Papillon Restaurant

I went there for my birthday with my family, and I had a great experience. The meals, the waiters, and the atmosphere were amazing 😀. I had onion soup, angel pasta, and lemonade, and everything was delicious! My dream is to become a chef in the future, and I hope I can be like them :) After we finished, the waiter surprised me with a birthday cake even though I hadn’t ordered one. That really made me happy! This place is cozy and mostly run by a minority group, and I definitely recommend it if you like this kind of ambiance.

Great date night restaurant. Definitely has an old-school upscale aesthetic. Food is expensive, but quite delicious. Friendly service that is dressed to impress. I tried the baked brie, French onion soup, and beef Wellington. It was busy on Saturday night, strongly recommend a reservation

This restraint has much vintage and elegant charm. The owner/manager Charlie is so very warm, genuinely kind and followed with us to check everything went well. The host Glen and our server Connor were both so amicable and helpful. The food was delicious, we had Rack of Lamb and the chilean sea bass and both dishes were Sep hilar especially the sea bass. We had the Brussels sprouts and crab cakes and they were so tasty as starters. Finally the desserts were very decedent, especially the flourless chocolate torte. They were kind enough to send out a little special plate for us as well for our anniversary. If you’re looking for a charming, friendly and delicious dining experience this could be your place. It’s very much not stuffy or overpriced for the quality of food either. Thank you to the entire staff at Papillon!

Dinner on a Saturday at 5:30. Wonderful experience all around! Food was very delicious and the portions were large. Flavors were perfectly balanced and we could tell the food was prepared by caring chefs. We never had to flag anyone down for anything. Our waters were constantly refilled. Wine was good and priced surprisingly low. Will be back and highly recommend.

Food was pretty good. Service was very slow. Which seems to be an abnormal experience so maybe it was just a bad night for them. Servers were friendly, but it took 30 mins for us to get our drinks (wine and lemonade). Market price for 6-8 oz steak was $60! 😭

A Fremont classic that my family and I drove by all the time growing up. Glad to see it’s still here and we finally got to try. They’re celebrating 48 years! Service is attentive and pleasant. Portions are generous and food is very tasty. Our favorite dishes were the braised short rib with mashed potatoes - moist, FELL OFF the bone! Sautéed filet mignon with puff pastry also very good. Honorable mention to the house salad with some sort of vinaigrette, apples, and candied walnuts.

Very friendly and professional staff. The food was quite good. Steaks were cooked the way we ordered them. Rice that came with the fish as really tasty. My youngest liked the chicken strips. No complaints at all. There was a special table side presentation of dessert - a neat little fire show.

My family and I were truly grateful to have enjoyed such delicious food, including Bone-in Short Rib, Sautéed Slice Filet, Salmon Tuscan, Brussel Sprout, Escargot, and House Salads, as well as, excellent services they provided. Reserved first, no waiting and parking was easy.

The wife and I has been going to Papillon for 35 years never had a bad experience or a bad meal. The staff is the best.

Papillon (French for "butterfly") has been on my list of Michelin-starred and special-occasion restaurants to visit in the East Bay. So when Citizen Medic Foundation hosted a Heroes in Helmets dinner here in October 2025, I had to come out here, especially since proceeds went to support Citizen Medic Foundation, and there were photo ops to ride our motorcycle without our helmets, and to sit and have our photos taken in the Arch Motorcycle KRGT-1 owned by the Citizen Medic Executive Director. Papillon is kind of a hidden gem tucked away on Mission Blvd near Niles Canyon in Fremont. If I was passing by and not on the lookout for this restaurant, I would totally miss it. I rode here on my motorcycle. It's a hilly ride, and coming down south-bound on Mission Blvd, I have to take a right turn to enter the restaurant parking lot. After waiting for traffic to pass, I then zip up the hill into the restaurant's parking lot. We had a really great event. We had photo ops to ride our motorcycles and get helmet-less photos in the parking lot before heading into the banquet room for dinner. The ambiance is quite small, intimate, and cozy, and has a vintage charm that you don't see in newer restaurants. We sat in a banquet room around a long dining table beneath a vintage chandelier and in front of a fireplace and stained-glass windows depicting butterflies. Appetizers: prawns, calamari, lobster ravioli, and grilled brussel sprouts Filet mignon: I asked for rare, came out more medium and kind of tough. I didn't bother asking for it to be changed Cheesecake: was told it comes with seasonal fruits, strawberries and raspberries. It only came with one strawberry. It might be because this is an old building, but the bathroom is rather small and cramped. To leave, I have to ride downhill (way nerve-wracking on a motorcycle than in a car), and be hyper-vigilant about any oncoming traffic before I can safely zip off down Mission Blvd. A lovely old-school restaurant that is definitely worth a visit for a special occasion in East Bay!

