France's 6 favourite restaurants in 2024

It’s no secret: good food holds a special place in the heart of every self-respecting French person. Whether savoring coq au vin, beef bourguignon, quiche lorraine, or more refined dishes crafted with high-quality local ingredients, no fewer than 4 out of 10 French people this year reported dining out at least once a month. To highlight these restaurants delighting diners across France, several gastronomic awards take place annually, such as the TheFork Awards, held yesterday. Chosen by the general public, who were invited to vote online between June 10 and September 30, these awards celebrate a selection of restaurants from across the country. They aim to promote sharing and the art of culinary storytelling. Let’s take a look at this year’s six major winners, where their restaurants are located, and, most importantly, the chefs behind the magic.

This year, the Grand Public Prize winner is ExtrA, located in Reims, helmed by chef Philippe Joly and sponsored by Arnaud Lallement. This Art Deco-inspired restaurant in the Halles district stands out not only for its eco-responsible approach but also for its inclusivity, with several staff members in the kitchen and dining room having mental disabilities. The five Public Awards were distributed across France: In Cabourg, Symbiose, the gastronomic table of Norman chef Charles-Antoine Jouxtel and Provençal sommelier Charlotte Schwab, was supported by four prestigious sponsors: Christophe Bacquié, who mentored the duo, as well as Arnaud Donckele, David Gallienne, and Stéphane Carbone. In Montpellier, Céna, the restaurant of Clément Briand-Seurat, was celebrated thanks to Gilles Goujon and Stéphane Paroche. In Strasbourg, Bistrot Coco, led by Constant Meyer, earned recognition through the recommendation of Gilles Leininger. In the mountains of Margencel, Haute-Savoie, Sechex-Nous, run by Lucas Damielle, was praised with the support of René and Maxime Meilleur. Finally, in Paris, the standout was Amalia, located in the 11th arrondissement. This venue, run by Italian-born pastry chef Cecilia Spurio and chef Eugenio Anfuso, was applauded for its boldness and signature dishes, such as a celery root tartlet with mushrooms, hazelnuts, and Parmesan, or pasta elevated with foie gras butter, aged Comté cheese, and balsamic vinegar.