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Le Central, Bristol, RI

Le Central

4.7
4.7
527 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary French

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
Le Central is a French bistro, focusing on modern interpretations of classic dishes featuring local products from Sakonnet Lobsters, Four Town Farm (Seekonk, MA), Walker's Farm (Barrington, RI), Scott the Bassman, and Little Rhody Eggs (Foster, RI). Low lighting, checkerboard floor tiling, glass tabletops, and French nu-Jazz provide an intimate yet warm and familiar atmosphere. Chef-owner Jesse James spent his early career in Boston, working with chefs Moncef Meddeb at L'Espalier and Jasper White at Jasper's, with further experience at other landmark restaurants in New York, France, and Italy. Le Central is the third restaurant he has designed, built, and operated, after Aperto (Est 1992) and Boca Rotis (Est 1997), both in San Francisco. The large painting by Inez Storer on the south wall of the restaurant (which also serves as our logo) is of Jesse's son, Sam (the current General Manager & Beverage Director), and his childhood dog, Skye. Inez wouldn't say who the guy in the chair is.

Additional information

  • Location
    483 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809-1807
  • Phone number
    (401) 396-9965
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary French, Farm-to-table, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–7:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Ample street parking and public lots within a half block of the restaurant.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Jesse James

Featured in

Menu

Pour Commencer

  • Onion Soup Gratinée$9.00

    • Coriander Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Salad$15.00

      Grilled Shrimp in Coriander & Garlic, Salad of Avocado, Tomato, Cucumber, Hot Pepper-Lime Vinaigrette

      • Goat Cheese & Spinach Salad$11.00

        Spinach, Goat Cheese, Red Bell Pepper, Almonds, Grilled Country Bread, Sherry Vinaigrette

        • Salade Maison$8.00

          Butter Lettuce, Baby Greens, Mustard-Shallot Vinaigrette

          • Salad of Endive & Roasted Beets$12.00

            Walnuts, Roquefort, Walnut-Cider Vinaigrette

            • Salmon Nicoise*$16.00

              Grilled Salmon, Arugula, Green beans, Roasted Peppers, Fingerlings, Tapenade, Lemon-Caper Compote

              • Grilled Moroccan Chicken$14.00

                Cous Cous, Endive, Avocado, Cilantro, Moroccan Olives, Roast Pepper, Lime Vinaigrette

                • Duck Liver Mousse$14.00

                  Seasonal Fruit Compote, Pickled Onions, Grilled Country Bread

                  • Charcuterie$19.00

                    Pâté de Campagne, Rosette de Lyon dry Sausage, Duck Liver Mousse, Herbed Goat Cheese, House Pickles, Cornichon, Olives

                    • Pâté de Campagne Avec Poivre Vert$16.00

                      Pork, Chicken Liver & Green Peppercorn Pâté, Grilled Country Bread, Meaux Mustard, House Pickles, Cornichon, Olives

                      • Baguette, House Olives & Vermont Butter$3.00

                        Crepes, Eggs & Fruit

                        • Dutch Pancake$12.00

                          Souffled Pancake, Green Apples, Berries & Fruit Syrup or Country Ham & Gruyere

                          • Goat Cheese & Arugula Omelet$13.00

                            Salade Vinaigrette, Sautéed Potatoes

                            • Applewood Bacon & Gruyere Omelet$14.00

                              Salade Vinaigrette, Sautéed Potatoes

                              • Ratatouille Omelet$14.00

                                Salade Vinaigrette, Sautéed Potatoes

                                • Florentine Omelet$15.00

                                  Salade Vinaigrette, Sautéed Potatoes

                                  • Warm Lemon-Ricotta Crepes, Seasonal Fruit$14.00

                                    Les Plats

                                    • Chilled Oysters*

                                      Mignonette Sauce

                                      • Market Price

                                    • Mac & Cheese$14.00

                                      Panko Baked Penne, Porcini, Fontina, Gruyere Cheeses, Salade Vinaigrette

                                      • Bistro Burger Frites*$16.00

                                        Grilled Organic Beef on Brioche Bun, House Pickles, House-Cut Fries

                                        • Steak Frites*$22.00

                                          Grilled Hanger Steak, House-Cut Fries, Arugula, Bordelaise Onions

                                          • Grilled Chicken Sandwich$14.00

                                            Grilled Chicken, Arugula, Parmigiano on Sourdough, House-Cut Fries

                                            • Croque Monsieur$12.00

                                              Pan Toasted Sandwich of Country Ham & Gruyere, House-Cut Fries

                                              • Smoked Salmon on Sourdough$17.00

                                                Dill Cream, Cucumbers, Pickled Onions, Salade Vinaigrette

                                                • Classic BLT$12.00

                                                  Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Arugula, Tomato, Aioli on Brioche, House-Cut Fries

