aléa
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… Read More »aléa
With Certain Features
Le Tagine
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
Daimant Faubourg is a trendy new vegan restaurant in Paris. Unfortunately, it isn’t great. DAIMANT FAUBOURG 20 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010Open every day for lunch & dinnerReservations online or at +33 7 88 09… Read More »Daimant Faubourg
Semilla
Semilla is one of our favorite restaurants in Saint-Germain, with an excellent wine list and plenty of options for vegetarians. Open Sunday.
L’Assiette
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.
Le Cheval d’Or
Since September 2023, Le Cheval d’Or has been revived by a new team that includes Hanz Gueco (Verjus & Ellsworth), Luis Andrade (Clown Bar), Nadim Smair (David Toutain) and Crislaine Medina, whose wine and service… Read More »Le Cheval d’Or
Les parisiens
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… Read More »Les parisiens
Baillotte
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… Read More »Baillotte
Gibon
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.
Garance
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… Read More »Garance
Paulownia
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)… Read More »Paulownia
Quedubon
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
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… Read More »Le Saint-Sébastien
Oktobre
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
Le Jules Verne is the fine dining restaurant inside the Eiffel Tower, currently helmed by chef Frédéric Anton.
A l’Epi d’Or
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€)… Read More »A l’Epi d’Or
Vins des Pyrénées
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.
Le Pantruche
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€.
Juveniles
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… Read More »Juveniles
Colvert
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… Read More »Colvert
Le Baratin
Le Baratin is a Belleville bistro that we can no longer recommend because of the pervasive hostility from co-owner Pinouche Pinoteau
Allard
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… Read More »Allard
Datil
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… Read More »Datil
Géosmine
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… Read More »Géosmine
Hémicycle
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… Read More »Hémicycle
Le Servan
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
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… Read More »Narro
Amarante
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… Read More »Amarante
Golden poppy
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… Read More »Golden poppy
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… Read More »Gramme
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… Read More »Gramme
Le Goncourt
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.… Read More »Le Goncourt
La Tour d’Argent
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… Read More »La Tour d’Argent
Café de la Nouvelle Mairie
For the wine-indifferent, Café de la Nouvelle Mairie is merely a timeless, picturesque terraced café on a shady lane beside the Panthéon. But for alert wine geeks, it might as well be the Panthéon itself, as pertains to natural wine.
Ambos
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… Read More »Ambos
Kubri
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… Read More »Kubri
Le Mermoz
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… Read More »Le Mermoz
Brasserie des Prés
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… Read More »Brasserie des Prés
Le Violin d’Ingres
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… Read More »Le Violin d’Ingres
Auberge Bressane
Auberge Bressane is a very traditional French restaurant that serves classic dishes like escargots, frogs’ legs and coq au vin. They do these dishes incredibly well, along with regional classics like oeufs en meurette, quenelles… Read More »Auberge Bressane
Breizh Café Charles Michel
We haven’t yet visited this particular location, but are excited to see that our beloved Breizh Café has expanded with a location near Beaugrenelle in the 15th. We’ve included Breizh Café among our 50 favorite… Read More »Breizh Café Charles Michel
Tomy & Co.
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.
Tram Café
Tram Café serves breakfast pastries + excellent coffee in the morning and wonderful dishes for lunch.
Le Jardin de Cheval Blanc
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… Read More »Le Jardin de Cheval Blanc
Ducasse Sur Seine
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… Read More »Ducasse Sur Seine
Fabula
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… Read More »Fabula
Les Petites Mains
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.… Read More »Les Petites Mains
La Bete Noire
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… Read More »La Bete Noire
Pétrelle
Pétrelle is one of the romantic restaurants in Paris, and it’s also one of the most delicious. Chef Lucie Boursier-Mougenot and her team create a beautiful tasting menu that changes every week to reflect the seasons, and Luca Danti ensures that everyone in the dining room feels very well taken care of.
Verjus
Verjus is a restaurant near the Louvre that offers one of our favorite tasting menus in Paris. It’s the creation of an American couple, Braden Perkins and Laura Adrian, who opened this light and airy… Read More »Verjus
La Rotisserie d’Argent
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… Read More »La Rotisserie d’Argent
Twenty-Two Club
Twenty-Two Club is a supper club in a spectacular apartment overlooking the gardens of the Palais Royal. It began as a pivot, when Braden Perkins and Laura Adrian learned that they would need to close… Read More »Twenty-Two Club
Palais Royal Restaurant
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… Read More »Palais Royal Restaurant
Le CasseNoix
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… Read More »Le CasseNoix
Le Maquis
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.
Caluche
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.… Read More »Caluche
Maison Cluny
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.… Read More »Maison Cluny
Bonnard
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… Read More »Bonnard
Pantagruel
At Pantagruel, a modern & creative restaurant in the Sentier district, each main dish is actually a parade of three smaller ones. Meaty options abound, but vegetables are given star treatment here. Balance and precision are the hallmarks of chef Jason Gouzy’s cuisine at Pantagruel, one of our favorite Paris restaurants.
Le Mazenay
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… Read More »Le Mazenay
Le Duc
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… Read More »Le Duc
Bofinger
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… Read More »Bofinger
Elmer
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… Read More »Elmer
Le Trumilou
Le Trumilou is the sort of unfussy basic bistro that we want to love. Situated along the Seine and with plenty of space to welcome groups and last minute bookings, this would be an affordable gem if the food were edible. In our experience, it isn’t.
