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Dining room - La Defense, Brooklyn, NY

La Defense

4.1
4.1
143 Reviews
$30 and under
French

La Défense is a French bistro located in Downtown Brooklyn (Metrotech Center). We pride ourselves on our fresh ingredients, and on the originality of our menu. We open all day, starting with breakfast, for which you can sit down or simply grab from our bakery. Our lunch is delicious and fast paced, we understand you need to get back to the office! Happy hour is always lively and we offer great drink specials. A tablecloth and candle on every table makes dinner romantic. Daily specials by our French chef rounds off our seasonal menu. On milder days, the terrace is inviting and peaceful, perfect for al fresco breakfast, lunch or dinner, or simply for a few drinks with your friends. Inside, a massive horseshoe bar is the perfect spot for cocktails and socializing. A main family style dinner table accommodates large groups.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    French
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast: Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 11:00am Brunch: Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am - 4:00pm Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm Dinner: Monday - Thursday & sunday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Phone number
    (718) 855-4200
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    La Defense is the place for your party. Our program offers menus for parties of 7 to 150. From three course sit down dinners to hors d'oeuvres at the bar, La Defense will tailor fit our events to your specific needs.
  • Private party contact
    Adelaide Tellier: (646) 239-5666
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Brooklyn
  • Cross street
    Bridge St.
  • Parking details
    A, C, F, R to Jay St.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 143 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.1
4.1 based on all time ratings
  • 4Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 3.8Ambience
  • 3.8Value

NoiseModerate

143 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    31 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2018

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Met a friend here for a business meeting. We had a nice brunch and ample time to talk through our agenda. Good, strong coffee. :)

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  2. Shopgirl3

    New York Area

    61 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2018

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Food is mediocre. Service about the same. What was truly annoying is that we split the bill using 2 credit cards. They got the math right on that. Yet the suggested tip was based upon the whole meal. So I tipped about 30% for a rather mediocre meal. Granted, I should have done the tip math for myself but it looked like it was done for me; not cool La Defense.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    London

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2018

    overall2food2service4ambience2
    This is not a French restaurant.

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  4. DannyK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 29, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Upon arriving it appeared that the restaurant did not have our reservation, but they quickly set up a spot for us (9 ppl). Our waiter was really attentive and patient with us. He provided exceptional service and took care of all that we ordered. At the end of the night he offered us an unexpected show that we would never forget. I would highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for good food and high quality service.

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  5. dawn

    Greater Boston

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We can always count on a delicious meal, wonderful cocktails and beautiful wines. It's a great gathering place for our family spread across Brooklyn and Manhattan. Easy MetroTech access. Quiet evening neighborhood.

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  6. Loveablejohn

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I recently went there for lunch with a friend for my birthday. I am a wheelchair user and had access and sat comfortable at the table. The salad options were healthy my asparagus and grain salad with additional grilled salmon was delicious. The waiter and service were great. The birthday dessert "lemon tart" was nicely decorated.

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  7. JeffreyB

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a memorable experience at La Defense. The prices were excellent and portions very generous. Service was attentive and non-intrusive. I highly recommend this gem in downtown Brooklyn.

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  8. Alexa

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2018

    overall2food2service3ambience4
    What happened to this place? Where are the French waiters and bar tenders? I used to refer to this restaurant as a French bistro. Has something changed?

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  9. LaurentP

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2018

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    My main concerns: food took a LONG time to get served (35+ minutes on an almost empty restaurant), and one of the meals was cold.

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  10. smack

    Philadelphia

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2018

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Lovely french restaurant. Good service and nice atmosphere.

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  11. george

    Baltimore

    8 reviews

    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2018

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    stay away from the lamb shank. very tough. should have sent back but i didnt. rest of meal was vry good

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  12. LeslieF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 20, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good food, good service, pleasant atmosphere. We'll be back!

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  13. LisaT

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2018

    overall2food2service1ambience1
    Horrible service- the owner and all other waitstaff basically ignored our table. We had to stand up and meet them near the entrance in order to pay. The food was mediocre. The building was cold inside on a rainy day. Not pleasant and not recommended.

    1 person found this helpful

  14. CherieG

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 13, 2018

    overall3food4service4ambience3
    Delicious French cuisine, nice environment and excellent service! Small cozy restaurant which is great choice for a business luncheon, dinner with one friend or several friends. La Defense is one of my favorite restaurants in this Brooklyn area. I loved my warm spinach salad, salmon dinner with ratatouille!

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  15. AlexandreD

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 3, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very good French bistro !

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  16. DoreenC

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 3, 2018

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Made a reservation at this restaurant for lunch with my sisters to celebrate a birthday. I was disappointed when I walked in because the set up was not exactly like the picture on the Opentable site I saw with table cloths and water goblet setting. It was more casual than I anticipated. The food we ordered was okay. The wait staff seemed polite and responsive. I ordered no mayo in my sandwich but I came with it anyway. When I brought it to the attention of the waiter, I think he apologized and got another. Overall, it satisfactory.

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  17. CharlesC

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2018

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    Worst meal I’ve had and completely indifferent service staff. The steak was ordered medium rare and what I got was still cold in the middle. I showed the waitress and she couldn’t care. No apology no alternative. At least the steak wasn’t on my bill...

