Soho · London
The French House is a Soho pub at 49 Dean Street, trading since 1891 — as the York Minster until 1984 — with a small dining room upstairs where Neil Borthwick has run the kitchen since 2018, under landlady Lesley Lewis. It is a pub first, which is why the food is easy to miss. Fourteen people now name it anyway: TopJaw’s chef interviews, the Evening Standard’s critic, Andy Hayler and The Infatuation’s London editor all arriving at the same address.
order: madeleinesorder: steak fritesorder: oysters, steak
restaurant critic
The French House is charming, serving appealing rustic French food in a friendly, relaxed environment.
Said on Andy Hayler's Restaurant Guide · read
editorial lead, The Infatuation London
Just go and become a part of the story—and eat seriously good steak frites while you’re at it.
Said on The Infatuation · read
comedian & actor
Go to the French House and have one of the best meals you've ever had in your life.
Said on TopJaw · watch
chef-owner, 40 Dean Street (Soho)
You can't go wrong with Lesley. We love Lesley.
Said on TopJaw · watch
landlord & co-owner, The Devonshire (Soho)
chef & broadcaster
Loads of my mates just say it's great, confident cooking, great food, I know I'm going to have a good night there.
Said on TopJaw · watch
owner, Dough Hands (London)
The French House. You feel like you're part of a little secret. No one's just stumbling in there.
Said on TopJaw · watch
chef-proprietor, Quo Vadis (Soho)
Best pub or bar, French House on Dean Street. Best fun.
Said on TopJaw · watch
founder, Crispin
Best restaurant in London: French House, probably.
Said on TopJaw · watch
chef-owner, Tiella
Best for solo dining, the French House. Make a day of it, get a few oysters, have a steak.
Said on TopJaw · watch
restaurant critic, Evening Standard
If you don't go there, you've got to go to the Ritz or the French House.
Said on TopJaw · watch
chef-owner, Sabor & Legado
Best restaurant in London, the French House.
Said on TopJaw · watch
See these on the map
GoodFinds collects what chefs, critics and people who'd know actually recommend — sourced, ranked and mapped. Get it on the App Store.
Published 2026-09-09