French Restaurants in Dorking
1. The French Table
French restaurant in Surbiton
85 Maple Rd - KT6
“A local treasure” – Eric & Sarah Guignard’s long-established “little gem” in “a tree-lined road 10 minutes walk from Surbiton station” (“handy if you wish to enjoy their brilliant wine list”) remains a shining and much commented-on beacon in the ’burbs. “Eric and his team consistently create high-class modern French cuisine while Sarah and her front-of-house team provide very professional, very genuine service – dining here is first-class”. Even those who note “the somewhat unpromising shape of the room” say it “continues to provide an excellent experience year after year” and one that’s “very good value”. Top Tip – “they also have a great little pastry counter next door”.
2. The Cricketers
French restaurant in Cobham
Downside Common - KT11
Given its attractive setting on Downside Common, this “lovely country pub” (part of Raymond Blanc’s White Brasserie chain) in the heart of plush stockbroker belt would likely be a local destination come what may. But it also goes the extra mile and – though it’s not particularly ‘gastro’ – wins consistently high acclaim for its “cheerful welcoming staff” and high quality of cooking. “It was done up over the winter; and although there is no longer a set menu, the prices are reasonable in the current climate”. Top Menu Tip – “well-prepared steak and very good tartiflette starter”.
3. José Pizarro at The Swan Inn Esher
British, Modern restaurant in Esher
2 Hare Lane - KT10
Food TV staple José Pizarro’s first outfit outside the capital – and first gastroboozer (with rooms) – is set in “a not-completely-obvious location” in the Surrey ‘burbs. Reviews were slightly muted this year: while most praised the “great modern Spanish food” (including “fabulous tapas”), others noted a lack of atmosphere (“wouldn’t be hard to make it feel a bit more intimate”).
4. Chez Vous
French restaurant in Warlingham
432 Limpsfield Rd - CR6
2022 Review: The French cuisine may not be cutting-edge, but it is both consistent and highly accomplished at this ten-year-old restaurant with rooms in north Surrey. Chef owners Laurent Pacaud and Martin Bradley ran the business as a catering company for ten years before that.
5. Colette
French restaurant in Wimbledon
77 High Street Wimbledon - SW19
2022 Review: ‘A taste of rural France on the Fulham Road’ is the promise at this ‘gourmet traiteur’ in Chelsea: an early 2020 newcomer where dishes (to go or for delivery within 4 miles) are designed for reheating at home and prepared by Chris Hill, who most recently worked as a senior sous chef at The Ritz. It’s owned by Dimitri and Mira Plaquet, of a high-quality Belgian food group called La Villa Lorraine. They must be doing something right, as in mid 2021 they launched a second store in Wimbledon.
6. The French Tarte
French restaurant in Surbiton
83 Maple Road - KT6
2023 Review: This “lovely local friendly coffee shop” with a French accent and pastries is a spin-off from Eric and Sarah Guignard’s French Table next door, and does a particularly good Gallic take on the English afternoon tea.
7. Le Petit Nantais
French restaurant in East Molesey
41 Bridge Road - KT8
Still on top form after 27 years, scrum-half-turned-chef JP (Jean-Philippe) Gravier and his FOH English wife Kim won particularly strong feedback this year for the “fresh and creative dishes in a charming environment” at their classic Gallic bistro across the river from Hampton Court Palace. It’s “family-run from top to bottom”, with daughter Victoria working in the kitchen these days – so “what’s not to love”?
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