The story
On a charming corner of Fulham Road in Chelsea, Claude and Lucy Bosi run a neighbourhood French bistro that feels both simple and intentional. Josephine Bouchon is a place where the menu reads as a journey through France, with a particular emphasis on the flavours and dishes of Claude’s hometown, Lyon. The result is a relaxed, good-vibe spot that delivers Lyonnaise cooking with real confidence.
The Chelsea original has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a recognition for good quality, good value cooking that suits the restaurant’s unpretentious spirit. The kitchen focuses on a concise à la carte and a Plat Du Jour, changing with the seasons. The wine list leans into the Rhône valley, and there is an extensive Chartreuse selection for those who want something digestif.
In April 2025, a second Josephine opened on Blandford Street in Marylebone Village. Here the menu highlights the classics of Parisian brasseries, while the wine list shifts focus to the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. Marylebone also serves breakfast and cocktails, and offers a dedicated seafood menu.
Both restaurants share the same ethos: French food that is direct, satisfying, and rooted in tradition. The Bosis have created a bistro that feels like a local, whether you are in Chelsea or Marylebone.
The atmosphere is welcoming, designed for long lunches and easy dinners. Outdoor seating is available at the Chelsea location, and both venues can host private parties. Whether you come for the Lyonnaise classics or a plate of the day, Josephine Bouchon is a steady, rewarding choice in London.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
good quality, good value cooking
Josephine is that rare combination, a classic-looking French bistro that serves its neighbourhood well but is also worth travelling across town for. The fact that the driving force behind the operation is chef Claude Bosi makes it easy to see why news of its repute has spread far and wide – the dining room is regularly packed to capacity, humming with noise and activity. The menu is classic French through and through, with a focus on bistro classics and regional Lyonnaise specialities from Bosi’s home town. Though the food stays in familiar territory rather than going adventuring, everything is produced with great assurance – as one might expect, given Bosi's elevated reputation. Indeed, one sign of a good kitchen is what it can do with humble ingredients. Consider, for example, the soupe à l’oignon, widely copied although we’ve yet to eat one that comes even close to this version. Many staples are here (terrine, filet de boeuf au poivre, lapin à la moutarde, gratin dauphinois) – dishes that people really enjoy eating. And judging by the elegant simplicity of leeks vinaigrette, or skate wing in a brown butter and caper sauce, or even a light, puffy vol-au-vent filled with chicken and morel sauce, there are never too many tastes on the plate, either. Like the cheeseboard, desserts are resolutely Gallic – think oeuf à la neige, prâline rose, and tarte au citron meringue. The good value of the daily plat du jour and the short-choice set menu offered at lunch and dinner add to Josephine's allure. With Lucy Bosi overseeing front of house alongside general manager Will Smith (the ex-Arbutus/Wild Honey frontman lured back from Scotland), it's clear that all aspects of running a restaurant – buying ingredients, cooking, ambience – have been brought together without fuss or ostentation. House wines are available bouchon-style (you only pay for what you have drunk), and the full list is an oenophile's tour of the Rhône Valley.
2 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence
Location
Instagram