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Best Restaurants in Paris: Content
Eating Amazing Food in Paris: Try These Incredible (but pricey) Places!
Restaurants in Paris are honestly second to none, you can’t really go wrong! When you have been to France enough times you will understand there is a big difference between French people and Parisians. There is a high level of snobbery in Paris that you won’t find anywhere else in France, but once you get over that you will fall in love with the place, the Parisians less so (don’t worry the rest of France feels the same way).
Why Choose these Paris Restaurants in the first place?
These suggested restaurants in Paris are based on my own experience as I took my wife back to Paris for our 10th Anniversary to make up for the mistakes I made when I proposed there in the first place. As you might later gather this was a costly damage control but in fairness, she never asked for it to be fixed in the 1st place, so this is me dealing with my own hand here. But, as a result, we had an incredible trip and like many of us living in Singapore, we were firmly led by our tastebuds!
So, what did I do wrong the first time? Well, I booked Altitude 95 for NYE on the Eiffel Tower (yes I know such a romantic) but, I failed to secure the booking as I did not fax them my credit card confirmation and so on the eve of NY I had nowhere to propose and made a rash last minute booking at Le Ciel de Paris Restaurant which as a last minute booking cost an arm and a leg.
What I did not factor into this decision was the location of Ciel de Paris from my hotel (4o mins by Metro). Coupled with that the last train stops running at 1am plus no taxis are running on New Years Eve! At 12.45am post my proposal in the blustering wind and rain we made our way to the train and were met with a train guard waving his arms saying in French “Non Metro“. You don’t have to understand French to comprehend where that left us, now stuck on the other side of Paris, in the rain with no way to get back to our hotel.
To put this into perspective:
Le Ciel de Paris is located in the Tour Montparnasse which is 10 to 15 mins by car, 20 mins by Metro or a 45 min walk from the Eiffel Tower which is not even where I was staying (I won’t bore you with those details) but with all my options completely gone what with the terrible weather and no more trains we had no other choice than to find a hotel, so like Mary & Joseph we went from Inn to Inn and alas no rooms at the Inns!
My now-future wife then suggested heading back to Ciel de Paris because that stayed open until 5am and let’s carry on celebrating! Now under normal circumstances (this was far from normal) I would have been game on for a late-night drink until the wee hours but I had something that only men really understand: Man Flu! It’s like Covid-19 but 1000 times worse! This advert sums it up!
Ciel De Paris gladly accepted us back into their fold and as we sat down my entire body decided enough was enough and I fell asleep at the table much to the horror of my future wife and the tables around us! So now you know how I royally messed things up and needed to make amends.
Fantastic Restaurants in Paris – Let’s Go…
Now on with the Fantastic Restaurants in Paris, we went back to fix my previous mistakes and trust me when I say I went overboard!
Boutique Travel Agent: helping me with restaurants in Paris
Given my first proposal disaster, I decided to leave no stone unturned and used a boutique travel agent. This might sound expensive but trust me it’s not, and well worth it. I did have some demands but the key was to be close to the Eiffel Tower as my wish was to spend NYE there and be within walking distance post-midnight whilst close to come cracking restaurants in Paris.
2nd demand was we wanted Michelin Star Restaurants (the more the merrier) and throw in some famous ones to boot! 3rd and final demand, book Altitude 95 for NYE.
What did the Boutique Travel Agent do about the restaurants in Paris?
Firstly they told me Altitude 95 had closed down and in its place was Le Jules Verne, and that it will cost €1,000 for two for the night. I said not a problem, please book it! They then came back with an extensive list of restaurant options from locally renowned to those with one to three Michelin Stars.
Next was there was only one hotel called Hotel de la Trémoille that they recommended based on two main factors, location and size of the hotel rooms and boy they were not wrong there!
Hotel de la Trémoille – Spacious Hotel in Paris
The Hotel de la Trémoille is a luxury five-star boutique hotel located in the 8th arrondissement, situated in the heart of Paris’ Golden Triangle. This upscale hotel is positioned close to prominent tourist attractions like Avenue Montaigne, the Eiffel Tower, and the Champs-Élysées. Boasting a blend of contemporary and traditional furnishings, the plush rooms offer amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and high-end toiletries.
