Where to eat in Paris

By Madévi Dailly

March 8, 2023

From picture-perfect pastries to unforgettable settings, here are the best spots to eat in Paris.

The spiritual home of the gourmand, Paris is a city where you can always be sure of a good meal. Bakeries churn out fresh bread at every street corner, bistros do a brisk trade in well-aged steak and golden frites, and every Parisian, it seems, takes pride in their local neighbourhood gem. That’s not to say the city’s culinary scene isn’t moving with the times: street-food vans, small-plates restaurants and sustainable bars are just as likely here as in London or New York.

The mosaic-adorned and mirrored dining room of the Grande Brasserie restaurant

For classic fare with a twist

There’s no stopping the brasserie renaissance: thanks to inventive chefs and a soupçon of nostalgia, the once-stuffy all-day eateries are becoming cool again. The Grande Brasserie is a prime example, with its mirrors, mosaics and menu of greatest hits. Think creamy remoulade or a calvados-laced terrine to start, followed by braised beef cheek or scallops in beurre blanc. And for afters? A chantilly-topped rum baba, or brace of plump profiteroles. Not far from the Louvre, the venerable La Poule au Pot has been given a reboot by chef Jean-François Piège, with upscale takes on old-school classics such as egg mimosa and poached turbot.

For sweet cravings

From buttery pains au chocolat for breakfast to late-night baba au rhum, Paris has always known how to indulge a sweet tooth. Instagram darling Bontemps keeps the Marais crowds happy, with delicate fruit tartlets and crumbly sablé biscuits. Japanese pastry-whizz Sadaharu Aoki supplies many an haute couture house; try a bittersweet matcha number, or sultry black sesame éclair. If you’re in the mood for something a little more rustic, Breizh Café’s salted caramel crêpes always hit the spot.

The stylish interior of Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Paris

For a health kick

With cold-pressed juice joints and veg-packed bowls cropping up all over town, green eating is having a moment. An airy café in the heights of Montmartre, Abattoir Végétal leads the charge with pretty flower-strewn vegan plates. Jah Jah by Le Tricycle is another standout, with its ‘afro-vegan’ menu of wholesome bowls and goodness-packed, plant-based burgers. Back at Mandarin Oriental, Paris, stop by Camélia for delicious French dishes and al fresco dining.

Dine immersed in Art deco style at Bouillon Julien

For the setting

Substance, gourmets will agree, should never be sacrificed for style – but a little eye candy rarely goes amiss. Step through teal velvet curtains for a retro-chic dinner at Virtus, anointed with a well-deserved Michelin star. British restaurateur John Whelan has restored Art Deco gem Bouillon Julien to its former sea-green glory. Feast, as Edith Piaf once did, on expertly executed French classics: a creamy veal blanquette, say, or moreish ham and endive gratin. For unbeatable views, snag a table at Girafe, a sprawling velevet-and-marble space with an elegant 1930s vibe and front-row sears to the Eiffel Tower light show.

All offers and experiences available at time of publication. Please contact the relevant hotel team for more information.

About the Author

Madévi Dailly

Madévi is a food and travel writer, whose work has appeared in the Guardian, Red Magazine and Monocle.