Les Vagabonds

 

 

 

Les Vagabonds is a French bistro and cultural gathering place on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, open for just over a year and already having built strong relationships, an enthusiastic following, and a reputation for its food, atmosphere, and authentic French spirit. We are especially known for our French onion soup and Duck à l’Orange, two dishes that have become signature guest favorites. We have been featured on Good Day New York with Joanna Scotto and selected as a restaurant partner by both L’Alliance Française NYC and 59E59 Theaters, alongside renowned restaurants including Serafina, David Burke Tavern, and Rosa Mexicano.

 

Together with the new special events coordinator at L’Alliance Française, we are developing a series of “Salon Nights” inspired by the legendary gatherings of Gertrude Stein, bringing together food, wine, music, art, and conversation. We have also launched French Film Nights, which have received an enthusiastic response from our guests. Our vision is for Les Vagabonds to become a true destination for French culture in New York—not simply a white-tablecloth dining experience, but an immersive celebration of French cuisine, atmosphere, music, film, art, and the spirit of gathering around the table. 

 

Through word of mouth, Les Vagabonds has attracted notable guests including Jodie Foster, Stephen Curry, Sigourney Weaver, and Lisa Loeb.

 

Co-owner and Executive Chef Edgar Navarrete trained under acclaimed chef Joachim Splichal at Patina Group in Los Angeles and has worked with some of the country’s most celebrated restaurants and chefs, including Le Cirque, Tavern on the Green, and The Four Seasons with legendary chef Joël Robuchon, as well as opening and consulting on numerous successful bistro concepts including Café du Soleil and Osteria Nando. With excellent guest reviews, growing cultural partnerships, and a loyal following, Les Vagabonds is establishing itself as a distinctive destination for an authentic and memorable French experience in New York City.

 

Les Vagabonds is the realization of a dream Chef Edgar carried for more than 20 years. Inspired in part by a book of Man Ray photography and the creative spirit of Paris, he spent years refining his craft while imagining a restaurant that would one day be entirely his own. After surviving a life-changing accident and facing obstacles that could easily have ended that dream, he built Les Vagabonds from the ground up in true independent, mom-and-pop fashion. Against the odds, the restaurant became real—a deeply personal expression of resilience, craftsmanship, and a lifelong love of French food and culture.