It is very typical for restaurants that feature French cousine to reflect it in their names. A crucial requirement for such restaurant names is that they can be easily pronounced by people who never studied French. I have a very neat trick that you should at least look into if your plan is to open a French restaurant in North America.
OK, proper names are usually adopted by foreign speakers more easily than other types of words. If you are looking for copious lists of Parisian names, look no further than a book currently available as a free download at Google books:
Paris and environs with routes from London to Paris
This book dates back to 1898. Let's face it, in American culture most things French have a certain late 19th century flare. This book contains numerous lists, including an alphabetical list of the hotels, restaurants and cafes (page 426). You can go with a name that sounds familiar, intriguing or simply easy to pronounce, while sounding distinctly as a French word. A lot of the restaurants are long gone, so you will have no problem reusing their names. And proper names of Parisian streets, boulevards and squares cannot be copyrighted, so you are covered.Also, remember that by choosing a particular location in France as your inspiration you make it easier to find decorative elements for the space.
There is also a very essential book on French signage, because you will probably want this sort of stuff for your French restaurant, n'est pas?:
Entrez: Signs of France
See also:
Italian Restaurant Names: Suggestions
Italian phrases, words, mottos and quotes
Restaurant Signage, Menus, Logos
Dutch restaurant names
