Location: Bethesda
Top Restaurants in Bethesda
Best French food near Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Find out what French restaurants to try in Bethesda. Bethesda is an unincorporated, census-designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, located just northwest of the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House (1820, rebuilt 1849), which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda. In Aramaic, ܒܝܬ ܚܣܕܐ beth ḥesda means "House of Mercy" and in Hebrew, בית חסד "beit ḥesed" means "House of Kindness". The National Institutes of Health main campus and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center are in Bethesda, as are a number of corporate and government headquarters.
Things to do in Bethesda
6. Le Pain Quotidien
Overall Ratings
3 based on 87 reviews
We're a Belgian bakery and restaurant serving simple, wholesome and seasonal food. Le Pain Quotidien means "the daily bread" in French, and like our name suggests, we're bakers at heart. Although our handmade, organic bread is how we got our start, we ser
Reviewed By Elizabeth L
I came in for breakfast with my daughter. We ordered coffee and as it was French strong coffee, I exchanged the cream I originally ordered with it for hot milk. Excellent coffee. I then ordered the Apple turnover. It hardly had any filling. It seemed that it had all spilled out while baking. The pastry was not crispy, but rather soft and doughy. Disappointing. My daughter odered a croissant that she said was very good and crispy. We then ordered scrambled eggs. Hers came with avocado and crispy onions. It also came with diced tomatoes, which was not mentioned in the menu and which she does not like. I ordered the scrambled eggs with crispy bacon on top. Both eggs were overcooked to my taste. They were rubbery and had a little bit of a toasted color in certain parts. To me, scrambled eggs, especially in a French place, should be creamy and well cooked, byt not rubbery. Disappointed. My daughter ended up ordering lentil soup to take home for lunch and did not eat it because she did not like it. Disappointed again. Too bad, I wanted to like this place. The ambiance is nice and I was enjoying the visit with my daughter.
5. Duck Duck Goose
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By SherryS994
Small, cozy restaurant with a small-ish menu, but entrees are beautifully presented and delicious. Reservations recommended. Full bar is a plus. Highly recommended.
4. Bistro Provence
Overall Ratings
4 based on 190 reviews
New French restaurant run by chef Yannick Cam.
Reviewed By Ansel C
Our national trade association is headquartered in Bethesda. We held our annual Staff Appreciation Holiday Dinner at Bistro Provence in their private room on the second floor. Both the food and service was outstanding. It was one of the best group dining experiences I have ever had.
3. Le Vieux Logis
Overall Ratings
4 based on 195 reviews
Welcome to Le Vieux Logis A long time Bethesda favorite, Le Vieux Logis offers a newly inspired French menu and wine list, perfect for intimate dinners, cozy nights out and quiet conversation with friends and colleagues. The kitchen showcases flavorful Fr
Reviewed By jonathanrL8486KM
My wife and I went here recently for a birthday dinner. We took advantage of the restaurantâs $38 three-course prix-fixe dinner menu, which proved to be an excellent value. We liked all of our courses (artisan salad and Roquefort terrine; steak frites and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin; and creÌpe Suzette and vanilla creÌme bruÌleÌe). All were well-presented and very good (though weâd hoped the creÌpe would be flamed tableside). The service was very friendly and accommodating, and the ambiance warm and welcoming. Thereâs a minuscule parking lot right behind the restaurant, but thereâs ample parking nearby.
Most Popular American food in Bethesda, Maryland, United States
2. La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By KmomChicago
Returned to Le Madeleine twice on my most recent visit on business to Bethesda. Had a three salad plate for dinner one night and enjoyed it, but then I'm a salad kind of gal. I like the décor and the freshness of the food. It's pretty obvious people think of this more as a breakfast / lunch place but if you don't lean toward very heavy evening meals, this is a great option. I don't feel it's very expensive for what you get.Another evening, after experiencing a crab shack complete with all the salty, messy, cracking, digging business for not-very-much-food (not my kind of place but I get it for those who love the adventure), we stopped here for a dessert pastry, which in my case was a filled croissant. Or maybe 2 filled croissants, if I'm being totally honest (seriously I got about 3 ounces of crab out of two of those poor critters before giving up). Also picked up a bag of 3 Linzer cookies to bring back as my travel gift to my family who was left behind and they pronounced them among the very best cookies they have ever eaten.
1. Mon Ami Gabi
Overall Ratings
4 based on 908 reviews
Reviewed By TomR233
We've eaten here at least twice before, and on all previous occasions, the food and wine were great. Not so this time. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is my alt time favorite wine, and I've had it many times. Unfortunately, the bottle I had this time, although not technically bad, was too acidic for my tastes, to the point that I ordered a Merlot to replace it.My wife and I shared the Goat Cheese appetizer. The Goat Cheese was fine, but the sauce it was in was too spicey. For the main course, we both ordered the clalssic Filet MIgnon with the butter, Butter Red Wine reduced sauce. Instead of a deep red, buttery wine sauce like I imagined - and like I remember receiving previously, we got what appeared to be an Aus Jus with some butter. So disappointing! Check out Giada's recipe for it; it's delicious. The service throughout was great, as usual - very friendly and prompt. For dessert, we shared the Blueberry tart. It was tasty. Also, ask for a table "in the back" - it's much quieter. We may return, not sure. As another traveler said, "it's pricey". I don't mind the prices, IF the food is outstanding.Tip: If you're using the Valet parking in front of the restaurant, it's easier if you come down Wisconsin Ave and make a right on Bethesda Ave and then a right on Woodmont Ave. The restaurant will be there, almost as soon as you turn onto Woodmont Ave. Otherwise, if you just come down Woodmont, you'll need to make a U-Turn. Also, be wary of your GPS: Bethesda has a LOT of constructiion which has closed and reconfigured streets in that area. Been there, dooe that.
