Reminiscing tiny cafes with sobered-up palettes and warm coffee to keep you company, France and India have found a way to bridge the gap, through Food.
The French cuisine is now India’s one of the most sought-after fares amidst food lovers and connoisseurs. It’s beyond tasty macarons and buttery croissants – it’s cheesy fondues and raclettes, quiche lorraines and tartiflette, and much more that has your tongue tied. Literally.
Knife into juicy steaks or satiate your sweet tooth as we bring to you India’s French restaurants, we think you absolutely need to cherish. Take a peek:
L’Opera, Gurgaon
India’s finest most affordable French bakery has turned more into a household name than just another expensive French place. You’ll find walnut cakes, chocolate éclairs, cookies and macarons and so much more surreally delicious. Founder Laurent made sure no aspect of his finery was overlooked and it’s clearly been evident in the top-tier quality of everything the bakery offers.
What to try: Their Lemon Tarts, Chocolate Éclair and Macarons
Quick fact: did you know macarons and macaroons are two different items? Macarons are the brightly-hued French sandwiches while the macaroons are essentially coconut-based cookies!
Le Cirque, Delhi
Overlooking the city’s skyline, Le Cirque is Delhi’s gem. It’s established at The Leela, conforming to a standard exquisite and charming. You’ll be falling for their menu serving cheese platters, chicken and pork and fresh seafood straight out on your plate.
What to try: Their Crème Brulee
Orient Express, New Delhi
Inspired by the infamous train Venice-Simplon Orient Express, the bistro offers fine French cuisine with a unique sitting concept. The menu takes inspiration from all the places the train has travelled so you may expect flavors from all around Europe. Whether it’s their soufflés or tagliatelle or wine and dessert, the Orient Express is a fine dining experience.
What to try: Their Double Cooked Cheese Soufflé and Chocolate Fondant
Slink and Bardot, Mumbai
Slink and Bardot paraphrases an evening for the love birds with warm servings and music to lean on. Delicacies include Tartine Smoked Salmon, some fresh Lobster & Swiss Chard and a separate bar menu to accompany your feast. Don’t be fooled by the avant garde entry, once you walk in, you’re earthed right back to the point you feast on their food when you’re soaring once again.
What to try: Their Brie En Courte and Tartines
Le Pain Quotidien, Mumbai
Simple quality food made from fresh ingredients is what Le Pain Quotidien’s all about. You’ll find eatables like croissants, tartines and a classic French toast on the menu. To accompany, desserts like the warm centered chocolate cake and pain au chocolat are also served. If you’re seeking something light yet deliciously filling, Le Pain is worth all the prices.
What to Try: Coffee, Chicken Stroganoff and Waffles
Café Noir, Bangalore
A modern stop for all your French cravings. Café Noir is nestled with a wide range of dishes and desserts to choose from. You can opt from a multitude of salads and sandwiches, croquets and quiches and of course the famous macarons. You’re spoilt for choice with every item they have.
What to Try: Fish & Chips, Croissants, and Grilled Basa
GYLT, Bangalore
GYLT is where the extravaganza and grandeur meets food and drinkables. Every item you call for is plated and glassed in utmost detail. The mocktails are, however, the bistro’s specialty. The precision and time taken to curate just one drink goes to show how flavorsome and beautiful the drinks truly are.
What to Try: Their unsurpassable mocktails and cocktails
Brasserie Cinq, Pune
One of the best, if not the best restaurants in Pune – welcome to Brasserie Cinq. Chef Ambar Rode’s recipes stretch from grilled prawns and sous-vide stuffed chicken to linguini and tortellini dishes. Even the desserts are a paradise. The fresh ingredients, meticulous attention to details and the burst of French flavors is a combined effort to this beloved bistro’s legacy.
What to Try: French Onion Soup, Salmon Roulade and Blueberry and Raspberry Cheesecake
Les Saveurs, Pondicherry
Nestled in a warm and cozy ambience, Les Saveurs is an exceptional destination for French and European cuisine. Precision is heavy over flavors and adorning so you’re not only feeding yourself but also your eyes. French specialties include their ratatouille stack, crepe sucrees, chicken steaks and more. Meticulous and passionate, White Town’s Les Saveurs is a must-go if you’re in the area.
What to Try: The Sea Food
Le Dupleix, Pondicherry
White Town’s another most dependable for French food, Le Dupleix is simply classic with a fresh mix of Indo-French ambience and mouth-watering dishes. Think brandy infused chicken skewer with barbeque sauce, yummy mustard marinated red snapper with lemon butter sauce and fresh mackerel with beetroot mashed potatoes. The evening drapes open with live music that runs along the whole night. Perfect for an outing, Le Dupleix is just as majestic as it sounds.
What to Try: Rissoto, Raviolli and Wine
Skimp the modern and dip right back in some fresh unfathomable French cuisine. Even if it’s not your cup of tea, we’re sure you’ll like a dish or two perched on your favorites list forever.