Breizh Café Passy
We haven’t yet visited this particular location, but are excited to see that our beloved Breizh Café has expanded with a location in the 16th near Passy. There’s a leafy garden for outdoor dining at… Read More »Breizh Café Passy
Soces
Soces is a seafood restaurant in Belleville, not far from the wonderful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Chef Marius de Ponfilly (ex-Clamato) is preparing gorgeous small plates with modest prices, alongside a few whole fish or and… Read More »Soces
Septime
One of the the best contemporary tasting menus in Paris, and still one of the most difficult reservation to get.
yam’Tcha
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… Read More »yam’Tcha
Café des Musées
Café des Musées is a reasonably-priced bistro in the heart of the Marais with a notable beef bourguignon.
Otto
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… Read More »Otto
Mer & Coquillage
Mer & Coquillage is a seafood restaurant near the Louvre that’s open on Monday. With soft lighting, candles, gleaming silverware and kind service, it’s a beautiful option when you need to impress. Mer & Coquillage… Read More »Mer & Coquillage
Frenchie
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… Read More »Frenchie
Maison
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… Read More »Maison
Astrance
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… Read More »Astrance
Chez Casimir
Chez Casimir is a long-standing casual bistro near Gare du Nord that’s now being run by a new team. It’s a good option for those who love charcuterie, offal and wild game, especially when you… Read More »Chez Casimir
Le Severo
Book one of the ten tables at Le Severo when you’re craving beef, whether that’s in the form of tartare, haché, filet, tataki, bavette, onglet, or côte de boeuf. These are selected and aged by… Read More »Le Severo
Brasserie Bellanger
Brasserie Bellanger is an all-day spot near Gare du Nord for affordable French classics like oeuf-mayo and steak-frites They’re open every day, even in August, and their continuous service from 9am to midnight makes them a good option for eating early with kids or late, after a show. They have sister locations in other neighborhoods called Brasserie Dubillot, Brasserie Martin and Brasserie des Prés.
Comer
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… Read More »Comer
Breizh Café Canal
We haven’t yet visited this particular location, but are excited to see that our beloved Breizh Café has expanded with a location on the Canal Saint-Martin. A beautiful outdoor terrace puts their tables and black… Read More »Breizh Café Canal
Le Chateaubriand
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… Read More »Le Chateaubriand
Café Des Ministères
First the bad news: Café des Ministères is almost impossible to book right now. We named it our best restaurant of 2022, and plenty of newspapers (Le Figaro, the New York Times) have lavished similar… Read More »Café Des Ministères
Breizh Café Montmartre
We haven’t yet visited this particular location, but are excited to see that our beloved Breizh Café has expanded with a location near the rue des Abbesses in Montmartre. They have a few sidewalk tables… Read More »Breizh Café Montmartre
Alliance
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… Read More »Alliance
Jones
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… Read More »Jones
Le Comptoir du Relais
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.
Prunier
Prunier is a historic caviar and seafood house that opened near the Arc de Triomphe in 1924. It boasts some incredible art déco frescos and moldings from that period has been owned until recently by… Read More »Prunier
Bistrot Paul Bert
No longer included among our favorite Paris restaurants.
Datsha Underground
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.
Benoit
Open since 1912, this picture-postcard Paris bistro serves elevated and expensive French classics.
Vive
Not far from the Arc de Triomphe, chef Stéphanie Le Quellec (La Scène) opened this seafood restaurant in the Fall of 2022 with her husband David. We’ve included it among our favorite places for seafood… Read More »Vive
La Bourse et La Vie
La Bourse et la Vie is one of our favorite Classic Bistros in Paris. It’s a place where you come to celebrate, to bring a date, and to devour one of the best steak-frites in Paris.
Ilô
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… Read More »Ilô
Paris restaurants for vegetarians
Paris is no longer a terrible city for vegetarians! Here are all our picks for restaurants with vegetarians options.
Grande Brasserie
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… Read More »Grande Brasserie
Aux Lyonnais
The Ducasse group runs this longstanding address for Lyon-style cooking.
Bistrot des Tournelles
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.… Read More »Bistrot des Tournelles
Capitaine
Capitaine is a modern bistro tucked into a quiet Marais street just south of the Place des Vosges. The decor is pure (Brittany?) bistro, with bare wooden tables, moleskine banquettes, and assorted maritime kitsch. The menu appears at first glance to match this bistro vibe, but look closely: duck breast is dotted with prik pao sauce, raw oysters are garnished with shredded carrot, chile and peanuts, and fraise de veau (an intestinal membrane) carries the flavors of mapo tofu.
Flocon
Flocon is a sincere and locavore-leaning new restaurant run by a pair of brothers on the rue Mouffetard.
Le Bistrot Flaubert
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.
Mokonuts
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… Read More »Mokonuts
Le Coq et Fils
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… Read More »Le Coq et Fils
Dilia
Dilia is a Paris bistro from Italian chef Michele Farnesi. He makes great pasta, but don’t expect a stereotypical roster of Italian dishes here. You’re much more likely to be offered roasted pigeon than puttanesca.… Read More »Dilia
Mokoloco
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… Read More »Mokoloco
L’Ecailler du Bistrot
L’Ecailler du Bistrot is the sister restaurant next door to Le Bistrot Paul Bert, and their oysters come from owner Gwen Cadoret’s family of “sea farmers.” Their menu is a little pricey, as good seafood… Read More »L’Ecailler du Bistrot
David Toutain
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.
Anne
Anne is a one-star restaurant in the Marais at Le Pavillon de la Reine hotel. The kitchen is overseen by Mathieu Pacaud, son of Bertrand Pacaud, chef of the nearby three-star L’Ambroisie. Pacaud the younger… Read More »Anne
Clamato
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.
Magma
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… Read More »Magma
Acte II
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.
