Top Best French Restaurants in Bayfordbury

"With its zany prints and neon signs, The Parlour at Sketch feels more appropriate for cocktails than it does brunch, but its menu of breakfast dishes, served until 11am, suggests otherwise. The focus here is on eggs, and you can have yours in six different ways, including scrambled and served with feta cheese and sourdough bread, poached with streaky bacon and Hollandaise sauce or tempura with avocado, asparagus and ‘Sketchup’. There is also a selection of pastries and sweeter dishes, such as waffles, acai bowls and fruit salads."

"I don’t think I know anyone who has been to Sketch and not ‘grammed a pic, so it’s no shock that this is one of the best places to take photos in London. Every detail at Sketch has been thought through, so make sure you capture some of them. Of course, you can take a photo in the egg/space ship bathroom, but it’s been done before!"

"From artwork plastered on the walls to the egg toilets and that pink gallery room, this Maddox Street restaurant is instantly distinguishable amongst Londoners and tourists alike."

"Coq d’Argent’s rooftop garden is an oasis of greenery in the city|© Dalston Roof Park. Find a slice of bucolic paradise in the centre of the City of London at Coq d’Argent, which brings the charms of the French farmyard to the top of the appropriately named No 1 Poultry building, complete with a heated rooftop terrace. The food is rich and refined, dedicated to the French classics of the belle époque – think cutlets of veal smothered in sauce or a fillet steak stuffed with mushroom duxelles – belt-busting stuff that’s best ordered just after payday."

"If you haven’t been to Coq d’Argent yet, then you best make sure you get there this year. Surely, you’ve seen the massive rooftop lawns overlooking Bank Junction and the rest of the City on Instagram before. But it’s far from being one of those tourist destinations where you get to see across London but then are inevitably underwhelmed by the food and drink options."

"If you are looking for a family lunch in a French Michelin Star restaurant, Galvin La Chapelle is a great choice where you won’t have to break the bank. Kids have a lovely set menu for around £12.5 and adults can choose the 3-course Sunday lunch menu for £38. The room is very nice and large with a feeling of grandeur and luxury."

"The converted church setting of this fine diner makes any old evening feel like a grand occasion. Dishes include classics like truffle pasta and tarte tatin, and on Sundays there’s a great roast to boot."

"Dinner and a show is a classic way to impress a date – but at Otto’s, dinner is the show. The Holborn restaurant is something of a hidden gem favoured by food critics, and its famous dish of canard à la presse – or pressed duck – is a theatrical performance like few others in the capital’s restaurants. The bird is prepared tableside, often by the charmingly eccentric Otto himself, using a silver press to extract the blood (possibly not one for the squeamish)."

"Properly old-school French, Otto's has carved out a niche for itself because of a serious bit of kit called the duck press. This dish sees the breast sliced, then the rest of the duck (bar the legs) pressed in the special screw press giving a juice to which Cognac and duck liver are added before it's poured over the rare slices which finish cooking in the sauce. Both very rich and very pricey but, by all accounts, like nothing else in town."

"Otto’s is somewhat of an institution when it comes to the best French restaurants in London. They do classic French cuisine which is old-school, traditional and deliciously hearty. Dine here if you’re after lobster bisque, foie gras terrine, French rabbit and veal sweetbreads."

"The one-time Ramsay protégé won over London with Pollen Street Social and now has a mini-empire of restaurants including Social Eating House, Berners Tavern and this small spot near Regent Street. Here, Atherton has created a menu of French bistro classics with modern — and often British — twists. Think Cornish cod with cockles, terrine with smoked duck, ox cheeks with bone marrow, or a cottage pie ‘Bourguignon’."

"Doing for French brasserie food what its stablemate Strada did for trattoria-style Italian cuisine, Côte mixes smart, glossy interiors with a menu of pure-bred bourgeois classics from moules marinière to steak frites. ‘Formule’ breakfasts, ‘plats rapides’ and a thoroughly Francophile drinks list complete the picture. Flagship site: 8 Wimbledon High Street, SW19 5DX"

"Blanchette is the model of a French country house a step away from the streets of Soho. A seat at the bar is in full view of the art nouveau tiled walls, while the back tables are topped with candles and surrounded by on-the-money does of Provencal shabby chic. You and your date are encouraged to share as you pick through snacks of cheese beignets and croque monsieur, robust meat and fish dishes, and a decadent menu of cheese and honey pairings."

"Blanchette is more of a pas de deux, for there are two restaurants to choose from. The Soho joint heads straight down the Parisian route, whilst their Brick Lane restaurant incorporates North African influences."

