Don’t pass by Piperade, located on a quiet block near Levi’s Plaza. Chef Gerald Hirigoyen brought Basque cooking to the bay, with his warm and welcoming restaurant. He grew up near Biarritz, located in the town of Bayonne and home of the famous ham. Try his childhood comforts reimagined with a fresh twist, like peppers stuffed with goat cheese, calamari a la plancha, and whole roasted fish in vinaigrette.

On a quiet block of Grant up in North Beach, Cafe Jacqueline is a charming cafe that has mastered the art of lofty soufflés. Each serves at least two people, with savory options like gruyere, leek, crab, and lobster, and sweet endings such as chocolate, lemon, and bien sur, Grand Marnier. Chef-owner Jacqueline Margulis, now in her 80s, is still in the kitchen and personally whipping the whites.

It doesn’t get more over-the-top French than this restaurant in the Cornell Hotel de France, an establishment Claude and Micheline Lambert have owned and operated since the late ’60s. The bistro is named for the patron saint of the owners’ French hometown, Orleans, and dishes like braised rabbit and desserts like Grand Marnier soufflé channel rustic French cooking. The dining room, replete with gallic artifacts, should (but doesn’t) require a passport.

ONE65 is nearly as multi-layered as a croissant at its ground floor patisserie. Above that is a bistro level, serving French-inspired California cuisine, above that is a swanky cocktail lounge, called Elements. Another floor up is a fine-dining prix-fixe restaurant with French cheese carts and modern twists called O’ by Claude Le Tohic. Le Tohic, who partnered on the project with the team behind Alexander’s Steakhouse, won a James Beard Award for his work at Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas. And for a taste of Robuchon’s famed potatoes, look no further than chef de cuisine Jennifer Dewasha’s rendition at the bistro level.

“Hats off” to this beloved bistro, which is still charming regulars after over 20 years. It’s worth venturing out to the avenues to indulge in classics like the salmon trio, smoked duck salad, lamb cassoulet, and profiteroles drowned in ganache.

It’s not just the opera crowd that pushes into Absinthe, still dazzling after 20 years. Step into the warm and welcoming brasserie, and belly up to the bar for craft cocktails and a croque. Or make a reservation and sit down to griddled country paté, steak tartare, French onion soup gratinée, and coq au vin.

Dominique Crenn’s Hayes Valley restaurant evokes a specific sense of place, inspired by memories of the chef’s native Brittany, and the rustic cooking of her mother and grandmother. She pulls straight from the sea, from the opening oysters and gougères to the wood-fire fish tinged with smoke. The seven course prix fixe may not sound casual, but it’s definitely personal.

Tucked away in Duboce triangle, this sliver of a bistro is named after the chalkboard on the sidewalk, calling out the daily specials. Chef and owner Thierry Clement grew up near Sancerre, and stays close to the classics. Go when you’re craving comforting coq au vin or steak frites, or want to get cozy with a date.

Cassoulet, baked brie, escargots, and more classics have occupied a charming home in Glen Park at Laurent Legendre’s neighborhood bistro since 2007. Venetian plaster walls covered in vintage French advertisements, a pressed tin ceiling, and attentive, old school service completes the transportive atmosphere.