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London has 'better food than Paris'
Amar Singh, Evening Standard09.09.08
London has overtaken Paris as the culinary capital of Europe, according to a new guide.
The city's restaurants not only serve better food, but offer better service and more reasonable prices than their French counterparts, according to Zagat London Restaurants.
The guide, based on a global survey of thousands of diners, found London beat Paris for food satisfaction and service. The average meal in London also cost nearly £5 less.
Tim Zagat, co-founder of the guide, said: "London is ahead of Paris and deservedly so. London has been improving for many, many years and has a great deal more diversity.
"Paris is very good at French cuisine obviously but after that it gets limited. In terms of service, at the high end Paris is great but when you get into the little standard places it's not so good."
London's top restaurant, according to the guide, is Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea. The capital's most popular restaurant is Wagamama, the Ritz has the top decor and Alain Ducasse's The Dorchester was the best newcomer.
• Zagat London Restaurants 2009 is out this week.
Reader views (13)
Like many surveys the results of this one is nonsense! Whilst it may be true of the very top restaurants frequented by the very rich and minor celebs it is not true for those on more modest incomes. The average person will find better food and service in Paris and pay in Euros what they would pay in £s in London (i.e. saving around 20%).
- Michael, London
Well, I suppose we can expect a wave of anti-French sentiment from the English!!
Personally, I find the food in Parisian restaurants a lot better than London. It's better value, tastes better, and you get a fuller plate!
People like Lindsay and Steve are all that's wrong with Ebgland! Both have probably never been off the tourist strip in Paris, judging by their ridiculous comments! There are some fantastic eateries, if you bother to look for them!
- Jock, London
Steve, have you been to Paris recently or watched the news? They could teach us a thing or two about race riots, unspeakable rudeness and non French speaking foreigners. If you think London is a sewer why do you live here? You're obviously not suited to living in a 21st century, multicultural city if you're so xenophobic. You are not a real Londoner, just one of the growing number of fairweather Londoners who are desperate to fleece our city and move out to the country or provincial cities with their ill-gotten gains (but look out, the brainless yokels will get you there too if you dare to venture into town on a Saturday night). If you don't like it here - please leave. We can do without you.
- Lindsay, london
I think they're pretty alike in the sense that you can find anything from generic fast-food rubbish, to a real gem of a place that serves good foord for an honest price, to all-out style and glitz. Both citie are steeped in culture and have architectural feats by the dozen. How can you say one is 'better' than the other? Are we back at school?
- Kitty, London
As long as any one is prepared to pay in excess of GBP 200.00 on a "normal" 3 course dinner for 2 with a glass of champagne and 1 bottle of drinkable wine (not new world gut rot with 15% alcolohol), London could been a gastronomic centre of sorts. Not to forget a hideously expensive ride in a black cab to get you there and back, as you do not wish to get stabbed by some drug-crazed yob - you could probably fly to Italia or the Cote d'Azur on BA for the same amount, if you book well in advance.
These stupid and meaningless "statictics" should take into account the normal customer, who might earn slightly less than GBP 1 mio p.a.
I am not prepared to pay for this poncified rip-off in London (which to me is more of a culinary desert anyway) and tend to dash across the Channel as often as I can, where I an get a decent meal in a 4**** hotel for 30 Euros per person.
- Weddigen, London
Finally someone acknowledge the truth. Paris, my god! The queues to get to museums, plus that you have to pay for it. Food´s good but pricey if you want a good meal. No doubt that London is one of the World´s best in choice and quality through a huge price range. From the Local curry place, the chinese take away, the sandwiches to the finest. Simply the best!
- Maria, London
Course it is - as long as you are wealthy! Give me Paris anyday for ordinary mortals.
- Frederick, London
Lindsay - Is the air breathable on your planet? Here on Earth it is.
- Big Andy, London
Lindsay,
First of all thank you for your modesty. I think you have plenty of.
How many French cooks are in those restaurants! How many improved the London Cuisine?
It could be due to salaries, taxes... not only culture.
I also agree in that fact that into the little standard places it's not so good, 3 years ago you could found some good places very cheap.
By the way Lindsay you've the French attitude : patriotism. You're not so different.
Tchuss.
- Gildas, Paris
Our fish 'n' chips will always beat frogs' legs.
- Al Webb, Croughton, Northamptonshire
Not just Paris, I think London is better than most other cities in the world, if not all and has a lot to offer. It is the most diverse and enthralling of cities. There is no match.
- Alyas Khan, Manchester
Lindsay,London...
This city is an open sewer. The people are rude, few speak English anymore unless under duress. It's expensive, overcrowded, smelly, violent and depressing. As for cuisine,let's see, pizza slices late at night and kebab and fried chicken takeaways if you don't mind chancing a good kicking.
My mistake, it's a stabbing now.
- Steve, Marylebone
London is a better city than Paris in every way, and not just in a culinary sense. It's the cultural, historical and style capital of Europe, if not the world. Londoners are worldly, tolerant and fun-loving, and have sophisticated and educated tastes. Just because Parisians think they invented culture, great food and beauty doesn't mean they are right. It just means they are more boastful than the traditionally more reticent and modest Londoners. Given the choice of spending a weekend in Paris or a weekend in London I know which I'd choose!
- Lindsay, london
