Social Profile: 
✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
… View more
Life is made of the places you go and the people with whom you go there. C’est La Vie is a bistro that invites you to enjoy the small things in life, in the company of good friends. Our inviting, playful atmosphere along with our delicate yet satisfying cuisine makes for a place truly like no other. We invite you to experience everything C’est La Vie has to offer — and watch the world go by with us.
Hours
| Friday | 11:30 AM–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 18 N Market St, Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone: (717) 299-7319
Website: https://www.clvlancaster.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
C’est La Vie: Casual Lancaster Fine Dining with Character
C’est La Vie on Instagram · 18 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 · Call (717) 299-7319.
C’est La Vie Restaurant – Lancaster, PA | OpenTable
C’est La Vie serves lunch and dinner on a regular weekly schedule. Lunch is Tue–Sat 11:30 am–4:00 pm. Dinner hours are Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm and Fri–Sat 4:00 …
C’est La Vie | Lancaster PA – Facebook
“The holidays have officially arrived at C’est La Vie Bistro! ✨ Come cozy up in downtown Lancaster as we deck the halls with shimmering lights, elegant …
Reviews
Ashley Rose
Dined in for our 5th year anniversary dinner. I made an OpenTable reservation and requested a window seat. Upon arrival we were not sat where requested despite there being many available open window seats. We still enjoyed the overall atmosphere in main dining area, so we didn’t ask to be moved. Did appreciate that it is a smaller venue so it’s not loud and is easy to carry on conversation.
Our server was so sweet. She was attentive, but not overly in our face. No complaints on service! 5 stars here.
The escargot was great! We had never had it before and our waitress gave us the lowdown on how it their escargot is a little less traditional since it is already shelled and is served in BBQ sauce w/ bacon. If I was to recommend anything on the menu out of what we had, this would be it.
The entrees were sub par. I had the duck which is always my go to on a nice night out — Too greasy and wasn’t a fan of the eggplant. Just too bland. We also ordered the burger. A good helping, but far overpriced for what it was.
So in the end, felt we overpaid for the food. If I was to recommend someone to try this place out, I’d suggest going during happy hour so there’s no buyer’s remorse.
Went to use the restroom before leaving — the toilet was filthy and toilet tissue was all over the floor. Not the best farewell…
Head to their other location The Belvedere for a night out! Overall better food with similar pricing.
… moreOur server was so sweet. She was attentive, but not overly in our face. No complaints on service! 5 stars here.
The escargot was great! We had never had it before and our waitress gave us the lowdown on how it their escargot is a little less traditional since it is already shelled and is served in BBQ sauce w/ bacon. If I was to recommend anything on the menu out of what we had, this would be it.
The entrees were sub par. I had the duck which is always my go to on a nice night out — Too greasy and wasn’t a fan of the eggplant. Just too bland. We also ordered the burger. A good helping, but far overpriced for what it was.
So in the end, felt we overpaid for the food. If I was to recommend someone to try this place out, I’d suggest going during happy hour so there’s no buyer’s remorse.
Went to use the restroom before leaving — the toilet was filthy and toilet tissue was all over the floor. Not the best farewell…
Head to their other location The Belvedere for a night out! Overall better food with similar pricing.
j s
We enjoyed an excellent dinner last evening. Our team of 13 was well taken care of by Michael, he was amazing. The food and atmosphere exceeded our expectations, we will be returning!
… moreBrian Martin
A Long-Overdue Love Letter to C’est La Vie
It’s not often you come across a restaurant that gets *everything* right, consistently — but C’est La Vie in downtown Lancaster has quietly, confidently been doing just that for years. And frankly, this glowing review is long overdue.
From the moment you step through the door, it’s clear that every detail of the space has been curated with intention. The ambiance is effortlessly chic — a blend of trendy comfort and belle époque elegance that transports you. The warm lighting, rich textures, and thoughtful spatial design all work in harmony to create an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and intimate. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in for hours, lost in great conversation, without ever needing to raise your voice. The acoustics are a minor miracle in themselves.
