The Best Paris Restaurants

By Santorini Dave

The Best Places to Eat in Paris

• Best Paris Food Tours:
  * Ultimate Paris
  * Montmartre
  * Market Visit & Cooking Class with a Parisian Chef
  * St. Germain Chocolate & Pastry Tasting Tour
• Top Tip: Do a food tour. They’re a great way to experience the food, culture, and history of Paris. They’re fun, relaxed, and (typically) very well done. You won’t regret it.
• Best Traditional French Restaurant: Bistrot Paul Bert (11th)
• Best Cheap Authentic Restaurant: Bouillon Pigalle (9th/18th)
• Best Paris Restaurants With View: Pink Mamma • L’Oiseau Blanc
• Best Hotel Restaurants in Paris: Bistro Grands Boulevards (2nd) inside the Hotel des Grands Boulevards offers seasonal Mediterranean dishes, plus outstanding cocktails and wine. Epicure inside Le Bristol (8th) and L’Oiseau Blanc inside The Peninsula (16th) for fine dining, La Régalade Conservatoire inside the Hotel de Nell (9th) for moderate prices.
• Best Crepes in Paris: Les Embruns (12th)
• Best Honeymoon Restaurant in Paris: Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower (7th)
• Best Paris Neighborhood for Food: The 11th

Dining in Paris

The upstairs dining room at Chez la Vieille.

• Meal times in Paris: Lunch is typically from noon to 3pm and dinner from 7-10pm, with the restaurant/kitchen closed during off hours.
• Reservations in Paris: Reservations are important and many restaurants in Paris keep to a strict seating schedule, especially for dinner. 1st service is generally around 7 or 7:30pm and 2nd service is approximately at 9pm. More places have adopted online booking, but if you’re trying to call remember that most restaurants close between lunch and dinner (3-7pm).
• Dress Code in Paris: There isn’t a formal dress code in restaurants, with nicer places even accepting “smart casual.” Upscale establishments still require a jacket, and in general shorts on men are frowned upon.
• Bread: In France, bread isn’t meant to be a pre-meal snack so don’t expect it to be served with butter or olive oil. It’s typically used to soak up the sauces on your plate.
• Wine: French wines are defined by region, not the grape, so don’t expect to see Pinot Noir or Chardonnay on the menu. A quick general overview: mineral whites like Sauvignon Blanc are from the Loire Valley, Chardonnay is associated with Burgundy, Beaujolais is typically a lighter style red using Gamay, Pinot Noir is the dominant red in Burgundy, and Southern Rhone tends to be round and fruity with a combination of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. If you’re looking for something bigger, try the Languedoc or Bordeaux.
• Cheese: Is considered dessert and eaten at the end of the meal.
• Tipping in Paris: Tipping is not a percentage of the bill but rather an appreciative gesture. Rounding up the bill is common or even 5 to 10 euros if you’re somewhere more pricey.

The 37 Best Restaurants in Paris

1. Verjus – 1st • $$$$

• +33 1 42 97 54 40 • Nearest Metro: Pyramides
Inventive French fare in an elegant yet cozy setting, just steps from the Palais Royal. Its 78€ tasting menu changes regularly and is one of the most creative and affordable in town.

2. Restaurant yam’Tcha – 1st • $$$$

• +33 1 40 26 08 07 • Nearest Metro: Louvre-Rivoli
Inspired Chinese take on contemporary French cooking. The chef spent years in China honing her craft before coming back to Paris to open up one of the most unique contributions to the city’s gastronomic scene. For an unusual pairing, opt for the tea instead of traditional wine. Service is friendly and flawless.

3. Juveniles – 1st • $$

• +33 1 42 97 46 49 • Nearest Metro: Pyramides
Wine shop turned restaurant with cozy French home cooking. Prices are affordable, portions are generous and the warm welcome from Margaux and her boyfriend Romain make this a favorite.

4. La Bécane à Gaston – 10th • $$

• +33 9 80 73 22 98 • Nearest Metro: Jacques Bonsergent
Down home, family-style, French food prepared by a father and daughters team. All ingredients are fresh, seasonal, and sourced directly from the producers, mostly local farmers and artisans. Portions are generous and flavors are rich. This tiny restaurant is incredibly popular, so reserve a table in advance, especially for dinner. Sunday brunch, however, is first come, first served.

