Bienvenue! Welcome to hundreds of the best French restaurant name ideas to help you name your new restaurant or cafe with French flair!

These naming ideas include elegant names for French cafes, coffee shops, bistros, brasseries, bakeries, patisseries, and fancy French dining restaurants.

J’adore la cuisine française! I love French food.

As a dedicated student of the French language, I consider it an important part of my study program to eat lots of delicious (délicieux) French food and visit lots of French restaurants! My favorites are quiche, French omelets, Parisienne salads (with poached eggs, lardon (bacon), and grilled goat cheese (chevre). Oh, la la!

Allons-y! Let’s go and find a unique and elegant idea for your French restaurant name.

NOTE: As of this date, all of these names are available and not taken. But be sure to double-check for existing trademarks (click here for free business name search at CorpNet) and also reserve your domain name (search domain availability at Blue Host here).

Types of French Restaurant Names

French Cafes

Cafes are a type of French coffee shop that serves a variety of coffees and associated dishes. The dishes tend to be inexpensive and include pastries, ice cream, and sandwiches.

>> How to Name Your Restaurant in 6 Easy Steps

French Bistros

The difference between French cafes and bistros is that bistros are traditionally smaller restaurants that serve simple meals in a moderate decor setting.

Cafes typically do not change their menus, whereas bistros have different menus for lunch and dinner and serve more varied dishes. Bistros usually have daily specials offering in-season dishes. Popular bistro foods include seafood and casseroles.

French Brasseries

Brasseries are translated into English as a brewery. Most authentic French brasseries brew their own beer and serve single dishes and meals. The menu tends to be the same each week.

French Restaurants

French restaurants are the traditional multi-course meal that most Americans consider a true French restaurant.

They are fine dining establishments that offer appetizers, entrées, and desserts as well as à la carte options. High-end service and quality wine choices are featured in a white tablecloth elegant environment.

French Auberge

Another type of French restaurant is an Auberge which serves rustic family-style meals and is often attached to rural bed and breakfast, hotels or inns.

An auberge terroir uses French government certified local ingredients for the ultimate French country farm to table dining experience.

French Bakeries

In France, a boulangerie is a bakery cafe often featuring freshly baked bread.

A French patisserie is a bakery specializing in cakes and sweets such as; eclairs, mille feuilles, and macarons.

Check out my big list of French Bakery name ideas here

Bouchon

Bouchons, typically located in Lyon, France are casual dining spots that serve pork and other meat products including sausage, bacon, and pork fatback.

Cute French Cafe Name Suggestions

French cafes are a strong trend in the restaurant industry.

These good name ideas are creative and a bit different such as Cafe Sud (translation – Coffee Shop South) which would be a great name for a shop in the Southern states, Cafe Creme (the French name for an espresso topped with foamed milk – my favorite French coffee drink) and Un Peu French Cafe (means a little bit French in English)

>Discover French bakery name ideas here

Creative French Bistro Restaurant Name Suggestions

To stand out from your competition and make your customers remember your restaurant name, consider one of these catchy French restaurant names.

I added some French words that most English speakers will know and understand. This gives these name ideas a bit of French élan (panache, energy, liveliness).

Consider these clever restaurant names for your French bistro; Escargots Bistro (everyone knows that French dish of snails), Hemingway’s Paris Bistro (recalls a romantic time in 1920’s Paris) and French Dip (Fun use of two meanings – a favorite sandwich and a sampling of French culture & food).

>> How to Name Your Restaurant in 6 Easy Steps

Fancy Fine Dining Restaurant Branding

For this type of fine dining establishment, you will want to use an elegant and classy French restaurant name. 

Consider naming your restaurant Dijonaise Restaurant, (check availability)most English speakers know about delicious Dijon mustard (moutarde) and will anticipate your creative French dishes.

For a more modern name think about, Binge Paris () which would appeal to travelers who have experienced the culinary delights of France’s capital Paris.  Burgundy Vin () is a sophisticated name for your restaurant which serves French wine and food.

Check out this ultimate list of restaurant name ideas and logo examples here