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Thelma
★ 4.0(1 review)Restaurant
cozyvintagelocal-crowd
About the Vibe
Just a stone's throw from Jean-François Pantaléon's fine-dining Roza, Thelma is the chef's sincere, no-nonsense bistro where you'll find classic French cooking done right. Think parquet floors, red banquettes, and a menu written on mirrors featuring eggs mayonnaise, terrine, and calf's head—but don't let the simplicity fool you; the execution is sharp and the prices are genuinely reasonable for the quality. It's the kind of place where locals grab a quick lunch menu or linger over an evening of sharing plates like rigatoni bisque or squid with XO sauce.
Known For
- •eggs mayonnaise
- •calf's head
- •Thelma tartufata croque
- •rigatoni bisque
- •reasonably priced lunch menu
Best For
quick lunchcasual dinnerlocal dining
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 1, 2026
Sincere bistro with classic French soul
Thelma is Pantaléon's answer to the French bistro done right—unpretentious, warm, and deeply rooted in tradition without being stuck in the past. The space feels like a step back in time with its parquet floors and red banquettes, but the food is anything than nostalgic; it's fresh, well-executed, and surprisingly adventurous for a place with a menu scrawled on mirrors. You'll find classics like eggs mayonnaise and terrine alongside more interesting options like calf's head or the Thelma tartufata croque, all served at prices that make you wonder how they stay in business.
What sets Thelma apart is its consistency and the chef's ability to make simple food feel special. The lunch menu is a steal for the quality, and the evening offering invites sharing with dishes like rigatoni bisque and squid with XO sauce that show a bit more creativity without losing the bistro soul. It's not fancy, but it's honest, and that's exactly what you want from a neighborhood bistro. If you're looking for a place where you can sit down, relax, and eat real French food without breaking the bank, Thelma delivers.