Restaurant François – Downtown Austin’s new French-American fine dining experience. Opening late November Restaurant François by Chef Harold Marmulstein brings together classical French technique and modern American sensibility. The menu features house made pasta served tableside with French-style sauces, pristine seafood, dry-aged prime steaks and composed dishes like Maine Lobster Thermidor and Boneless Wagyu Short Ribs Bourguignon. Elegant interior design, an open exhibition kitchen, and the adjoining Bar Rouge cocktail lounge with a curated French-forward wine list complete the experience. Reservations recommended.
Hours
| Monday | 5–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5–10 PM |
| Friday | 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5–10 PM |
| Sunday | 5–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 401 W 3rd St suite 100, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 641-0355
Website: https://www.restaurantfrancois.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
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Reviews
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
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
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.
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.
– 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
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.
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
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