July is French American Heritage Month, and there’s no better time to say oui! to the rich culinary and cultural fusion that French heritage brings to the U.S. From flaky pastries to five-star fusion, French influence is baked into the American food scene.
Kissimmee
In Kissimmee, that influence shines with a sunny twist at Le Macaron French Pastries in Celebration. Just minutes from world-class attractions, this charming spot serves up delicate, rainbow-colored macarons, creamy gelato, and beautifully crafted desserts that feel straight out of Provence, the perfect way to add a little culinary luxury to your summer.
Of course, no French-inspired visit to Kissimmee would be complete without a trip to France at EPCOT. The France Pavilion at Walt Disney World is a love letter to Paris, complete with cobblestone streets, charming storefronts, and indulgent dining. Visitors can savor a classic onion soup or duck confit at Chefs de France, enjoy savory buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes at La Crêperie de Paris, or pop into Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie for baguettes, éclairs, and tarte aux fraises.
U.S. Virgin Islands
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, French culture isn’t just history, it’s alive and simmering on every stovetop. Nowhere is that more evident than in Frenchtown, St. Thomas, a vibrant seaside neighborhood founded by French settlers. Today it’s a foodie paradise, known for its lively atmosphere, colorful buildings, and incredible cuisine. Dive into local specialties like fresh grilled fish, pâté or coconut tarts sold at roadside stands.
On St. Croix, Savant sets the mood with candlelit courtyards and a French-Caribbean menu featuring conch in coconut curry and peppercorn pork tenderloin. For a fine-dining experience with a twist, Galangal fuses French techniques with bold island spices, crafting dishes like duck breast with passion fruit gastrique that are as pretty as they are delicious.
And if you’re visiting during the first week of July, don’t miss the St. John Celebration. A weeklong party leading up to July 4 that includes Emancipation Day (July 3), honoring the 1848 abolition of slavery in the islands. It’s a joyful mix of parades, music, culture, and (of course) food, where French-Caribbean dishes take center stage.
Oklahoma City
Tucked in the city’s buzzing Innovation District, Le Bon Café is a dreamy little slice of Paris. From buttery beignets and croissants to gourmet sandwiches and café au lait. Bonus points: it’s just steps from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, which is hosting a striking exhibition of French sculptor Auguste Rodin this summer.
For something a bit more exclusive, Cosabella Kitchen offers private French-Italian dinners by appointment only. Chef Erica Hogan curates each menu from scratch, infusing childhood memories of French cooking with a modern twist.
And no tour of the French cuisine in OKC would be complete without a stop at La Baguette Bistro. Run by the iconic Buthion brothers for more than 40 years, this longtime local favorite delivers old-school elegance and impeccable French classics from duck à l’orange to steak au poivre.
