Must-see restaurants in France

  • Karamel

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Sweet-toothed gourmets won't do much better than a pit stop at the specialist boutique and salon de thé (tearoom) of chef-pâtissier Nicolas Haelewy…

  • Bistrot des Claquets

    The Jura Mountains

    Loved by vignerons (winegrowers) and other locals, this unpretentious, convivial little place serves fantastic French country fare, but only at lunchtime…

  • Le Michel Ange

    Côte d'Azur

    With tables beneath a leafy tree on a fountain-clad square behind the cathedral, this casual restaurant gets top billing among locals. Families with kids…

  • Restaurant du Hameau

    Chantilly

    In the grounds of Château de Chantilly, a half-timbered building dating from the late 18th century that was a favoured drinking den for aristocrats is now…

  • Fleurs de Thym

    Cassis

    With its open-sided fireplace and pretty, art-filled dining room, this small restaurant makes a good refuge from the harbour-side hustle. It also provides…

  • Le Jardin d'Eden

    Lyon & the Rhône Valley

    Formerly a cinema, it’s amazing what a renovation and an ownership change can do for a place. The young team at the helm of this culinary outpost does a…

  • Jambo

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    Fronted by a sunflower-yellow façade and decorated with shields and masks, Jambo was opened by former Red Cross chef de mission Pierre-Olivier Pinguet …

  • Bistrot Ernest

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    An unpretentious yet characterful bistro with affordable mains in the heart of the 6e is an increasingly rare treat. A hot fave among art dealers and…

  • La Véraison

    Paris

    The elegant simplicity of owner-chef Ulla Bosse's welcoming neighbourhood bistro (bare boards, timber tables, pistachio-coloured walls) belies the…

  • Numéro 23

    Nantes

    Crisp white walls frame this minimalist bistrot à vin, very much a drinking-dining hybrid with its extensive selection of wines by the glass (€3.50–10)…

  • Au Couvent

    Bordeaux

    Exposed stone walls, vintage fireplace and windowsills dotted with flower pots add instant charm to this backstreet address run by the talented Marine…

  • À La Table du Marché

    Languedoc-Roussillon

    Inspired flavour combinations on the daily-changing menu might include minced duck breast with heirloom carrots, grilled cod in a chorizo sauce, and veal…

  • La Boulangerie de Mamie Jane

    The Luberon

    Those short of time or money in Gordes should follow the locals downhill along rue Baptistin Picca to this pocket-sized boulangerie (bakery), which has…

  • Le Cotte Rôti

    Paris

    Contemporary cooking by Nicolas Michel and a chic charcoal-hued dining space ensure this bistro is always busy (book ahead). Try Michel's signature épaule…

  • Le Saut du Crapaud

    Paris

    Locals pack out this quirky neighbourhood bistro, showcase for the casual Franco-Mexican cuisine of Mexican banker-turned-chef Marco Paz. Cooking pots, a…

  • Le J’Go

    Paris

    With sunflower-coloured walls decorated with bullfighting posters, this contemporary bistro magics you away to southwestern France – perfect on a grey…

  • Blend

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    Blend is easy to spot by the hungry crowd outside waiting for a table in the smart, black-and-wood interior or a gourmet burger to take away. Buns are…

  • Chez Felix

    Troyes

    The menu revolves around whatever's in season at super-central, retro-flavoured Chez Felix, with bistro seating, mosaic tiles and vintage knick-knacks. It…

  • Le Denti

    Annecy

    A few blocks south of the old town, this unassuming restaurant follows the seasons, drawing inspiration from local market produce. The menu's carefully…

  • Eggs & Co

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Œufs (eggs) in all guises are the integral ingredient of this popular cafe: scrambled, eggs Benedict, en cocottes (baked 'in pots' with crème fraîche),…

  • Philippe & Jean-Pierre

    Paris

    Philippe graciously oversees the elegant, white-tableclothed dining room, while co-owner Jean-Pierre helms the kitchen. Seasonal menus incorporate dishes…

  • Chez Alain Miam Miam

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    Retired baker Alain of Marché des Enfants Rouges fame has branched out to open his own cafe just around the corner from the historic covered market (where…

  • Mademoiselle B

    Nantes

    This backstreet favourite, with potted plants on its window sills and the day's menu chalked on a blackboard outside, enchants. Pick from two different…

  • Brutos

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    Brutos' stripped-back brick and stone dining room is softened by marine-coloured banquettes, ceramic-topped tables and framed illustrations on the walls…

  • Brasserie Thoumieux

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Founded in 1923, Thoumieux has been worshipped by generations of diners ever since for its menu of duck, veal and snails and its smooth-as-silk service,…

  • Huré

    Paris

    For a half-baguette bursting with fresh produce, duck into this contemporary bakery known for its generous portions. Richly filled quiches, salads and…

  • Prao Café

    La Rochelle

    Across the street from the old-fashioned carousel that spins on the water edge is this hipster cafe. Seating is a mix of sage-green Fermob (pavement…

  • Le Comptoir 44

    Lille

    Prepared according to the motto 'La bonne cuisine est honnête, sincère et simple' (Good food is honest, sincere and simple), dishes at this rustic-chic…

  • Ryo

    Paris

    Footsteps from rue Ste-Anne in Paris' 'Little Tokyo' neighbourhood, this unassuming two-level restaurant decked out in white (symbolising Japan) and wood …

  • La Brouette

    Côte d'Azur

    With gorgeous views across to St-Paul, a lantern-lit fairy garden, and a crackling fireplace on chilly nights, this long-standing favourite is the very…

  • Chez Albert

    Biarritz

    If you want your fish fresh off the boat, then this venerable place down by the old port is just the ticket – you can literally watch the catch being…

  • Koko Green

    Nice

    At this popular Vieux Nice newcomer, a New Zealander and a naturopath whip up an awesome array of veggie, raw and vegan treats. Weekly specials are…

  • La Table du Parc

    Fontainebleau

    Right by the château gardens entrance at the chic La Demeure du Parc hotel, this contemporary restaurant has 50 seats in its dining room (illuminated by a…

  • Rachel's

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    What started as a showcase for the cakes of American-Bulgarian-Austrian trio Rachel, Maria and Birke (not least Rachel's famous cheesecake) is now a full…

  • Caillebotte

    Paris

    The clattering interior at Caillebotte – slate tiles, blonde wood and tightly packed marble-topped tables – means this isn't the place for a romantic meal…

  • Les Cailloux

    Paris

    Behind a charcoal-coloured façade, this chic hangout in the heart of Butte aux Cailles has minimalist scrubbed floorboards and bare tables lit by low…

  • Claus

    Paris

    Dubbed the ‘haute-couture breakfast specialist’ in Parisian foodie circles, this inspired épicerie du petit-dej (breakfast grocery shop) has everything…

  • Café Moco

    Paris

    Premium beans roasted by Paris' Gaspard & Julien are expertly brewed at this bright blue-framed, glass-fronted space, but it's also perfect for loose-leaf…

  • La Maison du Colombier

    Beaune

    For a supremely cosy evening out, head for this 'gastro-bar' in candlelit 16th-century surrounds. Grab a seat beside the brick-walled open kitchen, on the…

  • Le Riad

    Reims

    Morocco's rich colours and flavours make Le Riad a winner. On the menu are well-spiced specialities like harira soup with lemon and dates, fragrant salads…

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