Top Best French Restaurants in South Kensington

"Occupying what used to be the headquarters of Christian Dior, Sketch is chic, glamorous and trendy. In the Michelin Guide 2020, it was elevated to the maximum three stars, putting it in an elite group alongside Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. The Lecture Room & Library, at the top of the Grade II listed building, offers haute-cuisine by the extraordinary chef Pierre Gagnaire in a plush setting of studded ivory leather walls, ornate plasterwork ceilings, and rich furnishings in purple and crimson."

"Just as famous for its interiors, French chef Pierre Gaignaire’s Sketch flagship is one of a select number of London restaurants with two Michelin stars. So the cooking belongs to a certain tradition, offering the likes of whole pigeon, pigeon terrine, beetroot, buckwheat crepe, and cherry for £54. It recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, which means neither Sketch’s sort of finery nor the boldest of bold designs have yet to fall out of fashion."

"If the convivial atmosphere of a bistro or elegance of a fine-dining French restaurant leaves you as cold as a steak tartare, Sketch: The Gallery might just be the answer. A feast for all the senses, this unique concept has an emphasis on bold, progressive ‘new French’ food from chef Pierre Gagnaire and even bolder design from Fourth Plinth commissioned artist David Shrigley. Book a table at a French restaurant now."

"What: Still the cock of the walk after all these years, Coq D’Argent’s three-pronged restaurant, bar and roof terrace space remains one of the most popular dining destinations for City workers. To drink in the views (while drinking a glass of champers), head to the grass-covered terrace, which comes complete with neatly trimmed hedges and its own fashion boutique-style soundtrack. To really get a feel for the atmosphere, we’d recommend swinging by at night, when the capital’s skyscrapers twinkle before your eyes."

"Coq d’Argent is an elegant French restaurant with a terrace and garden, right in the heart of the Square Mile. The bar menu offers a wide selection of cocktails, wine, spirits, cigars and bar bites. Perfect if you wanna feel a bit posh, rooftop garden style."

"This high-ceilinged, architecturally stunning former chapel makes an impressive backdrop for French-minded fine-dining, with doting but not disruptive service sealing the deal. This Spitalfields spot is romance at its most classic, and is a haven from the busy streets of east London. Lovely lighting and a particularly good wine list make it an alluring room to while away hours over a glass or several."

"What do you do if you can’t find a unique space for your restaurant on the crowded streets of London?"

"Open for both lunch and dinner, this quaint restaurant tucked away in the heart of Smithfield is said to serve the best cote de boeuf around. Café du Marché offers fixed price two and three-course menus, as well as an a la carte menu with an array of soups, salads and terrines for starter; guinea fowl, salt beef and calves’ liver for main; and cheese, tarts and sorbets for dessert. Go on a Friday night to sit back in a cushioned wicker chair, sip decanted wine and listen to the jazz pianist playing softly against a bare brickwall backdrop."

"Sardine may be in an odd location (tucked behind McDonald’s on City Road) in Hoxton, but upon entering you’ll immediately feel like you’re in the Mediterranean. From the aromas to the colourful (yet tasteful) décor, it’s a pleasant place to be. But it’s the smell of the Southern French cooking happening on an open wood fire that really draws you (and your taste buds) in."

"Awe-inspiring Victorian interiors, elegant French cuisine and understated service are what earned this unique city restaurant its Michelin star, under the direction of acclaimed chef brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin. 35 Spital Square, Spitalfields, London, E1 6DY"

"Cigalon is a restaurant in London that shows it worth both in its plates and on its walls. When you're not lapping up the velvet booths and white tablecloths alongside sweeping plates, you'll be enjoying a meal focused on all things Provençal."

"Randall and Aubin’s resplendent window display on Brewer Street in Soho fixates onlookers in the way that the neighbourhood’s sex shops once did. The restaurant remains one of central London’s most reliable restaurants to eat fresh shellfish — a full platter costs £44.50 per person and can be upgraded with a half lobster for an additional £22.50. Its white tiling and chess board floor recalls a seafood bar of yesteryear, which, in a changing and increasingly homogenised Soho, is something that should be cherished."

"What:Randall & Aubin has been a stalwart of the London seafood scene ever since it opened in 1996. This Soho haunt is decked out with marble counters for old world glamour while the food menu consists of a mixture of English and French seafood favourites. Choose from the beautiful shellfish-on-ice display or opt for a classic such as bouillabaisse or linguine vongole.Where: 16 Brewer Street, W1F 0SQ"

"Originally London’s first butcher’s shop, this place has been transformed over the years in to a popular seafood eatery while keeping its original Victorian features. With high marble tops and stools it has an informal and friendly feel – especially thanks to the giant glitter ball above. Go classic with the the creamy moules marinieres, French fries and crusty baguette to mop it all up with."

