Best Local Restaurant
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Les 2 Garçons

London, Crouch End - French - Restaurant - ££

Dyed-in-the-wool French neighbourhood bistro

Overall Rating: Very Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Very Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Very Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Very Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Very Good

A genuine restaurant du quartier, if ever there was, this Crouch End spot is run by the titular duo of Robert Reid at the stoves and Jean-Christophe Slowik (JC, to the army of regulars) out front. If only one of them is French, he is at least bubbling over with enough unabashed Gallic bonhomie for two. Battleship-grey panelling, undressed tables and a trio of blackboards busily covered in numerous chalk-scribbled specials form a backdrop to Reid's assured bourgeois cooking. You might easily guess what's on the menu, sight unseen (soupe à l'oignon gratinée, garlic-buttered escargots, Bayonne ham with celeriac rémoulade for starters), although you might not anticipate the panache with which the dishes are realised – or the uncommon quality of the raw materials. Moving on, mains might bring entrecôte or ribeye steaks with béarnaise sauce and piles of frites or smoked haddock in mustard sauce topped with a poached egg. The non-meat alternative of, ...

A genuine restaurant du quartier, if ever there was, this Crouch End spot is run by the titular duo of Robert Reid at the stoves and Jean-Christophe Slowik (JC, to the army of regulars) out front. If only one of them is French, he is at least bubbling over with enough unabashed Gallic bonhomie for two. Battleship-grey panelling, undressed tables and a trio of blackboards busily covered in numerous chalk-scribbled specials form a backdrop to Reid's assured bourgeois cooking.

You might easily guess what's on the menu, sight unseen (soupe à l'oignon gratinée, garlic-buttered escargots, Bayonne ham with celeriac rémoulade for starters), although you might not anticipate the panache with which the dishes are realised – or the uncommon quality of the raw materials. Moving on, mains might bring entrecôte or ribeye steaks with béarnaise sauce and piles of frites or smoked haddock in mustard sauce topped with a poached egg.

The non-meat alternative of, say, artichokes with ratatouille and chickpeas in cumin-scented roast tomato sauce shows more consideration for veggies than you might find in many a traditional French bistro. Finish with rum baba and apricot compôte or tarte fine aux pommes. A French wine list covers all bases, with glasses from £7.95, plus still or sparkling Kir to start.

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J Ralph

10 May 2026

The small quirky restaurant is quite tightly packed and noisy. Miserable isolationist diners beware, friendly conversation with nearby guests is inevitable. The atmosphere is that of a busy French brasserie, but the food...
The small quirky restaurant is quite tightly packed and noisy. Miserable isolationist diners beware, friendly conversation with nearby guests is inevitable. The atmosphere is that of a busy French brasserie, but the food is way beyond that. The garlic snails were as good as any I have eaten in la France profonde; the skate with lemon was the best I have ever eaten; and the gorgeous rum baba should be avoided by anyone who doesn't drink. Combine this with the great service, the obvious enthusiasm...
The small quirky restaurant is quite tightly packed and noisy. Miserable isolationist diners beware, friendly conversation with nearby guests is inevitable. The atmosphere is that of a busy French brasserie, but the food is way beyond that. The garlic snails were as good as any I have eaten in la France profonde; the skate with lemon was the best I have ever eaten; and the gorgeous rum baba should be avoided by anyone who doesn't drink. Combine this with the great service, the obvious enthusiasm of the staff and the overall pleasure of the dining experience and this is a restaurant not to be missed.
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I Popper

20 April 2026

Always get a warm welcome here. Cooking is excellent, with a good choice of dishes, sometimes brought to the table by the chef himself. The owner-patrons are old colleagues and friends who have set up Les 2 Garcons to be the perfect local quartier - and they have succeeded. Great ambience and friendly atmosphere add to the experience.

J HEWES

2 April 2026

The dream local French bistro airlifted to North London, Les 2 Garcons ticks every box. The food is classic French fare, not afraid of humble ingredients or deceptively simple dishes, always beautifully executed and with...
The dream local French bistro airlifted to North London, Les 2 Garcons ticks every box. The food is classic French fare, not afraid of humble ingredients or deceptively simple dishes, always beautifully executed and with a varied menu that makes you want everything on it and always necessitates tough choices. The wine list is predominantly French, not straying too far off the beaten track, fairly priced and pitch perfect for the food. But what makes this a great local restaurant is the welcome a...
The dream local French bistro airlifted to North London, Les 2 Garcons ticks every box. The food is classic French fare, not afraid of humble ingredients or deceptively simple dishes, always beautifully executed and with a varied menu that makes you want everything on it and always necessitates tough choices. The wine list is predominantly French, not straying too far off the beaten track, fairly priced and pitch perfect for the food. But what makes this a great local restaurant is the welcome and service from JC and Robert and their small team, the almost certainty that you will bump into friends, and the introduction of great Friday lunch deals. Could hardly be bettered.
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L Landells

3 September 2024

We had the scallops (as always) and a côte de boeuf with marvellous vegetables, perfectly done. Followed by a mandatory rhum baba. We had not booked and the restaurant was full, but the maitre d’ and chef managed to get a table set up for us anyway. Really great hosts.

VENUE DETAILS

14 Middle Lane
Crouch End
N8 8PLGB

020 8347 9834

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OTHER INFORMATION

Private dining room, Dog friendly

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