Few cities command as much respect and admiration in the culinary world as Paris. While it might not always be at the forefront of radical culinary experimentation, a vibrant new generation of chefs is injecting fresh energy and creativity into the Parisian dining scene. What truly sets Paris apart is its remarkable diversity of restaurants. Whether you crave an elaborate Michelin-starred tasting menu, a comforting savory crêpe, or innovative vegetarian options, the city offers something to satisfy every palate. Consider this your curated guide to some of The Best Restaurants in Paris, designed to cater to every type of diner.
For Michelin-Starred French: L’Ambroisie
Nestled on the prestigious Place des Vosges, L’Ambroisie stands as a beacon of classic French haute cuisine. This venerable establishment, helmed by Chef Bernard Pacaud, has held the coveted three Michelin stars for an impressive number of years, a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence. Dining at L’Ambroisie is an experience, a journey into the heart of gourmet French cooking, albeit one that comes with a significant price tag.
The ambiance is one of understated elegance, reflecting the refined nature of the cuisine. Expect impeccable service, a hushed atmosphere, and a focus on the art of presentation. While the à la carte menu is sure to tempt, the prix-fixe lunch menus, offered in four or five courses, represent the best value, providing a glimpse into the chef’s artistry without completely emptying your wallet.
L’Ambroisie’s menu showcases classic French techniques and the finest ingredients. Signature dishes might include delicate scallops paired with Brussels sprouts and the earthy aroma of white truffle, or succulent Bresse pigeon served with caramelized onions, sautéed porcini mushrooms, and the crunch of fresh walnuts. For a heartier option, consider the grey-pepper encrusted lamb accompanied by a creamy, iced salsify. Each dish is a carefully composed masterpiece, designed to delight the senses and leave a lasting impression. L’Ambroisie is one of The Best Restaurants in Paris.
For Creative New Bistrot Fare: Septime
Septime, currently ranked among the world’s 50 best restaurants, is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking innovative and forward-thinking French cuisine. Located in the trendy Charonne district, this one Michelin-starred restaurant, under the guidance of Chef Bertrand Grébaut, has become a culinary hotspot, resulting in considerable waiting lists and making securing a table a coveted achievement.
The atmosphere at Septime is more relaxed than at traditional Michelin-starred establishments, reflecting the bistrot-style setting. However, the focus on culinary excellence remains unwavering. Chef Grébaut is known for his intensely flavorful, seasonal dishes that showcase top-quality ingredients sourced from around the world.
To fully appreciate the breadth of Chef Grébaut’s talent, opt for the five- or seven-course tasting menus. These menus offer excellent value and provide a curated culinary experience that highlights the best of the season. Wine pairings, carefully selected from partner vineyards, are also available to enhance the meal. Expect dishes that are both visually stunning and incredibly delicious, reflecting a modern approach to French cuisine. This restaurant deserves its spot on the list of The Best Restaurants in Paris.
For Traditional Local Dining: Bistrot Paul Bert
Bistrot Paul Bert gained international recognition when the late Anthony Bourdain featured it on his show "No Reservations." This neighborhood bistrot, with its exposed brick walls, vintage poster art, and cozy booths, exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere. The vibe is distinctly local and relaxed, creating the perfect setting for a casual yet exceptional lunch or dinner.
Chef Bertrand Auboyneau helms the kitchen, creating a menu that celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients and classic French flavors. While the restaurant is renowned for its superb steak frites (steak and fries), the menu offers a wide range of delectable options. Consider the whole sole with a delicate butter and lemon sauce, or the rich and flavorful roast venison with celeriac and cranberries. The beef tartare, prepared with egg and fresh truffle shavings, is another standout dish. For dessert, don’t miss the classic apple tarte tatin, a perfect ending to a satisfying meal.
Bistrot Paul Bert embodies the spirit of the traditional Parisian bistrot, offering delicious food in a relaxed and convivial setting. It’s a place where locals and visitors alike can gather to enjoy a taste of authentic French cuisine.
For Gourmet Vegetarian & Vegan: L’Arpège
L’Arpège, the three-star Michelin restaurant led by acclaimed French chef Alain Passard, represents a bold and groundbreaking approach to vegetarian cuisine. Chef Passard made a significant decision to center his tasting menus entirely around vegetables, transforming L’Arpège into a pioneer in the world of vegetarian-friendly French cooking.
