706 Best Restaurants in France

This sleek Scandinavian-style dining room overlooking a tree-lined street is quickly becoming the benchmark for an outstanding gourmet meal that doesn't break the budget. The two young chefs at the helm, veterans of Michelin-starred kitchens, create a cuisine far above the norm: fresh oysters with sweet onions and lemon; delicate monkfish with tiny shrimps and citrusy roasted endive; and for dessert, poached strawberries with yogurt sorbet or a silken chocolate ganache tart. The wine list is full of undiscovered gems, so consider a wine pairing for delicious discoveries. With only ten tables be sure to reserve this hot ticket in advance.

Star chef Christian Têtedoie's rocked the culinary world when, after 20 years, he shuttered his Michelin-starred gastronomic temple to open this soaring art-filled aerie perched atop Lyon's Fourvière hill. The minimalist design and immense bay windows offering staggering views of the city signaled a new direction in the great chef's approach, breaking free of classicism in favor of a more audacious menu: roasted foie gras with bitter orange, pineapple, and onion in a duck reduction; roast pigeon stuffed with garlic, cabbage, and chestnuts; or the chef's signature pressed tête de veau (calf's head) served with a half lobster en cocotte (casserole). Le Phosphore wine bar downstairs offers lighter wine-focused \"degustation\" menus orchestrated by Têtedoie and a guest winemaker with a quality-price ratio that's hard to beat anywhere in town.

Perhaps the closest you’ll get to a celebrity chef in this region, Christophe Hay’s deep connection to his native Loire is palpable down to the finest details. From the luminous decor that echoes the soft hues of river and sky to the handcrafted tableware (including knife handles hewn from traditional Loire fishing boats) nothing escapes the chef’s eye for detail. The dishes, served to you by the chef or his sous chef, are small miracles of flavor, color, and texture.

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.

Clay is renowned for its Mediterranean-inspired brunch menu, its specialty coffee, and its buzzy atmosphere. Menu favorites like avocado toast, savory pancakes, French toast, and açaí bowls are all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

At this popular restaurant in the center of town, the balance between elegant and casual finds expression in the wide choice of dishes on offer. The upscale à la carte menu is replete with exceptional fish specialties, while fixed-price menus include more traditional Burgundian choices.

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.

We'd love to keep this friendly restaurant a secret, but the chefs craft dishes of such rare subtlety and sophistication (especially at this price range) and the wine list has such a dazzling array of affordable options by the bottle or the glass, that it seems wrong not to share among copains. Though à la carte is possible, opt for the excellent-value prix-fixe menus to try dishes like pan-fried octopus and soppressata ham, hay-smoked Aubrac steak with parsnip puree and anchovy condiment, or foie gras with trout caviar and passion fruit. For dessert, consider the caramelized puff pastry with fig compote and vanilla cream. Note, too, that the chefs here are happy to accommodate special requests, making this a great place for finicky eaters or those with allergies.

For fresh seafood dishes and delicious pizzas grilled on an open fire, head over to this marine-theme restaurant set on a vast terrace across from Marseille's new Les Grandes Halles du Vieux Port market. The menu features a variety of scintillating pizzas, as well as heaping plates of crustaceans on ice, mussels in a spicy saffron sauce served with hand-cut fries, and whole roasted fish.

Like many restaurants in Provence, this one has a pleasantly shaded terrace with a view, but it also offers truly warm and welcoming service and consistently good food. Alongside hearty dishes like cod with aïoli and grilled vegetables, Iberian pork with chestnuts and whipped potatoes, or classic roasted duck breast, the menu features plenty of fresh, inventive salads—not always easy to find—like wild salmon with shrimp, melon, and tomato confit. At €18, the two-course lunch is just the thing.

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.

Walk past the pubs and bars on this narrow alley for the best crêperie in Perpignan. Owned by a young couple from Brittany, it prepares authentic buckwheat crêpes with a modern twist. Top picks include a galette stuffed with duck, cheese, mushrooms, onions, fig, and a foie gras sauce, which can be gobbled down in the colorful, casual dining room.