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2018

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The staff was so accommodating during an emotional birthday

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  19. IsaacM

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on July 8, 2018

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Don’t go here.

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  20. Colin

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2018

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great place for grabbing something to eat with family and friends.

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  21. Colin

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2018

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great casual place to eat with a variety of food to choose from.

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  22. GigiTea

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    La Defense is consistently the place I come back to. The service is friendly and efficient, the vibe is relaxed, and the food, of course, is delicious! I’m so glad it’s in the neighborhood!

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    always great

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  24. AbigailC

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2018

    overall3food4service2ambience2
    What has happened to la defense? I was disappointed with our experience on Saturday. We ordered cheese and this was brought over with no bread. When we queried this, we were told it was coming. Then we got given a few pieces, I wonder if this was just leftovers? The bread used to be hot and brought over even before the starter. Then as we were enjoying the cheese we were informed our main course was ready! We said we would wait but it meant we felt under pressure to finish the cheese so we could get our main courses. Particularly as we knew they would just be sitting ready. We then had to send one of the main courses back because the steak was over done. The other dish was slightly cold, but we just accepted this. Throughout the meal when we tried to get the waitress’s attention she was far away looking at her phone. Before we asked for the check she put it on our table and asked ‘did you want anything else’. Well not now because you already gave us the check!! Then we had to wait ages for her to come back so we could pay, despite us trying to get her attention. I really hope this experience was just a one off because it made me so sad that what was previously such a good restaurant was so bad! Certainly not up their usual impeccable French standards.

    1 person found this helpful

  25. DavidG

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 23, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Really great service and great food! Awesome access to public transportation which made it easy for our group, who came from all over the city, to get together. EVERYONE in our group was happy with this great restaurant/ bar!

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  26. TheDuke

    Greater Boston

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 22, 2018

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Happy hour was awesome. Shrimp cocktail and fried calamari were fresh and tasty

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  27. stf1

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2018

    overall3food3service2ambience2
    It was not a good place to go for a business coffee.

    1 person found this helpful

  28. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    19 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2018

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Great location and tasty dishes!

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2018

    overall4food3service2ambience3
    The service was very slow considering there were only a few tables occupied. Their brunch is much better than their dinner. Flavoring was flat.

    1 person found this helpful

  30. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 31, 2018

    overall3food4service3ambience2
    Way too loud and no acoustic treatment. Not a place to take a business client. Food acceptable but served on an unsanitary cutting board.

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  31. JackMS64

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Always reliable, good service, french bistro standards executed well. Small but carefully curated wine list- hand selected by the (nearly) the ever-present Victor. We go once a week with friends, business dinner or for brunch. Simply the perfect neighborhood french joint.

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  32. Foodie

    Charleston

    55 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2018

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    The food was outstanding. The French onion soup and the beef bourguignon were about the best I’ve ever had. Great French cooking. Need better selection of wines. Highly recommend this restaurant.

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  33. Nikky

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We celebrated Mother's Day at La Defense. Great service and delicious food.

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  34. PhillyYo12

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2018

    overall1food1service3ambience4
    Coffee was cold, had to be sent back. Wouldn’t substitute vegetables for meat in crepe to accommodate dietary restriction, even for an up-charge. Ordered egg breakfast that was so undercooked it was inedible. Sent back, same thing so didn’t eat. We are not picky eaters despite it may sound this way. Eat out tons of places and this place missed the mark in almost every way. On positive it is nice inside and has outside seating.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The best service!

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  36. ClassicStageGroupie

    New York Area

    91 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    91 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2018

    overall4food4service5ambience2
    Tasty food, great friendly service, try the Parisienne cocktail. Very noisy & crowded after work on a Friday eve.

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  37. MarylouS

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2018

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Ambiance was great! Niçoise salad and crepes Suzette were yummy! The Rose was perfect for our brunch. Service was impressive...I’ll defifinitely come back.

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2018

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Good portion size and decent prices. Service was pretty good.

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  39. JudyS

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful service. Very accommodating. Everything was delicious.

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  40. TonyR

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 28, 2018

    overall2food3service2ambience1
    Good location but much too noisy, indifferent food, mediocre sauces. It seems like a decent 5-7 bar. Not a very good bistro. I had overcooked, dried out fish, a lemon sauce that was the consistency of juice, tasted like it came from a bottle, mushy, overcooked zucchini drowning in an indifferent liquid and cold, below average, french fries. The servers were polite and did their best but seemed overwhelmed. Sorry La Defense but you need to up your game.

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FAQs

La Defense is rated 4.1 stars by 143 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for La Defense

2 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Bridge St.
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Brooklyn
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast: Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 11:00am Brunch: Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am - 4:00pm Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm Dinner: Monday - Thursday & sunday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Cuisines
    French
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    A, C, F, R to Jay St.
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Phone number
    (718) 855-4200
  • Private party facilities
    La Defense is the place for your party. Our program offers menus for parties of 7 to 150. From three course sit down dinners to hors d'oeuvres at the bar, La Defense will tailor fit our events to your specific needs.
  • Private party contact
    Adelaide Tellier: (646) 239-5666
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