The ambiance at L’Arpège is elegant and refined, reflecting the high standards of a three-star Michelin restaurant. The focus, however, is firmly on the vegetables, which are treated with the utmost respect and transformed into culinary masterpieces.
While the tasting menus are undeniably pricey, the lunchtime service offers a more accessible way to experience Chef Passard’s culinary vision. The seasonal garden menu showcases the freshest ingredients, often sourced directly from the chef’s own gardens. Expect innovative and surprising dishes such as vegetable sushi with laurel leaf, green asparagus with pink grapefruit and goat’s cheese, or topinambour soup (a root vegetable) with horseradish. The vegetable lasagna with rutabaga is another highlight, demonstrating the chef’s ability to create complex and flavorful dishes using only vegetables. L’Arpège is undoubtedly one of The Best Restaurants in Paris for vegetarian diners.
For Fish & Shellfish: Seabar
Seabar, a local gem tucked away near the vibrant Aligre Market, is a must-visit for fish and seafood enthusiasts. The restaurant offers a wide array of delectable seafood dishes, from towering fresh shellfish platters to whole Brittany lobster, caviar, sashimi, raw oysters, and the freshest catches of the day.
The ambiance is relaxed and welcoming, reflecting the neighborhood setting. Diners can choose to sit indoors or on the pleasant terrace, perfect for enjoying a meal after exploring the bustling stalls of the Aligre Market.
The menu showcases the best of the sea, prepared with skill and attention to detail. The shellfish platters are a feast for the eyes and the palate, while the whole Brittany lobster is a true indulgence. The restaurant also offers a selection of fine wines to complement the seafood dishes. The fixed-price lunch menu offers exceptional value, making Seabar an accessible option for all seafood lovers.
For a Historic Brasserie: Le Grand Colbert
Le Grand Colbert, nestled in a corner of the historic Galerie Vivienne, embodies the essence of a classic Parisian brasserie. The restaurant boasts eye-catching décor, delicious and affordable fare, and a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere despite its prestigious location.
Stepping into Le Grand Colbert is like stepping back in time to Paris circa 1900. The interior features large mirrors, a handsome zinc bar, ornate wall paintings, and comfortable dark leather booths. The menu features classic French dishes such as sole meunière with potatoes, enormous shellfish and seafood platters, and duck confit with salad and garlic-sautéed potatoes.
Le Grand Colbert offers a quintessential Parisian dining experience, combining historical charm with delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere.
For Crêpes & Savory Galettes: Breizh Café
Breizh Café consistently ranks among the best crêperies in Paris, specializing in sweet crêpes, savory pancakes (galettes), and other delicacies from the Brittany region. Located in the Marais district, the main location often has a line outside, a testament to the quality of its offerings.
The dining room is bright and modern, providing a pleasant setting for enjoying these Breton specialties. Start with a savory buckwheat galette, choosing from a variety of fillings. Options range from the traditional egg, mushroom, and ham to more adventurous combinations with smoked herring and St-Malo potatoes.
Accompany your galette with a glass of Breton cider, a traditional pairing. For dessert, indulge in a sweet crêpe, such as the salted butter caramel crêpe with vanilla ice cream or the sweet buckwheat crêpe with honey, ice cream, and puffed grains.
For Asian-Fusion: Double Dragon
Double Dragon, a cheerful and informal restaurant in the 11th arrondissement, offers a creative and flavorful take on pan-Asian street food. Helmed by sisters Katia and Tatiana Levha, the restaurant is part of a new wave of innovative eateries in eastern Paris.
The open kitchen allows diners to watch the chefs at work, adding to the lively atmosphere. The menu features a variety of dishes inspired by cuisines from across Asia. Start with house specialties like wonton with shrimp and chicken wings with sweet and sour sauce or bao bun stuffed with comte cheese before tucking into an enormous bowl of fragrant, spicy noodles or wok-sautéed eggplant with crispy rice.
Double Dragon is a great choice for those seeking a fun and flavorful dining experience with a unique Asian-fusion twist.
For Wines With Small Plates: Frenchie Bar à Vin
Frenchie Bar à Vin, a wine bar adjacent to the renowned Frenchie restaurant, is the perfect place to enjoy a selection of fine wines paired with creative small plates. Chef Greg Marchand, the culinary force behind Frenchie, has created a wine bar that is both sophisticated and approachable.
The intimate "cave" (cellar) is appointed with simple wooden tables and stools, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Choose from a selection of dozens of fine wines, sourced from France, Europe, North America, and beyond.