It saddens me to have to write this review, but I have to write it. I am giving 3 stars which breaks down to 5 stars for the food and service, and 0 stars for the facility. I suppose that should be a nice round 2.5, but that's not possible here. This restaurant exemplifies my worst restaurant pet peeve. CARPET. Restaurants should simply not have any carpet anywhere, ever. And if you must, then you must replace it at least every 6-12 months. We were so excited to finally come to Papillon, but the moment I walked in, I knew how this eventual review would go. The moment I walked in, the restaurant smelled like dirty carpet. Sacrebleu! What a terrible shame. Now, for most people, they get used to the smell after some moments, which is probably why the carpet continues to grace the floor of this otherwise old building. But for me, the stench was my new best friend throughout dinner, and it was a 1-2 punch walking out through the bar area, as it seems like the smell is worse there. The food....was very very good, and the service very attentive. We had the pork tenderloin and the Thai Bouillabaisse. Two great dishes with not a single complaint or issue. The owners need to sit down and pow-wow about the state of the floor in their restaurant. It stinks. Its time to move into the 20th century, even though that was technically the last one, close the restaurant for a few days, and have new hard flooring installed. And, based on the age of the restaurant, I will bet that the subfloor has actually soaked in decades of the stench. I will happily update my review to 5 stars once the facility is brought into the clean, hygienic, and modern era. After a quick search of reviews, there are pages and pages of reviews commenting on the same smell that is the focus of this review, there are even some that are 20 years old with the same critique.

Papillon is one of those place that you always drive by and think, "I should go there some time!" Well 30 years later for myself and 50 years for my parents, we finally went to Papillon to celebrate their 50th anniversary. This place has been around since the 70s...and it is still around. So that's got to mean something! The service was good, much better than you'll get most places in the tri-city area. This is the place to go for those special occasions. I also got my first flambé! It was delicious. I would recommend coming early for parking if you are unable to walk very far or have issues with seeing in the dark. When we arrived around 5pm, there was a lot of parking, but when we left, the lot was full (I have no idea where all the guests were). I liked that the other guests were just there for a while enjoying each other's company and we weren't being rushed out or anything. The food was pretty darn good and we all wondered why we hadn't been gone here before. Now that I've been, I'm more inclined to return to try the other menu items.

My bosses asked me where I wanted to go for a belated Christmas dinner and I am so glad I chose Papillon! The restaurant is a little dated but the staff is a reminder of the good old days of smiles and wanting to give you the best dining experience. There is ample parking and the bathrooms are gender neutral and clean! We all enjoyed our food and the dessert was amazing. We all had the chocolate mousse I had the filet mignon with Black pepper corn sauce with cognac so tasty and tender! Me and my husband will definitely be back for dinner. They are only open for dinner so plan accordingly.

We took my mother-in-law who grew up in France to Papillon for her first time, to celebrate her birthday. We've gone by ourselves before but it's been ages so seemed like a nice treat to take her out! We made reservations easily online and it was nice and quiet where we were seated. Appetizers came out quickly: we ordered the roasted bone marrow which was their special menu for the day, escargot of course and frog legs! The sauce for the frog legs was so divine I ended up also dipping my 6 year old's chicken tenders in it (heads up, there is an off menu kids' menu but I do think the tenders were dry, but it's a kids' chicken tenders sooooo...) and the bone marrow was heavenly. For our entrees, I split the roasted duck breast with my mother-in-law which was a good idea because it's two breasts and by the time we got to it after all the appetizers AND the onion soup before the entree, I could barely finish just the one breast! The French onion soup tasted so good and truly authentic. My mother-in-law loved it and as a woman who was raised in France, her opinion matters! We ended the night with crème brûlée (bien sûr! Pourquoi pas?!) which came with a sorbet and then the trio of sorbets for the kiddo. It usually comes with a mango sorbet but they were out and replaced it with a huckleberry sorbet which was pleasantly refreshing. My mother-in-law was impressed and will definitely come back with her friends!

Delicious food! We came here for my future mil's birthday dinner. The crab cakes were super flavorful, but we wish they were smaller so the crab cake to crispy exterior ratio was closer. The baked brie is also delicious and pairs perfectly with the apricot jam. We all got the French onion soup with our entrees, and it was so flavorful! Everyone really enjoyed it and said it was the best they've had by far. We ordered the seafood Wellington, slow braised lamb shank, and the steak frites. Everything was delicious and worth trying. Portions are generous and you'll definitely leave full. The veggies are a nice change from the deep flavors. They also gave us a free birthday cheesecake slice that was yummy. Keep in mind that service is on the slower side! I'm aware French culture is big on eating leisurely, but there were odd lulls where we were just waiting for a while. Other than that, they're all very attentive and refilled our waters multiple times and cleared our dishes promptly. The bathrooms aren't super obvious, but they're on the left side past the bar area. Overall, this is a solid spot and worth trying! I'll be bringing my dad here in the future for the onion soup and lamb shank!!