But let’s talk about the food — *mon dieu*, the food. The French-inspired cuisine never ceases to amaze. Every dish is a marriage of high-quality ingredients and meticulous presentation. Whether it’s traditional mussels beurre monte, a perfectly seared duck breast, or a decadent crème brûlée, there’s a certain *je ne sais quoi* to every plate that leaves you both satisfied and eagerly anticipating your next visit. The menu strikes a beautiful balance between innovation and tradition — French classics elevated with subtle, modern twists that surprise and delight.
The cocktails are no less impressive. Creative, balanced, and beautifully presented, each drink is a testament to the skill and imagination behind the bar. Whether you’re indulging in something floral and aromatic or bold and spirit-forward, there’s always something on the cocktail menu that feels just a little bit special — like it was made just for you.
As for the service: friendly, professional, and perfectly timed. The staff at C’est La Vie have mastered the art of being present without ever hovering. They seem to have an innate sense of when to appear — whether it’s for a water refill, a wine recommendation, or simply to check in. It’s a level of attentiveness that feels rare these days and only adds to the overall sense that you are being *taken care of*.
What makes C’est La Vie so special, though, is the consistency. This isn’t a place that rests on its reputation. Every visit, whether a spontaneous weeknight dinner, a business lunch or a celebratory evening out, meets — and often exceeds — expectations. There’s clearly a deep level of thought and pride that goes into every element of the dining experience, and it shows.
As a lifelong Francophile, C’est La Vie feels like home away from my happy place. It captures the spirit of France — not just in the food or decor, but in the *experience*: the joy of sharing a beautiful meal, of savoring the moment, of feeling like time has slowed just enough to let you *live* a little more fully.
C’est La Vie isn’t just one of the best restaurants in Lancaster — it’s one of my favorites. Mes remerciements à toute l’équipe!
… moreIt’s not often you come across a restaurant that gets *everything* right, consistently — but C’est La Vie in downtown Lancaster has quietly, confidently been doing just that for years. And frankly, this glowing review is long overdue.
From the moment you step through the door, it’s clear that every detail of the space has been curated with intention. The ambiance is effortlessly chic — a blend of trendy comfort and belle époque elegance that transports you. The warm lighting, rich textures, and thoughtful spatial design all work in harmony to create an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and intimate. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in for hours, lost in great conversation, without ever needing to raise your voice. The acoustics are a minor miracle in themselves.
But let’s talk about the food — *mon dieu*, the food. The French-inspired cuisine never ceases to amaze. Every dish is a marriage of high-quality ingredients and meticulous presentation. Whether it’s traditional mussels beurre monte, a perfectly seared duck breast, or a decadent crème brûlée, there’s a certain *je ne sais quoi* to every plate that leaves you both satisfied and eagerly anticipating your next visit. The menu strikes a beautiful balance between innovation and tradition — French classics elevated with subtle, modern twists that surprise and delight.
The cocktails are no less impressive. Creative, balanced, and beautifully presented, each drink is a testament to the skill and imagination behind the bar. Whether you’re indulging in something floral and aromatic or bold and spirit-forward, there’s always something on the cocktail menu that feels just a little bit special — like it was made just for you.
As for the service: friendly, professional, and perfectly timed. The staff at C’est La Vie have mastered the art of being present without ever hovering. They seem to have an innate sense of when to appear — whether it’s for a water refill, a wine recommendation, or simply to check in. It’s a level of attentiveness that feels rare these days and only adds to the overall sense that you are being *taken care of*.
What makes C’est La Vie so special, though, is the consistency. This isn’t a place that rests on its reputation. Every visit, whether a spontaneous weeknight dinner, a business lunch or a celebratory evening out, meets — and often exceeds — expectations. There’s clearly a deep level of thought and pride that goes into every element of the dining experience, and it shows.
As a lifelong Francophile, C’est La Vie feels like home away from my happy place. It captures the spirit of France — not just in the food or decor, but in the *experience*: the joy of sharing a beautiful meal, of savoring the moment, of feeling like time has slowed just enough to let you *live* a little more fully.