5. Chez la Vieille – 1sth • $$

• +33 1 42 60 15 78 • Nearest Metro: Louvre-Rivoli
Rustic, French cuisine with a casual atmosphere in a 16th century building, offering a bar and counter service downstairs and table service upstairs. The menu is the same for lunch and dinner and includes truly authentic dishes including a hearty veal stew (blanquette de veau), duck tarrine, and rabbit kidneys on toast. The wine list is small but solid and affordable, mostly unfiltered, natural, French wines by the bottle or glass. Great location just a short walk from the Louvre.

6. OSE • 18th (Montmartre) • $$

• +33 1 42 59 98 35 • Nearest Metro: Abbesses
“Ose” means “dare” in French, and this restaurant dares its guests to try one of their of-the-moment prix fixe menus selected for that day from their ever-changing, bistronomic menu. The sumptuous, modern French dishes feature simple ingredients selected for freshness, seasonality, and proximity in masterful preparations served with carefully curated wines. Open for dinner Monday through Saturday and for lunch Thursday through Saturday. Reservations strongly recommended.

7. Frenchie Wine Bar – 2nd • $$

• +33 1 40 39 96 19 • Nearest Metro: Sentier
Creative small plates and a unique wine list; a taste of the same cooking that you’d find across the street at the hard-to-book Restaurant Frenchie. The wine bar offers a fun and relaxed scene without the hassle of booking months in advance.

8. Hugo & Co. – 5th (Latin Quarter) • $$

• +33 9 53 92 62 77 • Nearest Metro: Cardinal Lemoine
Shareable plates with a twist from Cambodian-born, NY-trained Tomy Gousset. Drawing from this diverse background, dishes include a stellar savory pancake with guanciale and pecorino, as well as a pork cutlet with black rice, cabbage and curry sauce. Convivial setting with a mix of clientele due to its Latin Quarter location – academics, students, creatives, and visitors.

9. Sellae – 13th • $$

• +33 1 43 31 36 04 • Nearest Metro: Saint-Marcel
The newest restaurant from celebrity chef Thibault Sombardier, Sellae offers balanced, seasonal dishes served in an elegant yet unfussy setting. This chic French bistro with an Italian touch serves lunch and dinner, offering sharable plates, tapas, or set menus.

10. Bicoques • 18th (Montmartre) • $$

• +33 1 53 28 00 75 • Nearest Metro: Abbesses
Impeccable, shellfish-focused menu (especially clams, oysters, cockles, and mussels) in modern French preparations infused with Haitian accents and simple menu of French wines and champagne. Friendly yet stylish atmosphere in romantic Montmartre. The dining room is small, so plan on making reservations. Dinner only from 7:00pm to midnight, except Sundays when brunch is added from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Closed Mondays.

11. Coinstot Vino – 2nd • $$

• +33 1 44 82 08 54 • Nearest Metro: Grands Boulevards
Natural wine-focused restaurant with simple French food inside the charming Passage des Panoramas. Though its location inside a historic monument might say tourist trap, the crowd is mostly neighborhood regulars and die-hard natural wine fans. As the night progresses, the vibe skews younger; once they shut the Passage gates off around 11pm you‘ll feel like you‘re in a private party.

12. Bistro Grands Boulevards – 2nd • $$$

• +33 1 85 73 33 33 • Nearest Metro: Grands Boulevards
Mediterranean-influenced dishes in a beautiful, airy setting that makes you feel like you’re dining al fresco. The retractable glass roof opens up in nice weather for dining under the stars. Serious wine and cocktail list with a rooftop bar in the summer.

13. Lombem Grill and Bar – 2nd • $$

• +33 1 45 08 54 45 • Nearest Metro: Grands Boulevards
Steak restaurant serving thick cuts of high-quality, regional French beef cooked over a wood fire. All meat is butchered in-house, and each week usually sees a different, special cut of meat that is not on the menu; just ask. Their downstairs bar is open from Thursday through Sunday and has the only mechanical bull in Paris. Wonderful location inside the historic Passage des Panoramas.

14. Marché Des Enfant Rouges – 3rd (Marais) • $-$$

• Nearest Metro: Filles du Calvaire
A cross between a farmers’ market and a food hall, the dining options at the Marché Des Enfant Rouges are some of the most diverse you’ll find in one place. Everything from a wine bar to classic French to Japanese bento boxes to Moroccan couscous or the ever-popular vendor that sings while making crepes. Great for families.

15. Semilla – 6th (Saint Germain) • $$$

• +33 1 43 54 34 50 • Nearest Metro: Saint Germain des Près
Contemporary French cooking from an award-winning chef in the heart of Saint Germain. Reasonable prices, an extensive wine list, and a friendly, bi-lingual staff make Semilla popular with locals and visitors alike.

