French restaurants in France
-
A
L'Envie
You'll eat well, somewhere out near the cutting edge of French culinary inventiveness, at this informal but very cool establishment. The wine list, which features a white from Burgundy and a red from Alsace, reflects the chef's adventurous spirit.
reviewed
-
B
Aux Goûters Champêtres
A wonderful spot for a summery lunch in the sun, this fine restaurant sits in the windmill of the Château de Chantilly park’s hameau (hamlet). Its chief claim to fame is its crème Chantilly, which of course was invented on site.
reviewed
-
C
Le Bistrot Gourmand
A lively student crowd fills the wrought-iron and marble tables of this busy bistro lined with vintage advertising posters and paintings. Give yourself plenty of time to deliberate over no fewer than 105 plats and 60 different desserts.
reviewed
-
D
Auberge du Cheval Blanc
Renowned as one of the town's most exclusive restaurants, this refined eatery with its pastel tones and original art work fully deserves its Michelin star for its mouth-watering creative French cuisine. A must with the business set at lunchtime.
reviewed
-
E
Thomas
Ingenious chef Thomas Ponson gives taste buds the choice between formal dining at his eponymous restaurant, more casual fare in his à la carte wine bar, Comptoir Thomas, and more casual still at his tapas-inspired Café Thomas.
reviewed
-
F
Teatro Bettini
Combining a strong Italian influence with an even stronger Rochelais spirit (the owner's likeness appears in the Michelangelo paintings adorning the walls), fare at this decades-old, much-loved restaurant includes a hearty lasagne and seafood.
reviewed
-
La Marine Marchande
A great place to fill yourself up at knock-down prices before catching that afternoon ferry. The buffet table is packed with a selection of regional hors d'oeuvres, plus a main course, cheese, dessert and wine, all for just around €10.
reviewed
-
G
El Theatris
Serves traditional French cuisine with 'echoes from ailleurs' (elsewhere). The neoclassical décor mirrors the architecture outside. The candles are calming and so is the music, which ranges from Glenn Miller to light opera.
reviewed
-
Le Jardin des Quatre Saisons
Here you've got a choice of eating environments: the light, bright main dining room giving onto the street, or the intimate rear room with its cosy fireplace. Strong on tempting desserts, it also has a particularly tempting wine list.
reviewed
-
H
Gaston Restaurant Agricole
Pack a hearty thirst and giant-sized appetite before venturing into this feisty agricultural restaurant complete with rusty old tractor parked up front and a liberal scattering of farm tools and veggie-filled wheelbarrows throughout.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
La Cave du Square
Next door to vintage bistro Le Square Trousseau is the less-formal La Cave du Square, where you can have two- or three-course meals or even pick up that bottle of Touraine you enjoyed so much over lunch next door.
reviewed
-
J
Le Caveau du Théâtre
Swing over to the south of the square for mellow, moody jazz and a monthly changing carte (menu) of traditional southern French fare with extra zip, such as butter-fried fish in a curry paste with sun-dried tomatoes.
reviewed
-
K
La Tête de l'Art
Dishes for the adventurous such as jugged hare, tripe and boned pig's trotter mix with more traditional local stuff. It does excellent desserts (sink your spoon into their pistachio and chocolate tart) and gourmet takeaways.
reviewed
-
L
La Menthe
Away from the main pedestrianised drag of this popular eat-street, this pretty, pastel-shaded restaurant serves simple but stylish French fare. Like the food, the service is just right and the value for money top-notch.
reviewed
-
M
Le Café du Musée
On the rooftop of the stunning CAPC Musée d'Art Contemporain, Le Café du Musée is renowned for its artistic, international cuisine such as satays and stir-fries, and especially its sumptuous Sunday brunch.
reviewed
-
N
Maître Corbeau
This restaurant is Caen's undisputed cheese specialist, serving up massive plates of tartiflette and Savoyard fondues in an Alpine-inspired atmosphere (including the all-important plastic cow in the window).
reviewed
-
O
Bistrot Ste-Cluque
There's only one menu here - a large blackboard that's propped up before you. Noisy (the music's a decibel or two too loud), smoky and with waiters bustling about everywhere, it's a wonderful, no-pretensions place.
reviewed
-
P
La Table des Maréchaux
Tucked in fancy Hôtel Napoléon, this romantic restaurant with its flowery interior-courtyard garden is a must in summer. Cuisine is inventive: traditional French inspired by foreign flavours and exotic spices.
reviewed
-
Q
Le Pain Qoutidien
Daily Bread is a city-lunch staple: come here for a fabulous choice of well-topped tartines (thick toast with topping), meal-sized salads and other rustic-styled lunch dishes. Its tiny street terrace buzzes.
reviewed
-
R
Le Bistrot d'Édouard
There's a great-value three-course menu here that keeps punters coming back. Outside tables are in a calming spot by the fountain in place du Parlement. The owners are charming and the food extremely tasty.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Restaurant Cerdan
This much garlanded family restaurant carries a good list of local wines and offers five different menus, each rich in local fare with a leavening of dishes from Normandy, Mme Cerdan's home region.
reviewed
-
T
Commanderie des Antonins
This meat-lover's paradise cooks meat the old-fashioned way - slowly over a low heat in a wood-burning oven - and serves it with a flourish in a medieval banquet hall. Atmosphere is grandiose old style.
reviewed
-
U
Lolo Quoi
Sleekly kitted out in wood and slate, Italianate Lolo Quoi is trendy, chic and commands a good wait at the bar if you roll up sans réservation. Pasta with innovative sauces is the speciality.
reviewed
-
V
Le Lodge
Disregard the indifferent African art and naff zebra- and leopard-skin tablecloths. Concentrate instead upon the pleasures of Le Lodge's traditional cuisine and you'll enjoy a fine dining experience.
reviewed
-
W
Hôtel Arcades
The restaurant of Hôtel Arcades, open daily year-round, could save you from starvation. Entry is directly from the street, the service is swift and smiling and the food more than acceptable.
reviewed