Le Guide Michelin, France’s annual list of Michelin starred restaurants, will be released next month.
Last year saw 70 new establishments join the growing list of 616 Michelin star restaurants in France. The guide will undoubtedly offer up plenty more restaurants worth going out of your way to visit this year.
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However, tired of waiting to find out Michelin’s pick of the best places to eat in 2018, we turned to top restaurant critic Andy Hayler for some advice.
Ranked restaurants based on their price, value for money and overall quality; here are Hayler’s top 11 recommended French restaurants:
Lameloise – Chagny, France
French, European cuisine served in a homely setting in the quiet commune of Chagny.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * * |
£160pp |
* * * * |
Discussing his 2015 visit to Lameloise, Hayler said:
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By GlobalData“Overall this was a magnificent meal, with dish after superb dish showing off the talents of a chef at the height of his capabilities. There are plenty of somewhat disappointing three star Michelin restaurants around these days, but this is not one of them.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Bresse chicken with tarragon butter
Les Pres Eugenie – Eugenie-les-Bains
French, European cuisine served under star chef Michel Guerard.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * * |
£167pp |
* * * * |
Having last visited Les pres Eugenie in September 2017, Hayler said:
“Michel Guerard is still operating at the highest level, still coming up with new dishes, and making the most of the superb produce of the area. The cooking style here is deceptively simple, dishes have no more elements than they need, the culinary techniques flawless.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Langoustines
Les Loges de Aubergarde – Puymirol
Creative and original French cuisine made using locally sourced produce.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * |
£175pp |
* * * * |
Service at Los Loges de Aubergarde, Hayler told us, is patchy. However, the quality of the food makes up for any shortcomings:
“Overall, I found the cooking to be technically excellent and innovative. This thoroughly deserved its three stars, and indeed is much better than many restaurants with this accolade.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Salt cod
Ledoyen – Paris
A modern take on classical French cuisine, served in a historic Parisian location.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * * |
£180pp |
* * * * |
Speaking on his 2011 visit to Ledoyen, Hayler said:
“Service, as so often at the top French places, was faultless, with not a slip in sight and effortless topping up of water, wine and bread.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Sea bream
Meurice – Paris
French cuisine served under multiple Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * * |
£180pp |
* * * * |
Hayler noted Meurice for its atmosphere, excellent food and reasonable cost:
“Meurice has a beautiful Belle Epoque dining room, and is truly luxurious in every way. Tables are very generously spaced and the service is impeccable.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Steamed morels with vin jaune sauce
Auberge du Vieux Puits – Fontjoncouse
French cuisine served in a timber inn, off the beaten track in Fontjoncouse, Aude.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * * |
£185pp |
* * * * |
Auberge du Vieux Puits is one of France’s hidden gems, according to Hayler:
“Because this restaurant is off the beaten track and has no PR machine behind it, it is barely known in the English-speaking world. Yet this is without doubt some of the most sophisticated cooking you will find anywhere at the moment.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Lobster with crystallised courgette flowers
PIC – Valence
Balancing aesthetics and taste, PIC is one of France’s most highly-rated restaurants.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * * |
£190pp |
* * * |
Having last visited the popular French restaurant in June 2016, Hayler said:
“PIC is one of the great restaurants of the world, and is far from resting on its laurels after more than a century in operation.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Duck liver crème brulee
Olivier Roellinger – Cancale
Olivier Roellinger is no longer a Michelin star restaurant, but continues to serve high quality French cuisine.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
N/A |
£200pp |
* * * |
Hayler gave Olivier Roellinger a glowing review upon visiting in 2008, recommending the restaurant for its fish dishes, raspberries and coffee:
“Overall this was a fabulous meal, a very strong three star restaurant at the height of its abilities.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: John Dory
Troisgros – Roanne, Loire
Traditional French cuisine served in a stylish, modern setting.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * * |
£204pp |
* * * |
Hayler noted Troisgros for its reasonable prices, despite its three star status:
“The prices here are considerably less than equivalent restaurants in Paris, and the wine list is very fairly priced, almost absurdly so in places. The technical skills on display here and considerable, and the quality of ingredients is top notch. The best dishes here are simply world class, and Troisgros thoroughly deserves its considerable reputation as one of the iconic fine dining restaurants in France.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Tender crayfish
l’Ambroisie – Paris
Simple French cuisine that avoids the unusual, served in an historic Parisian square.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * * |
£260pp |
* * |
Hayler commended l’Ambroisie for its simple approach during his 2015 visit:
“Ambroisie expresses a very pure form of high end French cooking. There are no gimmicks, and no artfully tweezered flowers to keep the Instagram set happy. No culinary boundaries are breached; and no foraged herbs are introduced into your dessert to show off how clever and cutting edge the kitchen is.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Bresse chicken with tarragon butter.
Guy Savoy – Paris
Award-winning European cuisine served by star chef Guy Savoy.
Hayler’s rating |
Michelin stars |
Average price |
Value for money |
20/20 |
* * * |
£330pp |
* * |
Despite averaging at more than £300 per meal, Hayler recommends Guy Savoy for its quality ingredients and well-constructed meals:
“Guy Savoy is never going to be a cheap evening. However, if you can afford it then you will have a wonderful time here.”
Hayler’s recommended dish: Wagyu beef
