Restaurants in France
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A
Le Gibolin
Sup on peerless home-cooking while the friendly patroness bustles between tables, offers ladies fresh roses and her Jack Russell terrier nips at her heels. A wine bar, really, the pairings are magnifique. No credit cards.
reviewed
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B
Le Comptoir Dugommier
Tin molding, wooden floors and vintage signs make a homey escape from the busy street outside. The place gets packed for its downhome French fare, like andouillette sausage stewed with artichokes.
reviewed
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C
Le Cafouch aux Saveurs
Quick, tasty meals for the lunchtime crowd.
reviewed
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D
Le Café des Épices
One of Marseille's best young chefs, Arnaud de Grammont, infuses his cooking with a panoply of flavours…think squid ink spaghetti with sesame and perfectly cooked scallops, or tender roasted potatoes with hints of coriander and citrus, topped by the catch of the day. Presentation is impeccable, decor is playful, staff is friendly, and the place fills up reliably. Don't underestimate the desserts either.
Saturday lunch is particularly family-friendly on the sunny terrace leading onto an olive-tree lined pedestrianised square. Reservations essential.
reviewed
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E
L'Autruche
This modern, inviting restaurant run by husband-and-wife team Fabien and Ouria assembles market-fresh dishes to perfection. For example, their Michelin-experienced chef layers thin strips of granny smith apple chutney with a superbly prepared foie gras. Extravagant desserts are a treat.
reviewed
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F
L'Atelier de Damien
Unframed paintings and worn tile floors lend a rough-around-the-edges look to this off-the-tourist-radar restaurant on Avignon's less-glamorous side. Chef Damien Demazure once cooked under Alain Ducasse, and draws inspiration from market-fresh ingredients, combining French with Asian – ginger, lemongrass and coriander are his favorites. Expect excellent fish, foie gras, and caramel-candy cake. Reserve.
reviewed
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G
La Table d'Oc
This modern bistro does a brisk trade in southwestern cuisine, with cassoulet (a bean stew), duck and foie gras gracing the menu, all of which must be accompanied by fine wine (Bordeaux, of course - available by the glass, pitcher or bottle). It is very popular, so book.
reviewed
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H
La Ramade
Simple, unpretentious and a bargain: a rarity in St-Tropez. Dine heartily by the hearth in winter, on the terrace in summer.
reviewed
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I
La Passarelle
Retro tables and chairs sit beneath lime-green parasols on a terrace between veggie and strawberry beds. Everything growing in the walled garden goes into something on Philippe and Patricia’s predominantly organic menu, and other products are strictly local.
reviewed
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J
La Montgolfière
This tiny fusion wonder is an unlikely find amid the touristy jumble of Monaco's historic quarter. But what a great idea Henri and Fabienne Geraci had to breathe new life into the Rocher. They have spent a lot of time in Malaysia, and Henri's fusion cuisine is outstanding, as is Fabienne's welcome in the pocket-sized dining room.
In winter, Henri cooks bourride, a salted cod stew typical of Monaco, every day.
reviewed
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K
La Mado
This smart daytime cafe and modern restaurant is an unbeatable spot for coffee and fashionable-people watching, or a delicious, relaxed meal. It's been around for years, so the old guard dine while the hipsters shine. The buzzing terrace spills out onto the busy plaza. They also offer oysters and sushi.
reviewed
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L
L'Affable
Modern French cuisine has never tasted so good. Everything from the ingredients, the cooking and the presentation is done to perfection, whether it be the roasted veal with its vegetable medley, the seared sea bream with white butter and asparagus, or the house speciality, the Grand Marnier soufflé, which arrives practically ballooning at your table. Booking essential.
reviewed
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M
La Casertane
Lunch on a mind-boggling array of Italian deli meats and salads, or choose from daily specials, often involving homemade pastas. Convivial staff and the bustling flow of clientele make for lively meals.
reviewed
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La Bouillabaisse
reviewed
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N
Jacquou Le Croquant
Slide into this tiny, low-key joint for home-cooked, wholesome basics.
reviewed
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O
Halles Auberge
Inside Les Halles market, this buzzing lunch counter specializes in grilled meats. It's great value and a fun alternative to standard restaurants.
reviewed
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P
Chez les Garçons
Super-friendly staff serve delicate specialties like a perfectly poached egg with foie gras, all under the watchful eyes of Marilyn, Brigitte and Audrey (art on the wall). Also a lively gay bar next door.
reviewed
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Q
Chez Féraud
This elegant, family-run restaurant tucked down a side street is as pretty as a French postcard. The menu features Provençal classics: soupe au pistou, aubergine en gratin, red peppers stuffed with brandade de morue.
reviewed
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Chez Aldo
To blend in with the Marseillais families dining on the coast, share a thin-crust wood-fired pizza to start, followed by fish as a main.
reviewed
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R
Café Populaire
Vintage tables and chairs, old books on the shelf and a fine collection of glass soda bottles all add to the retro air of this 1950s-styled jazz comptoir (counter). Plump for a stool at the zinc bar or lounge at a table with a view of the fabulous open kitchen, where simple daily specials like gambas à la plancha (fried prawns served on a hot plate) or beetroot and coriander salad are cooked up for a chic crowd.
reviewed
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S
Café Llorca
This new restaurant is Michelin-starred-chef Alain Llorca's version of a traditional cafe: the menu is classic French fare (pork loin with sautéed potatoes; daube, a local beef stew) but elevated to new heights in taste and presentation. In summer, tables are set out on the terrace overlooking the sea.
reviewed
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T
Boulangerie Aixoise
Lines form out the door and onto the red-chaired terrace in front.
reviewed
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U
Au Martin Pêcheur
This unassuming, family-run restaurant is the place to come for great fish. Mother-and-son duo Christel and Maxime prepare traditional and Provençal recipes with whatever the sea has given them that day, from poached sea bass to grilled sea bream. There are always a couple of meat options too.
reviewed
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V
Valentino
A modern restaurant whose chef takes the fusionista approach, combining classic French ingredients and savoir-faire with East Asian spices and forms. On a quiet medieval courtyard.
reviewed
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W
La Mandala
No more than a dozen tables fill this modern eating space with steely façade, kitchen behind glass, retro ceramic-green tiled bar and the day's market-driven specials chalked up au tableau (on the blackboard). Note les afters are obligatory!
reviewed