Meg Zimbeck reviews restaurants for Paris by Mouth and is our founder and Editor-in-Chief.
We launched a newsletter in 2022 and have already gained around 100k subscribers – readers are hungry for unbiased, independent restaurant reviews. We reserve anonymously, pay full price, and tell you what we really think. We have more than a decade of experience eating in thousands of Paris restaurants, and that experience comes in handy when we’re trying to help you find the right restaurant for the right occasion.
Ellsworth closed in April 2025 ELLSWORTH 34 rue de Richelieu, 75001Open for dinner Tuesday through SaturdayClosed Sunday & MondayReservations online or at +33 1 42 60 59 66 STILL SEARCHING? Our restaurant index organizes the restaurants we’ve anonymously visited since 2021 by location and ranks them all as: SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Dandelion is my kind of place. It’s off the beaten path in a village-y corner of the 20th. It’s affordable, filled with locals and flying a little under the radar. It’s so much better than you expect it to be – from the friendly service to the thoughtful wine list (mostly but not entirely natural) to the stunningly beautiful plating as seen in this dish of red tuna with cherries and chili jam. DANDELION 46 Rue des Vignoles, 75020Open Tuesday-Thursday… Read More »Dandelion
Gibon is a great new wine bar near Voltaire that serves three courses at lunch for 24€. At night, small plates average 10€, including a plate of three oysters for 6€. The space is small and intimate, service is friendly, and the wine list (like the food) is well priced.
With its worn wooden tables, intricately painted ceilings, and charcuterie slicer propped on the marble counter, L’Assiette has the precise look of a dream Paris bistro. It also serves many of the classic dishes, like escargots and cassoulet, which have mostly disappeared from the city’s restaurants. The far-flung location in the 14th arrondissement, near the Catacombs but far from the center, has probably helped L’Assiette to stay off the tourist radar. Chef David Rathgeber and his team are friendly with visitors but don’t cater to them. The customers who come to indulge in this hearty fare are mostly local, which makes this a great option for tourists looking to avoid their own countrymen.
There are a lot of tasting menus in Paris right now. Comice stands out because of Etheliya Hananova’s exceptional wine pairings and Noah Gedalof deliciously un-provocative cooking (crowd-pleasing, not overly challenging). The beautiful room and friendly bilingual service make Comice worthy of a special occasion, especially for those who are looking for more approachable cuisine. COMICE 31 Avenue de Versailles, 75016Open Monday-Friday for dinnerClosed Saturday & SundayReservations online or at +33 1 42 15 55 70 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR… Read More »Comice
FIEF is a sleek and modern restaurant in the 11th with a mission to use local ingredients. The name FIEF stands for Fait Ici En France (made here in France) and the restaurant’s goal is to import nothing from outside of France. Their mission is executed with phenomenal expertise by chef Victor Mercier (a Top Chef finalist in 2018) and his team. They’ve earned a Michelin star for their efforts, and are offering both a vegan tasting menu (85€) and… Read More »FIEF
Paulownia is a sincere new restaurant near Nation, run by Tess Duteil and Geoffrey Belin. The couple met while working at Arpège, and their love of vegetables is evident. There was an intricate (and delicious) vegetarian millefeuille main dish on the night of our visit, along with a vegetarian starter. The star of the evening, however, was a sort of porky hot pocket – the petit pâté chaud feuilleté au cochon. Belin also has a way with fish. His barbue… Read More »Paulownia
The restaurant Godaille, situated across the street from the charming Square Trousseau, is a wonderful new addition to the Aligre neighborhood. Its ambitions feel modest – they seem to want to be a neighborhood place – and they’re exceeding them with inventive small plates and one of the best steak dishes I’ve ever tasted. Go with a relaxed bunch for a casual and very delicious meal with natural-leaning wines. GODAILLE 9 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch & dinnerClosed… Read More »Godaille
The folks behind Rigmarole have opened a pizza place called Oobatz in collaboration with Dan Pearson, the pizzaiolo behind their successful Pizzamarole pop-up. It’s incredible, you should go. Definitely the best pizza we’ve had in Paris… or perhaps anywhere else. 4bis Avenue Jean Aicard, 75011Open Wednesday – Sunday from 6-10pmReservations online or at +33 9 87 41 68 53 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF OOBATZ also delicious: our paris food tours
Service is included on French restaurant bills, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be tipping in Paris
Two talented Italians have taken over the old Robert space and are now serving an incredible tasting menu – my current favorite in the city. Eugenio Anfuso (previously at Astrance and L’Ambroisie) is creating bizarre and delicious dishes like this lightly smoked veal tartare with peanuts and sea urchin ice cream. His partner Cecilia Spurio handles the dining room and the pastry, and we loved her caramelized sunchokes with hazelnut ice cream and coffee praline. Tasting menus are priced at 80€ et 120€. We took… Read More »Amâlia
Benjamin Schmitt is becoming known for his cassoulet – a delicious crock full of creamy and richly flavored beans, nicely browned sausage and decadent duck confit. But aside from that one dish his menu is pretty modern, featuring dishes like licorice-flavored pork loin with anchovy-spiked Swiss chard. The space feels grown up, with deep blue banquettes and glazed tiles. Service is ultra-professional and the wine list is fun. This is a great option near Montmartre for modern & creative cuisine…… Read More »Benjamin Schmitt
Maslow serves vegetarian and vegan small plates just steps from the Louvre, and they’re open every day of the week. MASLOW 14 Quai de la Mégisserie, 75001Open every day from noon to 11:30pmReservations online Their Instagram / Our Instagram SOME PHOTOS OF MASLOW Find more photos in our newsletter post about Maslow IN OTHER WORDS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER ALSO DELICIOUS: OUR FOOD TOURS
Aléa is new restaurant, tucked into the sweet and sedate backside of the Montmartre hill, that’s run by a young couple. It feels personal. Chef Léa Lestage, who previously worked at the three-star Epicure, is serving a market-driven menu at night with 3-4 options per course (starters 11-16€, mains 24-26€). When I went, that included the best duck dish I’ve had in years – a canard de Challans served with an indulgent potato millefeuille and a fig poached in red wine… Read More »Aléa
Le Tagine has been serving tasty Moroccan cuisine with incredible natural wines for more than three decades. It’s a fun casual option for groups, including vegetarians and wine geeks, and it’s open on Sunday.
Daimant Faubourg is a trendy new vegan restaurant in Paris. Unfortunately, it isn’t great. Read the full review to learn more. DAIMANT FAUBOURG 20 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010Open every day for lunch & dinnerReservations online or at +33 7 88 09 73 48 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF Daimant Faubourg See more photos of Daimant Faubourg in our newsletter IN OTHER WORDS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Semilla is one of our favorite restaurants in Saint-Germain, with an excellent wine list and plenty of options for vegetarians. Open Sunday.
I never got the chance to go to Astrance when it first opened on a sleepy street in the 16th, quietly hustling without the weight of so many Michelin stars. But I imagine it must have felt a lot like dining at Alliance. What the two restaurants have in common is the partnership of an exceptionally talented chef (Toshitaka Omiya) with a masterful and welcoming mâitre d’hôtel (Shawn Joyeux). The service experience is always important, but it carries extra weight… Read More »Alliance
Attabler is a decent bistro in a neighborhood (place Victor Hugo) that seriously lacks such simple pleasures. ATTABLER 148 Rue de la Pompe, 75016Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch & dinnerClosed Sunday & Monday Reservations online or at +33 1 42 25 05 43 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF ATTABLER See more photos from Attabler in our newsletter IN OTHER WORDS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER also delicious: our paris food tours
Update: Dupin closed in early 2024 Dupin is a great addition to this southern corner of Saint-Germain, just down the street from Le Bon Marché. Vegetables and seasonal products are at the heart of chef Nathan Helo’s cooking, even when his dishes include perfectly-cooked pork or seafood. Recommended for Great Vegetarian Food in Paris. DUPIN (NOW CLOSED) 11 Rue Dupin, 75006Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch & dinner (closed Sunday & Monday)Reservations online or at +33 1 42 22 64 56 OUR… Read More »Dupin (NOW CLOSED)
Les Parisiens is a hotel restaurant whose menu is “signed by” (created and overseen by) Thibault Sombardier. The food here is good, but the ambiance is a drag. If you’re visiting Paris, there’s no reason to go and eat in this hotel with all your fellow travelers. LES PARISIENS 1 Rue du Pré aux Clercs, 75007Open every day for lunch & dinnerReservations online or at +33 1 42 96 65 43 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF LES PARISIENS IN… Read More »Les Parisiens
Baillotte is a solid option for modern & creative cuisine with choices (not a tasting menu) in Saint-Germain. They’re welcoming to solo diners, have (limited but tasty) vegetarian options, and are open for lunch on Sunday. From the same restaurant group as Narro in the Latin Quarter. BAILLOTTE 16 Rue du Dragon, 75006 Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch & dinnerOpen Sunday for lunch onlyClosed MondayReservations online or at +33 9 84 29 93 48 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF BAILLOTTE IN… Read More »Baillotte
UPDATE: Garance closed at the end of October 2024 If you want to eat brilliantly rendered seasonal dishes, be thoughtfully cared for, sit in a comfortable chair and drink nice wines from beautiful stemware, put Garance on your list. It’s a terrific option near Napoleon’s tomb and the Rodin museum. You can see the Eiffel Tower twinkling as you enter and leave the restaurant. But despite its location near these major monuments, Garance seems entirely undiscovered by tourists. You can… Read More »Garance (NOW CLOSED)
Find what restaurants are open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Paris and see which restaurants will be closed in December and early January.
