Au Crocodile
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Headquarters | Strasbourg , France |
Key people | Philippe Bohrer (former owner), Cedric Moulot (owner), Franck Pelux (head chef) |
| Products | French cuisine |
Au Crocodile is a distinguished dining establishment located in Strasbourg, France, known for its focus on French cuisine and holding a Michelin star as of 2023.
History
The restaurant's name originates from a taxidermied crocodile, brought back by a local general during Napoleon Bonaparte's Egyptian and Syrian campaigns, which remains prominently displayed in the entrance hall. In 1921, the esteemed French culinary writer Curnonsky featured Au Crocodile in his publications.
In 1971, Émile Jung and his wife Monique took ownership of the restaurant. During their tenure, the establishment achieved three Michelin stars by 1989 but experienced a reduction to two stars in 2002—a loss Jung described as profoundly distressing. Following this event, fellow professionals in the industry expressed their support for the restaurant. As of 2023, Au Crocodile holds a single Michelin star.
The venue has also played a role as a site for diplomatic engagements; for instance, in May 2010, Albanian political figures convened there under the facilitation of European Parliament representatives.
Chef Philippe Bohrer acquired Au Crocodile from Jung in 2010 for over one million euros. Subsequently, in 2015, ownership passed to Cedric Moulot, who appointed Franck Pelux as head chef.
The Vancouver-based eatery drew its name from Au Crocodile, inspired by chef Michel Jacob’s initial visit to the original Strasbourg location.
Reception
The travel guide Fodor's lauded chef Bohrer’s culinary creations as "dazzling" and described the restaurant’s ambiance as "radiant." Similarly, Frommer's praised the innovative menu and inviting atmosphere, noting that the only downside was the elevated cost.
In 2018, Au Crocodile was ranked at the top of TripAdvisor’s global restaurant listings. As of 2023, it maintains one Michelin star.