In the mood for French food? You’ve come to the right place. London is brimming with classic bistros and chic brasseries, which can make choosing where to book a real challenge – until now. We’ve tried and tasted our way across the UK capital to cherry-pick the crème de la crème. Here are the finest spots finessing everything from frog’s legs and fondue to steak frites and soufflé. Bon appétit.
64 Goodge St, W1T 4NF
64 Goodge Street, Fitzrovia
Best for: escargot enthusiasts.
Fitzrovia foodies, prepare to be shell-shocked in the best way. This small bistro may have only slithered its way into Michelin star territory earlier this year, but one dish has stayed put since day one: the snail bon bons. These golden balls of panéed (breadcrumbed) garlic butter, Bayonne ham, and almonds, then fried to perfection – so good, even the most snail-shy diner will be won over.
64goodgestreet.com
Josephine Bouchon, Chelsea
Best for: steak tartare.
Towering candlesticks and crisp white tablecloths – that's Josephine Bouchon in a nutshell. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu at this ultra-chic Chelsea bistro, but you won’t want to miss the steak tartare: finely chopped, caper-kissed, parsley-packed, and shallot-speckled. Other usual suspects include a cloud-like cheese soufflé and a perfectly plated pâté en croûte.
josephine.com
315 Fulham Rd, SW10 9QH
120 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2QG
Le Relais de Venise l’Entrecôte, Marylebone
Best for: steak frites.
This French restaurant has been doing the rounds on Instagram feeds – and for good reason. One being that there are no bookings and no menu: the only option is a double helping of steak frites with a secret sauce that’s the stuff of buttery dreams. The second? It’s always busy, so arrive before it opens to beat the queues. Once seated, you’ll soon see why it’s become a social media sensation and firm favourite since 1959.
relaisdevenise.com
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Park Lane
Best for: a big blowout meal.
Alain Ducasse is the name, and 21 Michelin stars is the game – three of which are at his dining room in The Dorchester. Splurge on the seven-course tasting menu, starting with a hand-dived scallop perching on its shell and doused in a citrus-Kristal caviar beurre blanc before your eyes. Then ride several waves of seafood – from lobster medallion and Périgord truffle pasta or a fillet of Cornish turbot teamed with tender octopus. Très bien.
alainducasse.com
The Dorchester, 53 Park Ln, W1K 1QA
53–54 Brook’s Mews, W1K 4EG
La Petite Maison (LPM), Mayfair
Best for: picture-perfect plates.
At LPM, your camera eats before you do. Every inch of the interiors is Instagram-worthy – and the food follows suit. But beware: you’ll find yourself posting dishes like the ruby-red tuna tartare, accompanied by a spoon balancing a dollop of jet-black caviar, or the creamy vanilla crème brûlée, mid-meal. Whatever you choose, pair it with a Tomatini – dusted with a sprinkle of pepper – a signature cocktail that’s practically a rite of passage.
lpm.com
Bouchon Racine, Farringdon
Best for: an authentic Lyon bouchon.
Bouchon Racine is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get. The ever-changing menu lives on a chalkboard, doodled each day and scrubbed off the next. One night it might be rabbit swaddled in smoked bacon, lounging on a bed of broad beans and lathered in mustard sauce; the next, something entirely different. But one thing’s for sure: you’ll be planning your return before you’ve even asked for the bill.
bouchonracine.com
66 Cowcross St, EC1M 6BP
The Connaught, Carlos Pl, W1K 2AL
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Mayfair
Best for: special occasions.
Few places in the world are quite like this fancy French fare. No, really – chef Hélène Darroze is one of just four female chefs to run a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Keep an eye out for intricate dishes that almost look too good to eat, such as red mullet finished with flowers, or the signature lobster in tandoori spices (a 17-year menu mainstay).
hélènedarroze.com
Amélie Restaurant, Belgravia
Best for: chocolate mousse.
This is Belgravia – so you’ll spot swinging Harrods bags from the sunny terrace that spills onto a pedestrianised street. The viral, silky-smooth chocolate mousse also makes an appearance all day, so good that some tables come solely for it. Assembled tableside, two scoops are topped with caramelised almonds and pistachios to your taste. Top tip: opt for a sprinkle of sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil to balance the sweetness.
amélie.com
Pantechnicon, 19 Motcomb St, SW1X 8LB
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Hamilton Pl, W1J 7DR
Pavyllon London, Mayfair
Best for: inventive French food.
Yannick Alléno has an impressive 17 Michelin stars under his belt – and you might have to undo yours after popping over to Pavyllon. Case in point: the six-course tasting menu, fittingly named ‘Mayfair’. Highlights include soft egg stacked with blobs of bluefin tuna tartare and smoked pike roe, and a John Dory fillet floating in Tahitian vanilla butter, infused with jasmine and complemented by a rich coconut cream.
pavyllonlondon.com
La Maison Ani, Belgravia
Best for: leisurely lunches.
Despite sitting in one of London’s poshest postcodes, this pretty-in-pink eatery is unpretentiously elegant. Unsurprisingly, the clientele has likely spent the afternoon kicking about on King's Road. Predictably, you’ll start with can’t-go-wrong classics like escargots (snails) smothered with garlic butter and parsley, French soup crowned with gooey Gruyère, and a South-of-France favourite, salade niçoise. Nice.
lamaisonani.com