"A post shared by Hugo de Groot (@hugo_de_groot_creative) on Mar 22, 2019 at 10:18am PDT. Among the oldest churches in London, Temple Church was built by the Knights Templar, an order of crusaders founded in the early 12th century to protect pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem. Serving as a HQ from the order’s early days, the Round Church was modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and contains the effigies of some of medieval England’s most important men."

"This church belongs to the Inner and Middle Temple, two of England’s ancient societies of lawyers. Located in the heart of the city between River Thames and Flee Street, the Temple Church’s origin dates back to 12th century. Built by Knights Templar, this church showcases a typical round structure."

"This church was initially built in the 13th century when it was known as St Olave-towards-the-Tower, dedicated to the patron saint of Norway, King Olaf II. It was a favourite place of worship of the diarist Samuel Pepys, and he and his wife Elizabeth are both buried in the nave of the church. The present building was erected in 1450, and survived the Great Fire in 1666 thanks to Sir William Penn (whose son would found Pennsylvania) and his men from the local naval yard."

"As one of several churches in London with Scandinavian connections, St Olave Hart Street is often claimed to have been established as early as 1056. However, this may be true, as the memories of Olaf’s London adventures were at their best during this period. Furthermore, it was just a short period of time before Norway attempted to invade England in 1066."

"It was one of a small number to survive the Great Fire of London. It suffered far greater damage during the London Blitz of World War II, and the 15th century body of the church was restored by the mid-1950s. It’s a small church with a wealth of history."

"St Sepulchre is dominated by its grey 15th century Gothic tower. Captain John Smith, the famous Governor of Virginia, rescued by Pocahontas, was buried here in 1631. But St Sepulchre also has darker associations."

"Originating in New York, Red Farmlanded in Soho back in 2018, bringing with it quirky Pac Man shrimp dumplings and custard bao. Order one of their set menus online to enjoy their contemporary take on classic Chinese cuisine, with bottles of Champagne also available for those extra special occasions. Red Farm's steamed bites are almost too cute to eat...almost."

"Having originated in New York, Red Farm has quickly become known for its signature Pac Man dumplings. Found in the ever-buzzing area of Covent Garden, this restaurant serves playfully reimagined classic Chinese dishes in a relaxed setting."

"A fast-casual cevicheria on Riding House Street, Crudo’s South American-inspired ceviche bowls and sides are now available for delivery and takeaway. Customers are given the chance to build their own ceviche bowls, deciding on the base (rice, lettuce, quinoa), protein, toppings, and ‘leche de tigre’ (tiger’s milk sauce). Further information can be found eatcrudo.com."

"In a nutshell: Fishmongers, seafood restaurant and cocktail bar Where is it?. 120-122 Brick Ln, Spitalfields, London E1 6RL Why should you care?. This new seafood spot on Brick Lane features a ground floor restaurant and fish shop as well as a secret cocktail bar."

"If you're searching for great restaurants with outdoor dining in Canary Wharf, then No.35 Mackenzie Walk gets our vote. Not only does it serve up a tasty all-day menu of sustainably sourced grub alongside some classic cocktails, but it also has a beautiful waterside alfresco terrace to relax on."

"Why: Wild West décor and a hefty menu make this Texas-style grill in Hoxton a worthy addition to this list of the best American restaurants in London. Whether you’re in the mood for a mighty slab of quality meat slow-cooked in a hickory-burning smoker, fried chicken and fries, or a pimped-up burger, we promise you won’t go hungry at Red Dog Saloon. If you’re feeling particularly famished and reckon you can eat a lot in a short space of time, why not enter the ‘crabby patty challenge’?"

"Complete with a Man vs Food eating challenge (break the record for most patties in your cheeseburger and you get it for free), all the dishes on the menu at Red Dog Saloon are reminiscent of any good chain in the USA. With burgers and pulled pork sandwiches, mac 'n' cheese and St Louis pork ribs, plus hot (and extra hot) chicken wings you pay for by the platter, Red Dog will fill almost every craving you can imagine. Which is what great American food is all about, isn't it?"

"Located in Hoxton and Soho, the Red Dog Saloon serves old-school Austin barbeque and world-famous burgers. From classic bar snacks like Buffalo wings, tacos and nachos to barbeque favourites like southern fried chicken, burgers and cheesesteaks. The saloon also gives brave customers the chance to take on their famous crabby patty challenge, allowing you to add as many patties as you can handle for the chance to eat for free."