L’Assiette

The Verdict

The French have really outdone themselves when it comes to introducing the world to all sorts of deliciousness. Croissants, crêpes and croque-monsieurs… is it any wonder we’re head over heels for French cuisine in all its pastry-filled, butter-smothered glory?

Luckily, you don’t need to jet off to Paris for your next macaron fix. The best French fare can be found in the heart of Britomart. We are, of course, talking about much-loved cafe L’Assiette.

Step inside the bustling French gem and you’ll find wooden floors complemented with soft blue walls and white tiles. It has the perfect balance of modern and rustic. Think industrial light fittings and stools paired alongside walls adorned with black and white photographs. Outside, there’s ample sidewalk seating—much like the streets of Paris!

Make like the French and embrace a leisurely breakfast to kick-start the day. L’Assiette’s all-day breakfast showcases bol de céréales, pain perdu and an unmissable la galette de pommes de terre. Didn’t understand any of that? Allow us to translate...

The bol de céréales showcases muesli alongside yoghurt and berries, while pain perdu is a traditional French toast. It’s served with poached pear, lashings of salted caramel and a generous dollop of cinnamon crème fraîche. Yep, the French know how to do breakfast!

You’ll also find a house-made hash brown topped with a poached egg and hollandaise (that’s the la galette de pommes de terre) as well as omelette and the aptly named “le vegan”. Of course, you can never go wrong with a croque-monsieur or croque-madame cheese sandwich (the latter stars a fried egg).

Visit from 11am and there’s also a divine lunch menu on offer. Choose between salmon quinoa salad, steak with fries or poulet basquaise featuring chicken in a rich tomato sauce. Whatever time you visit, you’ll find both galette savoury pancakes and mouth-watering crêpes. Our fave? The salted caramel delight with vanilla bean ice-cream—it’s heaven on a plate!

And, trust us when we say: save room for one (or several!) of L’Assiette’s sweet treats. Baked daily at their sister eatery La Fourchette, the cabinet is brimming with tarts, croissants, éclairs and macarons. We can’t go past the lemon meringue tart garnished with thyme (best combo ever) and a classic pain au chocolat.

Wash down with a silky smooth coffee made with freshly ground Altezano Brothers beans or a blend from the Harney & Sons tea range. Hot summer day? Cool down with a refreshing smoothie, fresh juice or iced coffee.

Visit this inner-city gem for a taste (literally) of France. And remember: don’t leave without a pastry! Because when in Paris, right?

Image credit: Tori Diamond