Top Best French Restaurants in Woodside

"While the powder pink Gallery restaurant is more instantly recognisable, it’s dinner in the upstairs Lecture Room and Library that will really wow your other half. Pierre Gagnaire’s food has earned it three Michelin stars (and a dazzling price tag to match), while the dining room boasts red and gold surroundings so sumptuous you’re in danger of falling more in love with the room than your date. 9 Conduit Street, W1S 2XG, sketch.london"

"There's few other places where celebrity spotting in London goes down to the extent it does at Sketch. Legend for its creative profile in the drinking and dining world, Sketch is somewhere you go for an experience that's wholly unique, scattered with luxury (and a few celebs) as well as some incredible food and drink."

"A real sought-after restaurant in Mayfair, Sketch initially grabs attention with its unique decor. Then the grub takes over. Is it an art gallery?"

"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."

"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."

"The first of two award-winning French restaurants from the brothers Galvin. Under the high ceilings of St Botolph’s Hall, the seven-course Menu Gourmand will satisfy your appetite for £85."

"The selection of savoury buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes runs the gamut from no-frills (lemon-and-sugar, Nutella) to frilly in the extreme (Andouille sausage, sautéed potato and mustard; duck confit with blue cheese, truffle honey and caramelised onions). The servings are sizeable, with serious plate overhang, and everything’s under £10."

"Charming bistro strongly influenced by French regional cuisine. Next to the Parish Church with a secluded courtyard for al fresco dining."

"Chez Bruce celebrated its 25th birthday in 2020 and this longstanding restaurant is top of many a restaurant critic's all-time favourites list. Co-owner Bruce Poole and his head chef Matt Christmas set out their stall thus: "We are not particularly into gadgets and tricks in the kitchen and there are doubtless some who view our food as slightly old fashioned in this regard. We take this as a compliment!" Back when Marina O'Loughlin was at the Guardian she declared her meal there as one which "encourages you to wallow in sheer, sybaritic pleasure". More about Chez Bruce"

"Bruce Poole and partner Nigel Platts-Martin opened Chez Bruce in 1995 but it remains relevant and vibrant to this day. As Marina O’Loughlin put it recently, “It is, and will continue to be, an absolute classic.” Under Bruce and Head Chef Matt Christmas, the kitchen here cooks up dishes “based loosely on classical and regional French/ Mediterranean cuisine”. But that might see everything from the classic Foie gras and chicken liver parfait on the starter menu along with a spiced fish samosa with baked aubergine, tarka dhal, raita, ginger and coriander."

"We ate outside with friends on a chilly evening but it was well worth being swaddled in layers. The food was delicious with the usual good selection of wines. Lovely to see Sanath back, running front of house with his usual good humour and efficiency, and of course, rounding off the meal with his special espresso martinis made it a most enjoyable night."

"After a much-needed wash & brush-up, John McClements’s French bistro is gleaming clean & sparkly. Not that much has changed: the tableclo ..."

"If you’re planning to be the ultimate “London tourist”, then this my friend is going to get you excited. Look out of your window and you’ll be greeted with Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and a whole lot more."

"Plain on the outside, plain on the inside – only you're talking about two very different kinds of plain here. While the Metropolitan's exterior is anonymous to the point of charmlessness, the interiors are, particularly for this part of London, a pleasant surprise. Icy-calm, uncluttered and understated, though with some arresting and endearing touches – vivid block-coloured carpets, splendid orchids, big sofas arranged alongside big windows the better to enjoy the big views over the park outside."

"BEST SPA IN LONDON FOR: PERTINENT, INTUITIVE TREATMENTS WITH A TOP-OF-THEIR-GAME ROSTER OF THERAPISTS. Small but perfectly formed, the spa here often gets overlooked for bigger players, but this is one of London’s best-kept secrets. Not only is the space completely sleek and serene – no plinky-plonky music or trickling fountains – but the treatments pack an enormous punch."

"Watch a musician or magician in the piazza and wander among the stalls and high-end shops at Covent Garden Market. Housed in and around the iconic Market Building, this central London shopping market is an architectural masterpiece. Alongside Apple Market, speciality shops such as perfume boutiques, homeware stores, restaurants and cafes, you'll find gorgeous crafts, antiques and jewellery."

"Within the 19th century Piazza of Covent Garden, there are three markets to explore. Take a look around the Apple Market, East Colonnade Market and Jubilee Market for handcrafted gifts, artworks, confectionary and clothes, among other diverse goods. Covent Garden: Monday to Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm, and Sunday Midday-6pm."

"The world-famous Covent Garden Apple market which was originally focused on fruit and vegetables still runs today. From Tuesday through to Sunday the market is filled with hand-made art and design goods, bespoke jewellery, paintings and more. On Mondays, the market hosts antiques and collectibles."

"Located in the heart of London’s financial district, the Royal Exchange previously hosted the centre of commerce for the City of London. Today, however, the Royal Exchange hosts a variety of luxury shops, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, Gucci…just to give an idea. Luxury restaurants and champagne bars are a great place to take a shopping break and the location of the Royal Exchange, the opposite side of town from our other shopping centres, means it is oftentimes not as busy as the better-known shopping locations of London."

"Not a single shop, but a collection of exclusive boutiques and restaurants, founded in the 16th century and housed in a striking building constructed in 1837. Shops include Hermès, Georg Jensen and Tiffany & Co, and goods available to buy range from fashion and accessories to beauty products and homewares. 3 Royal Court, Royal Exchange, Unit 15C, London EC3V 3LN"

"The Royal Exchange building opposite the Bank of England is the third building on the site. It’s one of the most familiar and famous sites in London because of its position at such a busy junction, on several major bus routes. The present building dates from the 1840s, and its highlight is its graceful Classical Greek portico."

"Famed for its laid-back vibe, old-world grandeur and authentic Italian cuisine, it's no wonder Franco's has been a London hot spot since the Forties. The gospel of tasting rooms, nouveau burgers and artisanal mocktails is still preached all over town, but some of the capital's heritage restaurants continue to thrive without yielding to fickle trends. Franco's is a recently spruced-up pocket of old-world grandeur in St James's that packs itself out every lunch time, just as it has done since opening in the Forties."

"Having been open for more than 60 years, Franco’s is undoubtedly one of the most popular Italian restaurants in the city. Fresh seasonal produce is showcased in the tranquil surroundings and light ambience of its quiet neighbourhood, just a few minutes’ walk from Green Park. Enjoy specialities such as venison ravioli in rosemary sauce to start, and steamed sea bream or pan fried partridge as a main."

"Restaurants British Crouch End. Despite its low-key location – a residential stretch between Stroud Green and Crouch End – this neighbourhood eatery is always abuzz with local punters, many of whom come for the all-day brunch offer (9am-5pm). There’s steak and eggs for the carnivores, a ‘full vegan’ for the flesh avoiders and comfort food for everyone else – think homemade granola with hung yoghurt, pancakes with maple syrup, a chuck burger with fries or chicken and avocado salad."