La Garrigue has been named as the Scottish regional winner of the Good Food Guide Readers' Restaurant of the Year. Featured on Ramsey's Best Restaurants Gordon described La Garrigue as an "amazing little bistro". Come along and sample the flavours of the Languedoc at either in Edinburgh's New Town or City Centre.
Le Marché Français
- Food served: Mon–Thu 7am–7pm; Fri–Sat 7am–9.30pm. Closed Sun.
- Pre-theatre times: Thu–Sat 5.30—6.45pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 2
- Delivery: No charge – outside catering
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access
- Music on stereo: French easy listening and classical
- Capacity: 45
- Largest group: 35
- Open since: 1999
- Average price:
£6.95 (set lunch)
£14 (evening meal) - House wine: £10.50 per bottle
Send us more details about this place.
The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner you want, this small corner of France in the West End fits the bill. Open from 7am for coffee and croissants, it offers a good mix of café and restaurant, with a few tables in the window, high tables and chairs by the counter, and a dining-area through the back. The core menu of standards is augmented with seasonal plats du jour including croques, quiches and salads. For dinner, a selection of charcuterie includes a loose-textured rabbit pâté. The vegetarian starter of portobello mushroom is generously stuffed with cheese and garlic. Snails and frog's legs are among the mains, but tender rabbit leg in a creamy mustard sauce is an tempting alternative. So is duck leg confit or there is a good selection of typically French 'composed salads' instead. Desserts are just as diverse. An éclair oozes chocolate crème pâtissière, the clafoutis is rich with cherries and berries. All is served with good humour and a engaging enthusiasm for the food and wine.
- High point: Great to see a French restaurant doing good salads
- Low point: Amiably rough around the edges
Reviews of Le Marché Français (9a West Maitland Street, Edinburgh)
- 6. S.Smith, Falkirk – 10 October 2010, 9:34am
Le Marché FrançaisReport -
I am a not infrequent visitor to France. Dining in a French cafe in Scotland, I look for a cafe run by French people, with a friendly atmosphere, and interesting original surroundings - Le Marche Francais fulfils all of these.
As a vegetarian, I look for a good selection of vegetarian options,
which there definitely are in this cafe.Le marche Francais is a delight,one of my favourite places, I have no hesitation in recommending it
- 5. I. Piper, Edinburgh – 5 October 2010, 2:02pmLe Marché FrançaisReport
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I find "Le marche Francais" a delight. I eat at this little restaurant on a regular basis whether it's for lunch, dinner or just to drop in for a coffee and croissant. The atmosphere is cosy, the staff friendly and the picture of the Eiffel tower looming on the back wall says it all. . . close your eyes and feel yourself in a street cafe in Paris. I have been a regular under both the old and new management and I have noted a marked improvement not only in the decor but also in the enthusiasm and positive attitude of staff, an indication to me that the new management inspires confidence. As for the Boeuf Bourguignon. . . one of my favourites and I can't say I have ever had a similar experience as that described by one of the earlier reviewers... must have just been "One of those Days" for all concerned.
I thoroughly recommend trying out this delightful export of France.
- 4. Louis Jadot, Edinburgh – 22 May 2010, 11:18am
Le Marché FrançaisReport -
Having read the promising reviews on this website and in the new edition of the List Eating and Drinking Guide we booked a table at this venue. Our expectations were for simple French dishes served in a no-nonsense setting. Given the good reviews I was slightly suprised when we arrived at 8pm on a Friday night to find the place empty.
The wine I initially requested on the (very grubby and dog-eared) list was not available, and my request for a Gin & Tonic was turned down as apparently they no longer sell it despite being on the wine list too. No matter, we chose an alternative bottle of mid-range claret which was fine.
The starter of snails was as expected and nice, whilst the Red Pepper and Goats Cheese salad was noticably lacking in red peppers, and the grilled goats cheese was infact the thinnest suggestion of goats cheese smeered on toasted baguette.
The main of Confit de Canard delivered a nice confit duck leg let down by a lack of seasoning, but the accompanying veg was rather dissapointing, in particular only 4 tiny quarters of a roast new potato.
The Boeuf Bourguignon was what inspired me to write this review. It is the worst dish I have ever been served anywhere in the world. Very dry, tough and peculiar meat (I suppose it was beef but it didn't have any beef flavour) was served in a glutonous tasteless sauce reminiscent of school dinners. There was clearly no wine in the sauce. My opinion is that I was served budget tinned beef stew, I couldn't eat it. On informing the waiter of my dissapointment there was no attempt to offer me an alternative dish, and when the bill came I had to ask for the price of the beef to be deducted. No apology was made but there was a peculiar explanation that it was due to a new "brand" being used and they had had similar complaints. I guess my suspicions of it being tinned were correct.
Whether there has been a change of chef or owner since the previous reviews I am not sure, but from our experience this is a place best avoided. Note to owners: If you have a city centre restaurant in Edinburgh and only have 2 customers on a Friday night, it might be a sign you need to up your game.
- 3. Angua, Gifford – 15 October 2009, 6:07amLe Marché FrançaisReport
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Since 2007, I go nowhere else in Edinburgh when I have un désir ardent to eat something delectably French, as southern French cuisine (olive oil, wine & spices, rather than the butter & cream of Paris) is infinitely appealing to this gitana gringa.
I share Le Marché Français with a very select few - not because there is anything elitist or exclusive about the venue, Pierre or his staff, but because, rather selfishly, I don't wish the world to be too much with us!
Vous méritez toute la chance du monde.
Une femme des goûts élémentaires et de discernement de base, naturellement!
- 2. Lynda, Edinburgh – 16 September 2009, 5:17pmLe Marché FrançaisReport
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This is a lovely little place. The decor is somewhat basic but I found it quite pleasing to sit in and cosy. Food is very tasty, the Croque Monsieur was really good. Lovely wine. I have had better creme brulee though. Would definitely revisit.
- 1. MartinL, Edinburgh – 10 August 2009, 5:37pmLe Marché FrançaisReport
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Have eaten in here quite a few times, and regularly get soup, sandwich and pastry from here at lunchtime (*excellent* value).
Sitting in, the food is always fresh, tasty and properly French. Don't be put off by the slightly basic decor. Highly recommended.
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