The best French restaurants in Soho

At his eponymous restaurant at Hotel Café Royal, acclaimed chef Alex Dilling provides a one-of-a-kind, intimate dining experience. The restaurant has a contemporary take on traditional French cuisine and offers a cosy, elegant atmosphere with a view of the curved Regent Street. With only 34 seats available, guests can indulge in the chef's signature tasting menus, making it a perfect spot for foodies. 

Brasserie Zédel is a classic and stylish French restaurant in central London with authentic Art Deco interiors. The restaurant offers a main menu and a three-course set menu, with vegetarian options available. The building also includes a bar area, a Parisian café with an outdoor terrace, and a theatre and cabaret venue. Classic French wines and cocktails are available to complement your meal.

Located in the heart of Soho, Pierre Victoire has been serving modern French and European cuisine since 1998. The intimate and low-lit restaurant is a favourite among theatre-goers and features stylish art on its walls. Guests can choose from a selection of à la carte and set menus, including dishes like gnocchi, duck confit, and steaks. The wine list offers bottles from various regions, including Europe.

Pierre Victoire's sibling Prix Fixe Brasserie is a popular choice for pre-theatre dining, with an intimate and cosy atmosphere, low lighting, and live piano tunes. The restaurant offers a set menu that includes a variety of options for starters and mains, as well as an à la carte menu. The wine list is international and includes champagne and prosecco. Prices are affordable, making it a great option for those looking for delicious French cuisine without breaking the bank.

At his fully vegan restaurant Gauthier, chef Alexis Gauthier aims to change the expectations of fine dining and plant-based cuisine with his 25 years of gastronomic experience, offering tasting menus suitable for everyone. The restaurant specialises in seasonal, ethical food and modern French cooking, with a focus on vegetables. Diners can enjoy multiple courses of tasty and creative fine food in the crisp and clean dining area spread across three floors of the townhouse restaurant, with private dining spaces available. The wine list focuses on France, with wines available by the glass and bottle, and classic cocktails are also served.

L'Escargot offers traditional French cooking with contemporary influences in a unique and sophisticated environment filled with books, art, and decor. Dating back to 1741, it's steeped in history. Its refined and timeless setting is perfect for diners to enjoy classic French cuisine in the style of a Parisian brasserie, including dishes such as foie gras pâté, French onion soup, and halibut with champagne sauce. The wine list features an extensive selection of French bottles, with champagnes also available.

This pub in Soho isn't your run-of-the-mill boozer, as it has a French twist to it. Don't knock it 'til you try it though – the iconic establishment serves French delicacies such as foie gras and Gruyere toast, complemented by a choice of thirty champagnes and wines by the glass. Moreover, they have a strict no music, no phones, and no TV rule, providing a welcome escape from the craziness of the outside world and making it a popular spot for chatty people and even some famous folks.

Blanchette, a French bistro in Soho, was founded by three brothers who wanted to create a convivial and relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of family gatherings. The bistro's warm and inviting interior features exposed brick walls and an innovative menu that includes traditional starters such as steak tartare and croque monsieur, a cheese and honey pairing, and larger plates like mackerel escabeche and chicken ballotine.

The 28°-50° venues scattered across London are known for their merging of a kitchen menu with a wine bar. With a focus on straightforward, fresh, French-leaning European dishes, signature wine crates, and marble tables, these establishments also boast an award-winning wine list that can be ordered by the glass, carafe, or bottle. If you're feeling adventurous, the list even features rare wines from private collections, with sommeliers on hand to help you choose the perfect match.

Café Boheme is a chic dining spot that offers classic French cuisine all day long. Patrons can enjoy the soothing sounds of live jazz music every afternoon, making it the perfect complement to their food or drink. The menu boasts a wide range of options including delectable dishes like confit duck, steak frites, and ratatouille. With its charming ambiance, Café Boheme is a highly sought-after destination for a leisurely meal.

A well-known stalwart of high-end dining in London, Bob Bob Ricard features dining booths designed by David Collins and reminiscent of the Golden Age of Travel, with a touch of adventure. The menu offers British, French, and Russian dishes, including pies, Beef Wellington, steak tartare, vareniki dumplings, and Chicken Kyiv. Top-quality caviar and vodka are also available, and each table is fitted with a "Press for Champagne" button.

Randall & Aubin is an Anglo/French brasserie in Soho that has been serving seafood since 1996. In a lively setting with eclectic music choices and a glittering disco ball, you can enjoy classic French and British seafood from a changing menu featuring seasonal produce from local suppliers. Popular with all sorts of convivial crowds through the decades, Randall & Aubin is furnished with a marble-topped bar and bar-height shared tables.