There are two categories of French cuisine fans when it comes to the best French restaurants here in London. Those who want their steak rare and blue, and others who saw Ratatouille once and vaguely remember what a crème brulée is. Both are fantastic!
The French are famous for their love of wine and cheese, but there’s much more to love than cliches, including a slew of chefs redefining the brasserie.
After all, French cooking has affected practically most of the culinary world, and the methods are often recognised as among the best in the world. So, if you’re looking for terrific French restaurants in London for a delicious dinner, a small patisserie, or a fast café, you’ll get what you’re looking for and more.
Before we discover this list of the best French Restaurants In London to explore, try reading our article on the top 50 best restaurants in London for 2020 and enjoy a full list of mouth-watering cuisine.
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1. Elena’s L’Etoile
Elena’s L’Etoile in posh Fitzrovia has been open since 1896 and hasn’t lost an ounce of its dazzling elegance. The interior is covered with beautifully framed photos of celebrities who dined at this renowned French restaurant.
Choose from a three-course or three-course set menu to experience simple, classic French cooking.
Try the pan-roasted scallops or crispy lamb sweetbreads, then go on to the steak or trio of slow-cooked pork for the main course. Then, you can finish with the classic coconut panna cotta or lemon tart for dessert. Finally, for the ultimate L’Etoile experience, pair your meal with a bottle of delectable French wine. We’ve also included this restaurant in one of the best restaurants in London Bridge 2022.
Visit elenasletoile.co.uk
Choose from a three-course or three-course set menu to experience simple, classic French cooking.
2. Aster London
Aster originally launched back in 2017 as a Scandinavian-inspired restaurant. The beautifully designed space has since evolved its Chef team and menu to boast a range of modern French dishes which all have a touch of class.
Located just two minutes’ walk from Victoria station, you can’t miss its stunning entrance point. Situated at the foot of the Nova building, it offers incredible architecture that’ll draw you in with curiosity.
What can we say about Aster London?
A high-end, modern French restaurant with an emphasis on exceptional food and wine pairings. One of those restaurant experiences where you won’t lift a finger (except when sipping an elegant red wine from Bordeaux). Let the expertise of the waiters shine, as they guide you through an outstanding, well-crafted French menu.
Laced with a romantic orangey-red interior, it provides a fantastic atmosphere. Sit inside their shared booths, tiered and elevated allowing you to enjoy an exclusive zone whilst dining, yet still soaking in the atmosphere and surroundings.
You can read our first-hand review of Aster Restaurant to help you decide whether or not it’s your next target date spot.
Visit Aster restaurant
A high end, modern french restaurant with emphasis on exceptional food and wine pairings.
3. Le Gavroche
Located in the heart of Mayfair, Le Gavroche is one of the most luxurious fine dining restaurants in London.
The food at Le Gavroche is distinctly French and has been recognised by the Michelin Guide with several prestigious awards. In addition, their menu comes highly recommended by critics.
Le Gavroche has received two stars from the Michelin Guide every year since its inception in 1967. The restaurant itself was founded by Albert and Michel Roux Sr., the first chefs to receive three stars from the Michelin Guide.
The menu includes dishes such as Seared Foie Gras, Scallops en Croute, Fricassée de Poulet Rôti à la Crème d’Oignon, and the famous Tarte Tatin. The restaurant decor is exquisite, the service is highly professional, and the atmosphere is delightful.
The wine list offers many excellent options for the discerning palate. The prices are high but well worth it for the quality of the food and the overall experience.
If you are looking for some of the best restaurants in London, or the best Michelin Star Restaurants in London, you just found one.
Visit le-gavroche.co.uk
Located in the heart of Mayfair, Le Gavroche is one of the most luxurious fine dining restaurants in London.
4. Chez Antoinette
With the restaurant located in the heart of St James Park Victoria, Chez Antoinette is a restaurant with very traditional cuisine. The interior is crafted on two levels. The downstairs is spacious and well-lit, creating the perfect environment to drink and dine in style.
The upstairs floor is more intimate. A mezzanine level provides elevation above the bar as you glance across the restaurant enjoying the hustle and bustle of other diners.
Chez Antoinette Victoria is certainly one of the best French restaurants in London. Why? It adds to the neighbourhood’s vibrant french scene, with an oasis that locals would prefer us to keep a secret.
Co-owner Jean-Baptiste JB Noel, says “We wanted to create a canteen for the locals and provide the business community with a new dining room”, and Chez Antoinette certainly does that too.
The menu brings authentic French flavours of long-held family recipes to a vibrant quarter. This includes a classic selection of dishes, including Bavette steak, Boeuf Bourguignon and Croque Monsieur.
The extensive wine list boasts over 1,000 labels worldwide, so there’s something for everyone. The service is professional, and the staff is attentive, making it the ideal spot for a special occasion or celebration.
Back in 2016 Chez Antionette was awarded two AA rosettes and was named Restaurant of the Year by Tatler magazine. There’s also an outdoor terrace to enjoy al fresco dining during warmer months.
The restaurant is also now offering Happy Hour at the Victoria site, between 4.30 pm-6.30 pm Monday to Friday, with a selection of its cocktails from just £7 and mocktails at £5.
Enjoy chic French cocktails like French Negroni and St Germain Spritz, plus classic Cosmos and Margaritas, made using the best spirits and liqueurs.
Visit chezantoinette.co.uk
With the restaurant located in the heart of St James Park Victoria, Chez Antoinette is a restaurant with very traditional cuisine.
5. The French House
The cuisine is always on point, and you can expect quality. So whether you want a casual lunch or a classy dinner, The French House will fit your taste, ambiance, and budget needs.
It’s located in Soho Square, making it easy to reach from anywhere else in the city center. The prices are pocket friendly for the quality of food that you get here. The place has been around since the late 1960s, so it knows what it’s doing to serve high-quality French food.
The waiters are friendly, and the service is excellent. The menu includes meals like classic steak fries and the day’s fresh fish. There are also a handful of other dishes freshly served similar to the best Turkish restaurants in London.
Some of these meals are grilled vegetables with herbs, lamb chops with mint sauce, and duck breast with orange sauce. In addition, the dessert menu features chocolate mousse cake as well as other desserts such as creme brulee and tiramisu.
As you can see, there’s something for everyone at The French House Restaurant. Asides from being one of the best French restaurants in London, The French House Restaurant is also one of the most popular restaurants in London and can be compared to the best fine dining restaurants in London as well!
Visit frenchhousesoho.com
The French House Restaurant is also one of the most popular restaurants in London overall.
6. La Poule au Pot
If that’s your thing, this traditional and beloved French restaurant serves a mean Coq au Vin. You can also go for something lighter but equally delicious. That’s the Frogs’ Legs Provencal comes highly recommended. The friendly staff also makes dining here an absolute delight.
Beautiful, casual, and thoroughly charming, La Poule au Pot is one of the best French restaurants in London. It is located in the heart of the city at 2 Greek Street. The restaurant serves lunch from Monday to Friday between 12 pm-2:30 pm and dinner from Monday to Saturday between 6 pm-11:30 pm.
Reservations are not required but are recommended on weekends as the restaurant does get busy quickly. The wines here are reasonably priced, with the cheapest bottle costing £25. The average cost per person for a meal without drinks is £60-70.
The wall decor features primarily black and white photographs of the famous people who have dined there. The seating area is relatively small, so booking ahead is always advisable.
Visit pouleaupot.co.uk
7. Café du Marché
Located in the heart of South Kensington, Café du Marché is one of the best French restaurants in London. With a menu that boasts traditional cuisine with a modern twist, you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable experience. From their homemade foie gras to their crispy duck confit. You’ll be able to taste the passion and love that goes into each dish.
Some of the mouth-watering cuisines are tartare de boeuf, coquilles Saint Jacques , filet de bœuf Rossini and les macarons au chocolat. They also offer seasonal menus and daily specials for those who want something different every time they visit. In addition, the restaurant is beautifully decorated with warm wood and leather furniture.
Guests can dine or sit at the bar for a drink before dinner. Why not try out some of its excellent French wines like Chateau Musar white wine from Lebanon or Chateau Les Graves red wine from Bordeaux? You won’t regret it!
If you’re searching for somewhere romantic to go with your partner or want a place where you can enjoy some delicious food at any time of day, then Café du Marché is worth checking out.
After you enjoy dinner, you may also want to continue the evening and see the beautiful sights in the capital in one of the best rooftop bars in London.
Visit cafedumarche.co.uk
Located in the heart of South Kensington, Café du Marché is one of the best French restaurants in London.
8. The Ledbury
You can’t do much better than The Ledbury when dining in London. This modern restaurant is as impressive for its stunning design and mouth-watering menu for its impeccable service.
Located in Notting Hill, there’s no shortage of unique places to dine within walking distance from The Ledbury. So, it’s a lovely time for a leisurely lunch or dinner before venturing out again on your evening.
You’ll find meals like roasted monkfish with cauliflower purée, wild mushrooms, and truffle oil on its menu. What’s more? You’ll get to tasty meals like lamb rump with charred spring onion purée, artichoke, and lovage, or beef fillet with celeriac fondant.
