As a pescatarian I am always looking for a menu with options, and Francois has them. Started with the endive and green apple salad which was lightly creamy, super fresh, and very refreshing. Alongside cheese popovers with a large helping of divine butter were devoured promptly. For the main I had the peppered swordfish. It was one of the most unique preparations either fish I have ever tasted. So fresh and delicious- do not skip this. My friend had the short ribs and raved about them. We shared a side of the pommes potatoes which were melt in your mouth. Our server suggested cracked pepper and it hit the spot. Do not. Repeat do not skip dessert. The chocolate soufflé was legit with a creme anglais sauce. I hadn't had one in a very long time and it was worth it. Also, the chocolate mousse was so dark, dense but light, and every chocolate lovers dream. We added some vanilla ice cream and definitely gilded the lily. Several champagnes are available by the glass at a very reasonable price point. Bar manager Jess knocked it out of the park with another exquisite cocktail menu. Our service by James and friend, visit by GM Emma and AGM Willie added to the amazing service. I cannot wait to come back for a drink and nibble at the bar, date night out, or family gathering- this is the spot is the place to be!