C’est La Vie isn’t just one of the best restaurants in Lancaster — it’s one of my favorites. Mes remerciements à toute l’équipe!
Veronika Arnaut
C’est La Vie was a fantastic experience! My friend and I had an amazing time enjoying their delicious pizza, which had a perfectly crispy crust and fresh toppings. The chicken was juicy and full of flavor, a great complement to our meal. We paired everything with a couple of their signature cocktails, which were expertly made and refreshing. The atmosphere was charming, with a relaxed vibe that made it easy to unwind. The service was friendly and attentive, making the whole dining experience even better.
… moreYann Gautier
Even thought the service and ambience experience were positive , food quality and preparation didn’t match the price nor overall reviews .
The bourguignon was the only good dish that I could recommend , bouillabaisse felt blend and didn’t taste fresh . The pizza was nothing like other pictures posted online and felt like a frozen pizza from the market, jumbo shrimps were dry probably over cooked .
My wife was given a broken wine glass .
Far from impressed
… moreThe bourguignon was the only good dish that I could recommend , bouillabaisse felt blend and didn’t taste fresh . The pizza was nothing like other pictures posted online and felt like a frozen pizza from the market, jumbo shrimps were dry probably over cooked .
My wife was given a broken wine glass .
Far from impressed
Shirley Yee
What a wonderful meal we had last night! Kyle, our server was terrific. He was very helpful with suggestions and helped my dairy allergic partner find options on the menu. I started with a half portion of the tropical salad, which was full of delicious fruit and cashews, goat cheese, everything seasoning, and perfectly balanced dressing. My partner started with the deviled eggs with crab that he enjoyed. He also had the crab cakes, which were all crab meat (gluten and dairy free!), and was super happy with his meal. My entree was the trout special with tons of jumbo lump crab meat, mash, green beans in an almond and butter sauce. My friend also loved her filet mignon. Everything was cooked perfectly. Desserts were tasty too and I loved the plum and walnut ice cream special. We enjoyed our dinner outside. The ambiance is nice both inside and outside. Would definitely come back again!
… moreVanessa Johnson
A fantastic experience. Great for lunch date as well as dinner with friends or favorite someone. Our server was great. His knowledge of the menu helped to guide us from appetizer to main course to desert. He also helped us to select a delicious mocktail with ginger beer. Food was so delicious that we brought food home for our family. I had the Crab Asparagus Soup followed by a Short- rib Sandwich with Horseradish sauce. I had carrot cake for desert. All delicious! We were celebrating my friend’s birthday.
… moreChris Moran
A very nice menu… we got the berry salad and that was great. Also, the best onion soup I’ve had, ever! Short rib sandwiches for lunch…with great fries. Exceptional coffee! The wait staff was very friendly and professional.
… moreSuzanne K.
Dined here for lunch recently and enjoyed our experience! Cute place with ambiance and good food. Our server was very friendly and helpful, however, we walked past a few staff people who made eye contact and then didn’t smile or say hello. Luckily we didn’t have them as our server. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was delicious as was our other food. Highly recommend the Lavender de Provence cocktail! It was wonderful!
… moreLacey Saurbaugh
Would have given 5 stars all the way across the board however the woman that is the hostess was pretty rude to us. We came about 10 min prior to opening, staff was setting up outside and I asked if we could kindly just put our name in as we had a party of 5 and it was a Saturday during th very busy Strawberry Festival. Celebrating my daughter finding her wedding gown that morning, she was like “ummmm NO u need to wait until we open at 1130”. When we went back at 1130 another young man was at the hostess station and was super kind and took us right to a great table. The service was great, amazing cocktails and food was great as well.
The hostess needs to be a little more kind with her approach otherwise we have eaten here several times and LOVE it! Highly recommend!!
… moreThe hostess needs to be a little more kind with her approach otherwise we have eaten here several times and LOVE it! Highly recommend!!