A new study has crowned French cuisine as Britain’s most popular foreign food, with three-quarters of respondents rating it the nation’s favourite international fare. The survey, commissioned by meal-kit company Mindful Chef to mark a partnership with French restaurant chain Côte Brasserie, found 77% of participants rated French food as the best foreign cuisine.
The study also showed that while traditional British food remained the top overall preference, with 90% of participants rating it highly, many Britons prefer specific French classics to British staples. Sixty-five percent said they would choose a classic steak frites over fish and chips, and 66% said the French cook a steak better than the British. Seventy percent of those surveyed also said they believe French fries are better than chip-shop chips.
Respondents described French cuisine as more indulgent and sophisticated than other world cuisines, with 67% endorsing that view. The survey listed the nation’s favourite French dishes, led by steak frites at 44%, followed by chocolate fondant and profiteroles on 37% each, and boeuf bourguignon at 30%. Other dishes named included French onion soup (28%), quiche Lorraine (25%), steak tartare (23%), coq au vin (18%), fondue (18%), ratatouille (17%), croque monsieur (16%), tarte Tatin (16%) and moules marinière (15%).
Despite the enthusiasm for French flavours, many Britons said they find French cooking intimidating at home. Seven in 10 respondents said the idea of preparing a French classic felt daunting, and two-thirds called French dishes among the hardest to make. As a result, 14% said they only prepare French food for special occasions or treats.
Jesse Kempner, head of food at Mindful Chef, said the findings showed strong national affection for French cuisine even if some home cooks feel daunted by its reputation. Steve Allen, executive chef at Côte Brasserie, said the data pointed to a widespread misconception about the complexity of French cooking and argued many dishes can be straightforward to prepare.
Mindful Chef said the research underpinned its new partnership with Côte Brasserie but did not offer additional methodological details in the release accompanying the findings. The results reflect a sustained appetite in Britain for continental dining experiences and familiar French bistro dishes, both in restaurants and at home, even as some consumers continue to prize British home cooking overall.