A dark, moody gastropub nestled in Greenwood’s liveliest section, Gainsbourg is a refreshing entry to the French food scene, with a long bar, a small, open cooking area, solid cocktails, and an exceptional cheesecake. Particularly appetizing on the savory side are the French dip with a silky au jus sauce and the classic Gainsbourger, featuring a massive beef patty blended with a taste of lamb.

One of the more visually striking restaurants on the list, Bastille is an even-toned balance of Art Nouveau and industrial design, complete with exposed brick, concrete pillars, and mood lighting. The design keeps on giving, too: A narrow corridor at the back of the main dining room opens up to a massive, sophisticated room, a lovely place to spend an evening. And the food is distinctively French, featuring classics such as the open-faced croque madame and steak frites.

Tucked behind a row of work lofts on Western Ave., this Belltown beauty focused primarily on brunch and lunch along with weekend dinners is easy to miss but worth seeking out. Boat Street’s ambiance is simple, bright and appealing, the food impeccable, featuring such wonders as delicately poached eggs Benedict drizzled with hollandaise, pillowy soft honey biscuits, and a bread pudding soaked in melted butter that consistently delivers.

Situated at the fringe of Pike Place Market’s hustle and bustle, Le Pichet, or “The Pitcher,” is widely considered Seattle’s quintessential French eatery. The older, slightly more sophisticated sibling of Cafe Presse is the archetypical Parisian bistro, known for its signature charcuterie (the terrine of duck liver, pork, and green peppercorns is a particular highlight), oeuf plats broiled with ham and gruyere, classic French decor, and, of course, the perfect roast chicken, which takes an hour to prepare.

Post Alley’s Cafe Campagne is well-regarded for its dedication to traditional Parisian fare and warm ambiance. Locally supplied due to its position in Pike Place Market, the restaurant mixes Northwest ingredients with classic preparations to great effect with items like the crispy duck leg confit and pan-roasted chicken smothered in a savory jus sauce.

Marmite may be a relative newcomer to the Seattle area food scene, but owners Bruce and Sara Naftaly aren’t — they owned this city’s pioneering French restaurant, Le Gourmand, for 27 years before closing in 2012. Imagine the delight in 2016, then, that accompanied the opening of their new venture dedicated to a French cooking pot (not a British yeast extract). The impressive interior possesses a woodsy, almost outdoor aesthetic, which fits the couple’s dedication to Pacific Northwest ingredients. In particular, his various takes on mussels always come in a soul-stirring broth.

As chic as a Parisian corner-bistro and as meaty as the best whole-animal butcher shops, this cutting-edge Capitol Hill steakhouse is award-winning chef Renee Erickson’s coup de grâce. As Eater’s roving critic, Bill Addison, marveled, “When the few nightly orders of New York strips and rib-eyes are gone, they’re gone, and diners must explore lesser-known cuts that are as intensely pleasurable and often more affordable,” like the aptly named velvet (taken from the cow’s heel and enriched with bone marrow butter). This is “a steakhouse that should change the way America thinks about one of its most codified dining experiences,” he wrote when naming Bateau one of the country’s essential restaurants.

Café Presse is the epitome of casual, unassuming French dining in Seattle, and its long hours (7 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily) make it welcoming to all. Though firmly rooted on Capitol Hill, the cozy establishment has an endearing European vibe, particularly whenever a football match comes on TV (which seems to be quite often). The croque monsieur is a tasty, filling brunch item, but for an even more traditional French experience, the steak frites is served juicy, tender, and topped with a creamy walnut-garlic-parsley aillade.