The hotel also features sophisticated suites with living rooms and balconies in some instances. Additionally, it houses a chic restaurant and bar offering seasonal cuisine and live jazz, along with facilities like a fitness room, sauna, day spa, and meeting rooms.
Price per Night for NYE is currently SGD750+ per night but drops to SGD500+ in February 2024.
Address: 14 Rue de la Tremoille, 75008 Paris, France
Website: https://www.hotel-tremoille.fr/
Telephone: +33 1 56 52 14 00
Who made the reservations at these Restaurants in Paris?
Upon arrival, we met with the concierge to go through our restaurant bookings as per the instruction from the Boutique Travel Agent. We wanted to go from low value to high value but were at the mercy of the restaurants being available for lunch or dinner. The concierge at Hotel de la Trémoille informed us that it was, in fact, them that had been handling the restaurants in Paris the whole way.
*Travel Tip: Go direct to the hotel concierge to make and secure such restaurants in Paris bookings and be sure to tip them when you arrive and not when you are leaving! You will find everyday greetings and assistance during your stay become so much better.
Now, finally, here are the Restaurants in Paris they recommended and booked for us!
Le Fumoir
Le Fumoir is a renowned establishment located in Paris, France. It operates as a combination of a bar and a restaurant, known for its exquisite offerings and cosy ambience. Situated at 6 rue de l’Amiral Coligny in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, Le Fumoir boasts a unique blend of Scandinavian-inspired cuisine, curated by Chef Henrik Andersson. The menu reflects creativity and quality, featuring both traditional and inventive dishes.
This establishment has garnered positive reviews, with patrons praising its fabulous dinners, creative culinary delights, and the perfect balance between quality and reasonable pricing. Le Fumoir’s reputation extends beyond just its food; it offers a cosy club atmosphere, attracting both locals and well-informed tourists due to its strategic location near the Louvre and luxury stores of Rue Saint-Honoré.
Address: 6 Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny, 75001 Paris, France
Website: lefumoir.com
Telephone: +33 1 42 92 00 24
Menus: Weekday Lunch Dinner Sunday Brunch
Lasserre
Lasserre is a renowned gourmet restaurant in the Champs-Élysées quarter in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France. It is celebrated for its exceptional French cuisine and is considered one of the most romantic dining destinations in Paris. The restaurant has gained acclaim for its classic cuisine and has held three Michelin stars for over 20 years. Lasserre was established around 80 years ago by René Lasserre, known for his innovative vision creating a unique and theatrical dining experience: an icon of restaurants in Paris.
The restaurant’s ambience exudes elegance and sophistication, set within a Directoire-style private mansion near the Champs-Élysées. Lasserre offers refined takes on classic French dishes, providing tasting menus and wine pairings to complement the dining experience. With an open-roof feature, the restaurant adds a touch of allure to its charm.
Address: 17 Av. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008 Paris, France
Website: restaurant-lasserre.com
Telephone: +33 1 43 59 02 13
Menus: Laserre Menu
Le Pré Catelan
Le Pré Catelan is a renowned restaurant in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne Park in Paris, France. Established in 1856, it has gained significant acclaim for its exceptional cuisine and elegant ambience. The restaurant holds three Michelin stars, a testament to its high-quality dining experience. Chef Frédéric Anton, a distinguished culinary expert and the head chef at restaurant Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower, and oversees the gastronomic creations at Le Pré Catelan: yes he is in TWO restaurants in Paris.
Known for its opulence and artistic haute French cuisine, the restaurant offers an eight-course prix fixe menu, showcasing a range of meticulously prepared dishes. The dining experience is luxurious, reflecting the finesse and sophistication of French culinary traditions. However, such exclusivity comes with a price, with the prix fixe menu costing around €290 ($323 USD) per person, making it one of the more expensive dining experiences globally.
Le Pré Catelan is situated within a Napoleonic-era pavilion, providing an exquisite setting for patrons to indulge in its culinary delights, one of the most glamourous restaurants in Paris. Its serene location amidst the scenic surroundings of the Bois de Boulogne Park adds to the overall allure of the restaurant, attracting visitors seeking an exceptional and memorable dining experience in Paris.