Old timers and old schoolers will know why after 47 years Papillon still has its charms. Coming back to this restaurant has the nostalgic meaning to us. I don't need to post any photos to show you the exquisite dishes they offer, because it is a given. The friendly staffs and hospitality are also standards. It is the memories and the atmosphere that we cherish and enjoy. After knowing we're celebrating the 39th anniversary, they brought out the Crème Brûlée w/ Mango Sorbet that we love. And the presentation was just heart warming in a rainy winter night. Love the Brussel Sprouts, Onion Soup, Garden Greens, Beef Wellington, Miso-Gazes Seabass, and Halibut topped with Lobster Sauce. They were all freshly prepared and deliciously tasting.

Papillon is a true gem. The service is warm, polished, and effortlessly attentive, making you feel welcome from the moment you sit down. The ambience is classic and intimate, which is perfect for a cozy night out or a special occasion. The food shines, especially the fabulous French onion soup. It was rich, deeply flavorful, and perfectly balanced with that golden, cheesy top. A timeless spot that never disappoints.

Food 4.5/5 Service 4 Ambience 4 Escargot 4/5 French onion soup 5/5 Beef Wellington 4.5/5

We needed a restaurant to eat after a funeral for the family. The restaurant was nice to work with us and opened between their lunch and dinner service for a group of 25. I was visiting from So Cal, so my first time there. Plenty of parking in their private lot. The family run business since the 1970s. The original grandparents have retired, their son and his wife and 2 kids now run the show. The 2 kids (adults) were are attentive servers. The food was delicious. The wife is the chef. We started with appetizers for the table: brussel sprouts, crab cakes and calamari. I had the salmon. The restaurant had multiple rooms, we were in the enclosed patio area. But there were other more formal rooms. I'd definitely return if I lived closer.

The lobster ravioli and crab cake pulled this rating from 4 to 5. Ravioli has actual lobster tail and crab cake was full of real crabs. And of course, they were delightful. Everything we ordered was delicious, the lamb shank was tender, the sauce on wellington is like a creamier version of a lobster bisque. The red velvet creme brulee was decadent. Service was great! This is an old reataurant and it would be safe to say they can do a little fixing.

I've seen and passed by Papillon so many times throughout my childhood and adult life. I actually didn't know it was a legit restaurant because it seemed closed all the time but I guess it's because they're only open for dinner. Makes sense. But yes, we were finally curious to see what it was all about and since we were celebrating, we decided, sure let's do it. Overall, the interior a bit dated, but has it's charm to it. The food was ok and the service very attentive and friendly! L O C A T I O N Papillon is located on Mission Blvd close to the Niles Downtown area. They have a parking lot, but this was all full when we came and we ended up on the dirt lot on the left side. I N S I D E They have a few dining areas. It's like being transported in time. I don't know what time but definitely not the 2020s. It's charming actually. There were a few folks already dining when we arrived. M E N U They had some specials, but in general...would I call it French food? I don't know, but they did have a lot of standards like escargot, frog legs, french onion soup, steak, lobster, etc. They also had a variety of drinks from cocktails to wine. We opted for a couple of appetizers, a couple of entrees, and couple of wines. They had nice fresh bread with butter. Each entree came with a house salad. ~ Escargot de Bourgogne - $15.50 ~ Drenched in garlic and butter. I was going to pay for this in terms of my digestion. Well cooked and nice chew to the snails. I don't think we'd get this again but if you're looking to try some escargot, it's a good one to order. ~ Housemade Lobster Ravioli - $19.50 ~ This was chunky. With nice chunks of lobster inside the raviolis. It was just okay. I don't think we'd get this again. ~ Class Beef Wellington - $53.00 ~ If you like a big hunk of meat, like a thick one, then this is good. I guess I realized after getting this dish, I like my steak a little more on the thinner side. It was just tough to chew. I don't think we'd get this again. But it was cooked to our preference. ~ Pistachio Encrusted Wild Caught Halibut - $43.50 ~ That lobster sauce and crab compote was delicious beside the actual halibut which was nicely crusted and flaky. Definitely glad we got this dish. ~ Housemade Tiramisu - $11.50 ~ We decided for dessert to get the tiramisu and it was definitely worth it! Creamy and delicious. Would get this again for sure! S E R V I C E Top notch. They were quite attentive from the service staff to the front host. We enjoyed our leisurely ~3 hour dinner. They even covered the dessert as we were celebrating a special occasion. O V E R A L L We were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed our time at Papillon. With outstanding service and a good variety of food choices, there's something for everyone. Make sure to get reservations and make sure to also block out a few hours so that you can fully enjoy the experience and meal.

