704 Best Restaurants in France

This small, casual French restaurant is nestled on a tiny street that runs between two major boulevards. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, and the extensive, traditional menu of market-fresh produce makes it difficult to decide what to eat; for starters, try the sautéed pleurotes (oyster mushrooms) with a poached egg or the salmon tartare, followed by the wild-fish catch of the day, vegetarian risotto, or duck breast with scalloped potatoes, all accompanied by a wine direct from the producer. Friendly chef-owner Eric also offers daily specials depending on what he finds at the market.

This eatery facing Les Halles marketplace caters to trendy locals, who are tempted by imaginative bistro dishes and beautifully presented desserts. Pull up a seat on the sidewalk or dine inside, where glass-topped wine casks serve as tables.

Freshness is guaranteed at this tiny treasure, hidden at the back of a fishmonger's shop across from the old food court (Les Halles du Boulingrin). Everything is just off the boat, but most diners automatically go with the catch of the day; tables are in demand, so be sure to reserve ahead.

This bustling bistro has been serving locally sourced regional dishes for more than 30 years—way before farm-to-table was a thing. The house specialties include dishes like roasted Pyrenees trout with shallot confit and the founder's own pain perdu, with vanilla ice cream.

Years ago, former French pro soccer player Wilfrid Gohel teamed up with Eric Chaumier, president of the regional retailers union, and took over this waterfront favorite. They could have just banked on the wraparound views of the marina and château to bring in the dinner crowds, but instead they refined the menu to include such dishes as fillet of bass roasted with smoked salt petals or roast duck breast with honey and Morello cherries.

This cozy, convivial bistro brims with character and brings a touch of the Lyonnais love of inventive pork dishes to the heart of Normandy. Owners Corinne and Emmanuel Maintenant offer a kind welcome, with lots of French touches in the decor, from the menu slate to the velvet banquettes.

Under the shade of a plane tree, in the heart of the vieille ville, this cute bistro is known for it's three-course "menu of the week" featuring classic duck dishes and other traditional fare like veal pot-au-feu or chestnut crème brûlée. The menu changes according to the rhythm of the seasons and showcases local produce. 

About a mile outside Ajaccio, this restaurant provides wonderful views across Ajaccio Bay from its attractive terrace at the edge of the sea. Given its location, it's no surprise that Le Cabanon Bleu specializes in fresh fish and seafood dishes such as grilled langoustine and tuna, but duck and beef are also on the menu.

The busy terrace here often doubles as a stadium for different factions cheering on local pétanque players in Place des Lices. Service can be slow, but the setting, the food (say, black truffle and foie gras macaroni with Parmesan or seven-hour lamb confit with spices), and the piano bar with throwbacks to Piaf and Aznavour make this place memorable. It's open daily 8 am–3 am (with a well-priced €21 lunch menu) and always seems packed, so reservations are a good idea.

If you want something quick and casual that still bears the stamp of Michel Guérard, try this latest addition to his culinary empire, an elegant café with a terrace on the main street. It specializes in savory, doughnut-like croustillons (including meat-free options) and mouthwatering cakes and madeleines. You can also choose from a soup of the day and a nice selection of desserts.

Barely a stone's throw from Place Stanislas, this stylish landmark puts its best foot forward under chef Hervé Fourrière. The menu includes old favorites revisited and noteworthy desserts. The choice of Toul wines is extensive.

In a dead-center location facing the market hall and within sight of the Hospices de Beaune, Le Carmin serves dishes that play on texture and visuals, the hallmarks of chef Christophe Quéant, who has already been crowned as one of Beaune's up-and-coming stars. The simply decorated and refined dining room provides the backdrop to creative market-driven dishes. The cheese plates and desserts are exquisitely presented, and the service is genuine and friendly. There are three set menus of four-, five-, or six-courses, to choose from in the evenings.

This place feels warm and welcoming even before you head through the front door, thanks to the rustic lanterns outside pointing the way. The wood-panel dining room is hushed, as most patrons seem like couples out for a romantic evening; good choice, as this is food you'll want to share: mushroom soup for a starter, perhaps, then crispy duck breast with roasted potatoes and a mushroom cream sauce. If you detect a theme to the dishes, the restaurant's name refers to porcini mushrooms. Desserts include blueberry tarts and waffles with salted butter and caramel ice cream.

This under-the-radar cave à manger, for people who want to eat and drink well without the fuss of a fancier place, specializes in small plates with big flavors. Try the morteau sausage with lentils and pickled onions, the briny oysters in an herb-infused broth, or the tender pork cheeks with sweet corn cream—all accompanied by a feisty natural wine. Plates are intended to be shared, but that's up to you.

This restaurant, opened in 1927, is the spot to stop for lunch and to bask in the sun on your way up the eastern slope of Mont Ventoux. The food is far beyond the merely acceptable, whether you opt for simple omelets (with truffles in season), traditional options like tartiflette (a baked dish of potatoes, cheese, and bacon from the Savoie region) or even heartier fare such as a spit-roasted pig (for groups of 15 or more). Bikers, hikers, and car-trekkers alike gather at plank tables on the wooden deck or warm themselves in the chalet-style dining area.

This eatery is a popular choice, especially when sunny weather encourages taking a seat on the terrace, overlooking the square below. The cuisine varies with the seasons, the markets, and the humor of the chef, but everything is homemade and reasonably priced.

Regional dishes are the focus at this family-run eatery situated on a street behind the city's theater. The menu offers Burgundian staples like oeufs en meurette, snails with garlic butter, and steak with Époisses cheese sauce. The wine list has some interesting finds and includes a good selection of local wine producers.