Address: Bois de Boulogne, 75016 Paris, France
Website: Le Pré Catelan website
Telephone: +33 1 44 14 41 14
Menus: Le Pré Catelan Menu
Yam’Tcha
Yam’Tcha is a well-known restaurant favourite of the restaurants in Paris, France. Founded in 2009 by Chef Adeline Grattard, it has gained international recognition for its innovative Franco-Asian cuisine. The name “Yam’Tcha” is a Cantonese term referring to the ‘ritual of drinking tea‘, signifying the importance of tea pairings alongside the dishes served.
Blending influences from French and Asian culinary traditions, Yam’Tcha offers a unique dining experience that fuses flavors and techniques from Hong Kong with classical French cooking. The restaurant gained popularity for its tasting menus, creative dishes, and emphasis on tea as an integral part of the meal, curated by tea master Chi Wah Chan.
Over the years, Yam’Tcha has received critical acclaim, earning a Michelin star for its high-quality cooking and inventive gastronomy. The restaurant’s small size contributes to its intimate ambience and exclusivity, making reservations highly sought after. It’s one of the hardest restaurants in Paris to attend.
Address: 121 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
Website: http://www.yamtcha.com/
Telephone: +33 1 40 26 08 07
Menus: https://www.yamtcha.com/nos-menus.html
Pierre Gagnaire
Pierre Gagnaire, born on April 9, 1950, in Apinac, France, stands as a luminary in the culinary world. Renowned for his innovative fusion cuisine, he spearheads the acclaimed Pierre Gagnaire restaurant at 6 rue Balzac in Paris. His culinary artistry, deeply rooted in traditional French cooking techniques yet characterized by a modern flair, has earned him an iconic status. Notably, Gagnaire operates Michelin-starred establishments globally, from Paris and London to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Dubai, Seoul, and Korea.
His flagship Parisian restaurant, Pierre Gagnaire, a paragon of modern French cuisine, boasts three Michelin stars. This gastronomic maestro has been acclaimed as the world’s best chef by peers in 2015, a testament to his exploratory and comprehensive approach to culinary arts, marked by boundless creativity and lavishness as this classic of restaurants in Paris.
Through a diverse array of restaurants like Gaya, Piero TT, Ama Terra, Duende, L’Impe (La Brasserie), Gaya Cuisine de Bords de Mer, Lecture Room, Gallery, La Maison 1888, Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul, Choix Patisserie TT, Pierre’s TT, and more, Gagnaire’s culinary brilliance transcends borders, enriching palates across continents with his masterful fusion of flavors and innovative techniques.
Address: 6 Rue Balzac, 75008 Paris
Website: https://pierregagnaire-lerestaurant.com/en
Telephone: +33 01 58 36 12 50
Menus: Pierre Gagnaire Menu
Bouillon Racine
Bouillon Racine is a traditional French brasserie located in the 5th arrondissement. It is known for its hearty French classics, such as steak frites and coq au vin – living the dream of tradition, but still a sought-after choice of restaurants in Paris.
Address: 3 Rue Racine, 75006 Paris, France
Website: https://bouillonracine.fr/
Telephone: +33 1 44 32 15 60
Menus: Bouillon Racine Menu
La Tour d’Argent
La Tour d’Argent, meaning “The Silver Tower,” stands as one of the most revered and oldest restaurants in Paris, France. Nestled across the Seine River from Notre Dame, it opened its doors in 1582, boasting centuries of rich history. This Parisian institution is renowned for its upscale French cuisine and holds significant cultural and culinary importance.
The restaurant offers an exquisite dining experience with a focus on duck dishes, notably the speciality pressed duck, Canard à la presse, and Caneton à la presse. La Tour d’Argent is also celebrated for its unique practice of raising ducks on its farm and assigning a serial number to each bird served, a tradition that dates back to the late 19th century.
Owned by the Terrail family for over a century, the restaurant underwent renovations, led by André Terrail, reopening to continue its legacy in Paris’s gastronomic scene. The establishment’s dedication to preserving tradition while innovating in cuisine is embodied by Chef Yannick Franques, who upholds the restaurant’s values and culinary standards. it is indeed one of the oldest of restaurants in Paris.
