French: Top 10 Best French Restaurants
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French: Guide to London’s Top 10 Best Restaurants. The English and the French have enjoyed a love-hate relationship that has endured through the ages. However, while the French suffer the Rosbifs with more than a pinch of disdain, we Brits remain admiring of our continental neighbours for one thing in particular: their cuisine.
French restaurants have retained their lasting popularity in the capital, and this is not set to change anytime soon. However, the discerning diner hoping to forage for the best of culinary Gallic charm must take note. For, despite our proximity to the land of cheese, wine and la joie de vivre, there are scores of restaurants that are but pale imitations of the real thing. Read on for the best London has to offer in continental eating…
Image courtesy of Flickr user dynamosquito.
Tags: Cuisine types, Restaurants
Le Gavroche by Michel Roux jr
Mayfair / Bar / Restaurant / Cuisine: French
Arguably one of the capital's best known French restaurants, Michel Roux Jr's Le Gavroche is an exceptional eating experience. Sitting defiantly at the high end of London's dining spectrum, the restaurant settles for nothing less than the best -hence its two Michelin stars.
Galvin at Windows ![]()
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Mayfair / Bar / Restaurant / Hotel / Cuisine: French
Mayfair, French cuisine - 28 floors upstairs, and you will find Windows, the bar & restaurant, offering some of the best views over London whilst dinning. During the day you can sit and enjoy the food whilst taking in the stunning views of London. Food is served throughout the day. Perhaps even more impressive from Windows is London by night - an awesome kaleidoscope of city lights.
Mon Plaisir ![]()
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West End / Restaurant / Cuisine: French
Mon Plaisir enjoys its reputation as London's oldest surviving French restaurant. It's immensely popular with the good and the great, who vouch for the traditional French cooking and outstanding service. High-class Parisian cooking in the heart of Covent Garden.
Le Vacherin
Chiswick & Brentford / Restaurant / Cuisine: French
French cuisine in Chiswick - this west London restaurant brings a traditional Parisian gastronomic flavour to Chiswick using the finest quality seasonal ingredients, at affordable prices. The restaurant menu changes regularly ensuring new dishes each time you visit. The tastes, textures and aromas that are achieved come from only using the best, freshest ingredients, capturing the essence of authentic French cuisines. The restaurant can seat 72 covers, and also has a private room if required for parties of various number. Click here to book a table
Clos Maggiore ![]()
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West End / Restaurant / Cuisine: French
Clos Maggiore epitomises romance in the way only the French can. The best seats are in the magical room at the back of the restaurant, a world apart from the hubbub of Covent Garden. The wine list is staggeringly extensive, and with its retractable roof, intrinsic glamour and attentive service, it is little surprise that this classy establishment is a hit with the theatre set.
L'Etranger Restaurant & Vins L’Etranger ![]()
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Kensington / Bar / Restaurant / Cuisine: French
L'Etranger, offers an unusual take on classic French cooking with a distinct Japanese influence. The elegant Gloucester Road based restaurant is well worth the trip west, not least for its exceptional wine list.
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon ![]()
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West End / Restaurant / Cuisine: French
Located next door to The Ivy in Covent Garden, L'Atelier de Robuchon is situated in a three story building consisting of a ground floor restaurant L'Atelier, first floor restaurant called La Cuisine and on the top floor Le Salon Bar. Senses are aroused as head chef Olivier Limousin and his team create modern French classics before your eyes. Interaction is welcomed and dishes - in large or tapas-size portions ? are often prepared to diners? specifications.
Brasserie Joel ![]()
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Waterloo / Restaurant / Hotel / Cuisine: French
Waterloo - The dusky, dark redness of Brasserie Joel, within the anonymity of the Park Plaza Hotel, is an unexpected gem. The waiters are every bit as charming as a fairytale French waiter should be. Paris-trained Head Chef Walter Ishizuka and his team produce comforting brasserie dishes with a capital C. Hearty beef bourguignon, lobster bisque, and homemade terrines rush up the nose and massage tired minds before they as much as touch your fork, while accomplished grilled scallops and intricate Millefeuille show off their creator?s finesse. Many dishes can be shared, and accompanied by the heady notes of Edith Piaf, you?ll sail into a sunny stupor. (Emily Retter)
Bleeding Heart Tavern
City of London / Bar / Cuisine: Gastro
Bleeding Heart is an elegant French restaurant in the City of London, renowned for being the most romantic dining destination in the City, as well as a fine venue for business lunches. Held in high regard by the press and surrounding corporate offices, Bleeding Heart serves stylish modern French food from a seasonally-changing a la carte menu. Set in a historic cobblestoned courtyard, Bleeding Heart also offers a buzzy and busy French bistro with a lively, more informal atmosphere.
Bistro 51
St James / Restaurant / Cuisine: French
Bistro 51 has classic French & British dining. You'll find a lively and informal atmosphere, exceptional service & attention to detail, superb French & British classic signature dishes by Nick Harris of Quaglino?s fame and welcoming, friendly staff.
Bellamy's
Mayfair / Bar / Restaurant / Cuisine: French
Presenting French brasserie-style cuisine with a contemporary edge, critically acclaimed Bellamy's Restaurant has a fresh oyster bar and shop. At Bruton Place in Mayfair, Bellamy's serves up simple French classics alongside an exclusively French, impeccable wine list. With charming service, the cosy dining room has a wonderfully elegant brasserie feel.