This serenely refined dining room—with an impressive three-Michelin stars— has long been a pilgrimage stop for food-lovers and a delightful surprise for those who happen upon it while visiting Annecy. Set at the heights of the village, the beauty of the place is reflected in sculptural dishes crafted from ingredients—both cultivated and wild—strictly sourced within 100 km of the restaurant (not to mention wines from Alpine vineyards). Each gem-like dish is accompanied by an infusion, whether bouillon or herb-and-vegetable, to further complement the poetry on your plate. Whether you dine by the fireplace in winter or in the beautiful garden in summer, be sure to allow plenty of time for lunch or for dinner—this is an experience to be savored.

This chic new bistro, a hit among locals, was designed with all the care and taste as the nearby Hôtel La Mère Germaine. On cool days, you can relax in its light-filled dining room and watch preparations in the open kitchen; in warm weather, you can sit on the terrace and take in the endless vineyard views. Chef Clément Peine's pleasing dishes rely on seasonal, local products, and the superb wine list offers all the highlights from this wine-centric region.

Run by legendary bistro chef Yves Camdeborde, this small, Art Deco restaurant gets booked up early for its satisfying menu of traditional French cuisine. Favorites include classics like rib steak with potato puree and grilled salmon. Reservations are not accepted, resulting in long lines and brisk service. Camdeborde also has three local tapas bars, two right next door (L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer and de la Terre) and a much larger one (L'Avant Comptoir du Marché) around the corner at the Marché St-Germain, where delicious small plates, good wine, and a festive atmosphere are guaranteed.

Facing the Cocteau chapel with an enviable view of the sea from its terrace, this modern brasserie could easily get away with being merely mediocre. Instead, it serves fresh, colorful Mediterranean dishes ranging from an addictive anchoïade—crudités with anchovy dip—to omelets. It's a favorite of English-speaking expats, and it's easy to understand why, since it brings together all the ingredients that make for a casual yet memorable meal on the French Riviera. Book online ahead to be sure of securing a coveted terrace table.

Try this spot for delicious specialty coffees, as well as organic, homemade scones and cakes.

This "bistronomic" (think "bistro" and "gastronomic") outpost set in a classic Art Nouveau--era bistro—complete with romantic mosaics and a marble bar that made it a favorite meeting place of the Surrealists—draws a lively food-centric crowd that's wild about chef Charleyne Valet's tasty shareable plates. Bistro favorites include egg parfait with smoked potato mousse and sunchoke chips, a delicious riff on grandmère's lentil soup, or haddock with raisins and almonds all served with a small but deftly curated selection of natural wines.

Now a fancy fish brasserie serving seafood delivered fresh from Normandy every day, this restaurant began as a dingy meeting place for exiled artists and intellectuals like Lenin and Picasso. The family-owned institution hired star Japanese chef Yoshihiko Miura to modernize its menu while keeping some enduring classics. Try the sole meunière or the bouillabaisse, the ingredients of which are on display in their raw form in the restaurant's outstanding fish shop next door. The famous millefeuille (Napoleon) is a must for fans of this rich, creamy dessert. You can still drop by the covered terrace for a cup of coffee or a drink.

The name is a reference to Louis XIV’s botanist, who was born in the town of Mane in 1660, and it clues you in on what's to come at this Michelin-starred restaurant just south of Forqualcier—namely, refined, locally sourced dishes fit for a king. Chef Louis Gachet honed his formidable skills in France’s most prestigious kitchens and is renowned for his innovative, healthful yet sumptuous dishes.

A low-beamed 16th-century fisherman's house provides the cozy setting for chef Vincent Guyon's locally influenced cuisine. Centered on the daily catch, the ambitious menu usually includes at least five different fish dishes—all presented with artistic panache—along with plenty of grilled meats, like salt-marsh lamb or duck. Three fixed-price menus assure a splendid meal on any budget. Be sure to save room for one of the masterful desserts or an informed cheese course.

This restaurant's setting—in a former bakery that's tucked into a natural grotto and lighted by candles and artsy torchères—is as memorable as the stylishly presented Provençal dishes on both the à la carte and prix-fixe menus. Try the thinly layered beetroot with feta cheese and walnut oil or the veal braised with anise and served with creamy polenta. There's a shaded terrace, too, by the 17th-century village fountain.

Occupying a 15th-century former stock market with exposed beams and arcades, this café-restaurant in the center of Perpignan is a perfect place to enjoy an easy meal under the umbrellas as you watch the world go by. Options include scallop salad, foie gras with green beans and raisins, and grilled duck breast with apples.

Equal parts café, bar, and restaurant, Le Fumoir is a timelessly popular place to sip coffee and read the paper or enjoy an after-dinner drink. Reservations are recommended for the prix-fixe dinner as well as for the copious Sunday brunch from chef Henrik Andersson.

Everybody loves an authentic French brasserie, but very few of these establishments strive to maintain a quality worthy of their traditional cachet; happily, Le Galopin is one of them. The vintage murals, wood paneling, and plush banquettes are the perfect backdrop for all those traditional French favorites: a heaping plate of oysters followed by steak or fish tartare, Breton lobster, grilled gambas shrimp, or marinated Wagyu beef. Spectacular desserts include all the classics like baba au rhum, crème brûlée, or Breton sablée, a local specialty. For a top-notch meal that won't break the bank, this Rennes institution is a good choice.