Address: 19 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris, France
Website: https://rotisseriedargent.com/fr
Telephone: +33 1 43 54 17 47
Menus: La Tour d’Argent Menu
Pavillon Ledoyen
Pavillon Ledoyen is a renowned restaurant located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, situated within the Kyiv Garden. With a rich history, it stands as one of the oldest restaurants in the city, having been present on the Champs-Élysées before the street’s beautification.
Ledoyen has gained significant acclaim, boasting three Michelin stars and is regarded as one of Paris’s finest gourmet establishments and restaurants in Paris. The restaurant’s architecture, set in a two-story pavilion with gardens, adds to its allure and historical significance. Under the helm of chef Yannick Alléno, the restaurant showcases modern French cuisine with a touch of innovation, offering an exquisite dining experience.
Address: 8 Av. Dutuit, 75008 Paris, France
Website: Pavillon Ledoyen
Telephone: +33 1 53 05 10 10
Menus: Pavillon Ledoyen Menu
Buddha-Bar Paris
Buddha-Bar Paris is an iconic restaurant-bar-lounge located in Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, France. Spanning over 1,000 square meters, this is famous for its extravagant cinema-style décor and distinctive atmosphere making it one of the unique restaurants in Paris. The venue is structured across three levels, offering visitors a unique and opulent experience. The establishment is notably recognized for its Asian-fusion cuisine, innovative cocktails, and ambience that merges the concept of a restaurant, bar, and lounge.
Established by visionary Raymond Visan, owner of the famous Barfly in Paris, Buddha-Bar Paris has become a symbol of trendy Parisian nights. It has gained international recognition, partly through its Zen lounge music CDs and compilation albums, which blend lounge, chill-out, and world music. Despite occasional setbacks, such as a temporary closure due to economic challenges, the venue has maintained its appeal among locals and tourists alike.
Address: 8-12 Rue Boissy d’Anglas, 75008 Paris, France
Website: Buddha Bar Restaurant Paris
Telephone: +33 1 53 05 90 00
Menus: Buddha-Bar Paris Menu
Le Jules Verne
Le Jules Verne is a renowned restaurant situated on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. This gastronomic establishment offers a unique dining experience, characterized by its breathtaking views of Paris and inviting ambience. The restaurant is celebrated for its French gourmet cuisine with modern twists, curated by the talented head chef Frédéric Anton, who has also garnered three Michelin stars at another restaurant he owns, Le Pré Catelan.
With its high-quality cooking and innovative dishes, Le Jules Verne holds one Michelin star and is a sought-after dining destination for visitors seeking a luxurious and unforgettable meal atop one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Address: Avenue Gustave Eiffel 2ème, Eiffel Tower, Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Website: https://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/en/jules-verne-restaurant.html
Telephone: +33 1 83 77 34 34
Menus: Le Jules Verne Menu
In Conclusion
Visiting Paris is an exquisite journey through culinary marvels, offering an unparalleled gastronomic adventure. Each restaurant in this vibrant city, from the elegant Fumoir and the timeless Lasserre to the sophisticated Pre Catelan and the innovative Yam’Tcha, presents a unique tapestry of flavors and experiences that tantalize the senses.
The revered Pierre Gagnaire stands as a beacon of modern French cuisine, inviting patrons on a remarkable gastronomic odyssey, while Bouillon Racine embraces the heritage of Parisian dining in a charming setting. La Tour d’Argent, and its rich history and stunning views, and Le Doyen, synonymous with refined elegance, promise unforgettable moments for every guest.
Don’t miss the eclectic ambience and fusion cuisine at Buddha Bar, the storied La Tour d’Argent with its legendary duck speciality, or the elevated dining experience with panoramic views at Le Jules Verne atop the Eiffel Tower.
Each of these restaurants represents a culinary masterpiece, weaving together tradition, innovation, ambience, and exceptional flavors. To truly savor the essence of Parisian dining, a visit to these esteemed establishments promises an unforgettable exploration of the city’s diverse and exquisite gastronomic landscape.
