Touraine
Serves delicious dishes that bring together traditional French savoir faire, fresh local ingredients and flavours from Italy and East Asia. The braised…
Must-see restaurants in France
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,…
Strasbourg
Vegan pizza? You bet. And it tastes pretty darn good, too, at Pizz'arOme, a tiny, simple bolthole right in the thick of things. Opt for pizza by the slice…
Cannes
This honest, no-fuss little diner seems somewhat out of place among the glitz and glam of Cannes. It's perfect for French classics, such as steak, duck…
Golfe du Morbihan
This convivial bistro in central Le Palais is blessed with a lovely courtyard that's a perfect spot for a relaxed feed or tipple in summer. The food isn't…
Golfe du Morbihan
This pleasant family-run place offers an interesting and varied menu of local cooking with a sprinkle of fusion on top, making it a local favourite. The…
Tarn
This modern French bistro has an inviting vaulted room in the basement, an open kitchen and all your old favourites given a creative new twist. Be good to…
Lyon
Its windows plastered with guidebook plaudits, but its tables still packed with loyal locals, this thimble-sized bouchon dates back to 1923 and rewards…
Besançon
Organic brunches, vegan platters, and kiwi and chia smoothies are the order of the day at riverside Öst. The mostly veggie menu has colourful salads,…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Boulangerie (bakery) Au 140 is renowned for its crunchy-to-perfection baguettes and gourmet, wood-fired oven breads laced with nuts, honey, almonds,…
Menton
Reservations are required at this delightful patio garden restaurant with tables clothed in lilac languishing al fresco between flowering magnolias and…
Paris
Especially at lunch, the ‘Inkwell’ draws in the crowds with its open kitchen, large picture window and great-value prices. Generously sized traditional…
Nîmes
Tucked away in the corner of place d’Assas, this fine-dining bistro has a sheltered interior courtyard and a terrace. There’s a good choice of seafood,…
Avignon
Forget flowery French descriptions. The menu is straightforward and to the point at this bistro-bar, where the stark white furniture and studiously…
Finistère
This eatery down by the port is famous for one thing and one thing only: crab (served with potatoes); savour them from the terrace facing the island…
Côte d'Azur
This village inn seduces with a grand dining room in winter and a panoramic terrace in summer. Chef Thomas Millo carries on traditions inspired by his…
The Luberon
Apt’s huge Saturday-morning market attracts hordes of locals and tourists alike. If you really want to see what a marché Provençal is all about, then make…
Roussillon
Céret's best restaurant is a delight from start to finish. Chef Fred has a well-earned reputation for his imaginative versions of traditional dishes,…
Nice
The pop-art prints and artfully distressed decor set the tone at this hip little Port Lympia place (the name means ‘The Factory’), which is equally…
Caen
This Chinese place with a mezzanine is always buzzing with diners; so much so, it needs to find a bigger space. The draw is Mian Mian's noodles, done to a…
Les Calanques
This seasonal restaurant with excellent views has the best food in the Calanque de Sormiou. Reserve ahead – by phone only – which allows you to drive your…
Antibes
Just down the hill from the Marché Provençal, this heartwarming deli sells local goodies like charcuterie, cheeses and jams, and makes delicious gourmet…
Yonne
Expect inventive cuisine with a Japanese twist at the classy bistro of Michelin-starred chef Keigo Kimura. From house-marinated salmon to breaded pork…
Paris
Indulge in something sweet at this great little pâtisserie, chocolate-maker and traiteur (caterer), going strong since 1976. Along with sweet pastries, it…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Dine within a palatial salon, without dropping your monocle over the bill. Service at Le Comptoir Cyrano is charming and terribly French, while meals…
Rouen
A favourite of artists and philosophers since 1898, this is the classic Rouennaise brasserie. The service is starchy, the drapes are red velvet and the…
Rouen
This smart bistro, with its retro decor, is a gem and a long-time favourite dining spot in Rouen. The menu is limited (just two seafood and two meat…
Auvergne
This humble bakery is the place to try the pavé de Pannessac, a sugar-rush-inducing local delicacy where verveine- or chocolate-flavoured cream is…
Paris
Casual cousin of the sleek Verjus, Ellsworth has carved out its own niche in the Parisian ecosystem with a delectable take on American faves like fried…
Languedoc-Roussillon
Live music (mainly rock) plays most nights either indoors or on the terrace-facing outdoor stage at this lively bar-restaurant overlooking the Tarn River…
Chantilly
If it's not market day (and even if it is), this deli is a fabulous spot to pick up ingredients for a forest picnic. Charcuterie, smoked and marinated…
Champagne
Decked out like a station, La Gare prides itself on serving bistro-style grub prepared with seasonal produce, simple as pork tenderloin with cider and…
Chambéry
This trim crêperie is evangelical about the health benefits of its protein-rich traditional galettes (savoury buckwheat crêpes), which arrive attractively…
Lille
This beloved covered market, with 26 food stalls, is 1.3km southwest of the tourist office in the working-class quarter of Wazemmes. Up to 400 open-air…
Rennes
What's so surprising about this contemporary bistro is how unfazed it is by its great success: it's usually full every night, the atmosphere is congenial,…
Strasbourg
This no-nonsense joint rustles up bang-on-the-money Syrian food for pocket-money prices, with mezze from hummus to tabbouleh and nicely spiced felafel and…
Lyon & the Rhône Valley
Market-fresh produce and great value is the name of the game at this contemporary bistro with urban spirit. Everything from the ingredients and the…
Sarlat-la-Canéda
A reliable local favourite, hidden in a beautiful stone house on a narrow alley leading uphill from rue de la République. The food is honest and unfussy,…
Paris
Each week this tiny pizzeria offers eight different pizza types reflecting Italy's eight regions, utilising imported products such as Linosa capers,…
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
The pick of the places to eat in Banon: an informal bistro-bar, which has a prodigious selection of local wines by the glass, partnered with delicious…