"Modern French and world cuisine in the heart of Windsor, just 200 meters away from the Castle. Exciting freshly prepared homemade food, created and served under the guidance of chef-patron Andre. Reviews: "This restaurant’s food and its staff are consistently exceptional. My wife and I are frequent visitors and have never been disappointed.""The staff, headed up by Pasquale are extremely attentive and very courteous."

"Straddling the line between high class cuisine and comfort food, the menu at À la Russe takes notes from both French and Mediterranean roots. The result is an eclectic and superb dining experience, served elegantly over white tablecloths and candlelight. The 3 course Table D’Hote meal is very affordable for the quality you’re getting, and we suggest it."

"You may have heard of British vegan activist Earthling Ed, whose calm and collected approach to educating people on the realities of animal agriculture has helped to spread awareness to hundreds of thousands of people. Unity Diner is his restaurant, and in true Earthling Ed fashion, all profits at Unity Diner are put towards animal rights campaign work. Unity Diner is a great place to be, with beautiful decor in the form of greenery and fairy lights to set the scene."

"Nestled in East London's Spitalfields, Unity Diner has expanded to a much larger space shortly after opening, making this wholesome restaurant one of the biggest completely vegan diner and cocktail bars in the city. Founded by a couple friends, including vegan advocate Earthling Ed, this not-for-profit eatery is a safe haven for everyone, with options so good it's hard to tell the difference from traditional fish and meat dishes."

"Earthling Ed’s non-profit restaurant Unity Diner deserves a spot on this list for the three epic burgers that don’t just taste great but help animals too. You can choose from the classic Moving Mountains Burger featuring ‘beef’ patties, cheese, bacon, and all the trimmings. There’s also the VFC Burger – a vegan take on the Southern-fried chicken patty with cheese, bacon, and a hash brown."

"The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture is a London museum that is home to an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century home decorative arts. The Arts Council England recognized the collection as providing outstanding international value. The MoDA also has the Sir James Maude Richards Library of architectural books on a long-term loan."

"The Princess Diana memorial playground in Kensington Gardens is a fantasy land, very much inspired by Peter Pan, for children up to about 12. It is a safe, fenched area for families only. This playground has remained open, but with reduced capacity, maximum 150 children at a time, because of this you may have to queue to get in."

"This excellent branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum displays one of the best collections of childhood-related objects in the world. Kids are fascinated by the immense number of dolls, dolls’ houses through the ages, vintage board games, construction toys (Lego, Meccano), battery-powered robots and favourite toys from the 20th century, decade by decade. Action figures, teddy bears, puppets, magic lanterns and MicroMachines are among the highlights here."

"Funnily enough, the Museum of Childhood is actually first and foremost geared towards adults who want to relive their own childhoods, but don’t worry – they’ve planned ahead and know that many adults will be bringing their own children. For toddlers, there are interactive exhibits featuring toys and games at the Museum of Childhood, as well as drop-in activities including crafting and storytelling to get your toddler involved in some educational play."

"The Museum of Childhood is a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum which specialises in objected designed by and for children such as toys, clothes and more. Nearest tube station: Bethnal Green."

"Fronted by a pair of intimidating 15in naval guns and a piece of the Berlin Wall, this riveting museum is housed in what was the Bethlem Royal Hospital, a psychiatric hospital also known as Bedlam. Although the museum’s focus is on military action involving British or Commonwealth troops largely during the 20th century, it covers war in the wider sense. Must-see exhibits include the state-of-the-art First World War Galleries and Witnesses to War in the forecourt and atrium above."

"This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with an interest in boats. Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963."

"Despite its name, the cultural venue formerly known as the Imperial War Museum (one of five IWM branches around the country) does not…"

"Even the most skint amongst us will always be able to enjoy the popular activity of walking around Tate Modern and asking: ‘...but is it art?. ’ The contemporary art haven is one of the most popular venues in the capital, and no one visit is ever the same. A rolling programme of intriguing commissions from some of world’s most exciting artists means there’s always a surprise around the corner, while the permanent collection offers the chance to see art by the big guys, including Picasso, Matisse and Rothko."

"Art-lovers can spend hours inside the Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery, while theater-goers will want to buy tickets for Shakespeare’s Globe or the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Walking through one of London’s numerous parks is also an option, and so is admiring the architecture of Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, or St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the evenings, have some fish and chips in a pub or enjoy London’s multicultural dining options. You will stay in the city until the morning of Day 3."

"If you’re into contemporary art then Tate Modern is the place to come and the Switch House galleries are well worth a look. Best shot: from the viewing terrace on the top floor of Switch House. The views of the River Thames and the Northbank are spectacular."