Where can I eat a good beef tartare?

Steak tartare is an essential brasserie dish. This raw meat, cut with a knife or minced, is traditionally prepared with capers, onions, egg yolk and other condiments, which may vary from restaurant to restaurant. The recipe has its origins in the Tatar horsemen of Central Asia, who used to mince horse or sheep meat after slipping it under their saddles to tenderize it, before eating it raw. Today, of course, its preparation has evolved to meet the highest standards of freshness! Here are ten restaurants in France where you can enjoy a good steak tartare.

Le Bon Georges, Paris

Located on the corner of rue Sainte-Georges and rue d'Aumale, Le Bon Georges (1 toque) is a neighborhood bistro like no other. While the à la carte menu, written on a slate, is constantly evolving, the recipes are always based on local, seasonal produce. Call ahead to find out if the very (very) good steak tartare is on the menu on the day of your visit! the steak tartare is served plain, to preserve all the taste of the matured meat from Alexandre Polmard.

• Where? 45 rue Saint-Georges, 75009 Paris
• See Gault&Millau's review of Le Bon Georges

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Le 1, Nantes

Fancy a drink overlooking the Loire? Le 1 (1 toque) is the perfect place for a green break in the heart of Nantes. In addition to its attractive tapas menu, one of the must-tries on the menu is the Charolais beef steak tartare, sliced with a knife and prepared at the table. The little extra? You can order it with classic condiments or Italian-style.

• Where? 1 rue Olympe de Gouges, 44000 Nantes
• See Gault&Millau's review of Le 1

Le Chevillard, Toulouse

Classic, solid and timeless, Le Chevillard is a must-visit bistro in Toulouse. You'll enjoy excellent boudin à l'oignon, andouillette, bavette à l'échalote and steak tartare. Please note that the menu changes frequently, so be sure to ask before you go!

• Where? 4 boulevard Maréchal Leclerc, 31000 Toulouse
• See the Gault&Millau review of Bistrot du Chevillard

Podium, Paris

Podium (1 toque) is the bistro imagined by Stéphane Rotenberg and Glenn Viel, in the 15ᵉ arrondissement of Paris. Here, you'll find classic French dishes reinterpreted in the Viel style, such as tartare au couteau prepared in the grand tradition. you can then choose from a selection of side dishes, including frites allumettes, pan-fried mushrooms with parsley or mashed potatoes.

• Where? 2 rue Linois, 75015 Paris
• See Gault&Millau's review of Podium

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Brasserie Georges, Lyon

Brasserie Georges (1 toque) offers all the great classics of French cuisine. In addition to onion soup and andouillette, you can order the famous raw Charolais steak tartare with condiments, prepared in front of you at the table, and served with pommes frites and green salad. Guaranteed to delight!

• Where? 30 cour de Verdun Perrache, 69002 Lyon
• See the Gault&Millau review of Brasserie Georges

Bien Élevé, in Paris

In the 9ᵉ arrondissement of Paris, Bien Élevé (1 toque) has established itself as a reference table for lovers of quality meat, in a spirit that is both bistronomic and highly readable. Here, you'll enjoy a fine selection of mature meats from committed producers. The Angus beef tartare is one of the house's must-tries: cut with a knife and served with a free-range egg yolk, mustard pickles, carrot condiment and gorgonzola, it is distinguished by a balance that is as gourmet as it is structured. The dish is rounded off with homemade French fries, which reinforce the generous, comforting side of the plate.

• Where? 47 rue Richer, 75009 Paris
• See the Gault&Millau review of Bien Élevé

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La Pie qui couette, in Nîmes

In the heart of Les Halles de Nîmes, La Pie qui Couette (1 toque) has established itself as a lively and generous market table, where the cuisine is built to the rhythm of the day's arrivals. In a friendly atmosphere at the counter, you'll come here to share straightforward, gourmet dishes based on ultra-fresh produce. Beef tartare au couteau is one of the house favourites, with seasonings that change with the seasons. In winter, we even offer a truffle tartare in an authentic, lively atmosphere. Please note that the menu changes regularly, so be sure to ask in advance if you absolutely must try this dish.

• Where? rue Guizot, 30000 Nîmes
• See Gault&Millau's review of La Pie qui Couette

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Le Barbier qui fume, Lille

in Lille, Le Barbier qui fume (1 toque) is a good address for meat lovers with character, in a world halfway between artisan butchery and convivial restaurant. Located in Vieux-Lille, this atypical place attracts with its beechwood-smoked meats. Among the must-tries, the knife-cut Antwerp tenderloin tartar takes pride of place: prepared from meat that has been cold-smoked for 72 hours, it develops a melt-in-the-mouth texture and a delicately woody taste, spiced up with mild garlic, broken pistachios and Espelette pepper.

• Where? 69 rue de la Monnaie, 59000 Lille
• See the Gault&Millau review of Le Barbier qui fume

Café de Luce, Paris

In the heart of Montmartre, Café de Luce embodies the spirit of the lively, warm Parisian bistro imagined by chef Amandine Chaignot. In a convivial setting, local regulars and visitors alike come here for simple, generous and perfectly executed French cuisine. Among the star dishes, beef tartare au couteau is a sure bet. Prepared with care, it's served with real crispy fries for an uncompromising classic.

• Where? 2 rue des Trois Frères, 75018 Paris
• See Gault&Millau's review of

  Café de Luce

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Mamie Fada, Angers

in Angers, Mamie Fada shakes up the codes of the traditional bistro with a generous cuisine, a touch offbeat and generously geared towards pleasure. Here, the beef tartare is cut with a knife and comes in several versions: classic, but also "Breizh" combining beef and oysters, or a gourmet recipe with parmesan crumble and balsamic vinegar reduction. All served with home fries and a signature salad.

• Where? 18 quai des Carmes, 49100 Angers
• See Gault&Millau's review of Mamie Fada