Transform your dining room into a romantic Parisian bistro with our French dinner recipes, perfect for an enchanting date night at home. Delight in classics like beef bourguignon and ratatouille, and share a love-filled meal made together.
French cuisine is deeply rooted in the country’s culture, with its long-standing tradition of enjoying multi-course meals with family and friends.
In a full-course French meal, each dish is given its moment to shine, with enough time between courses for diners to savor the flavors.
This leisurely process means that having a meal together is more than just eating; it’s an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones appreciating good food.
It’s a bit of a contrast to eating your dinner on a tray in front of the television – which is something I confess my husband and I often do.
So you can see that while Italian cuisine is often associated with romance, French cuisine is right up there with it.
It promises enjoyment, pleasure and connection. As well as tasting really, really good.
No wonder it’s perfect for a date night dinner.
These French dinner recipes cover traditional classic soups, sides, salads and main dishes.
(And head over here to learn more about the structure and etiquette of a French full course meal if you want to go all out).
French dinner recipes
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Bourride (French monkfish stew)
Bourride (pronounced “boo-reed-a”) is a French monkfish stew whose defining feature is an aioli made with olive oil, garlic, lemon, and mustard, that infuses the broth, slightly thickening it into a velvety texture and turning it a gorgeous golden yellow color.
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Bouillabaisse (French seafood stew)
Brimming with fresh seafood, this simple bouillabaisse recipe is a luxurious French seafood stew that is made in under an hour. A variety of seafood simmers in a rustic tomato stew with aromatic saffron, savory fennel and herbs, it's truly irresistible.
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Chicken fricassee
So you’re feeling French? Chicken fricassée is a saucy little number perfect for a midweek family meal or a full-scale dinner party. Succulent chicken thighs and vegetables in a smooth cream sauce make this your one pot stop to fine French dining at home.
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Chicken forestiere with cream and tarragon
Chicken forestiere is a glorious French dish that comprises chicken, breast in this case, in a cream and mushroom sauce. It's easy enough to make for an everyday meal but special enough to dress up for a dinner party or date night!
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Chicken provencal
Beautiful golden brown chicken braised in white wine, nestled between eye catching green and black olives, plump cherry tomatoes, oh-so French shallots, tangy capers along with plenty of garlic and herbs.
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Confit de canard
Traditional French confit de canard or duck confit, a simple yet amazing recipe, perfect for a special occasion.
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Coq au vin recipe
This coq au vin recipe has rich, earthy, aromatic flavors. Bone-in chicken slow simmers together with carrots, onions, mushrooms, bacon, red wine and fresh herbs to create the perfect comforting meal.
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Creamed leeks
Creamed leeks is an easy, luxe-tasting recipe that acts as a wonderful side dish or base for a variety of proteins. It's a great option for date night or holidays, but isn't too tricky for everyday, either.
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duch*ess potatoes
Creamy, delectable duch*ess potatoes may look fancy and impressive alongside your prime rib or steak but they are actually easy to make. They are extra delicious thanks to the addition of egg yolks, garlic, nutmeg, and parmesan cheese!
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Easy homemade ratatouille recipe
Homemade ratatouille made with thin slices of eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, and Roma tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and served over seasoned tomato sauce.
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French baguette recipe
Crusty French baguettes go perfectly with your favorite French meal.
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French onion soup
This homemade French onion soup recipe is made with the richest broth, perfect caramelized onions, and topped with three different types of melted cheese.
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Julia Child's beef Bourguignon
Julia Child’s Beef bourguignon (Boeuf à la Bourguignonne) is a beef stew in red wine, with bacon, onions, and mushrooms. This iconic dish was turned into a household word thanks to the unforgettable Julia Child.
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Julia Child's fish meunière
Julia Child made this classic French dish famous with her sole meunière. This easy fish meunière (fish in butter sauce) is seared in butter and oil, and served with a lemon and butter sauce.
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Lobster bisque
This is an easy lobster bisque recipe with succulent pieces of lobster tail in a creamy savory soup made of blended vegetables, broth, and fresh herbs. It's a delicious and romantic soup perfect for date night!
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Pan-seared scallops with beurre blanc
This velvety beurre blanc sauce adds a touch of elegance to these scallops or any type of fish, making it perfect for a romantic date night or bringing the flavors of France to your home-cooked meal.
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Petit* pois a la Francaise
Petit* Pois a la Francaise is a classic French bistro recipe of braised peas and lettuce that features bacon, baby onions cream and butter.
It's a fantastic and easy side dish that cooks in well under half an hour that is equally good served with either meat or fish.
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Pommes purée: Iconic French mashed potatoes
Pommes purée, pronounced “pom pure-eh”, is a classic French-style potato purée suitable to be served alongside all types of dishes like roast chicken, steak and fish.
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Salad Lyonnaise
The main components of Salad Lyonnaise are Frisée lettuce, with its frilly leaves and delicately bitter flavor; a warm bacon dressing, with the bacon cut into thin, crosswise strips called lardons, and perfectly poached eggs.
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Seared tuna niçoise salad
This seared tuna niçoise salad is a variation on Julia Child's classic recipe! With ahi or albacore tuna, a hearty salad base, and a homemade vinaigrette, it makes a great main course.
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Slow cooker chicken Provencal
This slow cooker chicken Provencal is a flavorful French dish made with chicken, garlic, buttery olives, and briny capers that braise in a decadent sauce that’s lemony, garlicky, and plain addictive.
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Slow cooker pork Normandy
Slow cooker pork Normandy is a delicious blend of pork cooked in cider with apples. Creamy and delicious, this is a French classic.
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Tartiflette
Tartiflette is one of those dishes that you can’t believe you lived without. This French tartiflette recipe combines crispy cubes of potato, melty cheese, onions, lardons (pancetta) and white wine for a decadent meal!
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Vichy carrots
Vichy carrots (carottes à la Vichy) is an easy side dish with a sweet buttery glaze.
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White asparagus recipe with Hollandaise sauce
White asparagus is a delicacy with its sweeter flavor and crisp texture. Top with an easy hollandaise sauce and fresh herbs for the quintessential French country side dish.
If you’re looking to create that perfect romantic meal, these French recipes offer a tried-and-true template for success.
After all, whether it’s a first date or a special celebration of years spent together, a French-inspired meal is a thoughtful way to show care, appreciation, and love.
After you’ve decided what you’ve having, head over to my collection of French desserts!
Bon appétit!