You can call Quedubon a bistro or a wine bar or a cave. All apply to this address near the Buttes Chaumont, where hearty food is washed down with natural wines from a lengthy chalkboard list.
Le Saint-Sébastien is known for its vegetable-driven (but not vegetarian) cooking and desserts with a savory spin. The 400-reference-strong wine list and impeccable service make this neighborhood restaurant one worth crossing the city for. Now helmed by chef Andrés Solis, the menu features a few subtle twists that highlight his Mexican culinary heritage. They have a beautiful bar, making it a great idea for solo diners and last-minute walk-ins. Recommended for Great Vegetarian Food in Paris. LE SAINT-SÉBASTIEN 42, rue Saint-Sébastien,… Read More »Le Saint-Sébastien
Oktobre is the new name of Kitchen Galerie Bis (KGB) and a new beginning for chef Martin Maumet. Maumet worked for William Ledeuil as associate chef of KGB before purchasing the restaurant to install himself as chef-owner. Much of the team from KGB remains intact, including sommelier and dining room manager Romane Laignel. We previously included KGB among our favorite restaurants in Saint-Germain, but have not yet tried Oktobre, which will open on September 1, 2023.
Le Jules Verne is the fine dining restaurant inside the Eiffel Tower, currently helmed by chef Frédéric Anton.
A l’Epi d’Or is a second spot for classic French food from Jean-François Piège, and about half the price of its nearby sibling, La Poule au Pot. A daily two- or three-course menu (37€ or 46€) makes this a good deal for central Paris, and the à la carte menu contains kid-friendly classics like croque monsieur (17€) and hachis parmentier (27€). It’s not inexpensive compared to Bouillon République, but it’s inexpensive for Jean-François Piège. We love the steak tartare – served simply… Read More »A l’Epi d’Or
A very useful Marais restaurant, with continuous service every day of the week between 7am-2am, a lot of vegetarian options, and even a kids’ menu.
Franck Baranger’s modern bistro near Pigalle is turning out dishes like celery root soup, oyster tartare, and a standout côte de cochon. Two courses at lunch for 17€, three at dinner for 32€.
The casual neighborhood bistro we all dream about, complete with a charming host (Margaux) who remembers your previous visit, and her chef-husband Romain who makes beautiful bistro food in a tiny kitchen. The atmosphere is friendly and familial, despite the posh location near the Louvre. The wine cellar that began with Margaux’s father Tim Johnston remains one of the most delightful and well-priced in the city. The house-made terrine and rice pudding are recommended book-ends to your meal. JUVENILES 47… Read More »Juveniles
In the same spot as Le Colvert, a restaurant that never really took off, Colvert (sans “le”) has reopened with a new look and a new (Top) chef. Arnaud Baptiste participated in the 2021 season of French Top Chef and his food is, accordingly, wildly creative and over-sauced. But overall, this is a solid option for Saint-Germain – especially since Colvert is open every day of the week. COLVERT 54 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006Open every day for lunch &… Read More »Colvert
Le Baratin is a Belleville bistro that we can no longer recommend because of the pervasive hostility from co-owner Pinouche Pinoteau
Chef Lisa Desforges is continuing the tradition of classic Burgundian dishes at this sepia toned bistro in Saint-Germain. Review coming soon. ALLARD 41 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006Open Wednesday-Monday for lunch & dinnerClosed Tuesday Reservations online or at +33 1 43 26 48 23 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF ALLARD Coming soon… IN OTHER WORDS Table à Découvert (2014) “La carte passe d’une région à l’autre, avec des plats de tradition, savoureux et évoquant la générosité.” John Talbott (2013) “In other… Read More »Allard
Datil is a serene and delicious new restaurant in the northern Marais, cheffed by Manon Fleury and Laurène Barjhoux. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an inventive and seasonal tasting menu, especially one that’s open on Monday night. Priced at 65€ for lunch and 120€ for dinner, its closest peers, in terms of food and price, are Verjus, Septime and Maison. DATIL 13 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003Open Wednesday-Friday for lunch & dinnerOpen Monday & Tuesday for dinner onlyClosed Saturday & SundayReservations online… Read More »Datil
Géosmine, a new restaurant in the 11th, has stirred a lot of interest this year with their provocative tasting menu by chef Maxime Bouttier (ex-Mensae). Much of that attention has focused on his signature dish of cow udder with cream, algae and caviar. While some of his dishes might seem shocking, Bouttier’s creations feel sincere and are mostly successful (on any 11-course tasting menu there are bound to be hits and misses). Wonderful service and wine selections helped to soften… Read More »Géosmine
The restaurant A.T. is the project of Japanese chef Atsushi Tanaka, who serves a technicolor tasting menu in a minimalist dining room. My first visit in 2015 prompted disdain. The dishes seemed to be designed for the early days of Instagram, and didn’t have much depth beyond their pretty looks. Two different tables at dinner contained foreigners watching movies on their iPads. Whatever this place was, I wanted no part of it. Still, I gave A.T. another shot, returning for… Read More »A.T.
Hémicycle is a new restaurant from Stéphane Manigold that opened in late August 2023 near the Assemblée Nationale. Chef Flavio Lucarini, who we loved at Manigold’s Bistrot Flaubert, leads the kitchen at Hémicycle, along with Aurora Storari, previously the pastry chef at Le Clarence. HÉMICYCLE 5 rue de Bourgogne, 75007 Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch & dinnerClosed Sunday & MondayReservations online or at +33 6 07 16 18 64 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF HÉMICYCLE IN OTHER WORDS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR… Read More »Hémicycle
Tatiana Levha, formerly at L’Arpège and L’Astrance, and her sister Katia opened this light, airy bistro with a central bar & hand painted ceiling. The short list of offerings changes each day, but expect seasonally driven cuisine inflected with international touches like tandoori spiced beurre blanc atop asparagus or harissa to spice up the line caught hake. Dessert left room for improvement, but otherwise Le Servan had reasonably priced, expertly executed dishes and friendly service in a beautiful space.