A restaurant with this reputationshould have excellent service. When was the last time you ordered a lobster tail and the waiter left it for you to remove it from the shell? All beverages were served on the left side of the place setting rather than the right water pre-dinner men were always served first. The crème brûlée could have had slightly more char on the top, but always the men were served first, but what really irritated me was I couldn't get my lobster tail the shell and nobody went to help. I was too irritated to call for a waiter, but they should have known better. The food was on a par with OK I wouldn't write home to mother about it. All in all, I don't think I'll be back. So very disappointing.

Unexpected Gem on Mission Blvd - A Wonderful French Dining Experience. RESERVE this for your next special occasion dinner. They won't disappoint you at all. We stopped by this restaurant last minute for a family dinner. We've passed by it many times over the years on Mission Blvd but never thought to try it. To our surprise, they were able to accommodate our party of eight right away at 7 PM. The moment we stepped inside, we were impressed by the spacious interior and charming decor. It's a family-owned restaurant, and that personal touch can be seen by their personalized pictures with celebrities on the walls. Owner explained the history of this restaurant how his father started the business and he took over. It's also a perfect spot to do holiday gatherings. The French onion soup was absolutely incredible flavorful, rich, and not overly salty. I never liked onion soups because they are always so salty. The desserts were very impressive, beautifully crafted and delicious. Honestly, you could go just for the desserts and coffee and leave happy. Everything on the menu was thoughtfully prepared and delicious. The service was top-notch, friendly, and attentive. Highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a cozy, authentic French dining experience in the area!

We went to Papillon for my birthday. The waiter greeted us and asked whether we were celebrating any occasion when we were seated. We ordered salmon and beef Wellington. Both came with homemade salads as appetizers. The salmon was topped with creamy sauce. Salmon was fresh and the skin was crispy despite the sauce. For beef Wellington , we chose medium rare beef. It was super tender! The puff pastry was thin yet crispy. For dessert, we got cheese cake. I loved their little decoration of butterflies and "Happy Birthday" on the plate. The cheesecake was heavy but the strawberry sauce on it balanced out the sweetness. When we got the check, we were told by our waiter that our neighbor table, a couple who left before us, gave us $50 gift card credit! We were surprised by the warmth of the strangers (thank you!). It really made my day. Overall, food was great and service was excellent. It's a nice place for special occasions.

This was my second time dining at Papillon--two decades after my first visit. That might sound like a bad start, as if the restaurant wasn't worth returning to sooner. But let me be clear: Papillon serves some of the best food, period. I've always wanted to come back, but between life and the constant wave of new restaurants around, it just never happened. Plus, with young kids, the more traditional ambiance may not have been as appealing to them. That said, I do hope the owner considers refreshing the dining area and the façade maybe. While the traditional, old-world charm is part of its identity, a subtle update could breathe new life into the space without losing its character. Despite the dated decor, the food and service are outstanding--and more than make up for it. I highly recommend Papillon to anyone who values a truly memorable meal.

I swear this hidden gems always surprises me. The food last night was outstanding. We started with the tuna tartar. So much flavor with the home made potatoe chips. I had one of the specials last night. The halibut stuffed crab. Outstanding!! So much flavor and that sauce on top of top tier. I always enjoy coming here, the ambiance is great and the staff is always working hard. The customer service and the man Charlie is what keeps me coming back. Thank you again!

*LOCATION* This restaurant is a a stand-alone establishment located off of Mission Blvd. It's apparently been here for many years but I actually didn't discover it until recently! There is a decent size parking lot but I had to loop several times since they were very busy the day I went. *WAIT TIME* I dined here for an event so there was no wait as a room had already been reserved for us. However, the restaurant was pretty packed for a random Tuesday ~7pm and it looked like there were several other events/parties at the same time (since it was middle of the holiday season). *FOOD* -Mixed field greens: refreshing vinaigrette, portion was a lil on the smaller side -Grilled Angus Ribeye (med rare): dry and tough meat imo, side veggies were bland -Tiramisu: fluffy and creamy, just the way I like it :) *SERVICE* I was really looking forward to trying this restaurant because of all of its great reviews but I felt that the servers were not very attentive and the food came out wayyy too slow. The first course was served pretty much AFTER the speaker was already done talking (~40 minutes later). I understand the restaurant was busy but our menu had a pre-set salad as our first course.... then, we had to wait another 30 minutes for our entree. They also forgot to serve one person at our table so she had to wait even longer to get her entree after we reminded them. *AMBIENCE* This restaurant gives old classic romantic vibes. I might need to come back on a less busy day to give them another chance... Their yelp page has a lot of good reviews so a lot of other people seem to like it here!

