Café Paulette - NY 11217

1 S Elliott Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States
+1 718-852-8582
$$$ French restaurant , Bistro
(920 Reviews)

Welcome to Café Paulette, a delightful French bistro nestled in the heart of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Located at 1 S Elliott Pl, this charming restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it’s an experience that whisks you away to the streets of Paris without leaving New York City. The moment you step inside, the warm ambiance envelops you, created by a blend of rustic decor, intimate bistro tables, and an intoxicating aroma of classic French cuisine.

At Café Paulette, the emphasis is on fresh, high-quality ingredients that bring traditional French flavors to life. As you peruse the menu, you’ll be tempted by a range of exquisite offerings. Start your meal with a vibrant SALADE NIÇOISE featuring house salmon gravlax, tender baby gem, crisp haricots verts, and perfectly boiled egg, all elegantly presented to awaken your appetite. For a heartier option, the BURGER PAULETTE, crafted from house-ground brisket and topped with caramelized onions, is a must-try, showcasing a rich blend of flavors that promises to satisfy even the most discerning diner.

The desserts at Café Paulette are equally enticing. Don't miss the PROFITEROLES served with velvety ice cream and rich hot chocolate, creating a sweet crescendo to your dining experience. The CRÈME BRÛLÉ offers a delicate balance of creamy custard with a perfectly caramelized top that breaks like glass with your spoon—an indulgence not to be missed.

The café’s outdoor seating invites you to soak up the vibrant Brooklyn atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for people-watching or enjoying the serene views of Fort Greene Park. Customer reviews consistently highlight the attentive service and cozy environment, where laughter and conversation flow seamlessly alongside glasses of crisp wine and freshly squeezed orange juice, which one happy patron called a “real treat.”

However, as much as guests adore the food, they’ve also noted the bustling energy within; it’s a lively place that might occasionally get noisy but adds to the authentic bistro vibe. Patrons like Nazarate Ramirez rave about the fantastic steak, while Michael Lehrman praises the rich flavors of the French Onion soup and well-seasoned mussels.

At Café Paulette, every meal is not just about feeding the body but also nourishing the soul with the warmth of French culture and culinary expertise. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in the little pleasures of life, this bistro is your gateway to a taste of France right in Brooklyn.

So, next time you're in the area, take a moment to enjoy a culinary escape at Café Paulette—where every dish tells a story, and every diner is considered family.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Does not have assistive hearing loop
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Has great wine list
Has live music
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves organic dishes
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has counter service
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Openings Hours

Monday

05:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

920 Reviews
Isabelle Ji

04 Nov 2025

Great salmon burger with super crispy and chewy hot off the fryer fries, and came with a delicious mustard. The escargot was meaty, although could have been more flavorful (tasted somewhat bland).

Nazaret Ramirez

27 Oct 2025

Absolutely fantastic experience at Café Paulette! Everything was top-notch, from the attentive service to the charming atmosphere. The steak was cooked to perfection, I recommend ordering it medium for the best texture. Don't leave without trying their freshly squeezed orange juice, it's a real treat!

Michael Lehrman

08 Oct 2025

This is a charming and authentic French bistro in Ft Greene that really does feel like an escape to France. Absolutely delicious French Onion soup that's full of sweet onions and not too much bread. Well seasoned mussels in a white wine sauce with crispy frites. The atmosphere is warm and cozy and lots of outdoor seating.

Yar In

27 Sep 2025

Noisy place. Duck is nice. Escargot I wouldn't recommend. Too sour and without shells. Profiteroles serve with ice cream and black hot chocolate. Delicious

