Best Contemporary French Restaurants in Bankside

29 restaurants available nearby

1. Gallery

4.7

Exceptional(8080)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary french • Covent Garden

Booked 44 times today

At the heart of Covent Garden, London, the Savoy Lounge (formerly Thames Foyer) serves as a beacon of British cuisine, offering a sumptuous array of traditional recipes with a contemporary twist. Renowned for its legendary afternoon tea, the Savoy Lounge excels in both service and presentation, capturing the essence of British dining with "outstanding service" and "delicious" fare. Guests frequently praise the "beautiful setting" and the "excellent attention to detail," making each visit memorable. Whether it's the classic afternoon tea or a vibrant lunch, the Savoy Lounge is a perfect embodiment of British culinary excellence, making it a must-visit for those seeking an authentic and luxurious dining experience in London.

2. The Wolseley City

4.6

Exceptional(82)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary french • London Bridge

Booked 1 time today

The Wolseley City, nestled near London Bridge, epitomizes the grandeur of Europe’s café culture with its all-day dining and exquisite European cuisine. Patrons rave about the "exceptional breakfast" and the "sumptuous Sunday roast," highlighting the authentic tastes and meticulous presentation that make each meal memorable. The restaurant’s monochrome design and landmark architecture provide a backdrop that enhances its vibrant yet refined atmosphere. Guests often mention the "impeccable service" and the ambiance that recalls the luxurious 1920s, complete with "live jazz music" that adds an extraordinary touch to the dining experience. The Wolseley City is a beacon of European culinary excellence in the heart of London.

3. Balthazar London

4.3

Awesome(5304)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary french • Covent Garden

Booked 132 times today

Nestled in the vibrant Covent Garden, London, Balthazar London is a gem for those seeking exceptional Contemporary French cuisine with a brasserie twist. Patrons rave about the "authentic Bistrot environment" and the "exceptionally tasty" dishes that reflect true French culinary artistry. The restaurant's dedication to quality is evident, with guests highlighting the "fresh oysters" and "delicious fruits de mer" that transport diners straight to France. A standout is the "delicious 3 course Prix Fixe dinner" which, along with the "superb service," makes Balthazar not just a meal, but a delightful French experience. As one diner puts it, this place is "above my expectation," making it a must-visit for lovers of French fare.

A photo of Palm Court Brasserie restaurant

4. Palm Court Brasserie

4.6

Exceptional(15254)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary french • Covent Garden

Booked 66 times today

Palm Court is the quintessential Parisian-style brasserie in the heart of Covent Garden. The restaurant has been lovingly crafted to recreate a classical 1920’s art nouveau-style venue echoing elegant dining rooms in Paris’s most affluent arrondissements.The restaurant offers a menu of French classics centred on seasonal meat, fish, seafood and vegetable dishes with quality and flavour at the forefront of our work. Whether you are dining for lunch with colleagues, dinner with a special someone, for Afternoon Tea with family or simply stopping by for a glass of wine, Palm Court Brasserie resonates the ideal environment to help you relax and unwind. Our wine list boasts an enviable list of labels spanning the vineyards of France, Italy and the New World.

A photo of Boulevard Brasserie restaurant

5. Boulevard Brasserie

4.5

Awesome(11884)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary french • Covent Garden

Booked 27 times today

Boulevard Brasserie is one of Covent Garden’s most iconic restaurants fixtures. Serving heart-warming French classics since 1991, this grande dame of brasseries is the perfect place to soak up Covent Garden's unique cultural heritage. Set over three intimate floors with views of the Royal Opera House and décor reminiscent of 1920’s art nouveau Europe, Boulevard Brasserie echoes a true sense of Parisian style in London’s own Theatreland. The restaurant and café offers a selection of carefully curated menus founded on seasonality, freshness and flavour. Guests can choose from our popular Lunch and Pre-Theatre Menu, Light Lunches, Dinner Menu all serving Parisian classics such as French Onion Soup, Moules Marinière & frites, Croque Monsieur, Coq au vin, Crème Brûlée and our much-loved Traditional Afternoon Tea Menu.

6. The NoMad London

4.4

Awesome(1746)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary french • Covent Garden

Booked 43 times today

Set in the vibrant heart of Covent Garden, The NoMad London offers an authentic British dining experience that is both eclectic and exquisite. The restaurant, praised for its Edwardian greenhouse ambiance, provides a menu that celebrates the richness of British cuisine with locally sourced ingredients from farm, field, and coast. Guests rave about the "amazing food" and "excellent service," highlighting the restaurant's ability to deliver both comfort and decadence. With glowing reviews like "the best food and service I have ever received at a restaurant" and an atmosphere described as perfect for a "lovely night," The NoMad London stands out as a top destination for those seeking a truly British culinary experience in an unforgettable setting.