Reyna
Chef Erica Parades opened this brick and mortar spot in 2022 after a stretch spent organizing pop-ups for her Filipino fusion cuisine. You’ll find fried chicken and what Emily Monaco described as the ultimate umami bomb – a dish of grilled hispi cabbage topped with sesame and gochujang-spiced mayonnaise and studded with bottarga shards.
Brasserie Martin
We haven’t yet visited this location, but they’re part of the Nouvelle Garde group that includes Brasserie Dubillot and Brasserie Bellanger, which we recommend for affordable classic French food. Brasserie Martin is open every day,… Read More »Brasserie Martin
Café Compagnon
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… Read More »Café Compagnon
Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée
Jean Imbert is the new chef at le Plaza Athénée, following the departure of Alain Ducasse in 2021. This restaurant at le Plaza Athénée once held three Michelin stars and was ranked among the World’s… Read More »Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée
Shabour
With seats arranged around the central kitchen, Israeli Chef Assaf Granit’s Shabour is as much a theater as it is a culinary experience blending French and Mediterranean flavors. Shabour has been included among our 50 favorite… Read More »Shabour
Le Verre Volé
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.
Chanceux
Denizens of eastern Paris feel lucky to live near Chanceux, an all-day café, restaurant, wine shop and épicerie that opened last year near the utterly charming Square Gardette. For breakfast you can get a fresh… Read More »Chanceux
Treize au Jardin
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… Read More »Treize au Jardin
Pouliche
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… Read More »Pouliche
Astier
This classic, checkered tablecloth bistro with an excellent cheese plate.
Café les Deux Gares
This is affordable and really well-executed modern bistro fare, based on exceptional seasonal ingredients. Café les Deux Gares may be off the beaten track but it’s worth the journey, Especially on a Monday night. It’s… Read More »Café les Deux Gares
Breizh Café Odéon
Well-sourced products plus unlikely Japanese touches put Breizh Café head and shoulders above most crêperies.
Les Enfants du Marché
Les Enfants du Marché, a modern & creative restaurant located within the open-air Marché des Enfants Rouges market in the upper Marais, is a dining counter known for natural wine and avant-garde cuisine. While the seating on bar stools in the bustling market might suggest a more lowbrow offering, the unforgettable plates evoke a far more fine dining affair (an evocation reflected in the highbrow prices). It is one of our favorite Paris restaurants.
Hugo and Co
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… Read More »Hugo and Co
Amagat
One of the most fun restaurants in Paris can be found at the end of a cobblestone alley on the southern edge of Père Lachaise cemetery. Amagat, which means “hidden” in Catalan, requires some effort… Read More »Amagat
Hardware Societe
Hardware Societe is a Melbourne-style cafe in Montmartre serving breakfast and lunch (brunch, if you must) in the shadow of the Sacré-Coeur. Friendly service and pretty outdoor seating make this an ideal spot before or… Read More »Hardware Societe
Augustin Marchand d’Vins
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.
Fish la Boissonnerie
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… Read More »Fish la Boissonnerie
Jeanne-Aimée
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… Read More »Jeanne-Aimée
Huîtrerie Régis
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
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… Read More »Carboni’s
Bouche
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… Read More »Bouche
Breizh Café Marais
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.… Read More »Breizh Café Marais
Norma
When you’ve eaten your fill of French fare, give the fresh pasta from Norma a try. This Italian restaurant in the heart of the North Marais boasts a menu rich in both filled and non-filled pastas,… Read More »Norma
Le Collier de la Reine
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… Read More »Le Collier de la Reine
Candide
In a city dominated by kitchens that send shared small plates out the instant they’re ready – even if that means diners must resort to balancing the bread basket on their knees – rare is the… Read More »Candide
Early June
A restaurant run by a chef-in-residence is a difficult thing to review, but we’re gonna try. Welcoming a slate of visiting chefs from across the world, Early June is an airy, no-reservations restaurant just off the Canal Saint-Martin… Read More »Early June
KGB (NOW CLOSED)
NOW CLOSED
Brasserie Dubillot
Brasserie Dubillot is an all-day spot for affordable French classics like oeuf-mayo, sausage & mash, and steak-frites. They’re open every day, even in August, and their continuous service from 9am to midnight makes them a good option for eating early with kids or late, after a show. They have sister locations in other neighborhoods called Brasserie Bellanger, Brasserie Martin and Brasserie des Prés.
Le Grand Bain
Le Grand Bain was founded by chef Ed Delling-Williams (Au Passage, St-John) and has been reliably offering one of the most comprehensive menus of small plates in the capital on the vibrant rue Denoyez, just… Read More »Le Grand Bain
Chez L’Ami Jean
Chef Stéphane Jego was an early star of the bistronomie movement, elevating traditional bistro fare with the sort of techniques and emphasis on quality ingredients that one might expect from finer dining. His simple, cheerful dining room… Read More »Chez L’Ami Jean
Ellsworth
Ellsworth has had many different iterations since it opened, but all have been delicious. Their most popular dish from the early days – the fried chicken – remains on the menu in small plate size… Read More »Ellsworth
Bouillon République
Bouillon République is a very affordable spot for classic French dishes. They’re open all day with continuous service, which makes them a good options for parents with young children or anyone else who needs to… Read More »Bouillon République
Colorova
Colorful pastries (and some savory goods, too) at this vibrant and playful tea salon.
