With literally thousands of restaurants to choose from, Paris offers endless dining possibilities, so finding that perfect place for a meal can be an overwhelming task. Whether you are looking for an outstanding Michelin-star experience or just a casual crêperie for a quick bite, here are some of the best restaurants in Paris that should be on your radar.
Acte II
Make a reservation for this amazing rooftop bar and restaurant to ensure a table with an amazing view. Nestled on top of a seven-story building, Acte II is the best quality barbeque you’ve ever visited, smells of aged beef and freshly grilled lobster, served next to seasonal and locally sourced products means you’ll be overordering.
The Japanese chef Masahide Ikuta has worked in some of Paris’ most celebrated kitchens and his Japanese approach to French produce is not to be missed. Plus, from the middle of the trendy Marais neighborhood, you have a totally different view of Parisian zinc rooftops and the Pompidou Centre.
Jòia
Jòia is the second restaurant by Hélène Darroze, who was voted the best female chef in the world.
Jòia’s unique take on French-Basque cuisine makes it a must. The menu revolves around comfort food from Darroze’s homeland just outside the French Basque Country, with an added touch of global flavors. Roasted chicken from the Landes region is a must try, and so is the fusion of crêpes mille-feuille and matcha.
To quench your thirst, you’re in luck: one of Paris’ most unique wine lists is here. All of the vintage wines are made by female winemakers, or vigneronnes.
David Toutain
David Toutain serves some of the most interesting and boldest food in Paris.
Normandy-born Toutain, who also used to work with Alain Passard at Arpège, holds two Michelin stars as well as a third star for sustainability. The restaurant’s daily-changing menu is filled with inventive and beautifully presented dishes. The flavors are as unexpected as they are delicious: think grilled eel with black sesame sauce, or Toutain’s signature egg yolk with cumin caramel creme.
Aux Bons Crus
Aux Bons Crus, a traditional Paris bistro full of old world charm, features a classic roadside restaurant interior, from the red-and-white checkered tablecloths to the plastic bread baskets.
Expect simple but characterful dishes with homely flavors like the classic entrecôte steak or pot-au-feu (beef stew). The cellar has an extensive wine list, making it easy to find a perfect match for your meal.
La Bourse et la Vie
La Bourse et la Vie is a gem of an old-fashioned bistro. It’s run by Daniel Rose, an American chef trained in France who first gained fame with his French restaurant in Manhattan, Le Coucou.
Rose is passionate about traditional French cooking and bringing old recipes to life. He excels in comforting classics like veal pot-au-feu and roasted chicken. But the star of the menu is his famous steak-frites, which are unmatched anywhere in the city.
Septime
Your stars have aligned if you’ve managed to get a table at the coveted Septime restaurant. True trailblazers, Septime have had a 100% natural wine list since the beginning, and literally every other trendy restaurant in Paris has followed suit.
Living up to the hype, Septime is the essence of French contemporary gastronomy, hand foraged and amazing quality produce reworked to perfection. With more of an emphasis on vegetables as the years pass, Septime wasn’t only a trailblazer in natural wine, but also in the changing French opinions of a vegetable-led menu.
L’Avant Comptoir du Marché
No list of Paris best restaurants would be complete without an entry from inventor of “bistronomie” Yves Camdeborde. The celebrated and now celebrity chef is famous for pairing the relaxed, informal dining of a bistro with the excellent quality and perfectly conceived plates of a gastronomical temple. And voilà – “bistronomie” was created.
He’s taken over a corner of Saint Germain, and we think l’Avant Comptoir du Marché is the best example of what he does. Raucous and rowdy after 9pm, the standing only bar is jammed full, the terrasse outside spilling into the street, and taking over the archways of the market. Rowdy or not, the busy cooks in their open kitchen send out amazing small plates constantly, and everything is totally delicious.
Hugo & Co
After the huge success of his first restaurant, Cambodian-born chef Tomy Gousset opened Hugo & Co, a chic Parisian bistro with a New York vibe. Needless to say, it was an instant hit.
Hugo & Co’s menu is nothing short of extraordinary. Inspired by international street food, it’s full of delicacies like steamed artichokes with curried hummus, and smoked mackerel with shiitake mushrooms. With main courses at reasonable prices, this is an excellent place to savor gourmet street food in Paris.
Update notice: This article was updated on August 5, 2024.
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Formidable!
Thanks for reading, Michael!
Bonne
Thanks for reading, David!
Hi,
I wonder if you know during winter (January) in Paris, most restaurants will still open ?
Hi Howard, great question! Most Paris restaurants should be open in January 🙂 Safe travels!