If you're looking for a quick, traditional meal a few steps from the cathedral, look no further than this crêperie, a favorite in Chartres. You'll find a full list of savory (made with buckwheat flour) delights—ham, egg, smoked salmon, veggies, potatoes, and cheese—or sweet (made with white flour)—caramel au beurre salé, crêpes suzette, Grand Marnier, and ice cream—all washed down with a delicious Normandy cider. Whether you dine upstairs, downstairs, or on the sidewalk terrace, it's a good choice for a delicious, unfussy meal that's perfect for adults and kids.

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.

Among other honors, chef Joseph Viola has distinguished himself by creating a world-champion pâté en croûte (foie gras in a pastry crust)—nothing to sneeze at, especially if you're at the helm of one of Lyon's better bouchons. Here you'll find a charming atmosphere, complete with checked tablecloths, lace curtains, and some of the city's most satisfying local specialties, including the quenelles de brochet (a tender, sausage-shape dumpling made from river pike). Cervelle de veau (calf brains) is another standout, and the faint of heart can't go wrong with the excellent boudin noir. Note: there are three Daniel & Denise outposts, but this one, in the Vieille Ville, is slightly more upscale.

With its beamed ceilings, tiled floors, long wooden bar, and menu of traditional dishes, you’d never suspect this restaurant just behind Église St.-Paul was a relative newcomer. With a focus on well-priced shareable dishes—not small tapas plates, but portions substantial enough for two (or three)—featuring quality local, seasonal ingredients, it's a local favorite. Exceptional dishes include a buttery Nîmes brandade (a mix of salt cod and mashed potatoes, a house specialty), tender duck breast, veal blanquette, and a catch of the day. For dessert, there's a divine riz au lait (rice pudding) and a classic tarte tatin. Word to the wise, pace yourself—and don’t skimp on the wines, supplied by Nîmes’s top cellars.

Nudging right up to the beach in Dinard's historic center, this chic Michelin-starred restaurant has both gourmet fare and fabulous water views. Chef Méril takes his inspiration from the local bounty: fresh-from-the-sea dishes, such as salty-sweet Cancale oysters, fricassee de langoustines, and trilogie de poisson noble with lobster coulis vie with Breton specialties, like deboned squab dressed in foie gras. An impressive wine list, with 450 wines and digestifs from every region imaginable, satisfies the most discerning connoisseur. In warm weather, the seaside terrace is a fine place to enjoy a frosty glass of Champagne or an apéro. If you feel inclined to linger, on-site lodging is available in six stylish rooms that come with some endearing quirks. For example, the top floor's Room 6 offers spectacular ocean vistas from the bathtub, which is smack in the center of the room.

What could be more fashionable than tucking into exquisite cuisine—prepared by Michelin-starred guest chefs such as Yannick Alleno and Arnaud Donckele—in an enchanting sheltered garden designed by Peter Wirtz at the House of Dior? Meals are reasonably priced for St-Tropez, and the dessert selection is large (consider trying the much-lauded, tiny, round D’Choux pastries, which come in a variety of flavors). This magical oasis is also the perfect place to toast the sunset with a glass of Champagne; expect to pay €60 for un verre of Dom Pérignon 2004, though.

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.

Don't be deceived by this rustic-casual eatery's plain, monochrome decor and laid-back atmosphere—here the color is on your plate in a veritable rainbow of hues, textures, and flavors. The more people the merrier as the small plates listed on the handy blackboard menu are meant to be shared (or not) with a recommended minimum of two per person. But of course, you'll want to try them all.

On a leafy off-the-beaten-path square, close to the Maison Carré, this cozy dining room serves a sensational gourmet fare made with fresh ingredients from the nearby Les Halles de Nîmes market. Elegant dishes—smoked salmon tartare with horseradish, beets, and anise-infused pickles, say, or southwest rack of pork with white-bean puree, and root veggies roasted with Cévennes honey—are served as part of two- or three-course lunch menus and two- to five-course dinner menus. In warm weather, you can dine alfresco on the pretty square.

If you have a car and feel like a long, leisurely lunch or dinner in the countryside, this leafy spot 7 km (4 miles) from Aix is a good choice. On nice days, you can sip the local wines under tall plane trees and take in the bucolic views before enjoying fresh local specialties prepared with care and precision. On cooler days, having a meal in the pretty dining room or atrium is almost as pleasant as dining en plein air. Afterward, you're welcome to try your hand at pétanque court over a digestif. If the local wines have proven too tempting, you can stay at the on-site Gaogaïa Hotel.