This longstanding bistro in the heart of Belgravia is about as quintessentially French as they come. Inside, the place is festooned with dried herbs and baskets of foliage hanging from the ceiling, while fairytale-like candlesticks, bare brick walls and a mish-mash of antique furniture ooze old-school charm. Apparently, the décor has barely changed since opening in the 60s – a fact that we can believe.
Yes, if you’re looking for a place with all of the vibes, Le Poule au Pot delivers them in buckets. The private dining room downstairs offers the same cosiness and retro romanticism as the rest of the restaurant, with seating for up to 16 guests.
The room is complete with a wooden fireplace and bric-a-brac furniture, while the space itself is illuminated by little more than an avenue of candlesticks along the centre of the table. It’s available to hire for lunch, dinner and everything in between, providing a seriously comforting space for family celebrations or a corporate dinner.
The food reflects its traditional, French-inspired surroundings and guests can choose from two-course or three-course menus, along with a selection of specials which are priced separately. Everything is written in French of course! Starters include French onion soup, chicken liver pate and salmon terrine, while mains feature the likes of boeuf bourguignon, traditional cassoulet, coq au vin and steak frites. For dessert, there's no shortage of all the classic favourites: opt for crème brûlée, tarte tatin, chocolate mousse or ice cream.
When it comes to the wine (because what else would one serve with a French meal?), they’re listed by region with varieties sourced from Bordeaux, Rhone, Beaujolias and Bourgogne rouges. Bottles don’t come cheap though with the most reasonable option starting from around £30.
During the warmer months, guests can dine at extensive outdoor seating and watch the streets of Belgraiva go by with a glass of pinot noir.