16. Ze Kitchen Galerie – 6th (Saint Germain) • $$$$

• +33 1 44 32 00 32 • Nearest Metro: Odeon
Imaginative mix of Asian ingredients and French technique in a modern, upscale setting. Creative combinations like shrimp ravioli in tamarind sauce or white chocolate wasabi ice cream earned it 1 Michelin star.

17. Source Infinie – 9th • $$

• +33 1 42 06 71 06 • Nearest Metro: Poissonnière
Affordable, high-quality brasserie run by a father (sommelier) and son (chef) duo. The menu features simple, fresh nouvelle cuisine, and all plates can be ordered in small or large size. Excellent wine selection and great cocktails.

18. L’Avant Comptoir du Marché – 6th (Saint Germain) • $$

• +33 1 44 27 07 97 • Nearest Metro: Mabillon
This Spanish influenced, small plates, natural wine bar popular with Parisians has a new, larger space in the Saint Germain Covered Market (known for its excellent vendors). Friendly, easy-going atmosphere.

19. Restaurant David Toutain – 7th • $$$$

• +33 1 45 50 11 10 • Nearest Metro: La Tour-Maubourg
Modern French food from one of the most inventive chefs in Paris. Surprising and successful flavor combinations earned him a Michelin star. Minimalist décor compliments the adventurous tasting menu.

20. Les Arlots – 10th • $$$

• +33 1 42 82 92 01 • Nearest Metro: Gare du Nord
Excellent neighborhood bistro offering modern-interpreted French classics near Gare du Nord. Top quality ingredients and prize-winning house-made sausage. Strong natural wine list, low-key vibe, perfect if you’re catching the Eurostar.

21. Le Relais de L’Entrecôte – 6th (St. Germain) • $$$

• +33 1 45 49 16 00 • Nearest Metro: Saint Germain des Près
Classic steak frites are the only thing on the menu at this popular restaurant chain. Though it may seem like a tourist trap, Le Relais de L’Entrecôte is an institution. Regulars come for the famous sauce while value diners appreciate the mountain of french fries and generous portions. Additional locations in the 8th and the 14th.

22. Le Cinq – 8th • $$$$

• +33 1 49 52 71 54 • Nearest Metro: Georges V
3-star Michelin inside the Four Seasons Hotel with a wine list as thick as a phone book. This is haute cuisine at its finest. Dress code required.

23. Le Laurent – 8th • $$$$

• +33 1 42 25 00 39 • Nearest Metro: Champs-Elysées Clemenceau
A secluded 1-star Michelin in a former hunting lodge of Louis XIV. Its unique and romantic setting lends a French countryside feel; large bay windows overlook lovely gardens and in the summer months tables are set up on the terrace near a beautiful fountain.

24. Pink Mamma – 9th • $$

• +33 1 40 36 03 94 • Nearest Metro: Pigalle
Meat-centric menu inside a stunning 4-story former hospital. Each level has its own character, starting with the speak-easy basement with Italian-influenced cocktails. The real treat is the glass-enclosed top floor with views over the city. Excellent pizzas and pastas round out the menu.

25. Le Mary Celeste – 3rd (Marais (3rd) • $$

• +33 1 42 77 98 37 • Nearest Metro: Filles du Calvaire
Fusion-friendly small plates, outstanding cocktails, and oysters on the half shell in a hip setting. Raucous crowd and loud music. Great for groups.

26. Buvette – 9th • $$

• +33 1 44 63 41 71 • Nearest Metro: Pigalle
Cozy, rustic space with a neighborhood vibe and French classics like Croque Monsieur and Coq au Vin. Unlike most places in Paris, Buvette is open throughout the day as a café, bar, and restaurant. In the up-and-coming South Pigalle.

27. Le Galopin – 10th • $$$$

• +33 1 42 06 05 03 • Nearest Metro: Belleville
Refined and elegant tasting menu driven by great, seasonal ingredients in a tourist-free part of Paris. Beautifully-executed dishes that are at once nuanced and complex. Its laid-back atmosphere, simple yet stylish décor, and charming location on a neighborhood square (Place Sainte-Marthe) make it a destination.

28. Septime – 11th • $$$$

• +33 1 43 67 38 29 • Nearest Metro: Charonne
1-star Michelin with one of the best modern French tasting menus in Paris. A favorite among foodies and voted one of the world’s 50 best restaurants. Simple, rustic-industrial decor in a low key, off the beaten path part of the 11th. Definitely worth the trek and the effort to get a reservation.