Auberge Nicolas Flamel
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
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,… Read More »La Fontaine de Mars
Quinsou
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… Read More »Quinsou
Milagro
In a neighborhood that isn’t necessarily known for fresh flair, Milagro bears its miraculous name well. Steps from his popular Zia, which brought craft coffee and brunch to this street overlooking the Eiffel Tower, Chef… Read More »Milagro
Guy Savoy
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… Read More »Guy Savoy
Loulou
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.… Read More »Loulou
Vivant 2
While a chorus of Bonsoir, bienvenue! still sounds the moment you walk through the door at Vivant 2, these days, it’s underscored by a bop-filled soundtrack and service with a smile that make a seat at the open kitchen’s wrap-around bar feel more inviting than austere. Chef Rob Mendoza is a champion of delicate, plant-focused fare, his luscious, creative moles drape anything and everything from broccoli to Bresse hen. Elsewhere, he effortlessly blends international ingredients with French terroir: House-made potato flatbread is spread thickly with tahini and blanketed with swiss chard; tuna is served with a Korean gochujang-spiked tomato broth. This restaurant is a great option for vegetarians and is open on Monday nights. A curated list of natural and sustainable wines seals the deal.
GrandCoeur
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… Read More »GrandCoeur
FIEF
FIEF is a sleek and modern restaurant in the 11th with a Top Chef finalist in the kitchen. Victor Mercier’s menu contains beautiful options for vegetarians, like an artichoke tartlet with black garlic paste and… Read More »FIEF
Pompette
Pompette is a small plates restaurant boasting a natural wine list from Australian sommelière Jess Hodges. Chef Jordan Robinson’s modest menu is mostly pescatarian with international and North American influences ranging from curry-spiked cockles to fried chicken with white barbecue sauce. Reservations are a must, whether for one of the 28 indoor seats or the dozen on the terrace.
Macéo
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… Read More »Macéo
Marso et Co
Following his Michelin-starred Tomy & Co and much acclaimed 5th arrondissement Hugo & Co, Chef Tomy Gousset brings his internationally-inspired flair to the 13th with Marso et Co. Mediterranean flavors reign supreme at this latest… Read More »Marso et Co
L’Avant-Poste
This mission-driven restaurant gives local farmers top billing and finally offers Paris a restaurant where omnivores are happy but vegetarians are king.
Breizh Café Paul Bert
Breizh Café now has a location on the rue Paul Bert in the 11th.
Mesa
This vegan restaurant in the HOY hotel offers an enticing menu of Latin American-accented dishes.
Chez Michel
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… Read More »Chez Michel
Cuisine
This Japanese-accented bistro from chef Takao Inazawa and oenophile Benoit Simon opened to critical acclaim in 2019.
Dirty Lemon
Without overtly marketing itself as a lesbian bar, Dirty Lemon seeks to create a space where queer women can eat and drink safely, comfortably, and happily.
L’Avant Comptoir du Marché
Of Yves Camdeborde’s three Avant Comptoirs, this is the one worth making a special trip – a place where the scale of the site finally matches that Camdeborde’s ambition.
L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer
Avant Comptoir de la Mer is bistronomy chef Yves Camdeborde’s seafood variation on his successful adjacent pork-themed pintxo bar.
Brutos
Brutos offers a contemporary dining experience with a South American accent and an exquisite rib steak for two.
Le Petit Sommelier
Le Petit Sommelier is a rare high-quality non-stop brasserie with a 1000-reference-strong wine list.
Aux Bons Crus
Read an old travel guide to France, and you’ll likely find mention of les routiers. At these roadside restaurants catering to truckers, grub was classic, cheap, and good. And despite the absence of any highway running through the trendy 11th arrondissement, Aux Bons Crus evokes these restaurants of yore.
Racines
The picturesque Passage des Panoramas is home to this cozy Italian-accented spot with a short, simple menu and natural wine list.
Bouillon Pigalle
Bouillon Pigalle offers cheap classic French food from noon to midnight, every single day.
L’Ami Louis
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.
Contraste
Two chefs – one captivated by the sea, the other by land – unite at this contemporary, creative restaurant in the ritzy 8th arrondissement.
Adar
Adar offers Mediterranean-inspired fare from chef Tamir Nahmias in the picturesque Passage des Panoramas.
Restaurant A.T.
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… Read More »Restaurant A.T.
Le Bon La Butte
This bistro is a standout in a neighborhood often defined by industrial cuisine.
Pastore
Pastore is a contemporary Italian restaurant near Grands Boulevards boasting a relatively spacious dining room as compared to many of its Parisian counterparts. The 250-reference wine list is sure to offer the perfect accompaniment to Sicilian chef Lorenzo Sciabica’s exquisite pastas or the city’s best burrata – served simply with a drizzle of infused olive oil.
Ten Belles – Rive Gauche
Ten Belles’ new Left Bank outposts offers some of the charm and all of the flavor of the original.
La Scène – Stéphanie Le Quellec
La Scène – Stéphanie Le Quellec holds two Michelin stars and is in between Madeleine and the Champs-Élysées. 32 Avenue Matignon, 75008Open Monday-Friday for lunch & dinnerClosed Saturday & SundayReservations online or at +33 1… Read More »La Scène – Stéphanie Le Quellec
Abri Soba
Abri Soba is the gracious and graceful noodle-based sister restaurant of Abri, serving soba and far more.
À La Vierge de la Réunion
The overarching honesty and generosity of La Vierge’s concept places the restaurant alongside overachieving peers like Belleville’s Le Cadoret at the vanguard of a new generation of Paris bistrot that recognizes the value of virtue.
Le Chardenoux
Cyril Lignac’s seafood-focused restaurant replaces an 11th arrondissement neighborhood bistrot.
Breizh Café Batignolles
Breizh Café Batignolles is a crêperie located between the Parc Monceau and the Montmartre cemetery.
