Le Chat Noir

The internet is a place where people say things and everyone else tries to prove them wrong—even if they’re not. So when you Google Le Chat Noir and see them claim to be the best French restaurant in DC, you might be tempted to disagree. Don’t.

When you first walk into the large Friendship Heights restaurant, tables are crammed into the sometimes-enclosed patio and indoor dining room. It’s where the families and laidback older couples on their weekly date night gather. It’s a quaint spot that works as well for an average Wednesday dinner as it does for Mother’s Day. There’s also a softly lit upstairs wine bar if you’re looking for something a little more grown and sexy (or a quiet place for a solo meal), where silent movies play on a projector.

The classic menu at the Friendship Heights cafe makes it a great entry point for new (or picky) French diners. The juicy steak frites are served with crispy, slightly greasy shoestring fries, and the nutella crepe is the kind of dessert, or dinner, that we’d red line from Glenmont for.

While that’s enough to keep us coming back, what we love is that this cozy cafe is a true neighborhood spot. You’ll find kids eating their first buttery snail next to tenured Francophiles who have dined along the Champ de Mars, but still geek out over the assiette vegetarienne served with the best ratatouille in town. Couples joke with the staff who call them by name. Friends kiki over a shared bottle of wine and an endless stream of pillowy baguettes. And every once in a while, someone in a striped black-and-white shirt gives you a chilling look that makes you wonder if Parisians are as mean as people say.

Le Chat Noir is like a little black dress—keep it at the ready for a special night out or dress it down for a regular night of the week. No matter what the situation, it’s going to be a great choice.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Reema Desai

Escargot

These babies are chewy, but not rubbery, and cooked in a buttery, herbaceous sauce that will have you in danger of filling up on endless baguettes. Dip away, friend. That’s why they have boxes.

photo credit: Reema Desai

Assiette Vegetarienne

This is one of the prettiest dishes we’ve seen, and it’s as delicious as it is beautiful. The vegetables switch up depending on what’s available, but there’s always a nicely acidic ratatouille. The vegetarians at the table will love it—and the meat eaters will definitely try to smuggle a bite.

photo credit: Reema Desai

Steak Frites

This juicy, well-seasoned steak is cooked to perfection and topped with an herby butter. They’re paired with crispy shoestring fries that have a hint of olive oil.

photo credit: Reema Desai

Moules Mariniere

The mussels are doused in a rosemary and thyme white wine sauce that you could drink—and we usually do. Served with the same delicious shoestring fries, it’s our go-to seafood dish here.

photo credit: Reema Desai

Nutella Crepe

This dreamy dish is what all crepes should be. The creamy nutella oozes out of the edges, great for sopping up as you twirl a bite across the plate. Don’t bother sharing. You’ll just end up ordering a second one anyways.

Crepe Nana

While we generally prefer our crepes packed with stuff like nutella, this savory, light bite is good enough to change our minds. The blue cheesy Roquefort and the poached pear give it a sweet and savory balance, and the almonds add the crunch it needs.