I got to host a birthday dinner here and it was a very fine dining experience indeed! Surprised I've never been here despite living not too far away - the restaurant is sort of tucked in a side lot on a random street, so it can be easy to miss. However, I've heard that Papillon has been around for quite some time. If you're coming with a large party like I was, you can reserve the banquet room, which is a private dining area off to the side of the restaurant. It was like dining in someone's fancy manor, and service fit the theme well. We were able to order a variety of appetizers to share, including escargot, Brussel sprouts, crab cakes, and lobster ravioli. If you're more into vegetables, the salads are calling your name. The soup of the day was delicious and they even wrote happy birthday in it - first time I've seen that done. Despite the restaurant specializing in primarily French cuisine, I had to order the Beef Wellington since I've never had it and heard that it can be difficult to assemble at home (not that I've ever tried). It's basically steak cooked in a golden pastry - very rich and flavorful! I would recommend trying at least once. Our server was very nice and patient - despite handling a large party, he got everyone's orders right and the food was plated and served with an elegant touch. Not a casual dinner by any means (and the price reflects it) but makes for a memorable experience befitting of any special occasion!

As soon as we walked up to the front door, there was a very strong sewer-like odor. I assumed it might be temporary, but the smell continued throughout the restaurant and became even worse when I stepped into the bathroom. The odor was overwhelming and honestly shocking for a place serving food. At that point, I should have left, but we had already been seated and decided to give it a chance. The food did not improve the experience. I ordered the French onion soup, which great. The lobster ravioli was completely inedible, the pasta tasted undercooked and the filling was off, to the point where I couldn't eat it. The steak was extremely chewy and tough, and the vegetables were overcooked and lacked any flavor. The tap water left a gross taste in my mouth. Between the unpleasant environment and the poor-quality food, the entire meal felt uncomfortable and unenjoyable. This was not a case of one small issue it was problem after problem, starting with the smell and ending with food that was simply not good. Overall, this was a very disappointing dining experience, and unfortunately not one I would ever return for or recommend to others.

I love everything I have ordered since 1995. I love all Wellington's, I love the steak, I love the salmon, I love the soups, I love the pastas, I love the chicken cordon blue, salads, and desserts. I love the bar and love my glass of Green & Red Zinfandel.

We had a great time there, good food, great service, friendly staffs and good vibe. We ordered appetizers escargots, mushroom ravioli and frog legs, all were great except the frog legs was a bit soggy. For entrée, we had Chicken Cordon Bleu, it was very flavorful with crab sauce. Their house salad was awesome with green apple and walnut. We wrapped up our day with the special dessert liquored cherries with vanilla ice cream. It's a pleasant meal.

We made reservations (a birthday). We were seated immediately upon arrival. The table was in a quiet corner (as requested). Restaurant filled well for a Sunday. We ordered cocktails, snails, onion soup, and classic beef Wellington. All were excellent. Portion sizes were large. Very satisfying. Compliments to the kitchen. Service and wait staff were very good. We didn't feel rushed or neglected. Very relaxed atmosphere. Dessert was also excellent. We enjoyed the evening.

My recommendation is primarily based on the service and friendliness of the staff and owner Charlie, and our servers and host Glen and Connor. While the food was good, and we had quite a bit of it, including the crabcakes and French onion soup, as well as as the rack of lamb and Chilean Seabass, the service and people were the real star. Tucked into a quiet hillside community of Fremont the restaurant is quite vintage, but it is roomy enough to allow each dining party enough room to actually talk and it is quite inviting. The food in particular the Chilean Seabass was really tasty and almost perfectly made. The rack of lamb was very tender And the crab cakes use generous amounts of crab in them. I would recommend this restaurant if you are looking for a good dining experience that isn't too expensive for tasty and well cooked dishes.

We just had the most amazing dinner and service at Papillon. My husband and I treated our 2 children and their significant others to the most delicious dishes and stellar service from Frances and Sam. Our kids wanted to eat at Papillon before returning to college. It was so nice that Charlie remembered us as he seated us at our favorite table. As always, we enjoyed the warm and friendly atmosphere and hospitality. We will return soon to celebrate birthdays. Can't wait.

Service is always great here and the food is good. They could definitely use an update on the interior and I think it would do wonders for the ambiance. For the prices they charge I feel like some effort could go into make some updates and changes. Last time we were in there the whole place smelled old and little mildewy.

