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Best French Restaurants in Gold Coast & Old Town (60610)

3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

Our Top Pick
Gavroche
Modern French cooking in a small Old Town room that feels chef-driven.

Notable Picks

8.4
$$$$ Old Town
A compact Old Town dining room built around modern French cooking that leans playful without losing technique. It’s best when you order the menu’s bistro-to-chef’s-counter hybrids—salads and seafood that read classic, but land with sharper plating and richer sauces.
Must-Try Dishes: Lyonnaise salad, Hamachi niçoise, Foie gras duo
What makes it special: Modern French cooking in a small Old Town room that feels chef-driven.
$$$ River North
A newer French bistro on Wells that blends classic technique with a seafood-leaning, Midwestern-seasonal approach from chef Jenner Tomaska. It’s a strong pick when you want a stylish room, a serious bread program, and a table of shareable plates rather than a formal, white-tablecloth meal.
Must-Try Dishes: Pain au fromage, Provençal-style fougasse, Razor clams casino-style
What makes it special: A chef-driven French bistro with a seafood-forward, seasonal menu.
$ Old Town
An Old Town French bakery-café that locals use for grab-and-go bread, pastry, and simple café lunches. It shines when you treat it like a daily utility spot—pick up a loaf, add one standout pastry, and keep the rest of the order classic.
Must-Try Dishes: Baguette, Almond croissant, Ham and cheese croissant
What makes it special: French bread-and-pastry counter with strong everyday utility for Old Town.