Top Best French Restaurants in Rancho San Diego

"The centrally located, award-winning Bertrand at Mister A’s penthouse restaurant offers fine American cuisine and spectacular views of San Diego, including the skyline, bay, Balboa Park, Coronado, Point Loma, and the zoo. Relish in the amazing flavors of the classic lobster bisque, steak tartare, or gourmet beer-battered fish and chips. French restaurateur, Bertrand Hug, bought Mister A’s in 2000 and invited Chef de Cuisine, Stephane Voitzwinkler, to create simplistic, yet delectable dishes with European influences made from seasonally available, locally-sourced ingredients."

"An elegant dining room is enhanced by jaw-dropping city views that peer out over to the harbour. At night, you can sip on champagne and watch the city light up in a twinkling display of beauty. Crisp white linen and high-backed chairs ensure the entire evening is an elegant affair."

"When the craving for comfort food strikes, there’s almost nothing better than a trip to Whisknladel. This decade-old stalwart elevates classics like buttermilk fried chicken with gourmet mac and cheese and a side of pancetta braised green beans, and a menu that sources almost entirely from local farms. Charred bone marrow gets cozy with lemon and capers, while local market fish takes a swim in lemon butter sauce and the pork chop basks in a peach vinaigrette."

"At Whisknladle, you know you’re getting three things: Decadent comfort eats, local ingredients, and a plate of food your body will thank you for. Chef Ryan Johnston believes in a simple culinary philosophy: Food does not need to be overpowered, overmixed, or over-presented. Food, in its optimal form, is a culmination of the ingredients inside."

"This farm-to-table restaurant located in the village serves breakfast 7 days a week from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm. It features open-air windows, a small outdoor patio, and the servers are friendly and attentive. The menu is ever-changing to reflect what the executive chef can get from local farms and purveyors, and everything is made from scratch."

"A charming restaurant with views of the San Diego Bay from its outdoor patio. It offers pastries and breakfast plates in the morning, superb coffees throughout the day and evening, great salads and entrees at lunch, and fabulous dinner specials in the evening. The café serves wine, and pooches are welcome on the patio."

"A staple for Crown Islanders since 2001, quaint neighborhood spot Tartine does a superb selection of European style fresh pastries, croissants, and scones — plus bistro classics like a slice of Ham and Gruyère cheesequiche, orcharcuterie and pâté plates for mid-morning."

"After breakfast, head to the northeast side of the island for a European lunch at Tartine. They offer great paninis, quiches, and pastries. I recommend trying their Spinach, Tomato and Gruyere Quiche with a cup of soup."

"No need to cross the Atlantic when you can stop into this casual Parisian-style cafe on Orange Avenue. They’re known for a wide selection of delectable cheese and classic dishes like escargots, steak frites, quiche, and croque monsieur. The menu features suggested pairings from their approachable list of French and California wines."

"A Coronado Island treasure inspired by a classic Parisian bistro, Little Frenchie is a lovely spot for lunch. Chef Matt Sramek looks to Paris for culinary inspiration but to Califo..."

"Le Parfait Paris is San Diego's newest patisserie and boulangerie. Located in the downtown Gaslamp District, Le Parfait Paris is distinctly chic with its large, open windows and street-side patio. Intentionally minimalistic in design, a bevy of colorful macarons and desserts are housed like fine jewelry in transparent refrigerated cases for roving eyes to adore."

"This French bakery serves classic pastries and light café fair. If you need another Instagram-worthy dessert, this place should definitely be on your list. Check out the map below for directions:"

"Located just off Orange Avenue on a quiet neighborhood street, this French gem won’t disappoint. Situated in a beautiful historic home, they delight in simple traditional cooking methods using the freshest local ingredients. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped inside a private home with 5-star service."

"Chez Loma’s chef and partner Alejandro Martinez treats his ingredients with love and respect, a perfect recipe for one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego. The French-inspired cooking in a charming refurbished house add to the intimate chram."

"Proprietor Bertrand Hug's French restaurant is the kind of place, even in the days of more casual dining, that you still want to get dressed up for. A favorite with visiting Hollywood stars and world-renowned chefs, it offers unabashed elegance, irresistible gourmet dishes, intimate rooms with warmly-lit fireplaces, exquisite hand-woven tapestries, and starched white linens. The menu's delicacies change with the seasons and can include short ribs with heirloom carrots, morels and polenta; and scallops with sprouting cauliflower, kohlrabi and Champagne beurre blanc."

"Whether you’re on a casual date night out or celebrating a milestone anniversary, Mille Fleurs offers elegant and casual dining. The daily changing menu offers surprises every time you visit, as do the surroundings. Dining in the main room, the courtyard patio or the fountain room will change the atmosphere to suit the occasion."

"This Rancho Santa Fe favorite features elegant, intimate dining perfect for special occasions and celebrations. The French-Californian cuisine, highly regarded wine list, and piano bar should make whoever you brought with you swoon."

"With 17 museums at Balboa Park, it’s easy to miss this fun spot for children in the heart of San Diego’s downtown Gaslamp Quarter. Some areas of The New Children’s Museum are age-specific, like Sketch Aquarium for ages 2+ and Reconnecting to Home for ages 6+. Meanwhile, other spaces engage children across age groups."

"This museum is concerned with developing children’s creativity and imagination. It originally opened in 1983, and it has been one of the favorite places of the youngest visitors in San Diego ever since. The vision of this museum is to engage children in developing numerous skills through contemporary art."

"Romantics will appreciate the awe-inspiring experience of a Southern California sunset. One of the best places to visit is Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, which stretches for 68 acres along coastal bluffs above the Pacific Ocean. The location provides an incomparable viewpoint to take in the ocean panoramas as the sun transforms the horizon from blue to glorious rosy-toned hues."

"Or, make your way up to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park to stroll the cliffs and experience the panoramic pink, purple, and bright-orange majesty as the sun goes down. Finish off the day over the hill at Officine Buona Forchetta, where some of the city’s best Italian dishes include handmade pasta and authentic, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza."