18 French Restaurants In London To Visit

Food & Drink, Restaurants

30th September 2024 | By Andrea Pinto

Whether you’re a seasoned expert or completely new to the cuisine, there are loads of French restaurants in London to try out this season.

These are some of London’s most exciting French restaurants that’ll help you get your beef bourguignon and frog legs fix without having to jump on a plane. Think traditional flavours with modern twists, classic favourites that never get old and seasonal menus that bring the best of French food and drinks to London.

From Alain Ducasse’s famed three Michelin-star restaurant to the best apple tarte tatin in London, here are 18 restaurants that’ll transport you to France momentarily. 

Alain Ducasse 

For a real blow-the-budget meal, head to Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. Ducasse is one of two chefs to have earned 21 Michelin stars throughout his career, and the powerhouse restaurant nuzzled inside the grand hotel is a three-Michelin-starred success story. 

The restaurant specialises in contemporary French cuisine, boasting an impeccable tasting menu, as well as a la carte options. Ingredients are seasonal and expect every bite to be just as beautiful as it is presented on the plate in front of you. Ducasse’s culinary approach has been perfectly integrated into the menu by Executive Chef Jean-Philippe Blondet and the culinary team.

The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, Mayfair W1K 1QA
www.alainducasse-dorchester.com

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

Three Michelin-starred restaurant, Helene Darroze at The Connaught embraces pink hues, blush shades and deep velvet seating that’ll make you want to revamp your whole living room interiors. The famed French chef has crafted each dish around seasonal produce from the farmers, makers and growers close to her heart. The chefs work closely with you, with every menu created with your personal tastes in mind.

The famed French chef has crafted each dish around seasonal produce from the farmers, makers and growers close to her heart.

Carlos Place, Mayfair W1K 2AL
www.the-connaught.co.uk

Socca

If you’re looking for a taste of the French Riviera, head to Mayfair’s lovely French Rivera-inspired restaurant, Socca. Founded by Samyukta Nair and Claude Bosi, Socca is the kind of place that would work equally well for a romantic evening for two, or a family outing to celebrate a special occasion. With lovely, whimsical interiors and walls decked with art from young British and European artists, the interiors are warm, inviting and cheery. Highlights on the menu include roasted scallops with chicken skin and burnt chilli, Provencal beef cheek with sand carrot and sea bream with sauce antiboise. Don’t forget to leave room for Claude’s signature madeleines with olive oil ice cream that makes a scrumptious dessert.

If you’re looking for a taste of the French Riviera, head to Mayfair’s lovely French Rivera-inspired restaurant, Socca.

41A South Audley StreetLondon W1K 2PS
soccabistro.com

Pied a Terre 

A Michelin-star experience with a difference. Pied a Terre, one of the oldest Michelin-starred restaurants in London, is built on its independent branding, and produces gourmet French cuisine using locally sourced ingredients from small, independent suppliers.  Choose between a plant-based or an omnivore menu and depending on how hungry you are, dig into four to ten-course tasting menus. Some star dishes here include the elegantly plated “Garden of Eden” if you’re going plant-based and for the meat eaters, don’t miss Asimakis’ Signature Dish featuring grilled French quail with 24-month aged Parmesan and black winter truffle. 

34 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia W1T 2NH
www.pied-a-terre.co.uk

Brasserie Zédel

Inspired by the city of love, Paris, Brasserie Zédel serves up traditional French fare and encompasses the heart and soul of the famed city’s culture through its live music and cabaret. 

Serving an all-day menu, begin your meal with French onion soup or try your hand at frogs’ legs with confit garlic mayonnaise, before tucking into braised beef and bacon in Burgundy wine sauce with mashed potatoes. Delicious.

