Must-see restaurants in France

  • Les Roches

    Côte d'Or

    Tucked between the hills along St-Romain's main street, this sweet little spot with a pleasant outdoor setting serves farm-fresh fare and well-executed…

  • Le Baron Rouge

    Rennes

    This sleek restaurant has as much substance as style, serving cuisine with a modern twist on French traditional recipes. There's a good selection of…

  • Framboise

    Paris

    Tucked in among a string of Asian takeaways is this delightful, contemporary crêperie. With an emphasis on quality (eg organic buckwheat flour), this is a…

  • Le Petit Paris

    Cannes

    Little Paris smacks of the French capital city with its quintessential Parisian brasserie decor. Like any brasserie worth its French fries, it serves food…

  • Auberge de Concèze

    Limousin

    If you ever wondered what it would be like to have a grandfather who was a French chef, stop by this unremarkable-looking country inn for some excellent…

  • Le Canut et Les Gones

    Lyon

    With three cosy rooms and funky retro decor featuring dozens of antique clocks, this laid-back neighbourhood eatery draws a savvy local crowd with…

  • Gelateria Azzurro

    Nice

    Next door to the cathedral, this venerable Vieux Nice gelateria is beloved for its ice cream, yes – but even more so for its homemade waffle cones, made…

  • Annie Traiteur

    Calvi

    With its dazzling array of Corsican charcuterie, cheeses, prepared deli foods, jams, wines, liqueurs, olive oils and chestnut-flour cakes, this…

  • Le Bistrot Saint Pierre

    The Dordogne

    Floor-to-ceiling windows brighten up this airy, modern bistro, the local choice for a casual meal: think hearty salads, magret de canard (duck breast with…

  • Au Platane

    The Luberon

    Pleasant, if plain, French food is what you can expect at this longstanding restaurant in the town centre: roast duck, thyme-infused lamb and a fish of…

  • Pâtisserie Claude Bourguignon

    Metz

    Oh, the temptation! The window display says it all at this smart tearoom/chocolatier/patisserie, with an irresistible array of tarts (try mirabelle – plum…

  • Lunch Time

    Épernay

    For breakfast, baguettes, club sandwiches or the quiche of the day with a salad, this sweet and simple cafe is the go-to place in Épernay. It also does…

  • Aux Petits Galets

    Languedoc-Roussillon

    Forget about presentation and manners; here, it's all about taste. All dishes incorporate locally sourced produce. Highlights include Aubrac beef steak…

  • L'Assiette Alésienne

    Languedoc-Roussillon

    Mirrored walls, black tables, rattan chairs and suspended downlights create a contemporary setting for well-prepared French dishes such as beef fillet and…

  • Assiette au Bœuf

    Arras

    Hugely popular with locals for its great-value steaks, this Grand' Place restaurant also serves burgers and mixed grills.

  • La Courtille de Solutré

    Burgundy

    Chef Adrien Yparraguirre does traditional dishes exceptionally well, with a creative twist. Sit on the shady terrace or head into the rustic-chic interior…

  • Les Contrebandiers

    Biarritz

    Attached to a wine shop, this trendy spot opposite the covered market is great for an imaginative spin on traditional tapas – try the Txirula sausage and…

  • L'Oignon Givré

    Montpellier

    Students and vegetarians rave about this lively joint that's noted for its excellent buffet consisting of salads, fresh vegetables, quiches and soups…

  • à l'ère du temps

    Reims

    A short stroll north of place de la République brings you to this sweet and simple crêperie. It does a roaring trade in homemade crêpes, galettes (savoury…

  • Weekly Market

    Auvergne

    Shop for fresh fruit, regional wines and delectable dairy products at Le Puy's excellent Saturday market, which has taken place since the 15th century…

  • Auberge du Cep

    Lyon & the Rhône Valley

    Traditional cooking at its best. Feast on regional specialities such as pike-perch, snails, perfectly fried frogs’ legs, and rosy tenderloin of Charolais…

  • Halles Centrales

    Le Havre

    The food stalls at Le Havre’s main market include a patisserie, a fromagerie and many tempting fruit stands; there’s also a small supermarket here. You…

  • Hôtel La Treille

    The Dordogne

    Gourmet food is dished up riverside at this sweet, small hotel (double/family rooms from €59/76) in Vitrac, 6.5km east of La Roque Gageac. It's one of the…

  • Au Bord de l'Eau

    Marseille

    Perched right on the water's edge in the port of Madrague, south of Marseille, this little seafood place specialises in the day's catch à la plancha …

  • Croquants Villaret

    Nîmes

    This family boulangerie (bakery) makes 25 kinds of bread, cakes and other sweet treats such as caladons (honey and almond-studded biscuits). They also…

  • Extra Shot

    Montpellier

    This upbeat cafe and cake shop is perfect for breakfasts and cake fixes. It also serves wholesome burgers and salads at lunchtime, which you can enjoy…

  • Mokofin

    Bayonne

    Beautifully conceived and created sweets, canapés and finger foods by Joëlle and Maitena Erguy make this a special stop for a light snack or pick-me-up,…

  • Solides

    Toulouse

    Ex-contestant on French Masterchef Simon Carlier continues to woo foodies in his convivial bistro with inventive dishes made from local ingredients…

  • SuperNature Takeaway

    Paris

    SuperNature's handy takeaway branch is two doors down from the cantine and serves sandwiches, salads, and thick slices of sweet potato and gorgonzola…

  • A Tana

    Bastia

    This friendly Italian place, tucked under the arches in the old town, serves cheap and tasty pizzas and pasta, plus a few pricier steak or fish specials,…

  • Marché St-Quentin

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    Dating from 1866, this iron-and-glass covered market has an enticing range of French specialities and produce, as well as affordable lunches at a variety…

  • Enza & Famiglia Pizze Vino

    Paris

    Wood-fired gourmet pizzas to eat in or to go (€10.50 to €14), plus happy-hour apéritifs from 6pm. Fresh pasta served around the corner at the trattoria.

  • Cabanoix et Châtaigne

    The Dordogne

    This diminutive, welcoming restaurant is your best bet in the centre of Domme. All dishes are created seasonally, with an emphasis on local duck and…

  • Le P'tit Paradis

    Beaune

    This intimate restaurant on a narrow medieval street is known for cuisine elaborée (creatively transformed versions of traditional dishes) made with fresh…

  • Moody Social Club

    Montpellier

    This bar à manger (hybrid bar-restaurant) in a stunning vaulted dining room scores high for atmosphere and is a buzzing spot for fine wine in the company…

  • Maison Lesage

    Vaucluse

    For picnics by the river, this excellent bakery has no shortage of foodie fare: big baguettes, homemade pastries and nougat, and the house speciality, bun…

  • Au Fil du Temps

    The Dordogne

    Au Fil du Temps is one of two bistros run by Moulin de l'Abbaye. Located just south of central Brantôme, it serves traditional Périgordian roasted meats.

  • Halles Castellane

    Montpellier

    The city’s main covered market is stocked to the rafters with local goodies. There are lots of Languedoc wines on offer, as well as copious fish and…

  • L'Auberge Espagnole

    The Luberon

    Simple tapas, cold beers and a nice location on a tree-shaded square – the 'Spanish Inn' makes a pleasant spot for a quick lunch or pre-dinner snacks.

  • Sporting Plage

    Nice

    Straddling a prime stretch of beachfront at the heart of the Promenade des Anglais, Sporting serves up unbeatable Mediterranean views along with pizza,…

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