Must-see restaurants in Paris

  • Le Procope

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    The city's oldest cafe welcomed its first patrons in 1686, and was frequented by Voltaire, Molière and Balzac et al. Its chandeliered interior also has an…

  • La Cantine de Quentin

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    A bewitching combination of gourmet food shop and lunchtime bistro, La Cantine de Quentin stocks quality products from the countryside (cassoulet,…

  • Ace Gourmet Bento

    Paris

    It’s as cheap as chips, a mug of sweet lemon tea gets you change from €2, and punters can eat in or take away. In the heart of Paris’ Japantown, Ace…

  • La Rôtisserie d'Argent

    Latin Quarter

    Spit-roasted suckling pigs, chickens, ducks, shoulder of lamb, pigeons and more turn on rotating skewers over an open flame within view of your table at…

  • Le Zyriab by Noura

    Latin Quarter

    Savour Lebanese gastronomy and a sensational view of Paris at this elegant restaurant on the 9th floor of the Institut du Monde Arabe. Be it fragrant vine…

  • Un Dimanche à Paris

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Inside covered passageway Cour du Commerce St-André, this glamorous 'chocolate concept store' incorporates a boutique (where you can buy cakes, chocolates…

  • Brasserie Lipp

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Waiters in black waistcoats, bow ties and long white aprons serve brasserie favourites like choucroute garnie (dressed sauerkraut) and jarret de porc aux…

  • Le Petit Pontoise

    Latin Quarter

    Entering this tiny bistro with traditional lace curtains and simple wooden tables is like stepping into old-world Paris. And the kitchen lives up to…

  • Dessance

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    Head chef and award-winning pâtissier Christophe Boucher demonstrates an astonishing eye for detail and a creative zeal for marrying unexpected…

  • Hankpizza

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    Like its sibling Hankburger, this hip timber-lined address utilises only organic, animal-free ingredients in pizzas that tempt even the most die-hard…

  • Cosi

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Cosi is the local institution for a sandwich with attention-grabbing names like Stonker, Naked Willi or Rocket Scientist and equally creative fillings …

  • Chez Gladines

    Paris

    Colossal ‘meal-in-a-metal-bowl’ salads are the prime draw of this down-to-earth bistro with red-checked tablecloths in the Buttes aux Cailles (the…

  • Chez Justine

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    A long-standing rue Oberkampf landmark, Justine is fresh from a refit but retains its mosaic floors, iron columns and timber ceiling. Wood-fired pizzas…

  • Radioeat

    Paris

    Grab a bite before or after a Radio France concert at this sleek but casual space, where floor-to-ceiling windows and one very long curved banquette…

  • SuperNature Cantine

    Paris

    Clever veggie creations at this funky organic cafe and restaurant include curried split-pea soup, and cantaloupe, pumpkin seed and feta salad but, being…

  • Lazare

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    Normandy's Eric Frechon is the chef behind this stylish train station bistro serving breakfast, midday gourmet snacks and memorable meals built from all…

  • Cosi

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    The rive gauche's indisputable Italian sandwich king has expanded across the river with this bright and spacious, Right Bank sandwich den. Choose your…

  • Le Gramont

    Paris

    Established in 1922, Le Gramont gained a new lease of life in 2017 with a revitalised interior and blue-and-white-striped wicker chairs lining its heated…

  • KGB

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Overtly art gallery in feel, KGB (‘Kitchen Galerie Bis’, in reference to Ze Kitchen Galerie) draws a hip crowd for its casual platters of Asian-influenced…

  • L'Epicerie Le Verre Volé

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    During lunchtime at this sandwicherie, take your pick of one of 15 cheeses and dozens of tempting cold meats from France, Italy and Spain, or go for a…

  • Le Viaduc Café

    Paris

    In one of the glassed-in arches of the Viaduc des Arts, this cavernous cafe is always a great spot to while away the hours or people-watch from the…

  • Scotta

    Paris

    Ingredients used at this pizza restaurant are sourced from across the street at gourmet covered market Marché Beauvau. Head for a table in the leafy…

  • Karamel

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Sweet-toothed gourmets won't do much better than a pit stop at the specialist boutique and salon de thé (tearoom) of chef-pâtissier Nicolas Haelewy…

  • Jambo

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    Fronted by a sunflower-yellow façade and decorated with shields and masks, Jambo was opened by former Red Cross chef de mission Pierre-Olivier Pinguet …

  • Bistrot Ernest

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    An unpretentious yet characterful bistro with affordable mains in the heart of the 6e is an increasingly rare treat. A hot fave among art dealers and…

  • La Véraison

    Paris

    The elegant simplicity of owner-chef Ulla Bosse's welcoming neighbourhood bistro (bare boards, timber tables, pistachio-coloured walls) belies the…

  • Le Saut du Crapaud

    Paris

    Locals pack out this quirky neighbourhood bistro, showcase for the casual Franco-Mexican cuisine of Mexican banker-turned-chef Marco Paz. Cooking pots, a…

  • Le Cotte Rôti

    Paris

    Contemporary cooking by Nicolas Michel and a chic charcoal-hued dining space ensure this bistro is always busy (book ahead). Try Michel's signature épaule…

  • Blend

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    Blend is easy to spot by the hungry crowd outside waiting for a table in the smart, black-and-wood interior or a gourmet burger to take away. Buns are…

  • Le J’Go

    Paris

    With sunflower-coloured walls decorated with bullfighting posters, this contemporary bistro magics you away to southwestern France – perfect on a grey…

  • Brutos

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    Brutos' stripped-back brick and stone dining room is softened by marine-coloured banquettes, ceramic-topped tables and framed illustrations on the walls…

  • Eggs & Co

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Œufs (eggs) in all guises are the integral ingredient of this popular cafe: scrambled, eggs Benedict, en cocottes (baked 'in pots' with crème fraîche),…

  • Huré

    Paris

    For a half-baguette bursting with fresh produce, duck into this contemporary bakery known for its generous portions. Richly filled quiches, salads and…

  • Philippe & Jean-Pierre

    Paris

    Philippe graciously oversees the elegant, white-tableclothed dining room, while co-owner Jean-Pierre helms the kitchen. Seasonal menus incorporate dishes…

  • Brasserie Thoumieux

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    Founded in 1923, Thoumieux has been worshipped by generations of diners ever since for its menu of duck, veal and snails and its smooth-as-silk service,…

  • Chez Alain Miam Miam

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    Retired baker Alain of Marché des Enfants Rouges fame has branched out to open his own cafe just around the corner from the historic covered market (where…

  • Ryo

    Paris

    Footsteps from rue Ste-Anne in Paris' 'Little Tokyo' neighbourhood, this unassuming two-level restaurant decked out in white (symbolising Japan) and wood …

  • Claus

    Paris

    Dubbed the ‘haute-couture breakfast specialist’ in Parisian foodie circles, this inspired épicerie du petit-dej (breakfast grocery shop) has everything…

  • Café Moco

    Paris

    Premium beans roasted by Paris' Gaspard & Julien are expertly brewed at this bright blue-framed, glass-fronted space, but it's also perfect for loose-leaf…

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