Looking for a fine French supper? From Michelin-star spots to classic bistros and brasseries, the city does not disappoint.
If you don’t have time for a Eurostar ride across the channel but you’re craving the delicacies of French cuisine, you’re in luck. London has a wide variety of delicious and authentic cuisine within its city limits, and when it comes to French cuisine, that’s no exception.
We’ve put together a guide to the best spots in the city. It ranges from the likes of three-Michelin-starred splashes of genius like Hélène Darroze at the Connaught to rustic eateries like Casse-Croûte.
Don’t just shoot for the traditional though. You’ll also find plenty to write home about in the more modern takes such as Planque and Soif, but enough talk. Let the feasting commence…
The Best French Restaurants in London
L’Atelier Robuchon
Mayfair
When London’s two-Michelin-star Robuchon outpost closed a few years back we were heartbroken to say the least. Though in late 2023 we were granted a touch of reprieve from that pain by the reopening of the fabled brand a few miles down the road in Mayfair.
L’Atelier Robuchon serves up some of the finest French food in the capital. Everything is geared towards the kind of fine dining that would impress a Michelin food critic – dishes are near enough works of art and it’s next to impossible to pick out a flaw in anything from the cooking to the tiniest detail in design on cutlery or glassware.
Oh, and don’t even get us started on the wines…
Riviera
St James’
Riviera is another fairly newcomer to the London dining scene, snapping up a prime piece of real estate that boasts some spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows. We’ve enjoyed watching the sun come down over the neighbourhood to a hearty French feast here before and would highly recommend it to you.
The food is a rustic look at southern France and other bits of the Riviera. You’ll want to order plenty of seafood, they work magic with it here (especially in the lobster brioche rolls) and go wild on the small plates.
Finish on the excellent Apple Tart Tatin to round off a perfect evening.
65a
Spitalfields
65a faces fierce competition in Spitalfields but that doesn’t stop it being one of the top spots around. They’ve got the whole French bistro thing down to a fine art. The space feels like a classy Parisian cafe but with oodles of class and a pinch of good taste to keep things exciting.
Their menu is concise and features all the big hitters you’d expect. The focus is on lobster and steak and both are tip-top. From the starters don’t miss out on the duck liver paté, and treat yourself to a few oysters while you’re at it.
Hélène Darroze at the Connaught
Mayfair
Without including Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, we couldn’t feasibly write an honest guide to London’s top French restaurants. The place is an institution. It’s also holder of three coveted Michelin stars, making it one of the finest places to eat in not just London, but the world.
The food is a creative masterclass on making the most out of fresh produce. Hélène Darroze herself picks out much of what goes on your plate, keeping a close eye on everything in the cooking process.
Chandeliers and champagne is very much the vibe in the dining room. Dinner here is a classy affair to say the least. It will, therefore, cost a pretty penny, but if you’ve got the money to spend and fine dining is your thing, this is the Rolls Royce of dining experiences.
Planque
Haggerston
Planque is where you want to go to break out of the bistro-esque formula of French dining. The restaurant is as cool as they come and is something of a pioneer in the whole wine bar-doing-great-food thing that London’s currently pretty obsessed with.
Planque offers a small, 40-cover venue that’s slick and cosy. You’ll want to try and grab one of the tables in the vaults to maximise on atmosphere, but don’t hold out. Getting any seat here, let alone the best in the house can be tough work.
Should you succeed you’ll find a menu of highly creative cooking that has roots deep in dishes of the Provençal. Alongside it comes a wine card that would move even the most impassive Frenchman to tears.
Casse-Croûte
££
Casse-Croûte’s cosy environs will truly make you feel like you’re in a village of Aix-en-Provence. This charming French restaurant has an inviting vibe, featuring a rustic blackboard menu that’s updated daily with French classics.
The intimate setting and red-chequered tablecloths pair well with the sophisticated charcuterie boards and fine wine. There are only three choices per course, which makes it a perfect opportunity to try something outside your comfort zone.
La Petite Auberge
Multiple Locations
£££
If you’re looking for a classic French brasserie with a twist, look no further than this creative spot with locations in Islington and Cockfosters. The chefs pride themselves on their fresh ingredients which are locally sourced from nearby farms and butchers.
La Petite Auberge has a special lunch menu as well as a la carte options, making it a perfect spot any time of day. We’d especially recommend their evening prix fixe menu, and a decadent crepe to follow.
Galvin La Chapelle
£££
Part of the Galvin family of restaurants, this Michelin-starred French restaurant is a luxury Shoreditch staple. The space at Galvin La Chapelle is fit for a king, with large arched windows and high stone ceilings that reflect the blend of modern and traditional you’ll find on the menu.
The Galvin brothers pride themselves on their locally sourced ingredients and travel personally to Covent Garden Market every night to find the best and freshest produce and meats. Enjoy their signature Assiette of Herdwick lamb, or branch out with the succulent fallow deer.