Narro is a partnership between chef Kazuma Chikuda (ex-Le Sot l’Y Laisse), Megumi Terao and Thomas Legrand – a longtime fixture of the Paris natural wine scene. I went on the recommendation from several readers and found it to be sweet, but not a resounding success. Most plates included too many ideas and felt a little muddled. Service was kind but chaotic. Narro was packed packed on the night of our visit, both inside and on their large outdoor terrace,… Read More »Narro
In the age of Instagram, the plates and dining room at Amarante feel almost defiantly unadorned. Christophe Philippe has created a haven near Bastille for those who unapologetically love fatty food and offal and who share a disdain for vegetables. You won’t find any herbs, acidity or brightness on these plates. Both the food and the ambiance are decidedly heavy. Your gut-busting meal might finish with a simple scoop of chocolate mousse or a perfectly aged piece of Camembert-de-Normandie. The… Read More »Amarante
Golden Poppy is a restaurant from star chef Dominique Crenn inside the Fantasia hotel. Her Paris outpost takes its name and inspiration from California, the state in which Crenn resides and runs her three-star Atelier Crenn. The menu and decor are wild and the experience is mixed. Given the high prices (small plates run from 18-48 euros) and the overall “meh?” feeling that followed our meal, it’s not a restaurant that we’re urging you to visit. GOLDEN POPPY 24 Rue… Read More »Golden poppy
With its chili jam-slathered sandwiches and extra-salty chocolate cookies, Gramme could easily be found in London or Brooklyn. But Gramme shouldn’t be dismissed as a watery import – the food is excellent, and the vibe is very local. Their signature dwich (this is how Parisians now refer to sandwiches) is the sort of thing I want to eat every weekend – a runny egg with herbs, chili jam, copious herbs, and either sausage or charred broccolini on a fresh brioche bun. Their… Read More »Gramme
With its chili jam-slathered sandwiches and extra-salty chocolate cookies, Gramme could easily be found in London or Brooklyn. But Gramme shouldn’t be dismissed as a watery import – the food is excellent, and the vibe is very local. Their signature dwich (this is how Parisians now refer to sandwiches) is the sort of thing I want to eat every weekend – a runny egg with herbs, chili jam, copious herbs, and either sausage or charred broccolini on a fresh brioche… Read More »Gramme
I’m a fan of the food + vibe at Café les Deux Gares, so it’s not shocking that I also love the food + vibe at this new offering from Frédéric Lesire and Jonathan Schweizer. The duo behind Café les Deux Gares have branched out into the 11th with a natural wine bar serving small, sharable plates. What sets Le Goncourt apart from many similar establishments in the ‘hood is the quality of the cooking and the near-astonishing level of… Read More »Le Goncourt
La Tour d’Argent is a 400 year-old restaurant with an exceptional view overlooking the Seine and Notre Dame. It reopened in 2023 after a long renovation, and we recently returned four our fourth visit and loved the experience. We’ve included La Tour d’Argent among our 50 favorite restaurants in Paris. LA TOUR D’ARGENT 15, Quai de la Tournelle, 75005Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch & dinnerClosed Sunday & MondayReservations online or at +33 1 43 54 10 08 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR… Read More »La Tour d’Argent
Le Louis Vins has been tucked into the small rue de la Mongagne Ste Geneviève for seemingly forever. I’ve walked past it a million times but never thought to go in, and my dinner guests said the same thing upon arrival. But I was optimistic, based on a few strong reviews, to think that a real gem had been hiding in plain sight. Alas, this wasn’t the case. Whatever magic was happening seems to have dissipated when chef Mélanie Serre… Read More »Le Louis Vins
Ambos is a collaboration between two married chefs, Pierre and Cristina Chomet, who combine their culinary influences from Brittany, Venezuela and Thailand into one modern and delicious menu. AMBOS 38 Rue de Vaugirard, 75006Open Monday-Friday for lunch & dinnerClosed Saturday & SundayReservations online or at +33 1 43 54 91 39 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF AMBOS IN OTHER WORDS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Kubri is the latest Levantine restaurant to capture the hearts and bellies of Parisians. In a bright and colorful space that used to house the dark and delicious Pas de Loup, Kubri is serving the most exciting Lebanese food I’ve tasted in Paris. With three different kinds of hummus, a selection of small plates that include many vegetarian and vegan options, and family-style platters of short-ribs, there’s something here for everyone. KUBRI 108 Rue Amelot, 75011Open Tuesday to Saturday for… Read More »Kubri
Le Mermoz is a modern bistro with sincere service and an excellent selection of natural wines. What sets it apart from all the other similar bistros in the 11th is that it’s not in the 11th. It’s in the 8th, mere steps from the Champs-Elysées. Thomas Graham’s dishes are seasonal and relatively simple – most have only a few components. Sure, some of them might be pricey, like caviar adorning a beurre-blanc bathed tomato (above). Others might be exotic, like… Read More »Le Mermoz
Brasserie des Prés is the new Saint-Germain outpost from the Nouvelle Garde group that includes Brasserie Dubillot and Brasserie Bellanger. Like its sister restaurants, Brasserie des Prés is a great option for affordable classic French food (especially when dining with kids, picky eaters, or vegetarians). They’re open every day of the week. You can eat early, late, or with a large group. BRASSERIE DES PRÉS 6 Cour du Commerce Saint-André, 75006Open every day from 9am-midnightReservations online or at +33 1 42 03 44 13… Read More »Brasserie des Prés
Le Violin d’Ingres, a one-star restaurant near the Eiffel Tower, has passed from the hands of Christian Constant to Bertrand Bluy (owner of Les Papilles). The kitchen is now run by Alain Solivérès (formerly the chef at Taillevent) and Jimmy Tsaramanana. I have mixed feelings about my recent visit. When I reexamine the photos, I’m reminded of how much I loved the spelt risotto with blue lobster, the glazed sweetbreads with morel mushrooms, and the vanilla millefeuille. Almost everything was… Read More »Le Violin d’Ingres
I fully expected to love Tomy & Co. as much as I did five years ago, and to include it in our list of 50 favorites. It was disappointing.
What’s Open in August in Paris? We’ve been answering this question every year for more than a decade. If you are planning to visit Paris in late July or August, it’s important to know that most restaurants close for summer vacation. They vary a lot in terms of how much time off they take, and when they take it. We asked our favorite restaurants – the ones we recommend after visiting anonymously and paying full price – to confirm their summer holiday… Read More »What’s open in August?
Tram Café serves breakfast pastries + excellent coffee in the morning and wonderful dishes for lunch.
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We have updated our guide to outdoor dining in Paris as an article in our Paris by Mouth newsletter. Click below to find our favorite restaurants with outdoor seating.
Le Jardin de Cheval Blanc is an ephemeral restaurant on the roof of the Cheval Blanc hotel that runs from June 2 to October 1. The space is lush with trees and other plantings, and the red and white theme – which extends from the table settings to the staff uniforms – feels like holiday. The red theme also extends to the food – Arnaud Donckele (the chef of the three-star restaurant downstairs) supposedly collaborated with chef William Béquin to… Read More »Le Jardin de Cheval Blanc
Alain Ducasse has created a floating restaurant that’s actually good. Ducasse sur Seine docks directly in front of the Eiffel Tower and offers an incredible view of that monument at the beginning as you arrive for your lunch or dinner. It then breaks away for a slow and silent (the boat is electric and soundless) cruise that glides past the most gorgeous Paris monuments during a two-hour circuit. At lunch, there are menus at 95€ (two courses + a beverage),… Read More »Ducasse Sur Seine
Fabula is an ephemeral restaurant inside the courtyard at the Musée Carnavalet that operates from May through September. This Marais museum about the history of Paris is worth a visit anyway, and now you can have dinner inside their stunning 16th century courtyard. Chef Julien Dumas (Le Saint-James) and mixologist Remy Sauvage (L’Artésian in London) have composed a menu of cold plates and chilly cocktails that are perfect for those hot summer evenings when you don’t want to eat too… Read More »Fabula
Les Petites Mains is an ephemeral restaurant in the courtyard of the Palais Galliera fashion museum. It’s a beautiful place to take in the architecture of the building and view the Eiffel Tower from afar. However, when we visited, it was an absolute circus. There weren’t enough servers, and the staff they had were all brand-new (despite already being open for weeks). Drinks were requested once and then again and then again. There was a one-hour delay after our first… Read More »Les Petites Mains
La Bete Noire is a sweet spot for breakfast and lunch at the southern tip of the Luxembourg Gardens. On a recent visit for weekend brunch, we were crazy about all the savory dishes and a little ho-hum about the pastries for which they’re known. Service on the weekends can be glacially slow, but it’s friendly. Don’t go if you’re in a rush. We love that they always have a good meatless option for every course and have recommended them… Read More »La Bete Noire
Verjus is a light and airy restaurant near the Louvre that serves a seasonal tasting menu inspired by ingredients from their garden outside of Paris. When I revisited in late May, there was a tasting menu based around the bounty of this garden with six courses (well, really it’s five courses plus an explosion of six canapés to start) for 98€. There’s an extensive and well-priced carte des vins if you want to get a bottle, but I always like… Read More »Verjus
La Rotisserie d’Argent is a classic French bistro serving what might be the best roast chicken in Paris. Located next to the Seine, with outdoor tables overlooking the river, this is a centrally located and crowd-pleasing spot for classics like steak frites, duck confit, steak tartare, and kidneys in mustard sauce (vegetarians should steer clear). There’s a good wine list, as you’d expect from the team behind La Tour d’Argent, and they’re open every day. LA ROTISSERIE D’ARGENT 19 Quai… Read More »La Rotisserie d’Argent
Twenty-Two Club is was a supper club in a spectacular apartment overlooking the gardens of the Palais Royal. It began as a pivot, when team behind Verjus learned that they would need to close their restaurant for time-consuming building renovations. They decamped to this beautiful spot and began serving their blow-out tasting menu several times a week in a jaw-dropping private residence. The menus were inspired by and built around the fresh produce that comes from their own farm that’s… Read More »Twenty-Two Club (NOW CLOSED)
The Palais Royal Restaurant is tucked into the northeast corner of the Palais Royal gardens near the Louvre. The interior looks like a hotel restaurant (it is), and doesn’t hold much charm. During the summer months, however, white linen tables are set up outside under the same lovely arcades that hosted Paris’ first restaurants (and prostitution) centuries ago. PALAIS ROYAL RESTAURANT 110 Galerie de Valois, 75001Open Wednesday-Friday for lunch & dinnerOpen Monday & Tuesday for dinner onlyClosed Saturday & SundayReservations… Read More »Palais Royal Restaurant
Le CasseNoix is a neighborhood bistro just south of the Eiffel Tower in the 15th arrondissement. Chef Olivier Lenormand won the competition for best junior pastry chef in France at age 17, and worked for many years under Bruno Doucet at La Régalade. Like his mentor, he begins each meal by giving away something delicious – in this case a small crock of chicken liver mousse. His menu succeeds when he sticks to classic French dishes – a ballontine of rabbit… Read More »Le CasseNoix
Le Maquis is a small French restaurant located on the far side of Montmartre boasting small portions of impeccable, contemporary bistro fare and a small, all-natural wine list. A slight Italian leaning pervades the menu, which also includes more classic French dishes. Lunch is a steal at 16-euro for two courses and 18 for three.