Le Cadoret
Le Cadoret is a French restaurant in Belleville offering traditional French fare, inexpensive natural wines, and craft beers. With sincere and efficient service and serious value for quality, it’s an excellent example of what a modern bistro can be.
Pirouette
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.
Coup d’Oeil
This wine bar stands out in the natural wine-staturated 11th arrondissement mainly for its ostentatious design.
Chambre Noire
Chambre Noire has become the city’s most daring and youthful natural wine bar.
L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre
Yves Camdeborde’s audacious, standing-room-only French pintxo bar is a jostling, jolly spot in Saint-Germain.
Breizh Café Montorgueil
Well-sourced products plus unlikely Japanese touches put Breizh Café head and shoulders above most crêperies.
Sauvage
Sauvage is boisterous and fun. It has the feeling of a friendly neighborhood wine bar that just happens to have real talent (chef Sébastien Leroy) in the kitchen. Sauvage caters to a local St-Germain clientele… Read More »Sauvage
Clown Bar
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… Read More »Clown Bar
Au Passage
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… Read More »Au Passage
Le Clarence
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.… Read More »Le Clarence
Girafe
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
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,… Read More »La Poule au Pot
Fulgurances L’Adresse
French food magazine Fulgurances opened L’Adresse in 2015 as a culinary incubator featuring a rotating cast of guest chefs.
Le Cinq
Le Cinq is a fine dining restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel George V. It currently holds three Michelin stars and is led by chef Christian Le Squer. When I anonymously tested every three-star restaurant… Read More »Le Cinq
La Buvette
A simple spot where you can taste bottles of excellent natural wines alongside a few small plates from proprietor Camille Fourmont, formerly the bar manager at Le Dauphin. Not to be confused with the other Buvette, this off-the-beaten path bar (that is technically a shop where you can buy bottles) was selected as the Best Cave à Manger by Le Fooding.
Café du Coin
Fresh off Paris’ greatest resto reboot of recent years – transforming the defunct destination Restaurant Bones into the beloved seven-day mainstay Restaurant Jones – chef-restaurateur Florent Ciccoli doubled down on the Voltaire neighborhood in late 2017, opening Café du Coin with the aid of frequent collaborator Greg Back (L’Orillon, Les Pères Populaires).
Aux Deux Amis
A truly mixed crowd packs this Oberkampf wine bar, for natural wine and small plates.
Martin
Former Au Passage bartender Löic Martin opened his eponymous bar-restaurant in late 2014 in the shell of a former PMU betting parlor, placing his money on sincere small-plates, a populist booze program, and a boldly central location.
Passerini
Delicious Italian cuisine from Giovanni Passerini. PASSERINI 65, rue Traversière, 75012Open Tuesday-Saturday for dinnerOpen Wednesday-Friday for lunchClosed Sunday & MondayReservations online or at +33 1 43 42 27 56 Their Instagram / Our Instagram OUR PHOTOS OF… Read More »Passerini
L’Entente
Three cheers to L’Entente founder Oliver Woodhead for having arrived at such an apt name for his curiously dainty, all-day- service “British brasserie” near Opéra. An entente is a diplomatic understanding between nations; any understanding, of course, is what British and French cultures have notably failed to acquire of one another over the last thousand years.Read More »L’Entente
Arnaud Nicolas
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.
À La Renaissance
Great natural wines by the glass, fresh well-prepared food, and congenial service at this simple bistro near Bastille.
Dessance
Dessance restaurant in the Marais is becoming a destination for vegetarians, thanks to the “Irresistible Vegetarian” tasting menu for 64€. Omnivores have plenty of options, too, including their own tasting menu for 72€. It’s a… Read More »Dessance
Le Villaret
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.
L’Angelus du Canal (ex- Philou)
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
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.
Café Méricourt
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… Read More »Café Méricourt
Le Grand 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… Read More »Le Grand Restaurant
Le Richer
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.
52 Faubourg Saint Denis
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… Read More »52 Faubourg Saint Denis
Freddy’s
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.
Frenchie Bar à Vins
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
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.
Gare au Gorille
Just steps from the train tracks leading to and from the Saint-Lazare train station, Gare au Gorille is the new project from two Septime alums, Marc Cordonnier (Grébaut’s former sous-chef) and his front-of-house partner Louis Langevin. With a hip… Read More »Gare au Gorille
Holybelly
Pancakes, poached eggs and hearty seasonal fare served alongside excellent coffee sourced from Belleville Brûlerie in a sunny space along the Canal St. Martin. An international array of coffee preparations (flat whites, espressos, long blacks, cappuccinos, and very good “real deal” filtered coffee) are accompanied by hot chocolate made from homemade chocolate syrup and a selection of teas from Le Parti du Thé. The exceptionally friendly service is notable. Also notable, the lines for weekend brunch. Get there early.
