What: The newest entry in London’s casual French dining scene, Café François, is located at the forefront of the Borough Yards development, just a short distance from Borough Market. While it pays homage to the classic French canteen, the restaurant offers a contemporary feel, influenced by Parisian cafés, California delis, and Montreal bistros.
Who: Café François is the sibling establishment of Maison François, located in St James’s and opened in 2020. Both venues are led by business partners François O’Neill and Ed Wyand, with O’Neill’s name featured prominently. He previously managed Brompton Bar & Grill in Knightsbridge, a venue that his family owned. The kitchen at Café François is helmed by Matthew Ryle, former head chef at Isabel in Mayfair and a 2018 finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals.
The Food: Ryle’s menu reflects the Francophile roots of Maison François while incorporating international influences on French cuisine. Dishes are presented in French and there are dedicated breakfast and brunch menus available (weekday breakfast from 7 am to 11:30 am and weekend brunch from 9 am to 4:30 pm). Options include oeuf piperade with baguette (£16), freshly made pastries (starting at £4), and a breakfast burrito with merguez, egg, piperade, cheese, avocado, and chilli (£14). The all-day menu features a variety of small and large plates for sharing and individual mains, showcasing signature dishes like moules marinière flatbread (£10), Comté gougères (£7), and pâté en croute, served with charcuterie and salade verte (£15). New offerings comprise crispy frog’s legs with sauce ravigote (£15), a grilled cheese sandwich with French onion dip (£14), and a generous sharing plate of prime rib with bone marrow, escargots, frites, and béarnaise sauce (£65).
To Drink: The wine list, curated by Daniel Illsley, is concise yet comprehensive, featuring selections from England, Italy, New Zealand, Hungary, and, of course, France. Prices are approachable, with glasses of red starting at £5. A cocktail menu is also available.
The Vibe: Café François has a more relaxed atmosphere compared to its sibling, providing a stylish yet casual dining experience that reflects the vibrant energy of nearby Borough Market. The space includes a deli counter and rotisserie at the entrance, an expansive open kitchen downstairs, as well as a bar and patisserie counter. Spanning two levels connected by a steel circular staircase, the venue accommodates over 100 guests and features a striking private dining room overlooking Borough Market.
And Another Thing: In addition to a patisserie counter offering a full range of desserts, Café François features a merchandise section with Picon Biere t-shirts and Café François-branded caps. O’Neill expresses enthusiasm for growing this segment, noting the potential of merchandise as a strong revenue stream when done right.
14-16 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD
cafefrancois.london