Review from May 2023 Caluche is an all-day café and wine bar that serves fresh bistro fare in the Latin Quarter. This little gem is run by a former owner and server from the Café de la Nouvelle Mairie. The latter is renowned as a destination for natural wine lovers, and that crowd will be happy with this new venture. They’ll be even happier with the food – it’s phenomenally better at Caluche. Beyond the expected small-plate nibbles (olives, dried… Read More »Caluche (NOW CLOSED)
This new restaurant from the owner of Le Cornichon occupies prime Latin Quarter real estate with an outdoor terrace looking onto the gardens of the Cluny museum and the vestige of an 8th century convent. It’s a quiet street where you can hear birdsong, and a welcome respite from the tourist bustle near Notre-Dame. MAISON CLUNY 3 Rue de Cluny, 75005Open Tuesday-Saturday from noon to midnightKitchen open from 12-2pm and from 7-10pmClosed Sunday & MondayReservations online or at +33 1… Read More »Maison Cluny
Bonnard is a stylish spot for vegetarian dining in the northern Marais. It’s mostly a dinner spot, with lunch hours on Saturday only. Their menu is short and sweet, like their opening hours. We loved their signature sweet potato gnocchi with parmesan cream, and also the quiche with fresh salad. There’s a large teal booth that can fit a lot of vegetarians (6-8, by our guess). BONNARD 18 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Open Tuesday-Friday for dinner onlyOpen Saturday for lunch &… Read More »Bonnard
Le Mazenay is a modest bistro that’s serving classic French food with subtle Vietnamese accents. The restaurant is named after the village in Burgundy where chef Denis Groison was born, and the wine list reflects his ties to this region. But Groison grew up to travel the world, cooking in Singapore and Hanoi, and marrying a Vietnamese woman named Lan who very expertly oversees the dining room of their mom and pop restaurant in the Marais. He makes simple and… Read More »Le Mazenay
Le Duc is an institution and one of the best places in Paris to enjoy seafood. The interior, with its gleaming wood-paneled walls evoking a yacht’s interior, is truly one of a kind. Wes Anderson is rumored to be a regular customer, and that makes a lot of sense. Sole meunière is the thing to order here – the fish is presented whole before being filleted and plated table-side (most of the servers used to work as fishermen). Oysters are… Read More »Le Duc
Bofinger is a beautiful old brasserie in the Marais that serves Alsatian dishes like choucroute and flammekueche. A lot of people have special memories tied to Bofinger, and I don’t want to talk them out of their attachments. But Bofinger (pronounced bo-fan-zhay) is not a destination for food lovers. The space is enormous, which makes it easy to get in without a reservation at the last minute. But their size is the restaurant’s downfall. It’s hard to flag a server… Read More »Bofinger
Elmer is a modern bistro In the northern Marais, not far from République. Chef Simon Horwitz (ex-Septime, Pierre Gagnaire) bases his ever-changing menus around impeccable seasonal ingredients and has an affinity for large portions intended to be shared by two or more diners. ELMER 30 rue Notre-Dame de Nazareth, 75003Open Tuesday-Friday for lunch & dinnerOpen Saturday for dinner onlyClosed Sunday & MondayReservations online or at +33 1 43 56 22 95 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF ELMER… Read More »Elmer
One of the the best contemporary tasting menus in Paris, and still one of the most difficult reservation to get.
After working for Pascal Barbot at Astrance, Adeline Grattard opened yam’Tcha in 2009 in a tiny space in Les Halles. Combining influences and ingredients from Hong Kong with her French training, and offering tea pairings by Chi Wah Chan, yam’Tcha become a major sensation. A Michelin star followed, along with an episode of (the Netflix show) Chef’s Table. Yam’Tcha was, for a time, the hardest table to book in Paris. The hype has (somewhat) abated, and it’s now possible to… Read More »yam’Tcha
Café des Musées is a reasonably-priced bistro in the heart of the Marais with a notable beef bourguignon.
Otto is a wine bar from Eric Tronchon, an MOF chef who runs the nearby one-star restaurant Solstice. I got to know (and love) Tronchon’s cooking when he was at Semilla, and when he developed the menu for Semilla’s next-door wine bar Freddy’s. The menu at Otto is very similar to Freddy’s: diminutive plates of grilled shitake mushrooms, fried things, grilled seafood. OTTO 5 Rue Mouffetard, 75005Open Monday-Friday for lunch & dinnerOpen Saturday & Sunday with continuous service from noon-midnightNo… Read More »Otto
Chef Sota Atsumi, who made his name at Clown Bar, is now making magic at Maison. He still occasionally recreates the pithiviers (the dish pictured above) that made him famous, but that’s not why you should go to Maison. Go for a long lunch – Sunday lunch if you can swing it – and spend a few gorgeous hours relaxing in the sunlit room, smelling the woodsmoke and delighting in his incredibly thoughtful tasting menu. We prefer lunch to dinner and… Read More »Maison
I’ve been a fan of Astrance for a very long time. It was one of my first visits to a three-star restaurant (before Michelin demoted them to two stars in 2019), and it was one of my favorites when I tested all of Paris’ three-star restaurants back 2014. I loved Pascal Barbot’s cooking, but it was the darling service from Maître d’Hôtel (and partner) Christophe Rohat that won me over during multiple visits. The price, back then, was a steal (75 euros)… Read More »Astrance
Frenchie is the original outpost from Gregory Marchand, a chef who trained with Jamie Oliver in the UK and Danny Meyer in the USA. They hold one Michelin star and serve a no-choice tasting menu with five courses for 140€. The optional wine pairings are usually excellent. FRENCHIE 5 Rue du Nil, 75002Open Monday-Friday for dinner onlyReservations online or at +33 1 40 39 96 19 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF FRENCHIE Our most recent visit (in very low… Read More »Frenchie
In terms of flavor (and actual heat!), Comer might be the best Mexican in Paris. It’s fast casual, with bright lights, high stools, and not a lot of incentive to linger. But you can book online to ensure a spot, and they have options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diners. Its location near the train stations at Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est make it an ideal quick bite before or after a journey. For those who live… Read More »Comer
Since Le Chateaubriand opened in 2006, we’ve watched it transform the city’s dining scene and seen it rise and fall in the World’s 50 Best rankings. We returned recently and were delighted to find that it’s still one of our top picks for a casual (not fine dining) tasting menu in Paris. We recommend it for diners who are on the more adventurous side – those who enjoy natural wine and an unfussy, frenetic dining room. Le Chateaubriand may no longer have the… Read More »Le Chateaubriand
This restaurant has gone through plenty of changes since James Henry and the letter B departed (it used to be called Bones), but Jones is currently having a moment. Owner Florent Ciccoli recently partnered with longtime Jones sommelier Damien Lacour and the talented Abbruzzese chef Riccardo Ferrante, sparking a renaissance at this storied address. The dining room is now packed, with (mostly) locals flocking to taste Ferrante’s small plates and pastas. They’re also there to drink from Lacour’s “long wine list that… Read More »Jones
We were lured by the promise of a roaring indoor fireplace on a cold winter’s night, with the hope of eating delicious meats at a rôtisserie run by three-star chef Guy Savoy. It was tackily decorated and full of tourists. The food was bad, and the fireplace wasn’t even lit. I’m honestly shocked that Savoy has his name on this place. Not recommended ATELIER MAÎTRE ALBERT 1 Rue Maître Albert, 75005Open every day for lunch and dinnerReservations online or at… Read More »ATELIER MAÎTRE ALBERT
Chef Yves Camdeborde opened Le Comptoir du Relais in 2004 and, for a period of about a decade, it was one of the hottest tables in Paris. After years of diminishing quality, however, it stopped being a destination and was eventually sold in 2022 to chef Bruno Doucet (La Régalade Saint-Honoré). We returned after Doucet took it over and found it unredeemed.
