Chez Elles Bistroquet

Chez Elles Bistroquet is a wonderfully incongruous and deeply charming French bistro that has been flying the Tricolore on Brick Lane since June 2012. Founded by Nadia Brahim and Lili L'Hote -- two Frenchwomen who met working on the Eurostar and settled in Spitalfields -- the restaurant occupies the former premises of a curry house directly in the heart of Banglatown, creating one of the most delightfully unexpected dining experiences in East London. Ranked in the top 400 of over 26,000 London restaurants on TripAdvisor, with 5,650 Instagram followers, it has earned a genuinely devoted following.

The menu is an authentic roster of French bistro classics: steak tartare, cheese souffle, duck confit, moules mariniere, charcuterie boards and a carefully chosen French wine list, all served in a cosy, rustic-chic dining room with Gallic ambiance and occasional jazz. The setting evokes a Parisian side-street neighbourhood restaurant transported to the middle of Brick Lane. Booking by email to chezellesbistro@gmail.com recommended. Closed Mondays. Dinner Tuesday to Saturday; Saturday also serves lunch from noon; Sunday brunch 11am-5pm.