zz newyork

24 Sep 2025

At Café Paulette, tucked along the quiet, tree-lined South Elliott Place just steps from Fort Greene Park, the experience feels like stumbling upon a slice of Paris hidden in Brooklyn. The café’s corner location, with its charming bistro tables spilling out onto the sidewalk, hums with a subtle European rhythm—laughter drifting between glasses, the clink of cutlery, the soft hum of French pop playing in the background. On a crisp evening, I settled into a small marble-topped table under the amber glow of a vintage lamp and ordered the planche mixte—the signature charcuterie and cheese board—and a glass of Bordeaux red to accompany it. The board arrived on a sturdy slab of wood, artfully arranged but without pretense—rustic yet deliberate. The meats formed a savory mosaic: delicate ribbons of prosciutto di Parma folded into soft petals; slices of saucisson sec, their marbled fat gleaming under the low light; and smoky, peppered coppa that added a touch of spice and warmth. Each bite revealed a different facet of craftsmanship—the prosciutto melting into buttery silk, the saucisson offering a firm, satisfying chew, and the coppa lingering with a bold, almost earthy aroma. The portions were generous but never overwhelming, designed for leisurely grazing rather than hurried consumption. The cheese selection complemented the meats with a careful balance of texture and intensity. A wedge of brie de Meaux oozed gracefully at the edges, rich and decadent, its mild earthiness deepening as it met the Bordeaux. The comté, aged to perfection, carried nutty undertones and a crystalline crunch that spoke to its maturity. A pungent bleu d’Auvergne brought contrast and intrigue—sharp yet creamy, its saltiness offset by a drizzle of honey served on the side. Scattered around the board were small pleasures that tied everything together: crisp cornichons offering bright acidity, tiny mounds of Dijon mustard with just the right bite, and a still-warm baguette with a shattering crust and pillowy center, baked that morning across the street. The Bordeaux was an impeccable companion—a full-bodied red that opened with aromas of plum, black cherry, and cedar. Its tannins were structured but never harsh, allowing it to glide easily alongside the richness of the charcuterie. The first sip deepened the flavors of the meats; the second melted seamlessly into the creaminess of the cheese. Together, wine and board danced in harmony—each amplifying the other, never competing. What truly defines Café Paulette, however, isn’t just the quality of its food and wine but the intimacy of the experience. The servers glide with quiet confidence, happy to discuss the origin of a particular cheese or suggest a pairing without an ounce of pretension. There’s a sense that time slows here—conversations stretch, glasses are refilled, and the night drifts along softly, like a French chanson playing just out of reach. By the time I finished the last piece of baguette, the board was nearly bare—a few smudges of honey, a lone slice of comté, a whisper of mustard. I lingered over the final sip of Bordeaux, savoring the warmth that lingered both in the glass and in the atmosphere. Café Paulette is not just a place to eat; it’s a place to savor—a quiet, elegant reminder that the simple combination of good wine, good food, and good company is still the essence of dining at its finest.

Kamy Chong

04 Sep 2025

A small and packed space that offers a strong menu of French food. I was not the biggest fan of this restaurant as I felt the prices did not accurately reflect the dishes. We ordered the artichoke salad, an onion soup, and the steak frites. Artichoke salad was great - fresh, crunch, acidic and delicious Onion soup - to me, it felt like the soup had a slight tomato base. The cheese and bread was great, but I felt the onions had not stewed enough. 6.5/10 Steak frites - Beware! $40 for a small piece of steak (w frites and salad). Tasted good, but definitely NOT worth the price. I’m glad I went and tried this place, I’ve always walked past it and wanted to know how it was. I would recommend for perhaps a first date.

Amanda Ba

31 Aug 2025

Nice brunch spot with cute views of fort greene park. We ordered eggs benedict which was really good—the ham they use is different from canadian bacon. The ham is sliced thin and has a very nice smoky flavor. The hollandaise sauce is also well seasoned and I’m glad they don’t drench the dish with it. Comes with yummy fries and a side salad to balance things out. The side order of bacon was also good. Giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the drinks were somewhat disappointing for a cafe spot like this. The oat milk matcha was flat and watery (i think it has to do with lots of melted ice and the type of grainy oat milk they use, also not enough matcha powder) the iced coffee was also just mediocre, ice was pretty much all melted and kinda tasted like weak deli coffee. I will say the fresh squeezed orange juice was refreshing.

Join the Café Paulette - NY 11217 Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.