French restaurants in Europe
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A
Café Marlayne
The second branch of the New Town French bistro is a hidden gem, down a steep cobbled alley off the Royal Mile, with a changed-daily menu of market-fresh produce and a lovely little lunchtime sun-trap of an outdoor terrace.
reviewed
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B
De Zeven Zonden
Unique, offbeat and cosy - try the kangaroo dish cooked French-provincial style.
reviewed
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C
Gordon Ramsay
Like or loathe the ubiquitous Scot, his eponymous restaurant is one of Britain's finest – one of only four in the country with three Michelin stars. Book ahead and dress up: jeans and T-shirts are forbidden – if you've seen the chef on the telly, you know not to argue.
reviewed
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D
1 Lombard St
Cassoulet goes head-to-head with bangers-and-mash in the brasserie, under the domes of a heritage-listed bank building, and both the French and the Brits come out winners.
reviewed
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E
L'Impossible
Impossibly irresistible, the Impossible is a barn dating back to 1754 near the Aiguille du Midi cable car that has been transformed into a rustic but modern eating space - lots of wood, wicker, warm lighting, gilded gold frames and glass chandeliers. Quail stuffed with foie gras, garlic butter-oozing snails or pineapple carpaccio with ginger and mango sorbet are quintessential French dishes cooked with a twist at this ode to Sylvain Saudan (b 1936), extreme-skiing pioneer and self-proclaimed 'skier of the impossible'.
reviewed
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F
Electric Brasserie
The leather-and-cream look is suitably cool for the brasserie that's attached to the Electric Cinema. And the food's very good, too; head to the back area for a darker, more moody dinner. The two-/three-course pre-7pm dinner (£14/17) is served Monday to Friday.
reviewed
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G
Crèmerie Restaurant Polidor
A meal at this quintessentially Parisian crèmerie-restaurant is like a trip to Victor Hugo’s Paris: the restaurant and its décor date from 1845 and everyone knows about it (read: touristy). Still, menus of tasty, family-style French cuisine ensure a never-ending stream of punters eager to sample bœuf bourguignon, blanquette de veau à l’ancienne (veal in white sauce) and the most famous tarte Tatin in Paris! Expect to wait. No credit cards.
reviewed
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H
Hôtel du Nord
The setting for the eponymous 1938 film starring Louis Jouvet and Arletty, the dining room and bar at this vintage venue by the Canal St-Martin feel as if they were stuck in a time warp with their Art Deco posters, zinc counter and old piano. The food is correct if not mind-blowing; stick with basics like the jumbo hamburger (€16) and its trimmings and you’ll be fine. The plat du jour is usually €10.
reviewed
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I
Café Der Provinz
A charming little café near the Piaristenkirche, Café der Provinz brings a touch of France to Vienna. Choose from sweet crepes, served with the likes of Nutella, chocolate, or honey, or sour galettes (buckwheat crepes, cooked on one side only) complemented by ham, cheese or egg. It's a sweet spot any time of the year - inside in winter it's warm and cosy and outside in summer the streetside seating is cool and breezy.
reviewed
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J
Club
One of the classiest places in Yerevan, the Club fuses Western Armenian and French cuisine into a fresh and tasty dining experience. It includes a main dining hall, a second drinks-only room with cushions and low tables, and a hidden café in the back where you can enjoy one of the best pizzas in town. Live music is occasionally on offer and there is a separate section for books and handicrafts. Wi-fi is available.
reviewed
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K
L'Echappée Belle
For flavours of cumin, saffron and ginger infusing regional produce; or for homemade pastry and tea, Avignon's new restaurant/salon de thé (tearoom) is a treat. Named after the Nicolas Bouvier novel of the same name (which translates as The Beautiful Escape), L'Echappée Belle is a chic yet relaxed spot amid Avignon's architectural and artistic highlights.
reviewed
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L
Le Jardin de Paris
A regular haunt of staff from the French Institute across the road (who should know their cuisine française ), the ‘Parisian Garden’ is housed in a wonderful old townhouse with interesting reliefs on the facade and abutting an ancient castle wall. The back garden is a delight in the warmer months. Set lunch is a snip at 1500Ft for two courses.
reviewed
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M
Les Dix Vins
This tiny restaurant, on the far side of Montparnasse, is so popular that you will probably have to wait at the bar even if you've booked. Not such a bad thing, of course, in a temple devoted to Bacchus, as you'll be able to sample one of the carefully chosen wines while you wait. Excellent value, good service and stylish decor combine to form a true winner.
reviewed
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Pushkin Le Café
Tapping into the legendary Russian poet’s connections with the Khans’ Palace, this outstanding restaurant combines a charming 19th-century drawing-room atmosphere with a skilfully executed menu that runs the gamut from Russian to Crimean Tatar, via French and Italian. The grilled salmon comes highly recommended.
reviewed
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N
Café-Restaurant Amsterdam
One of the city's hippest eateries is housed in a former water-processing plant. Expect classic French brasserie cooking (steak bearnaise, mussels, roasted garlic chicken). Note the 30m wooden ceilings (with hanging metal hooks and chains) and the huge floodlights rescued from the former Ajax and Olympic stadiums.
reviewed
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O
Café Victor
This classic French bar and brasserie is the doyen of the Copenhagen cafe scene and is enjoyably snobbish with jet-set pretensions and, generally, a more middle-aged crowd (regulation uniform: loafers, jeans and blazers for the men, Chanel for the women). The food is excellent, but a touch overpriced.
reviewed
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Meğri Restaurant
In a beautiful old stone house decorated with traditional artefacts, this place serves a varied menu in a nice atmosphere. With Turkish, Italian and French food all on offer, it might suit bickering couples who can't agree on where to go.
reviewed
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P
Ledbury
Michelin starred and swooningly elegant, Brett Graham’s artful French restaurant attracts a well-heeled local clientele who wear jeans with designer jackets. To beat the credit crunch, go for the set- price menu.
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Q
Polman’s
Diners at this grand cafe are welcomed in an elegant former ballroom with ceiling frescoes and extravagant floral displays. French and Italian flavours dominate the menu and the extensive wine list.
reviewed
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R
Comptoir de la Gastronomie
This striking art nouveau establishment, here since 1894, has an elegant dining room where dishes are constructed around such delicacies as foie gras, truffles and caviar.
reviewed
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S
Wil Graanstra Friteshuis
Wil’s little stall near the Anne Frank Huis has been serving up freakishly golden crispy frites since 1956. Legions of Amsterdammers swear by them.
reviewed
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T
Le Panier des Quatre Saisons
A firm favourite, the Basket of Four Seasons cooks up a veritable feast of season-driven, quintessentially French dishes. Reservations recommended.
reviewed
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Restaurant Garçon
New branch for the city’s best-value French restaurant, providing a relaxed Parisienne atmosphere. The chef makes his own foix gras.
reviewed
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V
La Fondue
Gorge on so-smooth fondues laced with kirsch, Génépi and chartreuse or (double gorge) chocolate. An assortment of raclettes and tartiflettes completes the mountain cheese feast.
reviewed
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W
Sketch
A design enthusiast's dream, with shimmering white rooms, video projections, designer Louis XIV chairs and toilet cubicles shaped like eggs. And that's just the Gallery, which becomes a buzzy restaurant and bar at night. The ground-floor Parlour has decadent cakes and decor, but is surprisingly affordable: perfect for breakfast, or afternoon tea served on fine bone china. The swanky Lecture Room upstairs is the realm of Pierre Gagnaire, whose book Reinventing French Cuisine gives a hint of what to expect.
reviewed
