Restaurant François

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.

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.

Just fantastic. Came for drinks and a bite at the bar (reservation recommended—had attempted to walk in on a weekend prior, to no avail) and can’t say enough good things. The vibe was elegant yet not stuffy, service was attentive & friendly, food was fantastic. We had the steak tartare, a bananas foster soufflé, French onion soup, crab villon, and the popovers (highly recommend using the popover as a scoop for the crab, as recommended by the chef—great combo). Everything was excellent—will definitely be back!

Great service! The staff really goes out of their way to make sure you have good experience. We came in without a reservation and they were able to accommodate us. The dover fish, beef tartare, chocolate soufflé are a MUST. I felt the lemon tart was a bit water down perhaps undercooked, but the flavor was light and not as heavy as others. The lobster pasta had a bit of strong flavor and the noodles didn’t do it for me. The crab appetizer was also delicious and I would repeat. They have a great wine selection. It is a very nice dinner spot, great for business or a night out. I love the open kitchen concept, they have nothing to hide! Bathrooms are individual stalls, which can cause a bit of a wait.

Outstanding new addition to the Guy&Larry RG (e.g., Red Ash, Roaring Fork, ATX Cocina, and Salty Sow) portfolio. Austin has needed a quality french destination and Francois DELIVERS! Service is outstanding. Front of house is welcoming and accommodating. Bar staff is engaging, oh-so-very talented, and friendly. Shout out to Ryan, Jay, and Jess for keeping us well fed, well served, and entertained during our visit! Service staff all know their stuff, too. Management is visible and engaged—they'll make sure you're having an outstanding experience. Food is delicious. The deviled eggs are perfection. Beef tartare has a hint of horseradish that's surprising and delightful. The popovers rival Jeffreys' (and that's saying something)! Rabbit tagliatelle has all the fall flavors and warmth you'd want. Creme Brûlée was perfect. The extensive by the glass list (nearly 20 options) makes for good spirts all around. And the Manhattan cocktails were 10/10. Atmosphere is really nice—a teleportation to a vibrant Paris bistro. The space is beautiful. It's energetic but not deafening. The open kitchen provides a fun vantage into how Chef Marmulstein and his team create their delicious dishes. A table near the kitchen is a must if you like to watch the magic happen. We cannot wait to go back!

Restaurant François is the newest hot spot in downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District! The comté cheese popovers alone should be illegal—seriously some of the best bites I’ve ever had. Every dish we tried was outstanding, and with their GM Emma at the helm, you can tell this place is headed for big things. Chelsea was an absolute blast as our server (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a British accent?). Fantastic service, incredible food, great atmosphere. This spot is definitely going to be a regular on our list!

Gave it a try after seeing few early positive reviews which proved to be either wrong or most likely paid influencers. Deviled eggs wirh black truffle were flavorless, steak tartate was overpowered from mustard flavor , Francois lettuce salad was good. Main course duck 2 ways was bland served skin was not crispy at all and the cabbage side was horrible. French fries were one of the best ones we've ever had. We were excited after our bland meal for the chocolate souffle , that we ordered at same time as our main course since it takes 20mins but unfortunately was not good at all we left most of it untouched . To their credit mamager stopped by and asked how things were since she noticed we didnt finish most of our food. She ended up giving us about $40 credit on food which was a nice touch but would have preferred 5o pay full price and have good meal with good tasting dishes.

This place is SO good. We were really impressed. The Jumbo Crab Villon was a generous portion of crab and the white wine sauce was sooo good. For my entree, I got the Filet Mignon and it was the best steak I’ve had in Austin. Perfectly cooked with a delicious crust. Definitely recommend the mushrooms for a side! Dessert was profiterole- huge portion and so good! Loved everything, will definitely be back

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!