Datsha Underground is a modern and creative spot in the Marais that’s really more scene than restaurant. It feels like it has been designed for a fashion week clientele, right down to the vegan and vegetarian options and the (not really) “hidden” cocktail bar Spootnik in the basement.
I really wanted to like this shoebox sized restaurant in the Marais. They seem sincere, but my single visit was a disaster. Their server couldn’t handle the small number of tables crammed between the stone walls. We spent an excruciatingly long time without anything to drink and between every course. The Japanese inflected dishes, when they arrived, were either confused or forgettable. I brought a friend for her one big meal in Paris and felt so sorry afterwards. ILÔ 6… Read More »Ilô
Grande Brasserie has a lot of things going for it. The vintage décor, in the space that used to be Le Petit Bofinger, is gorgeous. Light streams in through the large windows, and the walls are adorned beautiful old murals and posters. Owner Adrien Spanu has a lot of restaurant friends who helped him put together one of the best wine lists in Paris (hint: it looks a lot like the ones you’ll find at Semilla and Fish). It’s centrally… Read More »Grande Brasserie
The Bistrot des Tournelles opened in 2022 and was named “Best Bistro of 2023” by Le Fooding. They’re not the only ones who raved – I know plenty of people who loved their experience here. I found it to be pretty good, but certainly not the best of the year. Classic desserts like crème brûlée, tarte Tatin and chocolate mousse were delicious. Salmon gravlax and oeufs mayo starters were “correct” and tasty. Two dishes were downright bad – the croque… Read More »Bistrot des Tournelles
Flocon is a sincere and locavore-leaning new restaurant run by a pair of brothers on the rue Mouffetard.
Le Bistrot Flaubert is a modern bistro from Stéphane Manigold, the restaurateur behind Substance and Contraste. It came to our attention when chef Flavio Lucarini (ex-Passerini) arrived to helm this kitchen. We loved it so much that we included it among our 50 Favorite Restaurants in Paris. Manigold will be opening a new restaurant called Hémicycle in late August 2023 with Luccarini as head chef. What will this mean for Le Bistrot Flaubert? Honestly, we don’t know.
Robert is a small restaurant in the 11th that has had multiple chefs since opening in 2018. Following Peter Orr and Daniel Morgan, Jack Bosco is now running the kitchen and serving a menu that’s much more focused on meat and fish than his predecessor. The produce is still sourced from the restaurant’s own gardens in the Loire valley, but Robert is no longer a “haven for vegetarians,” as we described it when Daniel Morgan was the chef. Robert is not included… Read More »Robert restaurant (NOW CLOSED)
This small and charming restaurant in the 11th is a great stop for lunch after exploring the nearby Marché Aligre. So many people agree that you’ll need to book a month six weeks in advance. It’s been seven years since Omar Koreitem and Moko Hirayama opened Mokonuts, and they only recently started accepting reservations. Book a table and delight in their dishes that seamlessly blend influences from France, Koreitem’s native Lebanon and Hirayama’s native Japan. If you can’t get a reservation, go… Read More »Mokonuts
Chef Antoine Westermann ran the three-star Alsatian restaurant Le Buerehiesel for nearly four decades before asking the Michelin Guide to remove them in 2007. Five years later, he opened Le Coq Rico at this location in Montmartre – a restaurant dedicated to serving well-raised heritage chickens (and other poultry). He found a partner to expand in New York, that partner kicked him out of the company, and he returned to rename this Montmartre location Le Coq et Fils. Backstory aside, this is… Read More »Le Coq et Fils
Mokoloco is the second address from Omar Koreitem and Moko Hirayama who run the nearby restaurant Mokonuts. Mokoloco is a kitchen where visiting chefs are invited to shine. Some stay for a short residency, and some stick around for upwards of nine months. Some use this as a launch pad before opening their own place, like Erica Paredes who later opened Reyna. The style of cuisine depends on who’s cooking, but you can expect it to be anything but French.… Read More »Mokoloco
Osteria Ferrara is one of the most reliable delicious spots for Italian food in Paris. The dining room is homey and welcoming, the pastas are incredible, and the wine list always has something fun. OSTERIA FERRARA 7 rue du Dahomey, 75011Open Monday-Saturday for lunch & dinnerClosed SundayReservations online or at +33 1 43 71 67 69 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF OSTERIA FERRARA IN OTHER WORDS Restos Sur le Grill (2019) notes that he’s not usually a fan of… Read More »Osteria Ferrara
David Toutain, who brought acclaim to Agapé Substance before jumping ship back in December 2012, returned to the Paris scene with this signature restaurant in 2013. His meticulous and conceptual cooking highlights seasonal produce, with vegetables often playing the starring role. This is by no means a vegetarian restaurant, but Toutain’s ability to bring out the beauty in oft-ignored roots reminds us of his former boss Alain Passard.
Clamato is a seafood-focused small plates restaurant from Bertrand Grébaut of Septime. Expect pristine marinated fish, platters of oysters, silky crab fritters (accrabes), and maple syrup pie for dessert. Wines are natural and well-selected, just like at Septime.
Chef Ryuya Ono is making a name for himself at Magma with precision cooking and innovative combinations – like this expertly rendered monkfish with broccoli florets, buttermilk, and trout eggs. The dining room is bare and cramped, but the food makes up for it. At lunch, you can order à la carte, select a three course menu for 33€, or do the whole seven course tasting menu for 70€. At night and on weekends, you can order à la carte… Read More »Magma
Acte II is a restaurant in the Marais from chef Masahide Ikuta. It pains me to say that I don’t recommend this restaurant, because it has one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen. When I came out of the elevator (you have to hunt and find one to reach this rooftop restaurant) I actually gasped to see the sun setting over the gorgeously glowing buildings of the Marais. However, the food is a muddled mess.
An all-day cafe in Sentier from Charles Compagnon, the serial restauranteur behind Le Richer and 52 Faubourg Saint-Denis. Café Compagnon is open early for breakfast and coffee and stays open until 11pm. A great place to pop in for a bite when strolling around the rue Montorgeuil, and one of the only Compagnon spots that accepts reservations. CAFÉ COMPAGNON 22-26 Rue Léopold Bellan, 75002 Open Monday-Friday from 8am-11pmOpen Saturday & Sunday from 9am-11pmReservations online or at +33 9 77 09 62 24… Read More »Café Compagnon
A bare bones room lined with shelves of natural wines, a tiny kitchen turning out simple and dishes; this doesn’t immediately feel like the kind of place a person would cross town for. And yet many do. Booking is imperative.
