French Restaurants in Waltham Abbey
1. Cabotte
French restaurant in Bank
48 Gresham St - EC2V
“Quite a find in the heart of the City” and “deffo worth a trip from beyond the Square Mile” too – this “simple and unpretentious restaurant with exceptional wine” would be welcome in any postcode, but is a particular boon in the still-arid wastelands of the Square Mile. Established in 2017 by Master Sommeliers Xavier Rousset and Gearoid Devaney, its “highly knowledgeable and attentive service” is a particular strength; but it’s a good all-rounder too, whose elegant interior and “beautifully presented” modern French cuisine help make it “perfect for lunch with colleagues or clients”. As you’d expect, however, its prime feature is the “sublime wine selection, with a particularly fine selection from Burgundy”: “an offbeat list guaranteed to tantalize the interest of enthusiasts”.
2. Pied à Terre
French restaurant in Fitzrovia
34 Charlotte St - W1
“David Moore is a most wonderful host” and has lovingly nurtured this “London stalwart” on Fitzrovia’s ‘restaurant row’ since it first opened in 1991, maintaining it all the while as “everything a fine-dining restaurant should be”. A bijou site, the space has been much improved over the years, with a “cosy and comfortable” ground floor (and glossy, glam private rooms on the upper levels). A succession of chefs have made their name here over the years, and the latest to arrive mid-survey in March 2025 is Alberto Cavaliere from Sabor (who replaces Phil Kearsey, who had to quit over a leg injury). We’ve rated it on historical feedback, though, on the judgement that under David’s watchful eye its “fabulous standard of cuisine” that’s “worth every penny” will be maintained. Top Menu Tip – “a great plant-based menu” has become a hallmark feature. (“I have been visiting here since the 1990s when I worked just around the corner in Fitzrovia. Not being a vegan, it was my daughter who introduced me to vegan options at this place and I was amazed at what had been achieved with the vegan tasting menu, well up to standard of the usual fare – fine vegan dining is not only possible, but can be exceptional!”)
3. Le Garrick
French restaurant in Covent Garden
10-12 Garrick Street - WC2
An “atmospheric gem” that brings a “rustic taste of the French countryside to Covent Garden”, this bistro is “one of the few London restaurants that has been under the same family ownership since the 1980s”. “Fantastic for date night”, “perfect for pre & post-theatre dining, or a catch-up with friends”, it has a “terrace ideal for people-watching on a sunny day over a glass of Côtes de Provence rosé”. One or two dissenters, though, leave nonplussed: “didn’t live up to its promise” – “the food was very average”.
4. Les 110 de Taillevent
French restaurant in Marylebone
16 Cavendish Square - W1
“You name it, they’ve got it!” – a “stunning wine list” is the main event at this Marylebone spinoff from Parisian institution Taillevent (est. 1946), and its “distinctive feature is the offer of 110 wines by the glass (70ml or 125ml)”, affording guests “the opportunity to taste some world-class wines”. These are served alongside “delicious and well presented” modern French cuisine in a “spacious dining room with high ceilings – this Georgian mansion was previously a branch of Coutts Bank”. Complaints are most notable by their absence, and this was the site of numerous best meals of the year for diners in this year’s annual poll.
5. Chez Antoinette
French restaurant in Covent Garden
Unit 30 The Market Building - WC2
“Everything is comme il faut” at this “rapid-service and good-value” duo from Lyon-born Aurelia Noel-Delclos, which capture “something of the style and liveliness of a French bistro”. The newer branch, in Victoria, has “clearly been discovered by Civil Service bods, so is often full” (and the “excellent breakfasts” there are an added bonus). Covent Garden is easily overlooked in the tourist ‘Ground Zero’ at the heart of the market itself. Top Menu Tip – “well-flavoured chicken breast with a good piperade and smoked new potatoes; good example of duck confit; decent creme brulée”.
6. Bellamy’s
British, Modern restaurant in Mayfair
18-18a Bruton Place - W1
“One can never tire of Gavin Rankin’s discreet, restrained and brasserie”, “quietly located” in a Mayfair mews (“an institution that lives with the legacy that the late Queen visited it twice”). “You can start your meal with cocktails in the bar (next to the restaurant)” and then move to the dining room for “classic’ Anglo/French cuisine” that’s “comfortingly familiar” and “superb in its simplicity” (the harsh might say “staid and unadventurous”); and “good value too”. “Service is excellent – one always has everything one needs but is otherwise left alone”. For an “understatedly elegant” business occasion – perfect! Top Menu Tip – “outstanding value for money from the table d’hote menu”.
7. Seven Park Place
French restaurant in St James's
7-8 Park Pl - SW1
2024 Review: A “real favourite” of well-heeled foodies, this classy if relatively unsung Mayfair hotel dining room boasts in “William Drabble, the most underrated of chefs – and one of great longevity” after 15 years at the helm. There is an eight-course ‘Menu Gourmand’ (for £125), but also à la carte options (starting in the evening with a two-course meal for £82 – lunchtimes are cheaper).
8. Provender
French restaurant in Wanstead
17 High St - E11
“Excellent French bistro cooking at realistic prices” are the prime ingredients of this “great local restaurant on the leafy streets of Wanstead” – “more neighbourhoods need places like this”. Industry legend Max Renzland was a co-founder back in 2011, but the “reliable fare and service with a smile” have carried on since his retirement. Top Tip – “prix fixe is fantastic value”.
