228 Best Restaurants in Paris, France

Run by the Costes family, this café overlooking the main courtyard of the Louvre and its famous glass pyramid is a stylish place to meet for a drink or a coffee, whether in the chic, jewel-toned dining rooms or on the Louvre's long, sheltered terrace. Regular café service shuts down during meal times, when fashion-conscious folks dig into classic bistro fare like steak tartare or duck foie gras with a handful of lighter offerings like quinoa with avocado and pomeranate or vegetarian pasta with a slightly spiced tomato-basil sauce.

There are plenty of cafés to choose from on bustling Rue Cler, one of Paris’s most famous market streets, with sadly lots of mediocre coffee. But at this adorable café, you get charm, a sidewalk terrace, and all the classic coffee drinks (plus vegan milks too), along with an array of sweets, viennoiseries, and gourmet sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, or a snack.

At this most retro of brasseries that's constantly teeming with life, everything screams Paris, from its tiled floors and bentwood chairs to its moleskin banquettes and giant mirrors. Even though it's located off the tony Rue du Bac, it still feels every bit the down-to-earth neighborhood stalwart that it is. Uniformed waiters deftly deliver your order and whisk away your empties, whether you’re there for an espresso or staying for lunch or dinner. The menu of brasserie classics remains one of the more authentic in Paris: think fat, buttery escargots; buttery steak with crispy frites; lush steak tartare; homemade duck terrine; and billowy mousse au chocolat for dessert. The café also serves a classic Parisian breakfast. All-day hours (from 7:30 am until 10:30 pm) are a big bonus and the sidewalk terrace is the best in the neighborhood.

Settle in on the terrace for lunch (try the beef tartare or the pavé de salmon) or join the locals along the zinc bar at this Latin Quarter favorite. Nestled at the foot of gently sloping Rue Monge, it offers friendly service amid an old-school bistro ambience.

You may be tempted to call it a sandwich stand, but for Parisians it's more of a pilgrimage point at the beloved Marché des Enfants-Rouges. Alain's inspired creations burst with organic vegetables (raw or roasted), artisanal cheeses, locally cured ham, roast chicken, or pastrami, among other gourmet fillings, lodged between slices of bread, a buckwheat galette, or a socca (a Provençale flatbread made with chickpea flour). Each day brings fresh surprises on the blackboard menu, all to be enjoyed at the market's outdoor seating or at a nearby park.

If you were to ask Parisian bankers, aristocrats, or antiques dealers to name their favorite bistro for a three-hour weekday lunch, many would choose Chez Georges. The traditional fare is very good, particularly the massive céleri remoulade or salade lyonnaise meant for sharing, as well as the offal ranging from liver to sweetbreads. The lively historic atmosphere that evokes 1940s Paris is even better. Be sure when reserving that you're choosing the restaurant on rue du Mail; many share its name but not its reputation.

With a name that translates to "lemons and oysters," this compact oyster bar—a notable addition to Pigalle's thriving food scene—is the perfect stop for a casual apéro of succulent oysters (imported daily from coastal France) and a glass of crisp vin blanc. But don't resist the urge to stay for dinner: the wildly creative chef (also a chef at the beautiful Hotel Rochechouart next door) presents beautiful small seafood dishes (think cured sardines, crab rolls on brioche, and house-smoked salmon) flecked with fresh flowers and herbs.

A popular and pricey bar and restaurant, the Closerie is also a staple of Parisian literary tours for its storied history. Commemorative plaques are bolted to the bar as if they were still saving seats for their former clientele: an impressive list of literati including Zola, Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Apollinaire, Beckett, and, of course, Hemingway. "Papa" wrote pages of The Sun Also Rises here and lived around the corner at 115 rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs. Although the lilacs that once graced the garden—and shaded such habitués as Ingres, Whistler, and Cézanne—are gone, the terrace still opens onto a garden wall of luxuriant foliage. There is live music in the piano bar. There are two menus here; the brasserie menu, served near the bar, is less expensive and very good.

A lofty space between the Musée Rodin and the Bon Marché makes this the perfect pit stop. Look for healthy salads, sandwiches, snacks, desserts, and a delicious cup of any kind of coffee drink that takes your fancy. The meticulously sourced beans are freshly and lovingly roasted on the premises.

The red-checked tablecloths and the jovial maître d' at this authentic southwestern French bistro near the Invalides might seem like a tourist trap until you realize that it's just as popular with food-loving locals and top French politicians as it is with foreigners. Everything on the menu is hearty and delicious, if not especially refined—don't miss the gooey help-yourself chocolate mousse. The best way to start a meal here is with the "chariot" of starters, everything from lentil salad to ratatouille; just point to the ones you want. Classics among the main courses are duck confit with sautéed garlic potatoes, cassoulet, and game dishes in winter. 