Treize au Jardin is a gorgeous spot for brunch, afternoon tea and cake, or early evening cocktails on a sun-dappled terrace across from the Luxembourg Gardens. Laurel Sanderson and Kajsa von Sydow made their name with brunch and desserts, but are now serving an expanded menu that includes fantastic salads and adult beverages to match their later opening hours. You can catch some rays on the outdoor terrace and bring home a bunch of flowers or a stack of brownies.… Read More »Treize au Jardin
Chef Amandine Chaignot has been a judge on the French show MasterChef for the better part of a decade. At her restaurant Pouliche, she puts out pretty plates for an Instagram crowd in a dining room that could be ripped from the pages of a West Elm catalog. The menu is heavy with vegetarian options – Wednesday is entirely vegetarian – and the space is filled with pretty young things. Portions are tiny. Read our full review of Pouliche. 11 Rue d’Enghien,… Read More »Pouliche
Well-sourced products plus unlikely Japanese touches put Breizh Café head and shoulders above most crêperies.
Hugo and Co is the second Paris restaurant from chef Tomy Gousset, who we first encountered and loved at Tomy & Co. In contrast to the latter, which is now Michelin-starred and more formal, Hugo & Co is the more playful (and affordable) little brother. HUGO & CO. 48 rue Monge, 75005Open Monday-Friday for lunch & dinner. Closed Saturday & Sunday.Reservations online or at +33 9 53 92 62 77 OUR PHOTOS OF HUGO & CO. Most recent visit Previous… Read More »Hugo & Co.
Augustin Marchand d’Vins – like Left Bank predecessors La Crêmerie & La Quincave – is a bare-bones cave-à-manger, a wine shop in which one can dine, slightly.
This popular restaurant and wine bar run by Drew Harre and Juan Sanchez is a sort of Anglo haven, excellent for a quick glass, a solo dinner at the bar, or for those times when you’re just tired of speaking French. The wine list at Fish la Boissonnerie is populated by small producers, many of them organic and bio-dynamic, with fair prices and plenty of options by the glass. They’re open every day, and we often find ourselves here on… Read More »Fish la Boissonnerie
Jeanne-Aimée is a polished restaurant in a sleepy corner of the 9th arrondissement. Chef Sylvain Parisot bases his menu around impeccable seasonal produce, with creative and delicious results. Service is thoughtful and the room is well-designed. Nothing feels particularly inventive or cool, but this is a nice place to go when you want to focus on the person across the table – especially on a Monday night. We’ve included Jeanne-Aimé among our 50 favorite restaurants in Paris. JEANNE-AIMÉE 3 Rue… Read More »Jeanne-Aimée
Régis’ fantastic oysters come from the Marenne-Oleron and are available for dégustation on the spot in the sea blue dining room, to to take home.
Carboni’s is an Italian restaurant in the Marais that replaced Carbón, in the same space and from that same team. Their change of concept followed a fire and a pandemic, and has drawn a particularly Parisian crowd who seem not to know that this is not Amatriciana. Dishes like the giant veal chop are highly Instagrammable, and most taste pretty good. I particularly liked my starter of artichokes with bottarga. They’re a good option for groups, especially ones that include… Read More »Carboni’s
There are so many casual wine bars serving good food in eastern Paris. Bouche stands out from the crowd because they’re a little more spacious, their staff is a smidge more friendly, and the dishes are a lot more interesting. It’s a wine bar in the 11th for people who are no longer in their twenties (like me). Open Sunday! We included Bouche among our 50 Favorite Restaurants in 2022. BOUCHE 85 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011Open Wednesday-Saturday for dinner onlyOpen… Read More »Bouche
Breizh Café is by far our favorite crêperie in Paris. Traditionalists like me, who always order a complète (ham, cheese, egg), appreciate the higher quality organic ingredients and the crispy lacy edges of their buckwheat galettes. We’ve included Breizh Café among our favorite restaurants in Paris and our guide to eating in the Marais. BREIZH CAFÉ MARAIS 109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003Open every day for lunch & dinnerReservations online or at +33 1 42 72 13 77 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR… Read More »Breizh Café Marais
Le Collier de la Reine is a a trendy new spot for seafood in the northern Marais. Go for the oysters, fries and people watching. You might be tempted to stray from the seafood platter and order one of the cooked dishes. Don’t do it. Stick with the oysters, langoustines and other briny options, and be sure to order at least one side of fries – they might be the best in Paris. LE COLLIER DE LA REINE 57 Rue… Read More »Le Collier de la Reine
Update: since I published this, Le Rigmarole has closed and reopened and changed their hours many times. When I last checked, they were serving tasting menus at lunch on Wednesday-Friday (closed at night) and serving pizza on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights (closed during the day). Check their website to learn what’s happening before you go. This menu is improbable collection of dishes inspired by chef Robert Compagnon’s clear obsession with Japan and his skill with yakitori, but in addition to grilled… Read More »Le Rigmarole
When you arrive in Paris you’ll need to convert your foreign vaccination card into a French health pass if you want to visit restaurants, museums and other attractions. Here’s how to do it.
Auberge Nicolas Flamel is a modernist restaurant situated in one of the oldest buildings (1407) in the Marais. Helmed by chef Grégory Garimbay, who previously worked for Alain Ducasse, it currently holds one Michelin star and offers tasting menus priced at 128€ and 145€ and 178€.
La Fontaine de Mars is a southwestern French bistro near the Eiffel Tower that got a lot of recognition when the Obamas visited during his presidency. It’s a good spot to try classic French dishes, but certain dishes like the cassoulet seem to have gone downhill over the years. They have a charming outdoor terrace in front of the fountain that gives this restaurant its name. LA FONTAINE DE MARS 129 rue Saint-Dominique, 75007Open every day for lunch and dinnerReservations… Read More »La Fontaine de Mars
At Quinsou, chef Antonin Bonnet is serving beautiful food in a serene (bordering on sleepy) dining room just south of Le Bon Marché. At night, the five course tasting menu for 125€ includes an excellent cheese course – our most recent visit included Brie de Meaux under a shower of black truffle. A four course tasting menu is available at lunch for 95€. A lovely spot for a quiet or romantic dinner. QUINSOU 33 Rue de l’Abbé Grégoire, 75006Open for… Read More »Quinsou
Guy Savoy is a fine dining restaurant inside the Monnaie (Mint) de Paris in Saint-Germain. It holds three Michelin stars, and was once once included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. I’ve been to Guy Savoy three times, and the only time I was impressed was the first. It was 2010, and I was the guest of a woman who routinely accepts freebies in exchange for crowing about the restaurants online (I was unaware of this at the time). I… Read More »Guy Savoy
Loulou is a restaurant based inside the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (part of the Louvre) with outdoor seating that looks upon the architecture of that building, the Tuileries garden, and the Eiffel Tower just beyond. The Italian menu includes dishes that are surprisingly good (artichoke salad, small pizzas) and others that are merely passable (veal chop à la Milanese). But the food isn’t why you come to Loulou. LOULOU 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001Open every day for lunch & dinnerReservations… Read More »Loulou
A beautiful and expansive outdoor terrace tucked inside a hidden courtyard in the Marais, this is the Paris address of Mauro Colagreco, whose restaurant Mirazur was rated as the World’s Best in 2022. GrandCoeur offers a Mediterranean menu full of fresh fish, with a few vegetarian & carnivorous options. It’s open every day and is a good option for larger groups. Included among our 50 Favorite Restaurants in Paris. GRANDCOEUR 41 Rue du Temple, 75004Open every day for lunch and dinnerReservations… Read More »GrandCoeur
At Café Méricourt, the interior is light and airy, the staff is among the friendliest in Paris, the loaves arrive daily from Ten Belles Bread, and the coffee, with beans sourced from an array of quality roasters, is reliably great. The food menu leans heavily vegetarian, with tasty options like shakshuka, green eggs and feta, or a daily green bowl. Their famous breakfast sandwich can be topped with bacon or avocado. Carnivores can tear into a delicious focaccia sandwich with… Read More »Café Méricourt
Macéo is a light and airy restaurant near the Palais Royal from Mark Williamson (Willi’s Wine Bar), serving creative dishes with plenty of vegetarian options. It’s a good place to book for large groups, and for dinner on Monday. The wine list is incredible. MACÉO 15 rue des Petits-Champs, 75001Open Monday-Friday for lunch & dinnerOpen Saturday for dinner onlyClosed SundayReservations online or at +33 1 42 97 53 85 OUR PHOTOS OF MACÉO IN OTHER WORDS Figaroscope (2008) “De très… Read More »Macéo
Vaccinated Americans, Canadians, and Brits are allowed into France from June 9 with a PCR or antigen test. Unvaccinated travelers from these countries have to jump through a lot of hoops. Australians, New Zealanders and other travelers from “green” countries with very low COVID rates face no restrictions in entering France or crossing EU borders.