A photo of The Restaurant at St Martins Lane London restaurant

7. The Restaurant at St Martins Lane London

4.2

Awesome(274)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary french • Covent Garden

Booked 6 times today

Nestled in the vibrant Covent Garden, London, The Restaurant at St Martins Lane offers a sublime escape into the world of Contemporary French cuisine. Celebrated for its chic ambiance and impeccably crafted French-inspired dishes, this dining spot has garnered glowing testimonials from diners. Patrons rave about the "visual and palatable experience" with standout dishes like the smoked octopus. The menu is an artful blend of tradition and innovation, with guests often remarking on the "fabulous food" and "exceptional service." As one pleased guest noted, the dining experience here is not just a meal, but a "highlight of our London trip," making it a must-visit for anyone seeking to indulge in authentic and high-quality French cuisine in the heart of the city.

A photo of CORE by Clare Smyth restaurant

8. CORE by Clare Smyth

4.9

Exceptional(3489)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary french • Notting Hill

Booked 19 times today

CORE by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill, London, stands as a beacon of Contemporary European cuisine, infused with a distinctive British flair. Since its opening in 2017, the restaurant has captivated diners with its "sublime" and "meticulously put together" dishes, as one patron noted, emphasizing the harmonious blend of flavors. The dedication to excellence is palpable, with guests praising the "exceptional food and service" and an ambiance that marries elegance with comfort. Reviews consistently highlight the "thoughtful food" and the skilled staff that makes each dining experience memorable. CORE by Clare Smyth is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of contemporary culinary artistry, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking the pinnacle of fine dining in London.

9. Pique-Nique

4.8

Exceptional(49)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary french • Bermondsey

Booked 2 times today

Nestled in the scenic Bermondsey, London, Pique-Nique is a beacon of French culinary artistry, delighting diners with its "extraordinary, authentic, and creative French cuisine" in a beautifully restored pavilion. The restaurant consistently earns accolades for its "exceptional" food, with dishes such as Veal T Bone and Fig Soufflé, praised for their exquisite flavors and presentation. Diners revel in the "relaxing and inspiring" atmosphere, enhanced by views of the park and the Shard. The thoughtfulness extends to families, offering a stress-free dining experience where "the kids enjoyed their chicken and chips" while adults indulge in "yummy cocktails." With a "super friendly team" and a wine list that impresses connoisseurs, Pique-Nique stands out as a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of France in the heart of London.

10. Le Cafe du Marche

4.7

Exceptional(1380)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary french • Barbican

Booked 3 times today

Le Cafe du Marche, nestled in the quaint Barbican area of London, epitomizes the essence of European dining with its authentic French charm and cuisine. Celebrated for maintaining high standards for over three decades, this family-run gem offers a slice of the south of France right in the heart of London. Patrons are consistently impressed, describing it as a place where you can enjoy "excellent food and service" and an atmosphere that's "always a pleasure to eat here." With live jazz enhancing the ambiance, and a menu featuring classics like confit duck and chateaubriand, Le Cafe du Marche promises a truly European dining experience. As one delighted diner puts it, "It's such a romantic place for dinner – candlelight and live piano music make it impossible not to be seduced by the place."

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

G
Georgia
Turkey •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Very nice food, good quality for such reasonable prices. In the heart of London with such a nice environment and very polite staff.
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Balthazar LondonPrice: Expensive• French• Covent Garden
•
4.3
L
LauraVIP
London •25 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
Lovely interiors and great service. Food was a bit bland, expected a bit more flavour but overall we had a very nice Xmas eve breakfast there
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The Wolseley CityPrice: Moderate• Contemporary French• London Bridge
•
4.6
P
PatrickVIP
London •26 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent atmospheric brasserie right in the heart of London, the set price menu seems to be good value, I had an excellent and very tasty, large, piping hot mushroom soup and a chicken main course, that was perfectly seasoned and extremely tasty. Efficient friendly service; I will certainly come again soon.
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Boulevard BrasseriePrice: Moderate• Contemporary French• Covent Garden
•
4.5
J
Janet
London •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The restaurant was very much in demand as it was 23 Dec and practically Christmas. We were a party of 6 and I was extremely pleased with the level of service, standard of food and atmosphere even though they must have been under a lot of pressure. We were made to feel welcome and well looked after.
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Palm Court BrasseriePrice: Moderate• Contemporary French• Covent Garden
•
4.6
L
Louise
Kent •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Without a doubt the best afternoon tea we have had. The food was absolutely delicious and our server Dylan was so welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. We had asked before hand if our daughter could have plain ham sandwiches and it was all prepared for her without any trouble. We will definitely be returning next Christmas for festive afternoon tea at The Savoy Gallery.
More info
GalleryPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary British• Covent Garden
•
4.7

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Best Contemporary French Restaurants in Bankside

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29 restaurants available nearby

1. Gallery

2. The Wolseley City

3. Balthazar London

4. Palm Court Brasserie

5. Boulevard Brasserie

6. The NoMad London

7. The Restaurant at St Martins Lane London

8. CORE by Clare Smyth

9. Pique-Nique

10. Le Cafe du Marche

See what locals rave about

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