An Essential Guide To The Top French Restaurants In Shenzhen


Cian   |   October 17, 2018

There are few cuisines that are more celebrated or held in such regard as French cuisine. At the same time, connoisseurs have high expectations of what they expect from a French restaurant. To truly be considered a French restaurant, let alone, a top one, the establishment is held to a standard like few other restaurants. Shenzhen Party spoke with decorated French chef, Sebastien Bourgeois, about the very top French restaurants in Shenzhen.

  1. Visit the French Culinary Institution that is La Maison

I have been living in Shenzhen for more than 10 years and as a Disciples Escoffier, I am always looking for new places to try French cuisine. As an epicure, I have taken great interest in La Maison because it’s a fantastic place to spend time with friends and family.

La Maison is the oldest French restaurant in Shenzhen and has remained in the same location since its opening. It is unquestionably a wonderful location and its new design has made the restaurant more spacious, perfect for small events or group gatherings. At night, one can enjoy the terrace in comfort with the fans providing a cool and refreshing breeze.

Not only is the ambiance wonderful, but the food has made a great impression on me also. My friend and I had the chance to enjoy the pâté and a finger food tray. The pâté is fresh and delicious – exactly how the French like it – and the portion size is suitable for two to three people. The finger food boasts a creative Mediterranean style and offers a varied aroma and taste. The marriage of complimentary flavors offers a delightful insight into French cuisine.

My friend ordered the meal of the day for the main dish. That day it was quiche as the starter and poulet basquaise as the main dish. The quiche came as a generous portion and the thin crust, soft texture, and well-beaten eggs made it perfectly light. I highly recommend this flavorful and delightful dish. The poulet basquaise was very tender and boneless. The boiled potatoes in this dish were a little spicy, which may be of interest to Chinese who like a bit of spice. Furthermore, if you do not find the dish to be spicy enough, you can ask for more spice to be added.

My main dish was an original crepe, where instead of the ingredients being inside of the dough, I was pleased to find they were placed on top. This allows for the taste of the entire crepe to remain as natural as possible. Like pizza and sushi, the crepe is a traditionally inexpensive dish that has become famous all around the world. In this case, my crepe contained salmon, lettuce, arugula, and cabbage.

For dessert, we ordered the crème brûlée, which has always been my favorite dessert. I was very satisfied with this dish and my only regret was that I did not ask for a bigger portion!

The overall service at La Maison was very efficient and engaging. The waiters followed the Western standard of bringing everyone’s food at the same time and taking away the empty dishes at the same time. The young staff are friendly and the French chef, Jean Baptiste Louis, is always on hand to give recommendations according to the patron’s desired flavors.

We went during lunchtime and the wait for our meal was short. Prices are in the mid-range and very affordable when compared to some of the other restaurants in Seaworld. La Maison is a great family place. It also has a long bar, where you will find foreigners meeting like the French do in a brasserie.

La Maison has recently undergone renovations and to celebrate the new look they will be hosting an Opening Party on Friday October 19th. The theme of the party will be “Back to the 80s” and will start at 6 PM. There will be free flow on selected drinks and canapés. Additionally, there will be free flow on selected drinks and canapes and from 8 PM their chef Jean will be preparing some special delicacies for everyone to enjoy. The night will be full of surprises with games, live music, and a DJ to keep you dancing until late into the night.

Address: Shop 108, Nanhai Rose Garden, Bldg. 29-32, No. 91 Wanghai Road, Nanshan, Shenzhen (深圳市南山区望海路912932栋南海玫瑰花园108)

Tel: +86 755 2865 7030

  1. Take a Bite of France at l’étoile

In the nearly 1,000 square meter restaurant of l’étoile, tables are draped with cream linen table clothes and romantically lit by candles. Be it for lunch or dinner, dining here with a loved one is an experience you will not soon forget.

If you prefer some privacy, l’étoile offers you private themed rooms gently lit by chandeliers and decorated with hand-painted walls and ceilings of three of the most well-known landmarks in Paris; the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Palace of Versailles. The food served at l’étoile matches the exquisiteness, the beauty, and the quintessential Frenchness of these iconic places in France.

The kitchen team is led by Christian Tetedoie, who holds a resume with which few can compare. He is the President of the Master Chefs in France, recipient of a Michelin star in 2000, and knighted in the Legion of Honour in 2006. Unlike many other chefs, Tetedoie wears no hat. Instead, he’s decorated with a medal with ribbons in the tricolor of France. The award is for the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”, which is awarded every four years to the best craftsmen in France.

Diners can watch Tetedoie and his team in the open kitchen doing what they love most. It is here they offer up their interpretation of some of the most iconic French dishes.

The onion soup at restaurant l’etoile is made in the traditional French way. The French usually enjoy this very sweet dish late at night. Due to the type of onions used in this dish, the soup has a sugary taste. Additionally, the cheese is well-grilled.

The snail is an exceptionally sweet dish and the emulsion, made of garlic and snail butter, is extremely flavorful. This dish arrives with impeccable presentation while the mini-salad adds a great deal of freshness.

The fresh goat cheese is HOMEMADE. The characteristically strong taste of goat cheese makes this dish the perfect starter to get the taste buds excited for the meal ahead.

The sea bass fillet is grilled just to perfection and succulently tender. It is complemented on the plate with fresh baby carrots and veggies.

The chicken with vinegar and tomato arrives alongside macaroni gratin. The dish is a rare dining experience indeed. The chicken is well-roasted with a subtle spice originating from the vinegar.

The pistachio and citrus fruit dessert is best enjoyed in small bites with each seemingly more delightful than the last. Our favorite dessert dish, however, is the rhubarb cake, which has really quite incredible presentation.

Christian Tetedoie’s desire to open a kitchen and share his love of gastronomy is what led to the creation of l’étoile. Do not miss the opportunity to savor this rare fine-dining experience from a true master chef. Pay a visit to l’étoile and sample French cuisine as it was always intended.

Address: 302-303, Building A, OCT Ecological Square, Nanshan District, Shenzhen (深圳市南⼭山区沙河街道华侨城⽣生态⼴广场 A 302303)

Metro: Line 1, OCT or Window of the World station

Tel: 0755 8166 8111