Been to this place many times throughout my life here in the Bay Area, but finally getting to a review. Had not been here in a while. Decided to have a nice family get together to celebrate my daughter's, husband's, and uncle's birthday. Food is always delicious per usual, and the ambiance is nice and intimate. Staff has always been friendly, and our server Glen did an amazing job of being considerate and timely. Busser was very polite and attentive to our table. My daughter is quite the picky eater, so I brought food for her in advance, but we were delightfully surprised when the staff came out with her own dessert! It was such an incredibly sweet gesture, and it made everyone's night-- especially hers. She got to blow out her candle and everything. Thank you for the many years of service, Papillion! It has definitely reached another generation in my family.

Great food. Had a three course meal. Try the chocolate cake, with hard chocolate shell and pistachio. You won't forget it. It's one of the best I've ever had.

Welove the service. It's quiet , formal dining which there are so few of in Fremont. We have never been disappointed with any of our meals here. Nice selection of food to meet everyone's needs. Great cocktails!

There was an unpleasant odor when we first walked in, which made the overall dining experience a bit less enjoyable. The food was okay, and service was a little slow for a mid-week visit. The bathroom could also use some maintenance since a both the ladies and men's stalls were backed up. Hopefully they address these issues.

A couple of our friends brought us here for a late birthday celebration for me. I'm so glad they did. They told us that this is their go-to place when celebrating something special. We had a reservation and were greeted/seated right away. It was a weeknight so they weren't too busy except for a party of 8 or 10 sitting in the same area. Still only a couple of empty tables. Really friendly staff and they took turns checking on us (even the owner). My partner and I were pleasantly surprised when we saw their menu. They really have a lot to offer and the prices are really not that bad. Compared to other fine restaurants, I would say that they charge about 15-20% less and portions are bigger. And wait till you taste the food! Not a single item that we did not enjoy. We all ordered something different. Rib eye steak, lobster, braised short ribs, seafood wellington, french onion soup, and clam chowder. Not really a french onion fan but my friend recommended that we try it and really enjoyed it. Only thing was it filled up that I barely touched my short ribs. Took most of it to go and got two meals out of it. I think it even tasted better after reheating the next day. Then we ordered special dessert that's not even on the menu... Cherries Jubilee. The owner himself made it for us and the process was such a treat. Why only 4 s? If it was just for the food, definitely 5 but have to rate the whole experience. Nothing against the wonderful staff, but service during our visit was a bit slow. Even our friends said so and that they're usually right on top of things. We're thinking we caught them on a day when they were short-staffed which would explain why owner was hands-on all around. It was still a pleasant experience overall... great company and good conversation kept us preoccupied. It's just that we still noticed that wait time and I guess it didn't help that we all came hungry. I've lived in the area for almost 30' years and have driven by this place almost every week but have never even looked them up. I'm so glad we finally tried them out and will definitely be in our rotation for special occasions!

Papillon is located along a busy main street, but part of the quietler side. They have a small lot, but it was a big awkward to navigate and it was a bit busy even for a weeknight. The employees were friendly, but the service was pretty poor, just due to how slow everything was, even with a reservation. We arrived promptly for our reservation and it still took awhile (at least 15+ minutes) to get seated after checking in; it took awhile for us to get our server back to take our order (probably another 15 minutes or so); when we ordered our appetizers / food, it took a good 30 - 45 minutes to get our appetizers and probably another 15 - 20 minutes to get our entrees. We tried the caesar salad, french onion soup, frog legs, ribeye, and salmon. The duck breast was intriging though. Food came out very slow with a big gap in between the soup / salad, appetizer, and actual entrees that it was a bit ridiculous, but at least we had time to converse more. Salad was like any other salad and soup was alright - a bit on the saltier side. Frog legs were tasty just too much breading than meat. The ribeye was a bit bouncy - just decent and the salmon was a bit on the overcooked side. Overall, food is maybe 2 - 2.5 stars, but our server seemed friendly and it was not his fault that everything took so long, so bumped it up to an overall 3 stars.

This was always on my radar, from hearing about it from friends and coworkers. I'm so glad I was finally able to make it here! My wife surprised me by taking me here. They are participating in "Restaurant Week, March 22nd - March 31st, 2024 and offer a Prix Fixe menu. The restaurant has that old school charm. There is a full bar as you enter the restaurant. They have 3 separate dining areas (main dining, greenhouse/enclosed outside, and banquet). The service is nice, attentive, and polite. It didn't disappoint. Our meals also came with a house salad that was good. Fresh, healthy, with a tasty dressing. My wife chose the... FRENCH ONION SOUP: Baked with Natural Swiss Cheese. We both really enjoyed the presentation of the Puff Pastry on top and the Swiss cheese underneath. The soup was flavorful, rich, and savory. SAUTÉED SLICE FILET MIGNON: with mushrooms, peppercorn sauce, served on a Puff Pastry Shell (4/5). The dish was boldly rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The filet slices were tender, maybe cooked to a medium. I couldn't see under all that delicious sauce. The vegetables helped break up the richness of this dish. I decided on... DUCK MOUSSE PATE: served with Pickled Red Onions, Cornichons, and Toast. The pate was chilled, earthly, and creamy and was delicious on the toast with all the ingredients. ANGEL HAIR PASTA: with Artichoke Hearts, Squash, in Tomato Broth or Crème Sauce with Grilled Chicken or with Grilled Prawns. My choice was the grilled prawns and creme sauce. If you like creme sauce, this won't disappoint. There were four large grilled prawns in this dish. This is definitely a nice place to take a date, significant other, or celebrate a special occasion. We will be back!

