Top Best French Restaurants in Limehouse Basin

"Perhaps the most Instagrammable restaurant in London, Sketch boasts distinctive powder-pink interiors set in an 18th-century Mayfair townhouse. The Wes Anderson-esque space, the work of Paris-based interior designer India Mahdavi, comprises pink walls and matching scalloped, pink-velvet booths, completed by artworks courtesy of David Shrigley, who also designed the restaurant’s flatware. The food is equally well-designed, described by the restaurant as “site-specific sculptural works."

"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!"

"Giving new meaning to the term 'theatrical dining', Sketch is taking guests on a culinary experience from start to finish. Take a seat in one of the West End restaurant's Wes Anderson-esque rooms and tuck into a luxurious breakfast, afternoon tea or three Michelin-starred meal."

"A haunt of City types (located, as it is, just around the corner from the Bank of England, at the amusingly named ‘No. 1 Poultry’), the grass-lined roof of this restaurant and bar is the perfect place to sip drinks whilst watching the wheels of British financial institutions being oiled. A menu of classic French dishes compliments the English garden party atmosphere. 1 Poultry, London , United Kingdom"

"Restaurants French Bank. Accessed by a lift, like a supervillain’s lair, the Coq’s chichi heated terrace has panoramic City views, a fine selection of drinks and some classic French dishes. It’s now taking bookings for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch for up to six people, from April 12.We like The Coq!"

"Chris and Jeff Galvin deliver French fine dining that’s both sophisticated and approachable. With six restaurants now under their belt, the acclaimed brother duo have proven that the atmosphere and hospitality of family-run businesses always works best. Michelin-starred restaurant Galvin La Chapelle, housed within the beautiful high-vaulted St. Botolph’s Hall, is the crown in their collection."

"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."

"This brightly coloured bistro on Brick Lane ticks just about every stereotype box, from poster-clad walls, candles and the kind of furniture that looks as if it might belong on a patio, through to a menu of unashamed clichés. From tartare to confit via terrines, moules and escargot, Chez Elles serves exactly what people want at very decent prices, taking itself with far too little seriousness to feel French at all. Bravo.Chez Elles, 45 Brick Lane, E1 6P"

"The blood and viscera has long since been scoured away, making this museum a fascinating place to visit. Pioneering medical techniques were trialled here back in the day, and today, it holds the crown as the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe. Tickets for adults are £7.50."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets cost £20 GBP (around $26 USD). Make sure to book your tickets and pick a time-slot in advance directly on the museum website."

"The Barbican is Europe’s largest performing arts centre, located right in the City of London. Its Brutalist styled architecture offers lots of opportunities to take some unique photos, like the one below by Chris Martin Scholl. Make sure to plan enough time to explore all the hidden corners of this fascinating landmark."

"From acclaimed architects to Turner prize-winning artists, as well as stars of design and photography, the Barbican Art Gallery presents major exhibitions by leading international figures. You should also check out the Barbican's Curve, home to an exciting series of new art commissions created for the space."

"The Barbican Centre is the largest arts centre in Europe and home of the London Symphony Orchestra. It was opened to the public in 1982 after it took a decade of construction work. The arts centre is one of the places in London that is child-friendly."

"Just a short walk from London’s West End theatres,L’Escargot offers a fantastic pre-theatre menu as well as their usual a la carte fare and Sunday lunch options. Choose a table in front of the roaring wood fire and enjoy a whole lobster, sample the liquorice beef or opt for the traditional snails. All of the dishes on offer are the usual French bistro classics with a L’Escargot twist, and can be accompanied by a bottle of fine French wine; just ask the waiter to hand-pair the wine with the dishes."

"Coco Chanel, Mick Jagger, and Princess Diana have all dined here, so you know it’s going to be good. A fixture in Soho since 1927, you can’t leave without trying the dish the restaurant is named after: the snails."

"Taking on the identities of two of the world's most flavourful cuisines, Mommi is a finely executed hybrid of Japanese and South American cultures making for one sensational culinary offering. Tease your palate with their raw plates, including some incredibly unique sushi dishes."

"20-30 stalls serve food from all over the world to local workers around Old St. It’s worth a detour if you’re visiting the City or the Barbican. Fortune Street Park, off one of the side streets, has plenty of park benches to eat your food. Or the Two Brewers pub (121 Whitecross St) lets you eat your food inside as long as you buy a drink."

"Dalston Food Market is an amazing little market located in an uber-trendy part of the city. The stalls in this area tend to be cheaper than those in some of the other markets, making this a budget-friendly option."

"Source: Photo by user Nils R. Barth used under PUBLIC DOMAIN. Up next, we have Whitecross Street Market located in central London. This is another market that’s one of London’s oldest."

"Portobello Road is the jewel in Notting Hill – the world’s largest antiques market has retained its sense of charm and friendliness, even as the surrounding area has scaled the ladder of exclusivity. The market, which wends its way along the sinuous Portobello Road is actually five interconnecting markets – with separate sections for fresh produce, clothing, second hand goods, household stuff, a flea market and antiques. The antiques section, always sizable, really comes into its own on Saturdays – cementing Portobello’s position as one of the go-to Saturday markets in London."

"If I haven’t yet convinced you that London is really, really into its gin – I present to you: The Distillery. This simply-named venue is basically a gin lover’s playground, offering up four enticing levels of gin-related debauchery and its own distillery producing Portobello Road gin. Amongst the fun there are multiple tasting spaces, including the oh-so-fancy Boardroom for group tastings."

"Just round the corner from the beautiful white houses of Notting Hill you will find the cute coloured houses of Portobello. Portobello is famous for its vintage and street food market, with the coloured houses coming up close after it. It’s not quite as fancy as Notting Hill with the white columns and houses, but if like me you love colourful places Portobello is a more fun photo location."

"This East London stretch is best known for its abundance of curry houses, but it’s also the setting for an atmospheric Sunday market. Hop between stalls selling retro bric-a-brac and vintage items, as well as some fresh produce. Backyard Market and Sunday UpMarket in the Old Truman Brewery are offshoots of Brick Lane Market, showcasing arts and crafts, and a gastronomic array of food vendors."

"If you're after a market with plenty going on, then Brick Lane won't disappoint. Expect eclectic clothing, plenty of second hand furniture, and stalls offering up all kinds of bric-a-brac. There's loads of street art to look out for too, as well as live music and a brilliant foodie scene."

"Find both junk and gems at this east London market spread across several streets. At Brick Lane Market, you'll uncover bric-a-brac, second-hand furniture, vintage clothes, shoes and lots more. There are also some fantastic stalls selling exotic spices and colourful saris."