20 Sherwood Street, Soho W1F 7ED
www.brasseriezedel.com

La Dame de Pic

Located inside the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, La Dame de Pic boasts two Michelin stars and serves contemporary French cuisine from Anne-Sophie Pic – the most decorated female Michelin chef in the world. Drawing on Pic’s French culinary heritage from four generations of chefs, there are four tasting menus on offer, all of which can be paired with wine, as well as an a la carte menu. If you’re interested in trying an even more bespoke drinks offering, we highly recommend their on-site sommelier for wine recommendations. When it comes to ordering, make sure you try Pic’s signature dishes: Les Berlingots ASP © (pasta parcels filled with Blackmount Cheese, heritage green tomato, mace and Tonka), along with the White Millefeuille (featuring Tahitian vanilla, jasmine jelly, and a Voatsiperifery pepper cloud).

Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, 10 Trinity Square EC3N 4AJ
www.ladamedepiclondon.co.uk

Bellanger

Favourites on the menu: confit of duck à l’orange, grilled prawn and fennel salad, and pan-roasted cod a la Provençal.

Serving up everything from all-day menus inspired by relaxed southern French dining to cocktails and weekend brunches, Bellanger is your go-to spot for French-inspired flavours in the heart of Islington. The informal all-day bar and brasserie has a large terrace perfect for outdoor dining in the summer.

9 Islington Green, The Angel N1 2XH
www.bellanger.co.uk

Bistro Bleu

Neighbourhood pub meets bistro. The newly opened Bistro Bleu, perched above The Rugby Tavern, offers an authentic taste of France with a slight British accent. With chic, art-deco style interiors, the bistro is designed for lingering lunches and intimate tête-à-têtes over a menu that features simple, seasonal dishes with earthy flavours that are imbued with nostalgia. Think starters like grilled asparagus with crispy mollet egg and mains that include grilled swordfish steak with warm Nicoise salad. Don’t skip dessert because the chocolate marquis and caramelised lemon tart sound divine.

19 Great James Street WC1N 3ES
WWW.rugbytavern.co.uk

Whitcomb’s

“A corner of the French Mediterranean, in the heart of West End,” The Londoner’s signature restaurant, Whitcomb’s, presents a menu of classic French dishes prepared using carefully selected British produce. Dishes up for the taking include steak tartare, yellowtail carpaccio, oysters with lemon creme fraiche, white fish tortellini and marinated baby chicken covered in lemon butter. With its excellent West End location, Whitcomb also makes the perfect spot for pre-theatre dining.

With its excellent West End location, Whitcomb also makes the perfect spot for pre-theatre dining.

8 Leicester Square, WC2H 7DX
www.thelondoner.com/restaurants-bars/whitcombs

Louie

Louie takes French gastronomy to unfathomable heights with a New Orleans influence that tantalises the tastebuds. Spicy shrimp cocktails, oyster PoBoy Éclairs and Maryland corn & white crab cakes are a taster of what’s on offer. Food across the board is exceptional, and the steaks, in particular, are excellent. Decor proffers prohibition meets sophisticated lounge-style vibes, and there is a fitting toe-tapping downtown soundtrack. Imagine ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ gentrified. The best part though? The invitation-only upstairs nightcap spot The Alligator Bar. Accessible only via a lift (activated by a staff fob, no sneaking!), this is a genuine secret London bar with open-air terrace, open-sided fire and an achingly cool (but equally relaxed) bar team. Go in for one, be prepared to stay all night. 

13-15 West Street WC2H 9NE
www.louie-london.com

Cafe Lapérouse

Bring your best manners to this glamorous Parisian institution located in the majestic courtyard of The OWO. The intrinsically French menu includes Halles onion gratin; Burgundy snails in the shell with parsley butter, Lapérouse style beef tartare with fries, and French Caviar. Plus, don’t forget to try the star of the show, the signature French vanilla cake.

Bring your best manners to this glamorous Parisian institution located in the majestic courtyard of The OWO.

Raffles London, The OWO, Whitehall SW1A 2BX
www.laperouse.com

Maison François

With a menu that can take you from an early-morning breakfast served brasserie style (caviar and scrambled eggs, anyone?) to two or three-course pre-theatre menus and an à la carte menu that features tartare de boeuf, crab salad, Ravioles du Dauphiné, and more, there’s something for everyone here. Don’t miss oyster happy hours (six oysters for £10) between 5 and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday downstairs at Frank’s.

34 Duke Street, St. James’s, SW1Y 6DF
www.maisonfrancois.london