It’s rare to find an addition to the city's dining scene so eager to show diners a rollicking good time around food and wine. Sharing is encouraged here at Dame, with starters and entrées calibrated to satisfy from one to four people—although you may end up fighting for the last oeuf-mayonnaise, a heavenly balance of herbs and tart mustard with a dusting of breadcrumbs and bacon bits to offset the creamy egg. Main courses like sole meunière or tender duck breast come with a choice of sauce and an accompaniment, like perfectly crisp frites, roasted broccolini, or lettuce hearts in balsamic vinaigrette. The wizard sommelier encourages experimentation, so you’re bound to discover new and delicious wines in this warm, chic dining room.

Best known for the literary prizes awarded here since 1914, Drouant has shed its dusty image to become a forward-thinking restaurant. The playful menu revisits the French hors d'oeuvres tradition with starters that come as a series of four plates; diners can pick from themes such as French classics (like a deconstructed leek salad) or convincing minitakes on Thai and Moroccan dishes. Main courses similarly encourage grazing, with accompaniments in little cast-iron pots and white porcelain dishes. Even desserts take the form of several tasting plates. Pace yourself, since the portions are generous and the cost of a meal quickly adds up.

To taste the sheer love of cooking, get thee to this unassuming canal-side café—named for that most delicious time of year. The outrageously talented young couple at the helm, veterans of notable Parisian kitchens, are truly delighted when diners exalt over the luscious dishes placed before them: scallops St-Jacques with pistachio and trout eggs; white asparagus with gochujang hot sauce, Gorgonzola, and sesame, all paired with some stunning wines or craft beer made in Paris (that you can purchase at the little shop). Pared down to the essentials, the spare but chic decor belies a sophisticated cuisine that's very far out of the ordinary.

With a cheerfully bright and tiny, wood-beamed dining room—there's more space in the loft-like upstairs—this spot is devoted to the egg in all its forms. Whether you like yours baked with smoked salmon, whisked into an omelet with truffle shavings, or beaten into fluffy pancakes, there will be something for you on the blackboard menu. It's perfect for a late breakfast or light lunch on weekdays (it opens at 10 am and closes in the late afternoon), though rather mobbed for weekend brunch (10 am to 6 pm).

In a stone cellar steps from the Palais Royal gardens, this minimalist dining room specializes in high-end Japanese fare paired with champagne and sake. Take advantage of the culinary prowess of chef Daisuke Endo, whose Michelin-starred experience in Kyoto translates to a creative fine dining kaiseki approach, with dishes beautifully plated on ceramics from Taki Nakazato on Kyushu Island.

This legendary French provincial dining room has entered a new era with the departure of chef Éric Fréchon, tapping Arnaud Faye, previously of Chantilly's Chèvre d'Or, to take his place, and so far, retaining its three Michelin stars. Faye has brought his own flair while upholding a standard of excellence and finesse befitting the dining room. If €360 (for six courses; €490 for eight) seems high, you might think of it as an investment in a sublime evening and a beautiful memory. In summer, dining out in the hotel's French garden is a delight.

In a city where we all scream for ice cream (and wine), thank goodness for Folderol, where delicious handmade ice creams in flavors like nectarine hibiscus, jasmine-blood orange, spicy watermelon, pecan pie, or chocolate wedding cake are savored like the natural wines you can sip by the glass or bottle along with a plate of fine charcuterie and other small plates.

This place is irreverent in every way except about what goes into the product. From the flours to the chocolates, everything is meticulously sourced for the team's “food porn,” pastries that delight every sense, whether it's the chocolate and pistachio babka, almond croissants, praline brioches, fudge brownies, or “cruffins,” a melt-in-your-mouth croissant-style brioche dusted with cocoa or sugar.

There's no need to be a guest at the lovely Monsieur George hotel to enjoy the many delights of chef Thomas Danigo’s romantic Art Deco–style dining room, where he earned a Michelin star last year. Danigo plays on unexpected and exotic flavor pairings, texture, and color in refined but unpretentious dishes like tender skate lacquered in a nutty beurre noisette and served with Jerusalem artichoke purée with hints of apple cider vinegar to boost the mellowness of the fish and vegetables. Desserts like apples caramelized in salted butter with buckwheat ice cream over flecks of vanilla bean are not to be missed. This is a hot ticket, and the cozy dining room seats only 30, so sure to reserve ahead of time.

Soaring ceilings with exposed beams, globe lighting, velvet chairs, and marble-top tables give this superchic eatery the look of a classic brasserie gone upscale. The menu, designed by three-star chef Mauro Colagreco of the world-renowned Mirazur restaurant on the Riviera, features market-fresh French classics complemented by a wine list with plenty of by-the-glass offerings. Best of all, a spacious cobbled outdoor courtyard makes dining here a joy on nice days.