                                                  • Grilled Chicken BLT$15.00

                                                    Grilled Chicken, Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Arugula, Tomato, Aioli on Brioche, House-Cut Fries

                                                    • Lobster BLT

                                                      Sakonnet Lobster, Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Arugula, Tomato, Aioli on Brioche, House-Cut Fries

                                                      • Market

                                                    Last updated: May 12, 2022

                                                    What 527 people are saying

                                                    Overall ratings and reviews

                                                    Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                    4.7
                                                    4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                    • 4.6Food
                                                    • 4.7Service
                                                    • 4.3Ambience
                                                    • 4.4Value

                                                    Noise • Moderate

                                                    Loved For

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Best Overall

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Best Food

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Best Service

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Best Value

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Healthy

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Neighborhood gem

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Good for special occasions

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Most Booked

                                                    Review summary

                                                    AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                    Le Central in Bristol is a delightful French bistro celebrated for its "outstanding food" and "wonderful service." Guests rave about the "amazing popovers," "exceptional soups," and "delicious desserts," including homemade maple walnut ice cream. With a "welcoming ambiance" and a menu showcasing authentic French cuisine, it's a "hidden gem."

                                                    527 Reviews

                                                    1. James VIP

                                                      Rhode Island21 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined 2 days ago

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Outstanding lunch menu and service. Definitely will go back.

                                                      Is this helpful?

                                                    2. steve

                                                      Rhode Island1 review

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 27, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      food was very good. waitress was great, loved the sign on the wall about tolerance and equality.

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                                                    3. Theresa VIP

                                                      Greater Boston58 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 16, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Great popovers. Great burgers. Haven’t had anything we don’t like. Wonderful server, Ellie. Nice manager, Sam.

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                                                    4. Cindy

                                                      Greater Boston1 review

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 15, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Le Central was wonderful! The food and service were outstanding and the atmosphere was quaint and warm!

                                                      Is this helpful?

                                                    5. ziya VIP

                                                      New Orleans29 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 15, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Great food, wonderful service and welcoming ambiance!

                                                      Is this helpful?

                                                    6. nancy VIP

                                                      Greater Boston6 reviews

                                                      3.0

                                                      Dined on February 14, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 3
                                                      2. Food 3
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 3
                                                      It was our 1st time here. Had great expectations based on reviews. It was ok, not terrible, but not exceptional as we were hoping. We both had the steak frites, steak on the chewy side, was just a piece of strip steak, not what we were expecting, the fries were delicious. The French onion soup, and the cream of mushroom soup, both very good, as well as the Pavlova, which was the dessert special of the night. Again, not terrible, was just hoping for more.

                                                      1 person found this helpful

                                                    7. Nicholas

                                                      Rhode Island1 review

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 14, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Le Central was phenomenal. The food was great, we were served promptly and professionally, and all of the individuals we spoke to were kind. We had a little bit of everything; seafood, filet, wine, chocolate bread pudding - it was all delicious. My wife and I definitely recommend to anyone looking for a place for a nice date.

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                                                    8. David

                                                      New York City2 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 8, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Had a wonderful dinner in a quiet, very relaxed atmosphere looking at Linden Place across the street. Service was excellent, drinks and food thoughtfully delicious. All made for an enjoyable night for my wife and I.

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                                                    9. OpenTable Diner

                                                      Greater Boston1 review

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 2, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 4
                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                      Good experience overall. Food service and ambiance

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                                                    10. Alberta VIP

                                                      Greater Boston11 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on January 30, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      The rack of lamb and the steak frites were both excellent. Restaurant was quiet so we could enjoy conversations with friends we hadn’t seen in awhile. We are regulars at Le Central and are never disappointed.

                                                      Is this helpful?

                                                    FAQs

                                                    Le Central offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (401) 396-9965.

                                                    Le Central is rated 4.7 stars by 527 OpenTable diners.

                                                    Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                    Make a reservation

                                                    2 people
                                                    7:00 PM
                                                    Booked 2 times today
                                                    Google Map for Le Central

                                                    483 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809-1807

                                                    Additional information

                                                    • Phone number
                                                      (401) 396-9965
                                                    • Price
                                                      $31 to $50
                                                    • Cuisines
                                                      Contemporary French, Farm-to-table, Seafood
                                                    • Hours of operation
                                                      Brunch Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–7:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
                                                    • Dress code
                                                      Smart Casual
                                                    • Parking details
                                                      Ample street parking and public lots within a half block of the restaurant.
                                                    • Payment options
                                                      AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                    • Executive chef
                                                      Jesse James

                                                    Featured in

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