July 14 might be just another day at the office, but for the French people it’s their most important national holiday. Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Parisian Bastille prison back in 1789, marking the start of the French Revolution and subsequent toppling of the monarchy. While we may not celebrate Bastille Day here, it’s certainly a great reason (not that you need one) to indulge in some fabulous French food.

Crêperie des Arts

44 Prinsep St., 6333-5330.
This quaint, little crêperie is a charming family-style eatery run by chef and owner Johan Aubertin. Aubertin hails from Britanny, on the West Coast of France, where he became a certified crêpe master. Crêpes are serious business over there. With a laidback ambiance and friendly staff, sip on some alcoholic apple cider ($8.50 per glass) while you pick from a range of sweet and savory crêpes. A crowd favorite is their Complete ($18)—this traditional galette (made with buckwheat flour) has a sunny side up, emmental cheese and pork shoulder ham filling. For dessert, order yourself a Keroch ($9). This sweet crêpe is made with wheat flour and drizzled with luscious homemade salted butter caramel.

The French Stall

544 Serangoon Rd., 6299-3544.
If you’re looking for casual French food without the hefty price tag, check out this no-frills joint. They’ve been around for 10 years, serving up meals in the suburbs. Their French onion soup ($5.80) cooks for at least five hours and comes with melted emmental cheese atop bread slices, while their escargots ($9.80) are cooked with tons of butter and garlic.

Gunther’s

#01-36, 36 Purvis St., 6338-8955.
Chef-owner Gunther Hubrechsen whips up scrumptious modern French food, such as his legendary cold angel hair pasta with Oscietra caviar ($60). The décor is minimalist at best, but perhaps that’s to ensure the focus is on the exquisite food. For dessert, the classic apple tart with Havana rum raisin ice cream ($20) is not to be missed.

Guy Savoy

#02-01, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Av., 6688-8513.
The “newest” kid (new to Singapore, anyway) is celebrity chef Guy Savoy. We’re talking fine dining all the way, with prices to match. Slurp up (but quietly please) their signature artichoke and black truffle soup ($70) with a truffle buttered-mushroom brioche, followed by a crispy sea bass with delicate spices, sweet chard and shitake mushrooms ($120). The fish, which is flown in from Brittany, is even more divine paired with a white 2007 Domaine Vincent Girardin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot ($280 per bottle).

Le Bistrot du Sommelier

#01-01 46 Prinsep St., 6333-1982.
For a more relaxed dining experience, look no further than chef Patrick Heuberger’s bistro baby. This is the place to hit for rustic, French comfort food. Chef Heuberger was awarded Chef of the Year 2008 by the annual World Gourmet Summit, a title he seems determined to prove with his hearty fare and robust flavors.

Les Amis

#02-16 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Rd., 6733-2225.
A long-standing institution that needs no introduction, you can expect quality French fare and stellar service. The creative mastermind is chef Armin Leitgeb, whose impressive CV includes stints at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Jardin des Sens in France. His lightly smoked eel “tiède” ($55) sits alongside a horseradish and Dijon mustard emulsion, topped with a crispy pork croûton. Another highlight of the Les Amis experience is their prolific award-winning wine menu and knowledgeable sommelier, Timothy Goh.

Nicolas Le Restaurant

35 Keong Saik Rd., 6224-2404.
Check your cliches and stereotypes—pan-fried foie gras (with something fruity-sweet, bien sur!), French onion soup, and surly white toque-ed cooks, etc.—at the door here. Nicolas Joanny, in his cozy Keong Saik eatery, creates light, bright Mediterranean masterpieces. He handles seafood with the reverence of a sushi chef: Melt-in-your-mouth scallops and sweet langoustines are among his favorites. Chef Joanny displays the same sure touch with pigeon, kubota pork cheeks, lamb and beef—sourcing the best ingredients and cooking them just enough to enhance their natural flavor and impart color and texture. Book seats at the counter if you’re serious about your food and go for their “special” tasting menu ($188, with wine pairing) or $98 for the regular degustation menu. Lunch sets are a bargain at $42.

Let them eat cake!

Pâtisseries with to-die-for French pastries

Canelé

#01-09 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St., 6738-8145.
A treasured find for true dessert fanatics, this is the perfect place to indulge your sweet tooth. We especially like their namesake canelés ($1.50). These little morsels have a firm vanilla center in a brunette caramelized shell. Don’t leave without trying their ambrosial macarons ($2.30) which come in a myriad of flavors such as violette, lemon and hazelnut. It’s near impossible to pick favorites, but ours is undoubtedly their fleur de sel macarons. The usual cloying sweetness of the cookie domes is offset by the salted caramel filling for a delightful contrast of sweet and savory.

Hediard

Tudor Court, 125 Tanglin Rd., 6333-6683.
This quiet, unassuming café is just the ticket for when you’re battling intense sugar cravings. You can’t go wrong with a cardamom-spiked coffee éclair ($8), with just the right amount of coffee and sweetness to kick you into high gear. Their Bourbon vanilla mille-feuille ($8) is a divine marriage of textures and flavors—crisp layers of flaky, buttery goodness sandwich a fragrant Bourbon vanilla custard. Remember to grab some madeleines to go. At $1.80 for five petite ones, these delectable gems are a steal.

Laurent’s Café & Chocolate Bar

#01-11, The Pier at Robertson Quay, 80 Mohammad Sultan Rd., 6235-9007.
If chocolate tickles your sweet spot, their crispy chocolate tart ($6.80) is a must. A crunchy tart base is smothered with a velvety smooth dark chocolate ganache, then topped with a quenelle of fresh cream. Another standout is their light-as-air Grand Marnier soufflé ($11.85), served with a dark and sexy chocolate sauce that will leave you wanting more.