Sète
Dine on classic Sètoise seafood on this converted barge, which looks more like a big-city bistro inside, with its sharp tables and shiny wooden floor. The…
Must-see restaurants in France
Var
Lunch well, and predominantly organically, at Auberge de Correns, where the cuisine is innovative and market driven, the wine list features local…
Paris
This is one of the only spots in Paris for là miàn (hand-pulled noodles) made to order in the age-old northern Chinese tradition. It packs in a crowd, so…
Biarritz
This place is the locals' tip for the best burgers in town. Options range from a classic burger with Emmental cheese to a chicken burger spiced with…
Îles de Lérins
The island's only restaurant, La Tonnelle makes a pleasant midday break, with set-price lunch menus and an à la carte lineup of pasta, meat and fish…
Arras
Madame Delforge has been preparing dishes such as bavette (flank steak) and cod with mustard sauce at this unpretentious old-time cafe comme à la maison …
Finistère
Watch the making of handmade artisan crêpes and galettes, then devour them at this award-winning crêperie in the heart of the old town – it's been serving…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Directly across from the Gare du Nord, this busy landmark brasserie has a beautiful copper bar, waiters in white and black uniforms, brass fixtures and…
Bayonne
In a tucked-away spot on the edge of the town's artisan quarter, this burger-bar (BBR to the locals) has proved a popular addition to Bayonne's dining…
Cahors
Duck in all its form (and parts) is the speciality of this small, traditional restaurant in the old town. Enthusiastic young servers work the cosy dining…
Paris
Run by a workers’ cooperative for nearly four decades, the ‘Time of Cherries’ is an easygoing restaurant (provided you switch off your phone!) serving…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
This corner bistro across the street from the covered Marché St-Martin draws a local crowd with its plates of charcuterie (saucisson, rillettes, pâté),…
Var
Just west of Sanary, on Portissol beach, this seafront restaurant/club is perfect for everything from leisurely coffees and delicious meals to late-night…
Sarlat-la-Canéda
This touristy little bistro is the best of the bunch on cafe-clad place du Peyrou. The menu’s heavy on Sarlat classics, especially walnuts, duck breast…
Golfe du Morbihan
Occupying a former relais de poste (coach inn) dating from the 16th-century, this chocolaterie (chocolate shop) with tearoom sells exquisite chocolatey…
Camargue
Built by a bullfighter in 1907, and assuming its present form after the current owners took over in 1977, this friendly place is basically a roadside…
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Among the generous line-up of restaurant terraces along the seafront, the 'Sweet Life' is a favourite for its hip, shabby-chic lounge-bar vibe and…
Languedoc-Roussillon
Opening onto a terrace on Alès' liveliest square, busy Le Bellagio serves Italian classics from steaming pizzas to pastas that are a cut above, as well as…
Limoges
The hearty provincial cooking here might not be amazing, but the staff sure are friendly. Head upstairs to the timbered dining rooms to feast on a…
Paris
This roving food truck serves up organic burgers, tacos and homemade desserts from San Francisco transplant Jordan Feilders.
La Rochelle
How does snail paella sound? Or perhaps a goat-cheese mousse mixed with salted butter from Brittany? Or a John Dory fish with a pea cheesecake? Yes, it's…
The Dordogne
The new incarnation of the restaurant formerly known as Chez Alain features market-fresh ingredients. Choose between the garden terrace surrounding a…
Bayonne
Tartes salées (savoury tarts and quiches) and salads are the order of the day at Julie's place, which is usually crammed at lunchtime with local shop…
Vaucluse
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse’s restaurants tend towards the touristique; this one is no exception, but it manages to serve reasonably priced, good-quality food …
Bordeaux
Mingle with like-minded students over meaty beef dishes and les cocottes (mini casseroles) on the Fermob-furnished terrace or inside at this all-day…
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Downhill from the market square, this small cafe is a popular lunch spot, good for speedy classics like salade de chèvre chaud (melted goat’s cheese salad…
Sarlat-la-Canéda
This restaurant is tucked into a central stone townhouse with plate-glass windows overlooking a cobbled square. The seasonally changing menu is classic…
Var
The petite, stone-clad dimensions and flower-baskets of this attractive little place on the main street probably draw more custom than the crêpes and…
Latin Quarter
Gourmet meze (tarama-drenched toast, aubergine caviar), pita sandwiches and Greek wines make this wine bar perfect for a quick bite or a glass. Watch for…
Rennes
This burger bar does a range of 15 different burgers, as well as panini, wraps and salads. The white-tile table decor isn't anything to get worked up…
The Lot
This unusual little find offers a choice between a vegetarian dish (cream of fennel soup, Provençal-style polenta) or a Caribbean dish (coconut chicken,…
Toulouse
Opt for this carnivorous bistro if you're after expertly flamed steaks and whopping servings of roasted duck, best accompanied with rich gratin dauphinois…
Limoges
For an authentic lunch, you can’t do much better than this chaotic little place inside the market, where folks sit at communal wooden tables and share…
Amiens
Inviting, bistro-style decor reminiscent of the belle époque provides an atmospheric backdrop for home-style French and Picard cuisine, including fish…
Toulouse
This welcoming salon de thé specialises in fresh, healthy set lunches within a simple but cosy brick-walled space. The homemade cakes are a delight, and…
The Luberon
Tiny and friendly, this village restaurant is a popular local’s tip for solid, fuss-free Provençal cooking. Everything’s cooked fresh on the day, so it’s…
Bayeux
This rustic, popular eatery is about straightforward French food – meat, fish and oysters – at reasonable prices. There's a kids menu, or children under…
Versailles
Wicker chairs fill the pavement terrace of this popular local bistro, which specialises in meat and seafood cooked on an open grill. It’s not fancy but…
Toulon
A proper brasserie through and through: beers on tap, tables on the street and a menu of filling French standards like duck breast and grilled steak. It’s…
Biarritz
A classic corner bistro, just as good for an evening aperitif as for a faux filet steak cooked on a sizzling plancha (metal hot plate). Don't expect any…
