Must-see restaurants in France

  • Michel

    Marseille

    This deceptively shabby-looking restaurant opposite Plage des Catalans has been the culinary pride and joy of the Michel family since 1946. Contrary to…

  • Les Plaisirs

    Côte d'Azur

    Enterprising chef-owner Romain Clavel-Millo founded this restaurant in the village centre when he was only 21, and has been winning accolades ever since…

  • Shellona

    Côte d'Azur

    A Greek restaurant and beach club, Shellona is a little more relaxed than some of its immediate neighbours. Burrata, fish in Provençal herbs and…

  • La Table du Plot

    Auvergne

    This reliable spot on the market square serves upmarket bistro fare like steak with nostril-singeing Gorgonzola sauce, duck tartare with scallops and a…

  • Le Forum

    Burgundy

    East across the stream from Cluny's medieval centre, this popular eatery is pleasantly situated in an old stone building with a glassed-in porch and…

  • Chez Gaston

    Côte d'Azur

    Blackboard menus, pavement tables, a wall of wines and hearty dishes such as steak béarnaise, fish soup and slow-roasted lamb: really, what more do you…

  • La Petite Auberge

    Le Havre

    This absolute gem of a place has a low-beamed dining room that whispers of romance, while the dishes rarely fail to satisfy. The à la carte menu is…

  • Ganapathy

    Lourdes

    A favourite of visitors from the subcontinent, this cheerfully decorated restaurant serves up a fine variety of Indian classics. Chicken tikka masala,…

  • Café Suédois

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    Housed in beautiful 16th-century Hôtel de Marle, this gorgeous cafe in the Institut Suédois (Swedish Institute) cultural centre lures Parisians with its…

  • Le Restique

    Lyon & the Rhône Valley

    At first glance, you know Le Restique is a find. Tucked in a side street in the heart of the old town, this cosy little place with a wooden interior…

  • Sésame

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    Whether you're in search of an artsy canal-side hang-out or a picnic to go, this winning cafe has all the goods: soup served in army-issued tin bowls,…

  • Cafe Albertine

    Rennes

    A lovely spot for breakfast, Cafe Albertine is bright as a new pin and a relaxing environment for a pick-me-up coffee or a snack. There are friendly…

  • Restaurant Peron

    Marseille

    Peron is a premium address for seafood in Marseille, with the advantage of a stunning cliftop perch and views over the water to the Îles du Frioul. Expect…

  • Marché sur l'Eau

    Amiens

    Fruit and veggies grown in the city's market gardens, the Hortillonnages, are sold at this one-time floating market, now held on dry land.

  • Dame Cakes

    Rouen

    Walk through the grand and historic, early-20th-century façade and you’ll discover a delightfully civilised selection of pastries, cakes and chocolates…

  • Jacquou Le Croquant

    Aix-en-Provence

    Smack bang in the centre of old Aix, this jolly little restaurant specialises in southwestern cuisine, which means copious amounts of duck, rabbit and…

  • Blue Valentine

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    Craft cocktails marry perfectly with the exquisite dishes of chef Terumitsu Saito, flavoured with edible flowers and a profusion of herbs, at this…

  • CreaBistro

    Annecy

    A zestier alternative to heavier Savoyard cuisine, this build-your-own Thai noodle bar does a roaring trade from a small shopfront. Choose a rice or…

  • Chez les Garçons

    St-Tropez

    Super-friendly staff serve delicate specialities like a perfectly poached egg with foie gras, all under the watchful eyes of Marilyn, Brigitte and Audrey …

  • Chez Victor

    Strasbourg

    Victor is almost single-handedly reinventing fast food in this corner of Strasbourg, with his wholesome tartines (open sandwiches), salads and soups,…

  • Sa Se Su

    Caen

    Popular Sa Se Su serves up delicious bowls of bun bo (rice noodles mixed with lettuce, carrots and coriander, and topped with beef, chicken or shrimp). It…

  • Fromagerie du Saloir

    Parc National des Pyrénées

    Inside the market (Les Halles de Cauterets), cheese lovers can swoon over the seemingly endless varieties of fromage as well as liqueurs (including one…

  • La Petite Cuisine de Sandrine

    Paris

    No typo – it's that cheap. This pocket-sized den feels like you've been let in on a secret. Sandrine prepares excellent food that anyone can appreciate –…

  • Restaurant du Port

    Normandy

    A treat for lovers of fish and seafood (fruits de mer), this restaurant down by the port has been doing good business since 1989. À la carte offerings…

  • Chez Francine

    Languedoc-Roussillon

    Platters piled high with oysters and mussels and other luscious seafood sourced from the surrounding waters are the speciality of Chez Francine. The…

  • Philou

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    The walls at this swanky bistro are nearly 100% chalkboard, with the day’s temptations writ large. The brainchild of seasoned chef Philippe Damas, Philou…

  • Angelina

    Versailles

    Eateries within the Versailles estate include tearoom Angelina, famed for its decadent hot chocolate. It also serves quiches, gourmet sandwiches, salads,…

  • Le Comptoir du 7

    Uzès

    Choose from a barrel-vaulted dining room or a courtyard garden in which to dine on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The food is fresh and seasonal, so the…

  • Aromatic

    Lyon & the Rhône Valley

    Pierre Daret gives food a pinch of creativity and southern sunshine at intimate, softly lit Aromatic. The well-edited menu goes with the seasons, but…

  • Le Comptoir Dugommier

    Marseille

    It doesn’t get more Gallic than the 'Dugo' – chalkboard menus, wooden floors, vintage signs, giant mirrors and whip-smart waiters. Soak up the atmosphere…

  • Le Bistro de Jean

    St-Malo

    Peer through the windows of this lively, authentic bistro to see where locals congregate for flavourful cuisine, built upon a crop of fresh ingredients…

  • Cook’In

    Épernay

    A sparky chef came up with the idea of combining French and Thai flavours at this sleek bistro. Go for well-spiced dishes like satay of guinea fowl in…

  • Le Cantorbery

    Brittany

    This intimate restaurant in a 17th-century house is perfect for wining and dining your beloved over a romantic meal. Its traditional menu – based on beef,…

  • Le Potager des Halles

    Lyon

    Opposite the colourful Fresque des Lyonnais, this gourmet bistro is a dreamy spot for a tasty lunch or to while away an evening. Happy diners throng the…

  • Huré

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    This is a brilliantly contemporary bakery with a graffitied red-brick wall, super-stuffed bread rolls, lavish quiches, and a rainbow of fruit tarts,…

  • Le Garet

    Lyon

    One of Lyon's classic bouchons, with a devoted local clientele. Highlights include ample portions, friendly service, an exceptionally tasty tête de veau…

  • Dardonville

    Fontainebleau

    Melt-in-your-mouth macarons, in flavours including poppy seed and gingerbread, are refreshingly inexpensive at this beloved patisserie-boulangerie (bakery…

  • L’Heure Bleue

    Montpellier

    This tearoom overflowing with antiques evokes the 18th-century spirit of historical hotel Baudon de Mauny, in which it lives. Sip a fine tea served in a…

  • La Laiterie Sainte Clotilde

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Your neighbours might be diplomats or civil servants working in a ministry nearby – not a bad sign. In a very institutional area, La Laiterie is a beacon…

  • L'Épicerie

    Avignon

    From the checked tablecloths to the booth seats, handwritten blackboards and vintage signs, this reliable bistro is a fine spot for hearty French dishes,…

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