5 Famous Restaurants You Have to Visit in Paris

As one of the top food destinations in the world, there’s no shortage of famous restaurants in Paris. From historic addresses to those made famous by celebrity diners, here we round up some of the most iconic Paris restaurants that are actually worth a visit. 

Le Fouquet’s

Open since 1899, the historic Le Fouquet’s is a legendary spot in Paris, and famous for hosting the post-dinner celebrations of the César Awards ceremony for the last 40 years. It was also the restaurant of choice for ex-French President Nicolas Sarkozy—a well-known regular—to celebrate his election win back in 2007.

The menu was designed in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire. It features the chef’s modern take on French classics, with perfectly cooked fish dishes, tender cuts of meat, and the freshest of vegetables.

The traditional decor is the perfect setting for an elegant Parisian evening, with black and white photos of the many stars who have dined there as proof that you’re in good company. 

Le Relais Plaza

Located within the iconic Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Le Relais Plaza is famous in fashion circles and steeped in stylish history. 

Open since 1936, the restaurant was a regular haunt of Yves Saint Laurent. Christian Dior would also send his models here to eat so they could show off his latest designs to the other diners. In fact, they visited so often they even had their own menu. 

It now serves up a selection of well-executed French classics with excellent service and a dessert menu designed by the hotel’s master pastry chef, Angelo Musa.

Don’t miss a peek at the small “wall of fame” outside the restaurant on the way to the bathrooms, which showcases more of the fabulous stars who have passed through its doors.

Café de Flore 

One of the most famous restaurants in Paris, Café de Flore was one of the most popular meeting points for Paris’s creatives during its heyday.

Pablo Picasso, Jean-Paul Sartre, Brigitte Bardot, Serge Gainsbourg, and Karl Lagerfeld are just some of the names who have passed through its doors for intellectual conversation and endless coffee drinking—or in Gainsbourg’s case, a double Pastis 51. 

As a result, yes, tourists flock here to soak up some of Paris’s literary and creative history. However, Café de Flore remains popular to this day with the well-heeled Parisians of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the food is genuinely good. Even if you don’t go for dinner, the terrace makes the perfect spot for people-watching over a coffee or a glass of wine.

Tour d’Argent

Although Le Procope holds the record for the oldest cafe in Paris (open since 1686), Tour d’Argent (Quai de la Tournelle,15) lays claim to being the oldest restaurant, opening originally as an inn in 1582.

A favorite of royalty back in the 16th century, it’s still fit for a royal visit now. This place serves up an indulgent menu under one-Michelin-star chef Philippe Labbé, and comes with an incredible view of Notre-Dame.

If you can’t make it to the restaurant, its bakery just opposite, Le Boulanger de la Tour—or the more affordable La Rôtisserie d’Argent next door—might not give you the historic setting, but will at least give you a taste of its famous food.

Note: As of November 2023 Notre-Dame is set to reopen in 2024. 

L’As du Fallafel

On the other end of the scale, for a cheap bite, you can eat at another of Paris’s most famous addresses, L’As du Fallafel (Rue des Rosiers, 34). It’s located on a street well known for its many falafel joints in the historic Jewish quarter of Le Marais.

Although Mi-Va-Mi (Rue des Rosiers, 23) opposite, with which L’As du Fallafel has a long-standing rivalry, and Chez Marianne around the corner are also extremely popular, L’As du Fallafel is still arguably the most famous. It regularly sees customers lining up down the street for a quick and cheap meal.

It’s not the most attractive place to eat in, but you can always take-away and instead eat in one of Le Marais’s squares. It’s also worth noting that L’As du Fallafel is closed Friday night and Saturday during the day, as are many addresses on that street, due to Shabbat.

Update Notice: This post was updated on January 29, 2024.

Want to get an exclusive look at the ins and outs of French food culture? Join us to discover four emblematic spots in a historic Parisian neighborhood on our Paris at Sunset: Aperitif, Food & Wine Tour! We’ll enjoy a curated selection of the best bites Paris has to offer, perfectly paired with the drinks locals love.