It's all about oysters at this bright 14-seat restaurant with crisp white tablecloths and pleasant service, popular with the area's chic set. If you find yourself puzzled over the relative merits of fines de claires and spéciales, you can always go with the €39 option that includes a glass of white wine and a dozen No. 3 (medium) oysters—or ask the knowledgeable waiters for advice. This simplest of meals can be supplemented with foie gras and toast followed by the fromage du moment.

Proving that an organic, vegetarian, and lactose- and sugar-free menu can, indeed, be delicious, Judy was founded with the conviction that our well-being is directly connected to what we eat and how we live. The cheerful, inviting space comes with a sunny sidewalk terrace where seats are coveted by locals. If they’re taken, grab some takeout at the attached shop on Rue de Fleurus and walk one short block to the Luxembourg Gardens for an outdoor picnic. 

One of Paris's first bento-box cafés (it's also a Japanese grocer), this cozy spot on storied Rue Ste-Anne offers an array of delicious eats, from smoked eel and grilled salmon to crispy chicken, fried tofu, and yummy veggie sides like marinated seaweed—a house specialty—and sesame spinach. For a meal on the go, this is the place. It's small, cafeteria-style, and no-frills, and crowds can snake down the block, so get there by noon for lunch. Bento boxes are also great to go.

Set at a leafy crossroads on the lively Rue des Martyrs, this is a top pick in this vibrant neighborhood for a quick stop or to linger with a device. The coffee (roasted at their atelier-café Back in Black) is always good, as are the many other beverage options, both hot and cold, and the food—from healthy salads and sandwiches to yummy pastries—is exactly what's needed to get you revved up for your next Paris adventure.

Some Japanese expats say you won't find anything closer to authentic Japanese cooking in Paris than the kitchen in Kifuné. Sit at the bar to admire the sushi chef's lightning-quick skills, or opt for a more intimate table for tasting the sublime crab-and-shrimp salad starter or a deeply comforting miso soup with clams. To follow, you can't go wrong with the sashimi. Eating here will leave a dent in your wallet (though there is a €35 set menu at lunch), but for fans of Japanese cuisine, the meals are worth it. With only 20 seats, it often turns away would-be customers, so book in advance.

Run by Yoichi Kino, a 30-year master sushi chef whose family has specialized in smoked eel for generations, and Ryuma Takubo, who earned a Michelin star in Japan, Komatsubaki specializes in the exquisite vegetarian cuisine favored by Japanese monks. Diners choose from three sophisticated prix-fixe menus, including a stunning vegetarian version, all served on delicate dishes and accompanied by a distinctive selection of white Burgundies, sakes, and teas. Watch the chefs at work in a tiny jewel-box setting, complete with an elegant authentic dining room that seats six on tatami mats. 

At this rare authentic Parisian bistro that refuses to change, settle into the dining room in an ancient Marais house to try rich, rib-sticking dishes from the Auvergne, a sparsely populated region in central France. Indulge in a heaping serving of the superb lentils in goose fat with bacon or Salers beef in red wine sauce with aligot (mashed potatoes with cheese). You might want to loosen your belt for the astonishingly dense chocolate mousse, served in a giant bowl that allows you to decide the quantity.

If you love Yves Camdeborde's southwestern France–inflected cooking at Le Comptoir but can't get a table for dinner, head to this tavernlike Basque restaurant run by his longtime second-in-command, Stéphane Jégo. Jégo's style is remarkably similar to Camdeborde's because he uses the same suppliers and shares his knack for injecting basic ingredients with sophistication reminiscent of haute cuisine. You can go hearty with Spanish piquillo peppers stuffed with salt-cod paste or poulet Basquaise (chicken stewed with peppers), or lighter with seasonal dishes that change weekly. The restaurant is popular with rugby fans (a sport beloved of Basques), who create a festive mood. Reserve at least a week ahead for dinner.

Don't let the chic, updated decor fool you: this tiny, reliable bistro hasn't sacrificed substance for style. The servers are friendly, the wine list is small but well curated, and the dining is first-rate, with a €48 three-course dinner menu (you can order à la carte, but it's less of a bargain) of original dishes marrying terroir-driven ingredients like Charolais beef or farm-raised chicken from the Landes with contemporary touches and pretty plating.

Chef Thomas Boullault made a seamless transition when he took the helm of this storied dining room, a favorite among Parisian gourmets. Expect seasonal dishes with a touch of finesse from the open kitchen. Elegant creations like tartelette (tartlet) of venison with squid and trompettes de la mort mushrooms in a wine reduction might be featured. There is no à la carte, and if the dinner menus seem steep at €140 (several dishes have supplements), try the lunch menu for €85. Watch out for the pricey wines by the glass.