Chez Michel has reinvented itself many times within the bistro tradition. Founder Thierry Breton has passed the reins to chef Masahiro Kawai, who carries the torch for traditional dishes like Kig Ha Farz while creating his own instant-classics, like this spin on bouillabaisse. The atmosphere is homey with wood timbered ceilings and the wine list remains impressive. Leave room for desserts like Paris-Brest and Poire Belle Hélène (who else makes that anymore?). CHEZ MICHEL 10 Rue de Belzunce, 75010 Open Monday-Friday… Read More »Chez Michel
L’Ami Louis is one of the most atmospheric restaurants in Paris. It’s dark and dramatic, with white jacketed servers bringing overflowing plates of snails, foie gras, and other classic French dishes. The roast chicken, with its accompanying tower of shoestring fries, is as good as everyone says it is. But L’Ami Louis is also one of the most clubby restaurants in Paris. It’s filled with regulars, it’s hard to get a table, and the prices are high enough to scare most tourists away. That’s probably by design. If you need to ask how much the roast chicken costs (it inches closer to 100 euros every year), then L’Ami Louis is probably not for you. It remains one of our favorite places in Paris, when someone else has gone to the trouble to book and ideally when someone else is paying.
At this beautiful restaurant in the underserved district just north of Les Halles, serious technique is brought to bear on beautiful veggies and offal alike. The consistently delicious dishes, the polished room and the very good wine list all add up to something that’s much greater than the bargain prices should allow. There’s a prix fixe at lunch for only 15€, and diners can go à la carte at lunch or dinner for 36€. Chef Tomy Gousset departed in 2016 to open Tomy & Co, but Pirouette remains a solid bet.
In 2016, the team from Saturne took over a historic bar near the Cirque d’Hiver and installed chef Sota Atsumi (ex-Vivant) in the kitchen. Atsumi’s dishes dominated Instagram for a solid two years, and Clown Bar became one of the town’s most difficult reservations to snag. The Saturne team (and restaurant) has since dissolved amid rumors of wine theft and partner animosity. Atsumi has moved on to open Maison. Clown Bar remains open, and Atsumi’s iconic creations, including the brain and… Read More »Clown Bar
Address: 1 bis passage de Saint Sébastien, 75011Hours: Open Monday-Saturday for dinner. Closed Sunday.Telephone: +33 1 43 55 07 52Book Online / Website / Facebook / Instagram Our Most Recent Visit It’s so nice when a restaurant delivers more than they need to, more than you expect to receive. When looking at a chalkboard menu filled with cheap small plates, one rarely hopes for anything more than simple products. But here at Au Passage, your 8€ octopus dish has undergone three days of preparation. There’s a quiet… Read More »Au Passage
Le Clarence is a fine dining restaurant in a private Paris mansion near the Champs-Élysées. It opened in 2017 and holds two Michelin stars. In 2022, it ranks #28 on the World’s Best Restaurants list. The luxurious space is owned by Prince Robert of Luxembourg and was decorated to evoke the Château Haut-Brion in Bordeaux, which he also owns. It’s gorgeous. LE CLARENCE 31 Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008Open Wednesday-Saturday for lunch & dinnerOpen Tuesday for dinner onlyClosed Sunday &… Read More »Le Clarence
A scenester address with decent seafood and an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower. Service is slack, it’s nearly impossible to book, and it’s expensive. If you’re somehow able to get a reservation (these are rarely available online and they almost never answer the phone) go for the view and not the food.
La Poule au Pot is chef Jean-François Piège’s revival of a classic Les Halles institution. The menu is full of classic French dishes like frog’s legs, merlan frit colbert, and clafoutis. It’s a pricey affair, but a good option to keep in mind near the Louvre, especially on Saturday when many spots for classic French are closed. LA POULE AU POT 9 Rue Vauvilliers, 75001Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch & dinnerClosed Sunday & MondayReservations online or at +33 1 42 36… Read More »La Poule au Pot
French food magazine Fulgurances opened L’Adresse in 2015 as a culinary incubator featuring a rotating cast of guest chefs.
At the impossibly young age of 24, Arnaud Nicolas achieved one of the highest honors in gastronomy – the title Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) – for his talent in charcuterie. Fourteen years later, he opened an ambitious shop and restaurant near the Eiffel Tower with the explicit goal of returning charcuterie to a place of honor on the French table. In the same way that prize-winning artisans have reshaped traditional baguette-making and pâtisserie, Nicolas wants to reintroduce charcuterie to palates that have become used to mediocre industrialized examples. So is it really that different? Yes.
Torchon? Mi-cuit? Here’s the low-down on the fatty lobe that’s featured on so many holiday tables.
Le Villaret is one of our favorite Classic Bistros in Paris. Sometimes in life we chase after the ones who play hard-to-get and we ignore the nice, stable options who just want to treat us right. Le Villaret is the homely neighborhood bistro that I never appreciated until I stopped looking for love at Le Baratin and Le Repaire de Cartouche.
Simply one of the most beautiful (and expensive) fromageries in Paris.
Chef Philippe Damas is showcasing the season’s best ingredients (porcinis, partridges) at this this bistro near the Canal Saint-Martin.
Le Repaire de Cartouche is a great place to sit at the bar without reservations, order wine with a slab of terrine, and wait for your table to open up at Au Passage. It’s still great fun as a wine bar, even if it can no longer deliver as a restaurant.
Address: 7 rue d’Aguesseau, 75008Hours: Open Monday-Friday for lunch & dinner. Closed Saturday & Sunday.Telephone: +33 1 53 05 00 00Book Online / Website / Instagram Le Grand Restaurant in Photos In Other Words Le Figaro (2015) “Le plat à ne pas laisser filer: homard bleu de Bretagne en feuille de figuier, mûres épicées, foie gras au poivre sauvage, pur instant de mijoté réinventé.” Simon Says (2015) “En fait, si l’on a bien compris, Jean François Piège semble vouloir siffler la… Read More »Le Grand Restaurant
Where can you find a great baguette in Paris? Below we’ve listed and mapped the bakeries who have placed among the top ten winners in the city’s annual competition to determine La Meilleure Baguette de Paris. Look for the bakery that’s nearest to you, or focus your efforts on those who have finished first – we’ve indicated the Grand Prix winners with a heart.
Read More »Where to Find the Best Baguettes in Paris
An offshoot of one our absolute favorites L’Office, you can stop by this former corner café at all hours of the day and night (sans reservation) for snacks, small plates, decent coffee, cocktails, or an evening meal.
After L’Office and Le Richer (one of our favorite new openings of 2013), Charles Compagnon is back with another gift for the Faubourg. If he has run out of ideas for restaurant names, the same cannot be said for the dishes coming out of his kitchen. The compact menu with 3-4 choices per course contains plenty that we want to eat: well-roasted duck with coco beans, corn and kale, and an egg yolk ravioli with ham and mushrooms that was satisfyingly reminiscent of one of… Read More »52 Faubourg Saint Denis
Freddy’s is a great call when you want to share some delicious nibbles and great wine while perched on a stool, especially at odd hours or on Sunday and Monday when many other places are closed.
If you want a taste of Gregory Marchand’s cooking without the challenge of scoring a reservation at Frenchie, this is where to go.
Mensae is a contemporary French bistro not far from the sprawling Buttes-Chaumont park. Classics like frogs’ legs and steak tartare are frequently featured on the ever-changing menu, revisited with a contemporary bent and more reasonable portion size than the behemoths found in other restaurants. Don’t miss the chocolate mousse for dessert.