And if you’re in for something lighter but still delicious, try one of their many small plates instead. Ledbury has been awarded Michelin stars every year since 2009.
Visit theledbury.com
This modern restaurant is as impressive for its stunning design and mouth-watering menu for its impeccable service.
9. Terroirs Restaurant
Terroirs in London’s West End is a bar, and a restaurant spread across two floors. Reserve a table on the ground level to sip good wines and nibble on small cheese and charcuterie plates. You could also choose an excellent three-course meal in the cellar restaurant.
Order a half dozen oysters, try the bouillabaisse or the red mullet. You’ll also love its chicken or an Angus T-bone steak if you’re feeling starving.
Guests can either see their delicacies being created in the open kitchen or sit back and relax in the lively Parisian setting. The food isn’t genuinely French, but the atmosphere and refinement are.
The wine list is extensive, with Champagnes, Bordeaux, and Burgundies from France and California wines. Terroirs also offers a selection of artisan beers from around Europe.
The restaurant decor includes handcrafted leather chairs and cast-iron lamps. It also serves breakfast and brunch as well as afternoon tea.
Visit terroirswinebar.com
You’ll also love its chicken or an Angus T-bone steak if you’re feeling starving.
10. Breizh Café
Without the magnificent crepe, no French culinary experience is complete. Breizhis, an original Breton sit-down creperie, is the authority in Paris, with subtle Japanese accents in the décor and dish presentation (salted butter caramel with yuzu).
The overstuffed buckwheat galettes cooked with Bordier butter, according to Zimbeck, are a world away from what you’ll get at most street-side crepe stands. Reservations are essential for the top French restaurants in Paris, as is customary.
11. L’Escargot
A traditional, family-run restaurant located in Bayswater and Covent Garden, L’Escargot offers some of the finest French cuisine available in the city. L’Escargot prides itself on its beautifully presented dishes, which are served by a friendly and attentive staff.
The ambiance is elegant yet warm, offering a cozy but luxurious setting. Upon arrival, the chef and manager welcome guests while the waiter explains each dish on offer.
It is one of London’s best restaurants for traditional French food that won’t break your bank balance. An affordable alternative to more expensive places in Mayfair, you can expect to pay around £45 per person for an evening meal here.
Visit lescargot.co.uk
It is one of London’s best restaurants for traditional French food that won’t break your bank balance.
12. Le Pont De La Tour
If you’re looking for a French restaurant with a view, Le Pont De La Tour might just be for you.
With an iconic setting and high-end cuisine, it’s a wonderful date location as it perfectly overlooks the River Thames.
It features various gourmet choices, including Italian options, vegetarian meals, as well as other items. It is easy to see why Le Pont de la Tour has become so popular.
Book the restaurant on a warm, summer evening and you’ll really soak up the location for all of its glory.
Snita, Head of Editorial at Eating In London did just that. You can read Snita’s full review of Le Pont De La Tour here.
Visit Le Pont De La Tour
If you’re looking for a French restaurant with a view, Le Pont De La Tour might just be for you.
13. Blanchette Soho
With simplistic and modern decor, Blanchette is your quintessential French restaurant. It offers both à la carte dining and a more affordable set menu. The meals are well-crafted by its famed chef, who has gained international recognition and acclaim.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night or to host an important business dinner, Blanchette should be at the top of your list.
Located in Soho, it’s just far enough from the hustle and bustle of the city so that you can feel relaxed during your dining experience. So head there after work on Monday and enjoy two courses for £29 or 3 courses for £33.
Visit blanchettesoho.co.uk
The meals are well-crafted by its famed chef, who has gained international recognition and acclaim.
14. Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel, described by established chef Pierre Koffman as “the only true Brasserie in London,” is your perfect slice of France situated in the middle of Piccadilly.
This London institution serves delectable French classics like warm onion soup, juicy chicken escalope, as well as velvety crème Brule. All served by dashing waiters in pristine white shirts and berets.
Every Thursday through Saturday, a foot-tapping jazz band performs from 9 to 11 pm. Furthermore, the meal is as inexpensive as chips (or is it frites?), and the portions are large. So come on in!
Visit brasseriezedel.com
The meal is as inexpensive as chips and the portions are large.
Enjoyed our article covering the Best French Restaurants in London?
Did we miss one of your favourites? If you want to add more amazing choices to your list, check out our article on the best Japanese restaurants in London and the best British restaurants in London.
Let us know in the comments and our team will endeavour to review your recommendation. We might well add it to our list if it meets our requirements for the best french restaurant in London.
Founder of Eating in London