Club Gascon
Clerkenwell
£££
Of all the Michelin-star French restaurants in the capital, Club Gascon is the most imaginative. Inspired by the flavours of southwest France, legendary chef Pascal Aussignac presents innovative takes on classic French ingredients just off of Smithfield Market in Clerkenwell.
This spot is housed in a former Lyon’s Tea House and retains the poised aesthetic and marble furnishings. We’d recommend their impeccable seasonal tasting menu, which can be ordered classic or fully vegetarian, neither of which skimps on flavour.
Frenchie
££
Frenchie might just be our favourite restaurant in Covent Garden. Here, at this British outpost of a Parisian original, classically trained chef Greg Marchand brings a completely authentic French restaurant to London.
When you step through the doors, you’ll feel like you’ve been teleported to the streets of Paris, with carefully curated decor and a chic atmosphere.
Beautiful location aside, it’s the food that really makes Frenchie pop. We wrote a review telling you why.
Brasserie Zédel
££
Perhaps one of London’s most iconic French restaurants, the massive Brasserie Zédel is ideal for a family dinner or special occasion – or just treating yourself because You. Are. Worth. It.
Their stunning subterranean Art Deco dining room is set in a gorgeous 1930s building and makes the perfect setting for a sumptuous feast. That feast will be backed by live jazz on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and consist of some pretty exceptional (and very traditional) French cooking.
With set menus covering two courses, this is the perfect place to introduce your loved ones to French flavours. After a satisfying meal, enjoy a show next door at their lively cabaret venue.
The Bistro at the Bleeding Heart
££
A traditional French Bistro in London, Bleeding Heart offers year-round outdoor seating and an aesthetic that’s a mix of French farmhouse and British Victorian architecture. The inside of the restaurant is theatrical but classy, with 19th-century wine posters and vineyard sculptures for decoration.
The food is as classic as a traditional French this side of the channel can be, with hearty classics like coq au vin, rabbit with mustard sauce and steak frites. Try any of these with one of their 450 wine options.
Gauthier Soho
Soho
£££
Gauthier is Soho’s most exclusive French restaurant. When you arrive at the townhouse, you’ll ring a doorbell and be greeted by a sophisticated Frenchman who will take you to an intimate table – the entire experience will make you feel completely indulged.
Any dish that Chef Alexis Gauthier thinks up will hit the mark, so it’s no surprise that this all-vegan menu will as well. It’s unusual to find a vegan French restaurant but you’ll be amazed at how decadent and sumptuous this entirely plant-based menu is.
If you need any more proof of the quality, know that several of the kitchens Gauthier has headed have held several Michelin stars in the past, as did an original iteration of Gauthier Soho.
Aix Restaurant
Crouch End
££
One of the best French restaurants north of the river, Aix’s seasonal menu is accompanied by a cosy and romantic atmosphere. Once you’ve been taken to your quiet table and settled into your seats, you’ll be able to enjoy the velvet curtains and Renaissance-style murals in one of their two bohemian dining rooms (and of course, the food).
This chef-owned restaurant features a menu of archetypal French dishes with an occasional British twist, especially its sought-after Sunday roast. This gem features an unbeatable combination of garlicky leg of lamb (a French lunch staple) with British roast potatoes and a Yorkshire pudding.
Soif
Battersea
££
While London’s iconic Terroirs – a spot we used to love – has tragically closed its doors, their offshoot Soif offers a solid reason to keep your appetite for rillettes and fine French cheese alive.
The place feels like a neighbourhood bistro in the French countryside, but right in Battersea Rise. The same team that deftly ran Terroirs brings their Parisian style and extensive knowledge of natural wine to this chic spot.
Enjoy one of these locally made wines along with a classic charcuterie board or Tapas that blends Mediterranean tradition with French flavours.
Upstairs at The French House
Soho
£
This iconic spot is a two-for-one that’s frequented by locals and tourists alike. The French House itself is a legendary Soho watering hole that is a must-visit for London’s art crowd. What many don’t know is above the boisterous pub is a tiny dining room serving delicious French cuisine.
The stripped-back tables and minimal decor allow you to just enjoy the food, familiar classics like lamb chops and cheese boards, and some not-so-familiar options like calves’ brains with brown butter and capers.
Hatched
Clapham
£££
If you’ve grown tired of all the traditional French options, try Hatched for something more modern and laid-back. The chefs here see creativity as one of their main goals, and the no-frills, casual atmosphere means each dish stands out.
The food at Hatched is global, but while the dishes are from around the world, each boasts an unmistakable French twist. Innovative chef Shane Marshall brings classical French training to unique, seasonal ingredients.
Coq d’Argent
Bank
£££
If you’re looking for delicious food that will make your Instagram followers jealous, reserve a table at the gorgeous verdant rooftop garden at Coq d’Argent. With four terraces to choose from, heated lamps, and cosy blankets, you can enjoy panoramic views of London all year round with your French bites.
We’d recommend this spot for their weekend brunch, where you can order anything from a French take on eggs Benedict to caviar.