Had a wonderful time here with my family. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I got the halibut with crab and it was great. Sides were fresh veggies and you can substitute your house salad with an upgrade. I got the upgrade onion soup and it hit the spot. The house salads were huge and looked great. The appetizer sampler with escargot, crab cake, and lobster ravioli was delicious. I'd probably just get that as a meal for myself next time. There's lots of good options here and everyone was happy, so I would come back here if I want a well done meal. There were lots of amazing looking options. The restaurant itself is stunning. Servers know what they are doing and again, we had a great time.

Me and my wife celebrated our wedding anniversary at Papillon. We booked our dinner online and made our reservation at 5:30 am. They have ample parking space and you'll not miss the big sign in front of their restaurant. Once we checked in, we were immediately seated at our table. The place is nostalgic and the ambiance is quiet and pleasant for a romantic dinner. Since they just opened, we saw only a few patrons. The menu has a lot of options and this place is very famous for its steak, fillet mignon, classic beef Wellington, ribeye, rack of lamb, short ribs, salmon, etc. All of the items from their menu are highly recommendable. For starters, we ordered their crispy tempura calamari and their house salad. We also had their Blue Paradise Margarita and Tequila Sunrise. For our main course, we ordered the Grilled ANGUS RIBEYE in Marinade of Olive Oil, Roasted Peppers, Basil, and Roasted Garlic Puree, served with Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms and Grilled ATLANTIC SALMON with Hero Potato Puree, Warm Spinach, and Cranberry Reduction. While waiting for our orders, we were served with their warm bread. The calamari was fresh and good. The salad was just served right and the dressing was good. The margarita and Tequiela were the perfect alcohol for the night. And finally, the main course was perfect. The ribeye was soft and tender and the Salmon was fresh and delicious. The portions were huge and were cooked the way we wanted. The meal was so huge that we didn't have any more space for desserts. However, when they found out that we were celebrating our anniversary, they presented us with a nice piece of cake with all the trimmings around a plate with an anniversary message. They were so thoughtful and made our anniversary special. The owner, Charlie, approached our table and greeted us on our anniversary. He told us the story of how the restaurant started and how long they've been in the business. With the great service they provided and the excellent food they provided, I would see them prospering for another decade. This was not our first time celebrating our anniversary here and we see ourselves celebrating more anniversary at this place.

Recently, I was honoured to be in attendance at the 75th birthday bash of a very dear friend that I have known for 63 years. The celebration was held here at Papillon. The subtle elegance of their banquet room comfortably accommodated all 20 of us where we were pampered by the most attentive waitstaff. And most of all, the cuisine met the approval of all of the attendees. The Coconut Prawns that were absolutely delicious. There were many choices on the menu but I chose the French Onion Soup to be followed by the American Kobe Short Ribs with Horseradish Mash Potatoes and Veggies. Everything delighted my palate and met my expectations. A great time was had by all. Thanks once again Harry and the staff of Papillon for a very memorable evening.

Amazing food and service from a local family restaurant. We have been coming to Papillon for years and have always been impressed by the food, drinks and hospitality. Our must-haves are the lobster raviolis, the Brussels sprouts and the Thai Bouillabaisse, with a glass of wine or martini. The vibe is classic and a little fancy, perfect for a random Tuesday night or for something special. The service is stellar and keeps us coming back -- we absolutely love Channah, who is equal parts professional and super friendly. If you haven't tried this local gem, definitely do. You won't be disappointed!

It is an excellent place for food! The owner is so thoughtful and skilled! As a family owned business that does a great job we both highly recommend this restaurant! Old school ambiance and excellent flavors!

Wow this place is a real Hidden gem in Fremont.Loved the atmosphere and the food was excellent!!!The bread they served was delicious and soft. I do not have pictures of the snail dish but that was yummy too,Make sure you like garlic though as it has tons of it. Our server was Sam and he was very attentive and friendly and helpful while we were deciding on the entrees. Going there again for sure

Always a pleasure to dine at Niles Papillon. The duck pate and the smoked sweet potatoes soup were absolutely delicious.