29. Le Chateaubriand – 11th • $$$$

• +33 1 43 57 45 95 • Nearest Metro: Goncourt
Consistently ranked as one of the world’s 50 best restaurants, its no choice, 75€ tasting menu changes every night. Friendly service, modest wood interiors, in a low-key part of the 11th. Very popular with visitors so expect to book weeks in advance.

30. Bidoche – 11th • $$$$

• +33 9 81 12 59 81 • Nearest Metro: Oberkampf
Butcher shop by day, restaurant by night. Choose among some of the highest quality meat in France (beef, veal, lamb or pork) and have them prepare it for you in the chic, hidden restaurant in the back. The fun part is selecting your cut from the boutique.

31. Bistrot Paul Bert – 11th • $$$

• +33 1 43 72 24 01 • Nearest Metro: Faidherbe-Chaligny
Consistent, top quality bistro fare (think steak Bearnaise or soufflé au Grand Marnier). The classic interior – woodwork, mosaic tiles, and zinc countertops – has a timeless Parisian feel. It’s in all the guide books (for good reason), but it’s popular with locals too.

32. Les Embruns • 12th • $

• +33 1 43 46 88 62 • Nearest Metro: Gare de Lyon
Delightfully informal yet high-quality creperie open all day from noon until 10:30 pm. Sweet and savory crepes and galettes made with buckwheat flour are the main offerings, all modestly priced and generously portioned. Seriously, order less than you think you can eat. Standout dishes include Le Pyreneenne (crepe with smoked duck breast, goat cheese, and orange marmelade), Charcuterie (galette with smoked sausage, bacon, egg, and Emmental cheese), and the crepe with chocolate mousse. Plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

33. Aux Deux Amis – 11th • $$

• +33 1 58 30 38 13 • Nearest Metro: Oberkampf
Lively wine bar with a local vibe and great small plates. Frequented by Parisian fashionistas and natural wine aficionados, the crowd skews young and hip. Expect contemporary French food with a menu that changes daily.

34. Fulgurances – 11th • $$$$

• +33 1 43 48 14 59 • Nearest Metro: Rue des Boulets
The most experimental restaurant in Paris. An incubator of sorts, Fulgurances showcases a rotating roster of burgeoning chefs by offering them a temporary residency to let them run their own restaurant. Check the website to see who is being hosted.

35. L’Assiette – 14th • $$$

• +33 1 43 22 64 86 • Nearest Metro: Mouton-Duvernet
In a more residential part of Paris, this is the place for hard to find home-cooked dishes like hearty cassoulet or pork knuckle rillettes. Simple interiors with touches of marble and antique glass. Near the Catacombs but tourist-free.

36. L’Oiseau Blanc – 16th • $$$$

• +33 1 58 12 67 30 • Nearest Metro: Kléber
Romantic setting with a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower and Michelin-worthy food. This stunning rooftop restaurant inside the Peninsula Hotel is perfect for a special occasion. Elegant interiors, impeccable service, and a terrace open in the summer to enjoy a pre-meal drink while taking in the monuments.

37. Le Grand Bain – 20th (Belleville) • $$$

• +33 9 83 02 72 02 • Nearest Metro: Belleville
Off the beaten path, contemporary small plates restaurant on a street famed for its graffiti in Belleville, an artsy and edgy hotspot in Northeast Paris. The dining room can get loud.

38. Aux Lyonnais – 2nd • $$$

• +33 1 42 96 65 04 • Nearest Metro: Grands Boulevards
The rustic and hearty cuisine of Lyon is celebrated here at this Alain Ducasse bistro. Traditional classics like quenelles (a pillowy cloud of fish served in a seafood sauce) or Pot de la cuisinière lyonnaise (suckling pig with foie gras) are exceptional. The 1890 dining room feels like a step back in time.

39. Polidor • 6th • $$

• +33 1 43 26 95 34 • Nearest Metro: Odeon
The menu or décor hasn’t changed much since Hemingway ate here, which is why it remains a popular choice for people seeking cheap and hearty dishes like leg of lamb, beef bourguignon, and blood sausage.

40. Le Procope • 6th • $$$

• +33 1 40 46 79 00 • Nearest Metro: Odeon
The first coffee shop in Paris, founded in 1686, and the prototype for the European literary cafe. Expect to be wowed by the ambience more than the food here, but it’s worth a visit for its storied past: Procope was once frequented by Voltaire, Diderot, and Rousseau, and was the meeting place where that Jefferson, Franklin, and Robespierre discussed the French and American revolutions.