french LiVING, a FRENCH RESTAURANT IN NOTTINGHAM
BIENVENUE !
We are a family-owned French restaurant in Nottingham city centre, serving authentic homemade French cuisine since 1994. Opened by Stéphane and Louise, French Living began as a small shop and has grown into a welcoming two-floor restaurant with the relaxed, convivial atmosphere of a traditional French bistro, where everything is prepared with the same passion for traditional French cooking, seasonal ingredients and warm hospitality.
Our French head chef, Jérémy, has been with us for nearly 30 years, crafting traditional, seasonal cuisine that tastes just as it would in France, homemade in every detail. That same sense of continuity runs through our front-of-house team, with Audrius and Annabelle, who have been with us for decades, alongside Pierre, now stepping into the next chapter of the family business. Together, they ensure every guest feels at home, keeping authenticity and passion at the heart of everything they do.
Although French Living has evolved over the years, our values have never changed. We remain an independent family-run French restaurant dedicated to homemade, seasonal and honest French cuisine, served in a cosy and welcoming setting where guests can experience not only authentic food, but also a little of French culture.
Whether you’re joining us for a quick lunch, a romantic dinner, a group celebration, or a pre-theatre meal just a 2-minute walk from the Theatre Royal and Victoria Centre, French Living offers a true taste of France right here in Nottingham centre.
The French Living Team
FRENCH LIVING BLOG
The Many Layers of French Cuisine
At French Living we love telling the story of French culture through its cuisine. We do this with a varied and changing daily blackboard of dishes; with special events such as Discovery Evenings focusing on regions, people, culture, honouring the rich influences that make up its cuisine today. France, like many other countries, is not…
Fête de la Musique returns to French Living
We are proud to invite you to the second edition of Fête de la Musique at French Living! A very special day celebrating music, summer and community. A moment to come together, sing, dance and laugh! Fête de la Musique is a festival celebrated across France every year on 21st June. All day and night,…
Un Esprit de Famille: Where Every Day Feels Like Noël
At French Living, we’ve always believed that the magic of Christmas isn’t found in the presents or the decorations, but in the presence of those we share our table with. From the moment we opened our doors in 1994, our aim has been to create a space that feels like home — where conversation flows…
Le Goûter – the sweetest French tradition
In France, there’s a moment in the day when time seems to slow down, when the clock strikes four, and everyone, young and old, knows what it means. Le goûter, or “le quatre-heures,” as it’s affectionately called in France, is that magical time of the day to celebrate with something sweet. The same pleasure, shared…
Moules Frites
Moules Frites – this fishy, salty comfort food combo has become a French brasserie staple over the years, sitting proudly alongside boeuf bourguignon, escargots, soupe à l’oignon and crème brulée. We send a huge merci beaucoup to the Belgians for coming up with the idea. While the exact date is debated, the combination gained popularity…
Our Vision for a Greener, Happier King Street
Pedestrianising King Street is about more than removing buses & cars — it’s about creating a healthier, more connected Nottingham. King Street is one of the most beautiful streets in Nottingham, when you look up away from the imposing buses jostling for space and the delivery vans circling & screaming due to Deliveroo bikes occupying their…
A Fresh Look for French Living
Bonjour & Welcome! After almost a decade with our previous site, we’re thrilled to introduce the brand-new online home of French Living. Over the years, French Living has taken on many different looks, both in our restaurant and online. From our very first website (which some of you may fondly remember!) to the version we…