Cafe François is the new spot from the Maison François team that has just opened down in Borough Yards. It’s got a plum position right in the middle of the new development with a great, very Parisian, courtyard out front – this is going to be a popular spot come summer. Inside is huge too with a casual bar area, a large downstairs dining room, and more seating upstairs plus a private dining room. That’s a lot of seats to fill but we reckon they’ve nailed the concept, offering affordable, crowd pleasing hits that are going to appeal to pretty much everyone.
Eat This
It’s a big menu with a fair few different sections – you’ve got breads, hors d’oeuvres, veg & salads, sandwiches, rotisserie, plats, bigger sharing dishes, and, best of all, a potato menu.
Definitely get one of the flatbreads. We loved our moules marinière version but the merguez and the croque monsieur sounded like banging options too. You must also order the anchovies, which come on thick rectangles of golden brioche and a dollop of Cafe de Paris sauce. You can’t go wrong with the pate en croute either but in truth, we’d rather see it served as a whole slice and lose the charcuterie and salad that the half slice does come with.
The sandwiches section is frankly ridiculous. There’s a grilled cheese with French onion dip; a soft shell crab banh mi; a foie gras, bacon and egg muffin; and finally, a Royale with cheese, bacon and béarnaise sauce. We went for the latter, an excellent burger dripping in sauce, but we’re planning a return for the other three soon. The rotisserie chicken with fries was also great and it’s well worth getting a pot of béarnaise sauce for dipping too.
Desserts are a big thing here, laid out in a nice display counter on the ground floor. There’s a lengthy line-up of eclairs, including the chocolate and salted caramel one we went for, plus tarte aux pommes and Paris-Brest. And if you’re too full, just get them to take home like we did.
Drink This
There’s a decent, well priced wine list with plenty available by the glass and carafe. There’s also three own label Cafe François wines made in collaboration with Franck and Véronique Terral in Bordeaux. We had their red with the burger and it was a great pairing.
Why Go
Sure, there’s more interesting, adventurous food available in Borough, but Cafe François has set out to be that dependable, affordable spot that is going to suit almost any occasion, from breakfast meetings to going out with mates or catching up with the family – and they’ve smashed it.
Key Information
Address | 14-16 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD
For more information | cafefrancois.london