The small plates are artfully presented and centered around seasonal ingredients. The cheese plates are particularly noteworthy, featuring a selection of British varieties, a departure from the typical French cheese offerings. Arrive early to secure a table, as Frenchie Bar à Vin is a popular destination for wine lovers.
For Kid-Friendly Traditional Dining: Brasserie Gallopin
Finding a restaurant in Paris that caters to both adults and children can be a challenge. Brasserie Gallopin, a historic brasserie dating back to 1876, offers a solution. Adults can enjoy a sophisticated French meal while children can choose from a dedicated menu.
Located on the Place de la Bourse, Brasserie Gallopin features a classic brasserie setting. The children’s menu includes options such as a fish fillet or a minced steak, served with a choice of garnish, followed by ice cream for dessert and water with flavored syrup. This makes it one of The Best Restaurants in Paris for families.
For Steak-Frites: Le Relais de Venise l’Entrecote
Le Relais de Venise l’Entrecote, with locations around the world, is a Parisian institution famous for its exceptionally tender and flavorful steaks accompanied by crispy double-cooked fries.
The restaurant has a minimalist approach. There is no menu to speak of. Instead, you simply choose how you would like your steak cooked: bleu (ultra-rare), saignant (rare), à point (medium), or bien cuit (well-done). The meal begins with a green salad, followed by the made-to-order grilled steak, smothered in a signature dark-green sauce that blends condiments, herbs, and spices. For dessert, try the chocolate profiteroles.
For Scrumptious Falafel: L’As du Fallafel
L’As du Fallafel, a beloved restaurant in the Marais district, is widely considered one of the best places for falafel in Paris, and perhaps even the world.
While most customers opt to devour their falafel sandwiches on the street outside the bustling restaurant, L’As du Fallafel also offers a lively dining room for those who prefer to sit down. The "falafel special" is a local favorite: slabs of buttery eggplant, crunchy carrots, and red cabbage slathered with tahini and spicy sauce are stuffed into a warm, thick pita, perfectly complementing the crisp falafel balls. The falafel platters are equally delicious and offer a more substantial meal.
For Dining With Views: Les Ombres
Les Ombres, located on the rooftop terrace of the Musée Quai Branly, offers stunning panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, and other iconic Parisian landmarks.
The glass-enclosed dining room, designed by architect Jean Nouvel, is bathed in the warm light of the Eiffel Tower at night. During the day, the tower’s metal latticework casts shadows onto the tablecloths. The menus offer classic French dishes with contemporary touches, such as Normandy beef with peppers and apples, marinated Brittany sardines with espelette pepper, and soft-boiled egg with spinach and crayfish.
For Pizza and Italian: East Mamma
East Mamma, a vibrant trattoria in the trendy Charonne neighborhood, has taken the Parisian Italian food scene by storm. The restaurant, known for its authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, regularly draws lines around the block at opening time.
Chef Ciro Cristiano oversees the kitchen, creating dishes that celebrate the flavors of Italy. The wood-fired pizzas are a must-try, blending crispy edges with a melt-in-your-mouth quality toward the centers. The classic margherita with basil and fresh buffalo mozzarella is a perennial favorite, as is the pie with fiore di latte cheese, fresh tomatoes and basil, and bright yellow zucchini flowers. The pastas, served in copper pans, are perfectly cooked and full of fresh seasonal flavors.
For Late-Night Dining: Le Grand Café Capucines
Le Grand Café Capucines, one of the historic brasseries of the Grands Boulevards district, is an excellent option for a late-night meal. The spacious restaurant, dating back to 1875, features stunning Art Nouveau design elements and is open daily until midnight.
The revamped dining room, with its plush booth seating, offers a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The menu features a selection of traditional French dishes, including giant shellfish platters, French onion soup, hot goat’s cheese salad, Burgundy snails, and roast duck’s breast with honey.
For Couscous and North African Cuisine: Le Tagine
Le Tagine is one of the best spots in Paris for couscous and other traditional North African fare. The elegant dining room, decorated with sheer curtains and Moroccan-style lamps, creates an inviting atmosphere.
Diners can settle onto cushioned benches and enjoy a seemingly endless variety of delicious dishes, from enormous platters of couscous with free-range chicken and vegetables to lamb tajine with preserved lemons and olives, kofta (meatballs), and mechouia, a fresh salad with grilled vegetables and boiled egg.
End your meal on a sweet note with a pot of fresh mint tea and a butter- and honey-laced pastry.