9. The Fox And Hounds Restaurant & Bar
French restaurant in Hunsdon
2 High Street - SG12
After working alongside Gary Rhodes and serving as Head Chef at Tom Conran’s Notting Hill venue The Cow, chef James Rix launched this smart Home Counties pub (replete with a large beer garden and heated gazebo) together with wife Bianca in 2004. Its rustic Italian- and French-inspired cuisine attracts reviews ranging from “good quality” to “excellent” – with meat (including Josper-grilled steak) a standout, and starters and desserts that are “not too shabby” either.
10. Bistro Aix
French restaurant in Crouch End
54 Topsfield Pde, Tottenham Ln - N8
This “cosy neighbourhood bistro with good French-inspired food” and “very knowledgeable staff” has been a Crouch End fixture since 2002, from chef-patron Lynne Marie Sanders, who trained under the great Alain Ducasse. With its inviting warren of rooms and striking, colourful wall murals, it’s “perfect for date night”.
11. Table Du Marche
French restaurant in East Finchley
111 High Road - N2
“Wonderful French food” in a “very attractive restaurant” guarantees reliably satisfying meals at this East Finchley fixture – “we always come away feeling we’ve had a lovely evening”. It “remains a top local” in the area, and “the set-price lunch menu is particularly good value, with no extras added to your bill”.
12. Royale at East London Liquor Company
French restaurant in Bethnal Green
Bow Wharf, 221 Grove Road - E3
2022 Review: Born of necessity but now here to stay – this pandemic pop-up from the team behind Leroy turned permanent in June 2021. Within Bow Wharf’s East London Liquor Co – and with a large outside terrace – it aims to bring some easy going Provençal good times to E3, in the form of rotisserie chicken and other ‘comforting’ dishes, plus gluggable wines.
13. Cafe Cecilia
French restaurant in Hackney
Canal Place, 32 Andrews Road - E8
This all-day Hackney venue with a “quirky canalside setting” from St John-trained chef Max Rocha (son of fashion designer John) is “accessible and casual by day, and morphs at night into a sexy hotspot for East London’s beautiful young things”. “Breakfast is a stand-out treat”. The “French bistro food” that follows later in the day receives steady but more guarded acclaim. Top Menu Tip – “rabbit rillettes a highlight”.
14. Planque
French restaurant in Haggerston
322 Acton Mews - E8
This hip wine clubhouse with a restaurant open to the public is set in a pair of Haggerston railway arches, where it wows pretty much all who visit. Former P Franco chef Seb Myers shapes his modern French-Nordic menu around the wines selected by founder Jonathan Alphandery, while members enjoy priority booking and can store their wines in the club cellar.
15. Authentique Epicerie & Bar
French restaurant in Tufnell Park
114-116 Fortess Road - NW5
2024 Review: 800+ wines by the bottle and a selection of 75 craft beers are the USP of this intriguing Tufnell Park showcase for regional French drinks and produce. The menu changes every six weeks with a different region moving into focus – it’s short and in a supporting role to all the delicious grog, but good value.
16. La Petite Auberge
French restaurant in Islington
283 Upper St - N1
“Reliable, long-lived French bistro in an authentic mould” on Islington’s main drag. “Expect the usual favourites, including freshly made crêpes” – rather than haute cuisine or silver service. Top Menu Tip – “stalwarts of Coq au Vin and Rabbit in Mustard Sauce are strong in conception and well executed”.
17. Le Sacré-Coeur
French restaurant in Islington
18 Theberton St - N1
“Cosy, friendly corner of Paris in N1” – “simple traditional French bistro cooking done well, full in flavour and with generous servings” is on offer at this “popular neighbourhood restaurant” in Islington, which attracts “a mixed clientele of couples, families with children, and friends of different ages”. Its “charming ambience” and “amazingly good value” (“especially the prix fixe lunch”) make it “somewhere you’re happy to return to on a frequent basis”.
18. Bellanger
French restaurant in Islington
9 Islington Green - N1
Risking turning into “Café Rouge in disguise” – this large French brasserie by Islington Green lived a chequered past under its former owners Corbin & King, which ultimately led to its re-formatting in 2023 by the new Wolseley Group. A few fans do feel the changes are working out, lauding “basic French-standard dishes that are well executed” (“e.g. reliable chicken schnitzel”); and “with pleasant service and plenty of space between tables”. Most feedback, though, continues the downbeat themes that have long dogged it now (“very poor – what a shame!”)
19. The Boundary
French restaurant in Shoreditch
2-4 Boundary Street - E2
2023 Review: In May 2022 (too late for any survey feedback), this Shoreditch design hotel reopened its ground-floor bar/restaurant (fka The Albion Café) as an all-day brasserie. The 100-seat space, whose original hard-edged design was overseen by the late Sir Terence Conran, has been modified and somewhat cosied up (no longer with its own street entrance). Chef Robin Freeman also looks after the hotel’s glam-looking refurbished rooftop bar and restaurant, while what was once Tatra in the basement is nowadays an event space. The rooftop looks set to become the place to be here.
20. The Wells Tavern
British, Modern restaurant in Hampstead
30 Well Walk - NW3
“There’s always a great atmosphere” at this “very comfortable” Georgian tavern in Hampstead, brilliantly run for more than 20 years by Beth Coventry, sister of restaurant critic Fay Maschler (“it’s a real favourite of ours, and whenever we bring friends they invariably love it”). Top Menu Tip – “best roast beef anywhere!”
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