Bistrot Belhara
A recent visit didn’t live up to the hype in which Thierry Dufroux’s Basque-inflected bistrot was declared “one of the revelations of 2013.” With the exception of a vanilla millefeuille with fresh strawberries, every dish was fine but forgettable. The wine list was uninspired and service was brisk and joyless. Three years ago, when most of this restaurant’s reviews were written, Belhara may have stood out as more exciting. It may have actually been more exciting back then. But today, when Paris is experiencing a renaissance of old-fashioned cuisine bourgeoise, Belhara doesn’t quite make it to Our Top 50 Paris Restaurants. Its saving grace: three courses for 38€ is still a great value for dinner in the 7ème near the Eiffel Tower. Read More »Bistrot Belhara
Lucas Carton
Practical information Address: 9 place de la Madeleine, 75008 Nearest transport: Madeleine (8, 12, 14) Hours: Closed Sunday & Monday; Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner Reservations: Book a few weeks in advance Telephone: 01 42 65… Read More »Lucas Carton
Faggio
Practical information Address: 72 rue de Rochechouart, 75009 Nearest transport: Anvers (2) Hours: Closed Monday & Tuesday; Open Wednesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner Reservations: Walk-Ins Welcome Telephone: 01 40 37 44 02 Average price for lunch: 20-39€ Average price for… Read More »Faggio
Hakata Choten
While the focus of this cheap and cheerful Japanese franchise is ostensibly the authentic tonkatsu ramen, the real highlight is the gyoza with a thick, crisp, seared crust and a juicy pork filling. The parent restaurant won the Prix du Concours National of Gyoza in Japan in 2004, and the dumplings truly are winners. The dining room is busy and the lines can be long, but the steaming bowls of ramen come out fast and are worth the wait. The counter seating on the bottom floor makes this a nice option for dining alone.
— Catherine Down, September 2015
Ob-La-Di Café
Ob-La-Di might be the most Instagrammed café of the 2015 rentrée, but there’s real substance at this stylish spot in the Haut Marais. Most of the baked goods are made in-house, and many of them… Read More »Ob-La-Di Café
Arpège
Alain Passard spins turnips into gold at this vegecentric (but not vegetarian) three star restaurant.
Little Breizh
Practical information Address: 11 rue Gregoire de Tours, 75006 Nearest transport: Odéon (4, 10) Hours: Closed Sunday & Monday; Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner Reservations: Book a day or two in advance Telephone: 01 43 54… Read More »Little Breizh
Maison Rostang
Address: 20, rue Rennequin, 75017Hours: Closed Sunday; Open Monday & Saturday for dinner only; Open Tuesday-Friday for lunch and dinnerTelephone: +33 1 47 63 40 77Book Online / Website / Facebook / Instagram In 2019,… Read More »Maison Rostang
Le Pré Catelan
Practical information Address: Bois de Boulogne, Route de Suresnes, 75016 Nearest transport: La Muette (9) or Avenue Henri Martin (RER C), then a 5-minute cab ride or half-hour walk Hours: Closed Sunday & Monday; Open Tuesday-Saturday for… Read More »Le Pré Catelan
Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen
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.
Caffè Stern
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
Naritake
Practical information Address: 31 rue de Petits-Champs, 75001 Nearest transport: Pyramides (7, 14) Hours: Closed Tuesday; Open Wednesday-Monday for lunch and dinner Reservations: Reservations not accepted Telephone: 01 42 86 03 83 Average price for lunch:… Read More »Naritake
A Noste
Practical information Address: 4 bis rue du 4 Septembre, 75002 Nearest transport: Bourse (3) Hours: Open every day Reservations: Reservations not accepted for the tapas bar, but book a few weeks in advance for the upstairs… Read More »A Noste
Les Papilles
Bring some friends to share in Bertrand Bluy’s family style dinner at this cave à manger.
Willi’s Wine Bar
Willi’s Wine Bar has been a Paris institution since 1980, when Mark Williamson opened up near the Palais Royal. If you’ve come to Paris to drink wine, this is a great place to stop in… Read More »Willi’s Wine Bar
Buvette Gastrothèque
Manhattanite Jody Williams has brought her well-loved French “gastroteque” back to the city that inspired the original rustic-chic cafe.
Le Garde Robe
Natural wine, snacks to soak it up, rowdy crowds and dancing bartenders. One of the original natural wine hangouts in Paris. Bottles also available for purchase to go.
– Meg Zimbeck, 2011
Coinstot Vino
Guillaume Dupré runs this wine bar in the passage des Panoramas, serving a range of small plates for snackers, a few hot items for the hungry, and vins natures for the thirsty.
Ten Belles
Just steps from the Canal Saint-Martin, this shoebox-sized café is serving beautiful coffee with Anglo-inspired breakfast and lunch bites like scones, healthy sandwiches and sausage rolls.
Septime Cave
Septime’s Bertrand Grébaut and Théo Pourriat converted a shoe-repair shop to open this intimate, impeccably-designed wine bar just around the corner from their renowned restaurant. The well-informed staff serve a limited menu of exquisite small plates (ranging from cheeses and cured meats to foie gras stuffed with smoked eel) alongside a sizeable selection of well-priced natural wines from France and abroad.
On any given evening a mixed crowd of locals and tourists – some waiting for tables at Clamato, others just enjoying apéro-hour – perch on bar stools and repurposed grocery crates, mingling to a soundtrack of reggae and vintage jazz classics. For years more a way-station than an outright destination, Septime Cave has since summer 2015 been open for business on Sundays, rendering it all the more indispensable to the rue de Charonne neighborhood.
Le Vin au Vert
Wine afficionados Etienne Lucan and Sebastien Obert opened this bare-bones cave-à-manger in 2009, having put in time on the floor at Cali-transplant Kevin Blackwell’s only-slightly-less bare-bones restaurant Autour d’Un Verre. Years later, Lucan and Obert oversee one of Paris’ most surprisingly excellent and affordable wine selections. Their prices remain well-suited to the location on the sketchier side of the 9ème arrondissement, but their natural wine selection, heavy on grower Champagne and the wines of allocated cult vignerons like Jean-François Ganevat and Eric Pfifferling, would make mouths water in any tonier district. During apéro and dinner hours, the tables are reliably full of locals enjoying simple cheese and charcuterie plates, or one of the restaurant’s limited main courses (typically a choice between chicken and a sausage). Le Vin Au Vert is a discreet destination for anyone for whom food is an accompaniment to wine, not vice versa.
