You don’t need a visa to visit Borough Market.
An observation that might seem astonishingly irrelevant were it not for the fact that a lovely little Parisian canteen has opened its doors there, promising to transport you to the City of Light with an all-day menu of French patisserie, rotisserie chicken, and many other things not ending in ‘-isserie’.
Café François is the sophomore spot from the team behind Maison François, so naturally, it leans into being both stylish & delicious. Nestled in Borough Yards, the space mixes industrial touches like exposed brickwork, a steel staircase, and sleek wooden benches with classic French bistro chairs. The vibe is like stepping into a glitzy factory—especially with all the waiters clad in green and orange overalls.
The front of the restaurant feels more like a café, with coffee & cakes on display, but head towards the back and you’ll find the proper dining section. It’s an all-day affair, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner served throughout the week. Sundays, however, are reserved for a leisurely brunch and lunch menu.
Expect classic French dishes like escargots served in the shell, steak frites, moules frites, and the quiche of the day. It’s simple food, but done well — making it a decent shout for a quick stop during a day out in Central or a casual, low-stakes date. But honestly, the real highlight here is dessert. The patisserie team crafts everything from scratch, and whether you’re after a pecan & vanilla éclair, a raspberry gâteau, or their standout Paris Brest and fig tart, the sweet offerings are worth dropping in for, even if it’s just for coffee & tarts.
With exec chef Matthew Ryle overseeing things, you can also expect breakfast egg dishes, lunchtime salads, and brasserie classics like Toulouse sausage with lentils, monkfish Vadouvan curry, and lobster frites come evening.
Or don’t share, if you’re feeling shellfish.
NOTE: Café François is open now. You can find out more, and book, on the Café François website.
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Cafe François | 14-16 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD
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