Harden's survey result
Summary
This “wonderful little restaurant” from Olivier & Lynette Bossut in the middle of Ludlow offers a “very Gallic atmosphere”, with “perfectly judged blue-and-white decor”, and “food that’s utterly delicious in the most rustic of ways” – including possibly “the best French onion soup you’ll find anywhere this side of La Manche”. Their spin-off café next door, Marmelade, closed down in autumn 2024.
Summary
“This lovely, cosy French-style bistro” in the centre of Ludlow, from husband-and-wife team Olivier & Lynette Bossut, “serves good hearty helpings of rustic Gallic food” – such as “fabulous onion soup served with a vast cheesy crouton” and “coq au vin with more chicken than some poultry farms!”. With “friendly service”, it’s “usually busy with locals and tourists”, so you “need to book”.
Summary
This “great little French brasserie serves all the classics in an unpretentious, enjoyable and charming way”, close to the centre of this historic market town. In summer 2023, proprietors Olivier & Lynette Bossut took over the shop next door, launching it as a café and deli called Marmalade, with their son Ryan in charge.
For 35 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The French Pantry?
15 Tower St, Ludlow, SY8 1RL
Restaurant details
The French Pantry Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Very quaint little french bistrot in the heart of town. It's family owned and you get the feeling the owners care about their restaurant and their customers. We came for dinner which has two courses for around £35 and three for just under £45. Red and white gingham table clothes and candlelit, you feel you are in old school france. The menu has most of the bistrot classics that we know and love. To start there's bouillabaisse, fish soup with aioli and croutons, french onion soup, escargot and pleanty more to choose from. we had the boulabaise and french onion soup, both delicious. Main courses could be moules frites,lamb shanks in red wine and vinegar, boeuf bourgignon, coq au vin, cassoulet, confit duck leg. the coq au vin came with frites and lots of delicious sauce with lardons mushroom and baby onions. Puddings were ok but think the starters and mains were the best of the three courses. Wine was reasonably priced and good. Service was attentive and friendly."
"Cosy and central. Decent food, friendly service, need to book."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner | £35.95 | £43.95 |  |
 |
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £9.90 | £19.40 | £6.95 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
15 Tower St, Ludlow, SY8 1RL
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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