Here are our favorite fifty restaurants, selected by Editor-in-Chief Meg Zimbeck.
Classic bistros
Bistro food done right, with fresh ingredients and thoughtful technique. Excellent wines on offer. Not particularly well suited for vegetarians.
- La Bourse et La Vie
- Juveniles
- Philou
- Le Bon Georges
- Le Griffonnier
- Bistrot Paul Bert
- Amarante
- Chez Michel
- L’Assiette
- Le Repaire de Cartouche
Modern French
Traditional French recipes or ingredients with a twist. There may be a tasting menu offered, but there are à la carte options, too.
- Mensae
- Semilla
- Ze Kitchen Galerie
- Chez l’Ami Jean
- Les Déserteurs
- Pirouette
- Elmer
- Itinéraires
- Le Servan
- A Mère
Contemporary tasting menus <100€
Younger chefs drawing inspiration from around the world, serving no-choice dégustation menusand optional wine pairings.
- Septime
- Verjus
- Restaurant David Toutain
- Sola
- Restaurant Frenchie
- Spring
- Yam’tcha
- Le Chateaubriand
- Saturne
- Porte 12
Haute cuisine >>>100€
Established chefs with Michelin stars serving elaborate tasting menus in a very formal service environment. Lunch menus are often half the price.
- Le Cinq
- Histoires
- Le Grand Restaurant
- Pierre Gagnaire
- Ledoyen
- L’Arpège
- Astrance
- L’Ambroisie
- Lucas Carton
- Akrame
Small Sharable Plates
Casual, youthful and relatively cheap. Creative compositions served in small format and usually washed down with natural wines.
- Au Passage (reservations suggested for first service)
- Clamato (no reservations)
- Ellsworth (reservations suggested)
- Freddy’s (no reservations, standing or stools)
- Martin (no reservations)
- Frenchie Bar à Vins (no reservations, standing or stools)
- Yard Wine Bar (reservations accepted but often not needed)
- Clown Bar (reservations suggested)
- Gare au Gorille (reservations suggested)
- La Cave à Michel (no reservations, standing or stools)
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Thank you for this list.
love your recs-can you help with an outdoor summer terrace setting restaurant?
Hope u see this Paris Bound. I’ve been to Septime twice for lunch and it had the best food, setting & service. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Absolutely! Lunch is always cheaper at restaurants like this and a great way to try a chef’s cuisine at a lower price.
Hi would you recommend Septime for lunch? They have a lunch menu for 30€. I’m eager to try the restaurant after I saw you rated it as top 1, but I can’t afford the six course tasting menu.
We have eaten at Guy Savoy several times. The new restaurant is beautiful. The food this time was the best it has ever been. I know it is old school but to me, it is what three star should be.
Cosi- on rue de Seine!
Why didn’t A La Biche au Bois in the 12th make the classic bistro cut?
any recommendations around palais royale, louvre,,1st arr.??
thanks ..Ann
Hi Richard, for the moment we don’t have any absolute favorites in the 8th arrondissement. That may change in the future. Let us know if there’s something in that neighborhood you think we should consider.
What about 8 arr, ?