Great food. Good music, feels very welcoming. I had great experience on my birthday dinner. Conner is very wonderful with his customer service. Definitely coming back.!

One of my favorite places to celebrate my birthday or special occasions! The food , ambiance and service is great! One of my favorite appetizers is the escargot, which I order every time I come here. I love the ribeye steak and lobster. I also love the seafood. And definitely save some room for one of their delicious desserts!

I highly recommend this restaurant The food was very delicious and they were very generous with the portions were. The service was from the host - Jose - until the end, everyone made me feel like celebrating our special day: Wedding Anniversary. They also gave us a special delicious dessert. What else can I ask for? The ambiance was very comfortable AC cold enough, pleasant I'd say and they play soft music. You can actually talk and there was no need to scream.

Came here for an anniversary dinner, service was a little slower because it was busy but the servers were really nice. We got placed in a quiet room where it was only us two which was a little awkward, we heard other people behind us hidden, which made us feel like we had to whisper. The food was great, we had a lot of what everyone gets here such as the escargot, french onion soup, the beef wellington and got a crème brûlée for dessert which was the best one we've ever had. We want to come back again and try some other things!

We went there to celebrate our mom's birthday. The service is flawless. The food is always delicious with fresh ingredients. I'm so in love with their Escargot Highly recommend!

Great food, service and the ambiance was excellent!!! The meal, drinks and desserts were great!!!!

Beef Wellington. That is all you need to know to make your way to this historic, fine dining restaurant located just off Mission Boulevard. Family owned since the 70's, Papillon ("butterfly" in French) serves up some delicious classics and new experiences for those who haven't had a chance to taste exquisite dishes like escargot, crab cakes, pâté, or their signature beef Wellington. Aside from the beef Wellington, there are a variety of entrees made with seafood, pasta, and lamb. You're bound to find something you'll enjoy; their kitchen crafts very tasty and hearty dishes. Their menu is quite extensive and they may also have a specials menu for the evening. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to taste the pâté as they were out but we did order a good number of items to try. They also serve a side of bread that goes well with the saucy dishes and you can request to be refilled (they didn't really offer to have it refilled without prompting). The bread unfortunately is not warmed but it is very soft! Btw the appetizer combination comes with their most populate dishes: escargot, lobster ravioli and crab cakes. Escargot - served in a buttery herb sauce and eaten with special tools (a clamp and a long pointed fork), this dish is unique and and is a must get if it's your first time here. The sea snails are served in shell and retains a bit of heat when you dig into them. Comes with 6 pieces. Lobster ravioli - meaty flesh encased in a thin wrap and served with a robust cream sauce. Crab cake - crispy on the outside and meaty on the inside. The crab mix gives a good texture to each bite and goes well with the sauce it's paired with. Baked Brie - puff pastry encasing delicious, melted Brie cheese. Served with a fruity jam and arugula salad. Mushroom ravioli - mushroom packed morsels mixed with melted cheese and cream sauce make this dish a hearty addition to your meal, as an appetizer or a main course (for light eaters). French onion soup puff pastry - most entrees will have the option to upgrade to the French onion soup over the house salad. Do it. You will not regret it. The French onion soup is delicious - hearty onion pieces with cheese and puff pastry with every bite. You might want to get another; it's that good! Seafood Wellington - delicious take on a seafood variation of the classic Wellington. A mix of crab, prawns and lobster encased in a puff pastry was delicious Beef Wellington - this is the highlight of the meal. Tender beef encased in a thin mushroom layer and then encased in a puff pastry. *Chef's kiss* The food is delicious. The service has some room for improvement. Front desk was decent but didn't have much enthusiasm seating us. Waiter service was okay however they didn't introduce themselves so we weren't really sure how to address them. We also noticed they were a bit slow to clear tables although the restaurant was pretty vacant when we went. And perhaps it was just unfortunate timing but the men's restroom had no toilet paper on any of the rolls. All in all, I would have expected better amenities for a fine dining restaurant but at the end of the day, I came here for the food. They also have a full bar but we didn't get to experience that this time around. They're only open for dinner service so be prepared to plan ahead and make reservations if possible if you have a larger group. The parking lot gets a bit dark and there's no protected entry from the main street, Mission Boulevard. Therefore, take extra care turning in and out of the lot. Overall, Papillon is the perfect place to take family, friends and business partners for a nice sit down to experience beef Wellington at its finest. You'll enjoy the other food as well while perhaps soaking in a bit of Fremont history.

In our party of ten, it was most of our first times' eating here. It was so beautiful inside, and the servers were calm and attentive. All of our food was delicious, and we brought our own cake for my birthday. When they brought out the cake, it was adorned with orchids and mint and they even put their own candles on it and made it so special. We will all definitely be returning, we loved it!