Shang Palace
Practical information Address: 10 avenue Iéna (in the Shangri-La hotel), 75016 Nearest transport: Iéna (9) Hours: Closed Tuesday & Wednesday; Open Thursday-Monday for lunch and dinner Reservations: Book a week or two in advance Telephone: 01… Read More »Shang Palace
Au Boeuf Couronné
Meat is king at Au Boeuf Couronné, a restaurant across the street from the Parc de la Villette – the previous site of the Paris slaughterhouse. It’s a beautiful old brasserie and a reliable place for steak lovers in search of a slab. Open every day.
Coutume
Part of the new wave of cafés, Coutume serves serious coffee drinks along with light & healthy lunch fare.
La Cantine du Troquet
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.
Akrame
Address: 7 rue Tronchet, 75008Hours: Open Monday-Friday for lunch & dinner. Closed Saturday & Sunday.Telephone: +33 1 40 67 11 16Book Online / Website / Facebook / Instagram In Other Words The following reviews pertain to Akrame’s… Read More »Akrame
Le Dôme
Practical information Address: 108 boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014 Nearest transport: Vavin (4), Edgar Quinet (6) Hours: Open every day for lunch and dinner Reservations: Book a day or two in advance Telephone: 01 43 35 25… Read More »Le Dôme
L’Ourcine
Practical information Address: 92 rue Broca, 75013 Nearest transport: Les Gobelins (7) Hours: Closed Sunday & Monday; Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner Reservations: Book a few days in advance Telephone: 01 47 07 13 65 E-mail: ourcine@free.fr… Read More »L’Ourcine
Crêperie Josselin
The city’s most buttery, authentic crêpes served in an old-school dining room full of dark wood and Breton lace.
Bob’s Bake Shop
Bob (aka Marc Grossman)’s mini empire continues to expand with American style diner and bakery complete with pecan or lattice-topped cherry pie, Belleville Brulerie coffee, hand-rolled bagels and even their elusive brethren bialys. There’s a pretty lovely outdoor terrasse, too.
La Cantine du Troquet Dupleix
Lusty Basque fare, affordably priced. Arrive early (doors open at 7pm) to avoid a wait at this casual, no-reservations bistro run by chef Christian Etchebest.
Le Grand Pan
Benoit Gauthier’s Le Grand Pan unfussily and deliciously serves up superb meats and market-fresh vegetables.
A la Biche au Bois
Practical information Address: 45 avenue Ledru-Rollin, 75012 Nearest transport: Gare de Lyon (1, 14, RER A), Quai de la Rapée (5) Hours: Closed Sunday; Open Tuesday-Friday for lunch & dinner and Monday & Saturday for dinner Reservations:… Read More »A la Biche au Bois
Shan Goût
This tiny, highly regarded Chinese restaurant veers from the usual family style format, offering a limited-choice, three-course menu.
Le Dauphin
This wine bar next door to Le Chateaubriand boasts a smooth marble design by Rem Koolhaas and Clement Blanchet, and a great selection of affordable vins naturels. It was recently sold by Iñaki Aizpitarte. 131 avenue Parmentier,… Read More »Le Dauphin
Deux Fois Plus de Piment
This is one Chinese spot that doesn’t cater to the French palate. There are signs above the cash register that attest to this fact and warn about the potential gastronomic woes that could ensue after eating the pepper-laden Szechuan fare. Whether it’s soft Mapo tofu with crumbly pork bits or cold, sesame soaked cucumber salad, everything is slicked in fire oil, with an emphasis on the oil. I like this inexpensive, informal joint all the same (or perhaps because of it). Pork raviolis & spicy cabbage are two perennial favorites, and the broccoli with garlic provides a nice respite from the burn. You can choose your own heat level on a scale of 1-5 on most dishes. Level 3 is usually tongue-searingly warm enough for a spice lover. The restaurant is quite small so a larger group should plan to either eat early, book ahead, or take it to-go. Read More »Deux Fois Plus de Piment
Le Meurice
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… Read More »Le Meurice
Cosi
The sandwiches at this shop — run by Juan Sanchez and Drew Harré of Fish — are made with a focaccia-like bread, right from the oven, with fresh fillings and plenty of vegetarian choices. Open every day.
Le Cornichon
Here you’ll find robust, seasonal bistro cooking from a Chez l’Ami Jean alum. Menus at 31€/34€ for lunch/dinner, unless you spring for the Desnoyer côte de veau, seasonal game dishes, or other items that carry a supplement.
The Green Goose
This may just be the white whale of Parisian bars: good homemade food, good craft beer, friendly service, and big enough to gather a crowd without becoming uncomfortably crowded. Skip the Green Goose beer (a boring Belgian for happy hour purposes only) and discover the range of O’Hara’s on tap or one of the handful of Irish craft bottled beers – no industrial stout here. Settle in with a pint at one of the comfortable barstools or at a long communal table and don’t miss the lovingly prepared food at this excellent Irish gastropub, including Scotch eggs, a fair burger, and a big Sunday brunch. Read More »The Green Goose
Drouant
Facing a very pretty square, Drouant has been around since 1880. Now run by Antoine Westermann, the menu offers elegantly updated classics with an emphasis on seafood.
Pierre Gagnaire
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… Read More »Pierre Gagnaire
Bob’s Juice Bar
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… Read More »Bob’s Juice Bar
L’Ambroisie
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… Read More »L’Ambroisie
Urfa Dürüm
This is no ordinary kebab joint: The bread at this Kurdish sandwich shop is made before your eyes, split and filled with lamb, beef, or chicken that’s been grilled to order, garnished simply with a few greens, red onion, sliced tomato and herbs.
