The story
Maison François operates as a continuous French brasserie in London, serving breakfast through dinner beneath a double height ceiling. The space centers around an open kitchen where cooks prepare Gallic staples alongside fresh deli items. This setup supports a steady flow of morning pastries and evening mains without losing its relaxed character. The layout deliberately avoids cramped tables, favouring comfortable seating that encourages lingering over a simple coffee or a full course meal.
The kitchen treats traditional recipes with straightforward discipline rather than modern experimentation. Entrecôte de boeuf au poivre and hake served with sauce bouillabaisse arrive at their expected temperatures every time. Roasted veal shoulder arrives with fat caramelised to a crisp edge, while cured meats like jambon noir de Bigorre pair cleanly with celeriac rémoulade. These consistently executed plates earned the establishment recognition in The Good Food Guide for maintaining high standards across every seat.
Guests can step down to Frank’s, a moodily lit wine bar and deli that shifts from daytime sandwiches to evening pours. The main floor features a lengthy cellar focused on France, complemented by selections from Europe and beyond. Evenings often conclude with a cart pushed through the room carrying macarons, tarte aux pommes, Paris-Brest, and mousse au chocolat. This combination of solid French cooking paired with accessible pricing makes the St James’s location stand out.
Recognition
Details
History
2 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence
Inspired by the French 'grand brasserie', and running from breakfast to dinner, Maison François is light and spacious, with an impressive double-height ceiling, an open kitchen at one end and Frank’s (a moodily lit wine bar) in the basement. The vibe is smart-casual with comfortable seats, reasonably spaced tables and unfailingly warm service (judging by feedback we've received). Indeed, one contributor who took advantage of a special offer of ‘very good’ moules frites for £15 had this to say: 'we were eating the cheapest meal on the menu, but were treated as though we had ordered the most expensive.' The carte is a dream line-up of Gallic classics (hake with sauce bouillabaisse, entrecôte de boeuf au poivre), and everything we ate was spot-on at our most recent visit. Pâte en croûte, Comté gougères and jambon noir de Bigorre with celeriac rémoulade proved to be just perfect, while côte de veau arrived precisely cooked with the fat beautifully caramelised. Then, as a finale, the desserts appeared. Can anyone resist a trolley laden with macarons, tarte aux pommes, Paris-Brest, mousse au chocolat and much more? Prices aren't greedy considering the well-heeled location (a short walk from Fortnum & Mason), while the lengthy wine list genuinely offers something for everyone, with France as the main contender but back-up from the rest of Europe and the New World.
Location
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