Chinese food is great, but it’s always good to mix things up a bit, especially when it comes to gourmet cuisine. Luckily, there are some interesting restaurants in Guangzhou that make a nice change from Chinese street food or the same old meal choices in local eateries. French food is surprisingly well-represented here. As one of the most famous styles of cooking in the world, French cuisine has long been known for its elegant style and exquisite taste. Here is a rundown of Guangzhou’s French restaurants.

As Guangzhou’s premier French restaurant, La Seine’s food is of impeccable quality. Known for its seafood, salads, extensive wine list, and arguably the finest cheese in the city, it is one of the best loved expat locations in Guangzhou (don’t count on it ever being empty!). It is located on the pretty Er Sha Island inside the Xinghai Concert Hall, near to the Pearl River and directly opposite the Guangzhou Art Museum. If you’re trying to impress a date or a loved one, La Seine is the perfect place to dine. However, your wallet won’t thank you – it’s pricey. A good way to enjoy the food without paying too much is the 98 RMB all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch. Reserve in advance if you can.

Smaller and slightly less extravagant is the Saint Germain restaurant near the Garden Hotel. This cute bistro has a great atmosphere, and serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. There are full-length floor to ceiling windows and outdoor seating, so it’s the perfect spot to sit, eat, and talk the day away when the weather is fine. The menu is extensive; you’ll find classics like foie gras and brisket on the evening specials list. The food is great quality, the staff and the owner are friendly, and the price is pretty decent. The only downside to this location is that they don’t accept credit cards, so remember to take cash.

Le Paris is a nice upscale option for dining, and has a trendy little wine bar which is open until 2am. The bar is often packed with expats seeking something a bit classier than the gamut of Western-themed pubs. The wine isn’t cheap at Le Paris, but if you can afford it, it’s a great place to chill out with friends over a good bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

For slightly lower-scale extravagance, there’s Les Trois Gros Bistro. This restaurant is a family-style eatery where the owner, an amiable fellow called Ken, does all the cooking himself. As a result, the menu has some interesting takes on old French favorites, and a fusion section with Vietnamese influences. The dessert menu is particularly tempting, and overall you’ll get more bang for your buck at Les Trois Gros than at the previous restaurants.

So next time you feel like going Gallic, check out one of Guangzhou’s French eateries.

La Seine 塞纳河法国餐厅 View In Map
Add: 1F, Xinghai Concert Hall, Qingbo Lu, Er Sha Dao, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
地址：广州越秀区二沙岛晴波路33号星海音乐厅1楼
Tel: 020 8735 2222 etx. 888
Open: 10:30 - 22:00
Price: 300-400 RMB, 98 RMB for brunch
Getting There: Bus 89, Dashatou bus stop

Saint GermainView In Map
Add: 475 Huanshi Donglu, Guangzhou
地址：广州市环市东路475号
Tel: 020 8760 6465
Open: 10:30 - 14:30; 17:30 - 23:00
Price: 100-200 RMB
Getting There: Metro Line 1, Martyr’s Park Station 

Le ParisView In Map
Add: 65 Taojin Donglu, Guangzhou
地址：广州淘金东路65号
Tel: 022 3146 4651
Open: 12:00-2:00
Price: 100-250 RMB
Getting There: Metro Line 1, Martyr’s Park Station

Les Trois Gros Bistro 三人行西餐厅View In Map
Add: 1F, 5 Xincheng Nanjie, Tianhe Donglu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
地址：广州天河区天河东路信诚南街5号1楼
Tel: 022 3881 5325
Open: 10:00-20:00
Price: 30-100 RMB
Getting There: Metro Lines 1 and 2, Tiyu Xi Lu Station

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.