Started in 1974, Le Central has been open for over three decades and holds the honor of being San Francisco's first French bistro. Serving classic French cuisine such as Filet Mignon au Poirve, slow-cooked cassoulet and Roast Chicken with Pomme Frites, Le Central is the downtown stop for locals and visitors looking for a comfortable atmosphere and a glass of wine.
Le Central is a neighborhood bistro located in San Francisco's bustling Financial District. A favorite of locals and visitors since it opened over three decades ago in 1974, Le Central's iconic red tabac sign has become a familiar fixture of Bush Street. Housed in a historic brick building, the restaurant's warm interior offers guests an authentic brasserie atmosphere--including a brass bar top from France that had to be shipped by sea. Handwritten chalk Plat du Jour menus, cozy booth seating and fresh flowers greet customers on every visit.
Le Central serves traditional French comfort foods such as Steak Frites, Onion Soup Gratinée, Rack of Lamb Persillé and our cassoulet which has been cooking for over 12,000 days. A hearty bean stew with tender chunks of pork, sausage, and duck confit, Le Central's cassoulet gains its rich flavor from simmering the savory remains of the previous day's stew with fresh ingredients. With a large menu that is available all day from lunch to dinner, Le Central continues to bring the Bay Area quality food.
Family-owned and operated, the restaurant was started by brothers Pierre and Claude Cappelle, San Francisco wine merchants who wanted to share their passion for bistro cuisine. Since 1993, Le Central has been owned by brothers Johnny and Paul Tanphanich who began at the restaurant as executive chefs in the 1980's and have continued the restaurant's tradition. Together, Johnny and Paul bring over four decades of experience in French cooking to Le Central and have earned the restaurant numerous DiRoNA distinctions.
Le Central Bistro 