L’Orient d’Or
Craving a little heat? Head to this address for chili-laden Hunanese fare. If you want their chicken Zuo Zang-tong — General Tso’s chicken — be sure to call a day in advance and let them know.
Pottoka
A tiny Basque joint from the duo behind Les Fables de la Fontaine.Read More »Pottoka
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte
At Le Relais de L’Entrecôte, the choices are steak or steak, and the supply of golden fries is unending. Which is how the line to be seated will seem unless you go early. Included in our list of Five Great Steak Frites in Paris. Three locations.
Taillevent
We have visited and will be posting a review soon. In the meantime, scroll to see photos and what others have said about Taillevent. Read More »Taillevent
Chez Georges
A popular, old school bistro serving classics like frisée au lardons, jambon persillée, escargot, and tarte tatin.
El Nopal
A crowd queues at this sliver of a taqueria off the canal for Claudia and Alejandro’s tacos, burritos and quesadillas. There are only two stools in the tiny place, so plan on taking it to go.
Garnier
Practical information Address: 111 rue St. Lazare, 75008 Nearest transport: Saint-Lazare (3, 12, 13) Hours: Closed Monday & Tuesday Reservations: Walk-ins Welcome Telephone: 01 43 87 50 40 Average price for lunch: 40-59€ Average price for dinner:… Read More »Garnier
Les Pâtes Vivantes
Practical information Address: 46 rue du Faubourg-Montmartre, 75009 Nearest transport: Le Peletier (7) Hours: Open every day for lunch and dinner Reservations: Walk-Ins Welcome Telephone: 01 45 23 10 21 Average price for lunch: 10-19€ Average price… Read More »Les Pâtes Vivantes
Neva Cuisine
Contemporary French cooking in a polished, airy room from a couple of Grande Cascade alums.
L’Atelier Saint-Germain de Joël Robuchon
The original L’Atelier, in what’s now a global empire.
La Taverne de Zhao
Cheap and cheerful cooking from the Shaanxi province, courtesy of Zhao, who hails from Xi’an. Get the pork-filled flatbread.
Le Griffonnier
A place to eat classic French bistro food (oeufs mayo, steak frites, celery remoulade), drink from an excellent wine list, and be surrounded (still, for now) by actual French people.
Le Petit Vendôme
Practical information Address: 8 rue des Capucines, 75002 Nearest transport: Opéra (3, 7, 8), Madeleine (8, 12, 14) Hours: Closed Sunday; Open Monday 8.30am-3.30pm; Open Tuesday-Friday 8.30am-2am; Open Saturday 8.30am-5pm Reservations: Walk-Ins Welcome Telephone: 01 42… Read More »Le Petit Vendôme
Epicure
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… Read More »Epicure
Josephine Chez Dumonet
Bring your appetite, and wallet, to this perennial favorite for old fashioned favorites like boeuf bourgignon, duck confit and gigot d’agneau.
Happy Nouilles
This is no longer included among the favorite 350 addresses that make up Our Guide to Paris Restaurants. We’ve maintained this page so that you can refer to the practical information and other reviews of interest. Feel free to share your own opinion in the comments.
Le Bon Georges
It’s all about the bon produits at Le Bon Georges: beef from Alexandre Polmard, sustainable seafood from small-scale fishermen, market fresh veg from Joël Thibault, and vins de propriétés. The menu changes each day at this brand new, but classically beautiful bistro.
Grazie
Practical information Address: 91 boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Nearest transport: Saint-Sébastien-Froissart (8) or Chemin Vert (8) Hours: Open every day for lunch & dinner Reservations: Book a day or two in advance Telephone: 01 42 78 11… Read More »Grazie
Miznon
Another pita place for the Marais–this annex of an Israeli chain has above average, far more creative offerings than your corner kebab stand.
Grillé
This might be the most pedigreed kebab you’ll ever eat: prepared by Le Chateaubriand alum Frédéric Peneau with meat from butcher Hugo Desnoyer, homemade spelt flatbread, and herbs from Annie Bertin. Veal, lamb, or pork (depending on the day), the kebabs are served with your choice of white sauce (fromage frais and horseradish) or green (a barely spicy, green tomato and pepper sauce). A vegetarian option beyond the fries will be available soon. There aren’t any seats on-site, or even in the immediate vicinity, so be prepared to eat it on the go.
Le Mary Celeste
The people behind Candelaria are back with a new place serving wild oysters by the piece, outstanding small plates, serious cocktails, natural wine, and craft beer.
Candelaria
With its bright, bare-bones kitchen, crowded counter, communal table, and addictive salsas — all mercifully un-Frenchified — this upper Marais spot has officially changed the game, and people are lining up for tacos and agua fresca. Go through the unmarked door next to the stove and you’ll find a serious bar, staffed by Experimental Cocktail Club grads.
La Tour de Montlhéry – Chez Denise
The market at Les Halles is long gone, but its legacy is still in evidence at Chez Denise, an old-school meat joint that’s open late. Expect to find steak, bone marrow, frisée salad on these red & white checked tablecloths. Come hungry, and don’t expect to be fussed over.
– Meg Zimbeck, 2010
L’As du Fallafel
Cheap, messy and seemingly obligatory. The line-averse should probably avoid it on a Sunday afternoon.
Eggs & Co.
Practical information Address: 11 rue Bernard Palissy, 75006 Nearest transport: St. Germain-des-Pres (4) Hours: Open every day from 10am-6pm Reservations: Walk-ins Welcome Telephone: 01 45 44 02 52 Average price for lunch: 10-19€ Style of cuisine:… Read More »Eggs & Co.