London's Best New-Wave Bistros

Delight and indulge as a new wave of irresistible bistros open across London....

64 Goodge Street

A smart French bistro in Fitzrovia from the team behind highly regarded central London trio Portland, Clipstone and the Quality Chop House. This small bistro deluxe - a relaxed but yet polished setting - incorporates rustic elements such as brick and timber flooring while maintaining a luxurious feel with British Racing Green walls, aged brass and marble finishes. Executive chef Stuart Andrew (also of Clipstone) has developed the menu in homage to traditional French cuisine, including snail ‘bon bons’, rabbit niçoise, lobster vol-au-vent, and gateau marjolaine. The wine list places great emphasis on classics, focusing particularly on the Burgundy region. Pictured. 

Josephine

A French bistro on Fulham Road, based on traditional bouchons found in owner Claude Bosi's hometown of Lyon. Inspired by and named after his late grandmother - the restaurant is reminiscent of the traditional bouchons. The menu is made up of the regional bistro classics and regional Lyonnaise specialities - Josephine used to serve Claude when he was a boy, with a daily plat du jour, a set menu and accessible wines - served bouchon-style. Fabled Studio have drawn on Lyon’s cultural heritage for the design - discover a classic and timeless dining room. 

Camille

An intimate restaurant serving simple, seasonal French-inflected food, from the team behind the much-loved Ducksoup in Soho and Little Duck in Hackney. The casual bistro-style dining space features a small bar and window counter seating and a terrace facing right onto Borough Market. Camille draws on the down-to-earth atmosphere of a classic bouchon or cave-à-manger in Lyon or Paris. The kitchen is headed up by ex-St John chef Elliot Hashtroudi cooking dishes such as tete de veau schnitzel & dandelion; cep stuffed chicken wing; veal sweetbreads & Montpellier butter and confit leeks & Lincolnshire poacher. Like their other restaurants there's a weekly changing menu of wines by the glass featuring small independent wine-makers with a keen focus on French wines.

Bistro Freddie

A classic bistro offering a menu featuring the best produce of the British Isles and French wines, from the founder of Crispin in Spitalfields and Bar Crispin in Soho. Located between Shoreditch High Street and Old Street stations, in the space previously occupied by Turkish restaurant, Oklava. The 45-cover restaurant has a classic bistro feel - think starched white cloths, bespoke leather banquettes, a lacquered wood bar, and works from artists such as Ben Burgis adorning the nicotine-yellow walls. The food menu is overseen by Anna Søgaard who joins the Crispin Group from revered Manchester restaurant Erst. Anna’s menu offers classic, unpretentious, and comforting bistro-style dishes - chicken and tarragon pie and steak in peppercorn sauce. As with both Crispin and Bar Crispin, there's a focus on small and predominantly independent wine producers and growers - on a classic all-French wine list.

Café François - opening Autumn 2024

An eagerly anticipated modern French canteen drawing inspiration from Parisian cafés, Californian delis, and Montreal bistros - from the Maison François team. Discover a menu of typical, affordable brasserie dishes such as Toulouse sausage with lentils, Vadouvan curry of monkfish, and whole lobster frites for sharing. The two-storey space overlooks Borough Market - on the ground floor is a deli counter and rotisserie, while on the first floor there's an open kitchen, visible through a glass wall, and two additional dining rooms. Both wine and cocktails stick to the café’s broader ethos with international and sustainable wines and classics cocktails.

Ideal For

Gallic gastronomy, cosy dining


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