East meets west at William Ledeuil’s much-lauded Ze Kitchen Galerie.
Haven’t sorted out your Thanksgiving holiday plans yet? No need to freak out. We’ve rounded up a few resources to help our American readers, as well as any locals who’ll be sharing the table this year.
Alain Passard spins turnips into gold at this vegecentric (but not vegetarian) three star restaurant.
Between September-December 2014, we anonymously tested all nine of the Paris restaurants that hold three Michelin stars, along with seven others that are considered to be shining examples of haute cuisine. In total, we spent €7150 in tasting 200 individual compositions during more than 65 hours at the table. You can learn more about how and why we did this by reading Behind the Curtain: Examining Haute Cuisine in Paris. Here are the articles that have come out of this: HAUTE FOOD PORN If you simply want… Read More »Special Report on Haute Cuisine
You can now find our report on three-star dining, including a ranking of every three-star restaurant in Paris, in the archives of our Substack newsletter.
More than 100 years ago, a tire company named Michelin began telling people about their best options for eating while motoring around the country. Travelers wanted to know what was worth a detour or a special journey, and that’s still the case today. The question I’m most frequently asked by our readers is where to go for a special blow-out meal. You want to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, a victory. You want to seal a deal, whether business or pleasure. You’re willing to drop some cash, but you don’t want to feel like a fool.
Until now, I’ve had a hard time answering this question. I know well the landscape of the city’s classic bistros, modern French restaurants, and food-loving wine bars, but this class of two- and three-star tables is a different terrain entirely. There’s an obvious barrier to understanding these restaurants: the staggering, outrageous, almost immoral price of a meal. Prior to this project, in which I anonymously tested every three-star restaurant in Paris over a period of twelve weeks, I had only visited a handful.
Read More »Behind the Curtain: Examining Haute Cuisine in Paris
This historic three-star restaurant is perched in a pavilion just off the Champs-Elysées and has been a dining destination since the French Revolution. Long-time chef Christian Le Squer handed the reigns to Yannick Alleno in July 2014, and Alleno has promised a renewed focus on what he considers to be the great strength of French cuisine – sauces.
Many powerful names/brands have come together for this long-awaited opening inside the Passage des Panoramas. The Alajmo family (of the three-starred Le Calendre in Padua) have partnered with David Lanher (Racines, Vivant) to convert an engraving shop into an Italian restaurant. They had some help from designer Philippe Starck, but thankfully not too much. The historically protected space – a series of dimly glowing rooms that date back to the 16th century – is stunning. Read More »Caffè Stern
Bring some friends to share in Bertrand Bluy’s family style dinner at this cave à manger.
Manhattanite Jody Williams has brought her well-loved French “gastroteque” back to the city that inspired the original rustic-chic cafe.
The real specialty at this classic, luxe shop is Armagnac, with vintages dating back to 1868. Don’t know the first thing about Armagnac? Just ask, and one of the friendly staff will pour you a taste. The back room houses an impressive collection of first growth Bordeaux (Margaux, Latour) and Chateau d’Yquem, and R-D bottles their own lines of port and Scotch, too.
Terroir-driven, estate-bottled, organic and biodynamic wines from small producers are the specialty at this beloved shop, run for almost 20 years by Juan Sanchez. Especially strong in their selection of growers’ Champagnes and bottles from the Rhone Valley. Stop by on Saturdays for their free tastings with winemakers from 11am-7:30pm. Check our calendar of Paris food & wine events to find out which winemakers they’ll be hosting this week.
Warm, welcoming and well-priced. This bistro from Christian Etchebest follows the model of his other cantines, La Cantine du Troquet and La Cantine du Troquet Dupleix.
Le Meurice is a Michelin two-star restaurant headed by Alain Ducasse and run by executive chef Amaury Bouhours. Currently, the main attraction is pastry chef Cédric Grolet and his stunning desserts. The other star is the opulent room itself, designed by Philippe Stark and inspired by Versailles. At the time of my visit in 2014, Le Meurice held three Michelin stars and offered a relatively inexpensive lunch service (2 courses for 85€ or the whole lunch menu for 130€). While… Read More »Le Meurice
Our recommendations for titles that you can cook from and book from this summer in France.
Pierre Gagnaire is a Michelin three-star restaurant that has also spent many years on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Gagnaire is considered a pioneer in molecular gastronomy and collaborated with chemist Hervé This in early explorations of synthetic cuisine – creating new forms and textures using tartaric acid, glucose, and polyphenols, and so on. In contrast to the ebullient food, the dining room at Gagnaire has always been icy and formal. Dining here – at least during my two… Read More »Pierre Gagnaire
I once sat across from Owen Wilson at a communal table at Bob’s Juice Bar. He seemed happy with his veggie bowl, and you probably will be, too. This is the original Paris outpost from Marc Grossman selling healthy salads, bowls, smoothies, and other vegetarian delights. Open Monday, open Saturday, good for breakfast, cheap eats, vegetarian friendly, gluten free options, vegan options 15 rue Lucien Sampaix, 75010Open for breakfast & lunch Monday-SaturdayClosed Sunday OUR PHOTOS OF BOB’S JUICE BAR IN… Read More »Bob’s Juice Bar
Even if I can never afford to return, I’m so happy that L’Ambroisie exists. While many of his peers are shifting their focus to more modest ingredients, Bernard Pacaud is still laying on the caviar. While service elsewhere has become increasingly solicitous, L’Ambroisie remains a model of aristocratic snobbery. I’ll be sad the day their sumptuous dining rooms close for good, and will treasure the memory of a meal I only partially enjoyed in the moment because I was mostly holding my breath. I reviewed L’Ambroisie as part… Read More »L’Ambroisie
The original L’Atelier, in what’s now a global empire.
Epicure is a fine dining restaurant inside Le Bristol hotel. It’s led by chef Éric Fréchon and currently holds three Michelin stars. Chef Éric Fréchon has a lot of fans, so I was expecting something great when I visited in 2014. The cooking, while enjoyable, didn’t offer anything new. The setting lacked soul. It occupies a very similar niche to Le Cinq but didn’t measure up. Fréchon’s cuisine plays it a little too safe for my taste. A dish of raw… Read More »Epicure
For the second year in a row, the winner of the Best Baguette in Paris competition comes from the 14th arrondissement. Congratulations to Antonio Teixeira from the Délices du Palais for placing first in the annual Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française de la Ville de Paris!
The Michelin Guide has just released its 2014 designations. Here’s a quick summary, for those who are still following the Red Guide, plus links to the reactions from local and foreign critics.
In case you missed his much-discussed lament in the New York Times, Thomas Chatterton Williams is upset that Hipsters Ruined Paris. More specifically, he’s annoyed by the proliferation of “burrata salad” at the expense of hostess bars in South Pigalle. He warns us against the anesthetizing effects of steel-cut oats and worries that there isn’t room for both kale and human trafficking in the neighborhood to which he moved two years ago. From Brooklyn, of course.
After working for Ducasse for seven years, Kei Kobayashi has opened an eponymous restaurant in the old Gerard Besson space, offering four or five courses at lunch (38/48€) and six or eight (75/95€) at dinner.
It’s truffle season in Paris, and the knobby tubers are turning up on restaurant menus all over town. Many people, however, don’t know their Alba from their elbow, and can’t understand why a kilo of fungus might sell for thousands of euros. Are are some basics, with a little help from truffle maven Patricia Wells.
Our coverage of the (largely uncovered) 2011 Salon du Chocolat, including the all-chocolate lingerie show.
Gail Simmons recently returned to Paris for the first time in a decade and (helped in part by your Twitter suggestions) ate her way through the city. She named the sweetbreads at Spring and Frenchie’s cod with smoked eggplant as two of her favorite Paris tastes. But what else did she put in her mouth?
Meg Zimbeck is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Paris by Mouth. Beyond the content on this site, she writes about food in Paris for the Wall Street Journal. In the past, she has served as the Paris editor for both Budget Travel and BlackBook and has contributed to Food & Wine, SAVEUR, AFAR, Gridskipper, the BBC’s Olive magazine, and the seat-pocket magazines of United, Virgin Trains, and Gulf Air. She also hosted a program on Paris Street Eats for the Travel Channel (USA). Meg’s food photography has been… Read More »Meg Zimbeck
