17 Best Restaurants in Side Trips from Paris, France

A culinary institution since 1861, this warm and welcoming retreat in the heights of Suresnes has served generations of Parisians and locals who flock here for a reliably delicious meal. With a crackling fire in winter and a flower-bedecked terrace in summer, you'll enjoy gastronomic versions of French classics in every season along with fantastic views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Chef Guillaume Delage, who's plied his craft in some of France's greatest kitchens, specializes in seasonal dishes with extravagant touches, like the lièvre à la royale (wild rabbit stuffed with foie gras and simmered in red wine), a staple on the menu since 1861. Desserts are equally delicious and an encyclopedic wine list delights aficionados and amateurs alike. Though the restaurant is worth a trip on its own, being a three-minute walk from the American Cemetery makes it the perfect spot before or after a visit.

Set in a historic house on a cobbled street in the heart of the old town, this atmospheric dining room—with hardwood beams, a fireplace, a zinc bar, and cozy contemporary decor—serves traditional French classics updated for modern palates: country terrine with tangy cornichons, homemade sausages in a buttery potato puree, lobster spaghetti, or fresh vegetable tart. The chef is also trained as a pâtissier, and his classic Paris Brest, filled with a divine hazelnut praliné, or the ethereal Chartreuse soufflé are a must for those with a sweet tooth.

Beamed ceilings, tiled floors, and charming accents are just the beginning of a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience at this traditional bistro in the heart of Barbizon. All the beloved French classics—chevre chaud, leeks vinaigrette, entrecôte de boeuf, noix de Saint-Jacques, steak tartare—are served just as they're meant to be for lunch and dinner. If you're hankering after a skillfully prepared, deeply French meal, this is the place—and it's open seven days a week, a rarity in France.

This cozy bistro's namesake studied at the prestigious Ferrandi school and cut her teeth at Joël Robuchon in Paris before returning to her hometown to open her own "bistronomique" restaurant (meaning gastronomic bistro). The refined menu offers seasonal dishes made with ingredients from sustainable farms when possible, and all the wines are organic. Dining on the terrace, overlooking the fountain on Chartres' pretty Evora Square, is a joy in warm weather.

If you want to make your visit or stay in Chartres a memorable one, this stellar hotel restaurant is the place to go. Excellent by any standards, the elegant dining room, impeccable service, and refined gastronomic menu from chef Thomas Parnaud, who breathed new life into the restaurant when he took the helm in mid-2018, make this dining room a standout in Chartres and the entire region.

Owner and chef David Gallienne brings all his considerable expertise to bear in the beautiful dining room at this hotel restaurant, where the menu focuses on the bounty of the Norman seaside. A destination unto itself, the restaurant and hotel are favorites of Giverny visitors seeking a dining "experience," so be sure to reserve in advance for both lunch and dinner. Prices are on the higher side, but for cuisine of this quality that's to be expected.

Set in a delightful 17th-century stone cottage at the edge of the old city a few minutes walk from the cathedral, this is the place for contemporary-classic dishes so good diners come from near and far. Chef Richard Baïma, who trained in some of the great kitchens of France, creates seasonal cuisine of subtle and delicious combinations that you’ll discover in two- to five-course menus at lunch and dinner. The emphasis on sustainable, local, and organic extends to the wine list, full of excellent choices that emphasize the terroir.

Don't be fooled by the casual interior: this popular "gastrobistro," helmed by two brothers passionate about food and wine, is where local foodies go for a special lunch or evening out. Products fresh from Compiègne's wonderful farmers' market are transformed into only a few sophisticated dishes each day that change with the season and are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious. Near the Oise River and a quick walk from the château, this is a great place for a two- or three-course lunch, but linger over dinner to fully enjoy this marvelous cuisine.

The adventurous cuisine served at Les Feuillantines (one of Chartres’ few gastronomic restaurants) rarely falters and very often soars. Try the superb house-made terrine with tangy cornichons to start, followed by duck risotto topped with caramelized shallots or beef ravioli perfumed with lemongrass and smoked tea. For dessert, the copious cheese plate, vanilla-flecked baba au rhum, and divine melted-chocolate cake all hit the spot. In warmer months, the garden is an added bonus, as is a good, if slightly unimaginative, wine list. The location (on a tiny street near the cathedral) is convenient, and in terms of quality for price this cozy spot can’t be beat.

Three km (2 miles) from Rambouillet near the small town of Gazeran, this ivy-clad 18th-century home is a romantic setting for an elegant gastronomic meal. Dishes like roasted cod in beef reduction with black-truffle risotto or fillet of venison with parsnip mousse are made with the freshest ingredients—many from the kitchen garden—and can be followed by a copious cheese plate or tempting seasonal desserts. A beautiful garden terrace is delightful in the summer. Three-course prix-fixe menus at both lunch and dinner are an excellent value.

A wine shop, gourmet take-out, and restaurant all in one, you can enjoy your meal in the bright, stylish restaurant or choose from a variety of homemade takeout dishes and desserts for a picnic lunch on the beautiful château grounds a five-minute walk away. On the menu expect dishes like Breton oysters on the half shell, tender suprême de volaille, pumpkin vélouté, and roasted veggie flatbread. The restaurant uses only regional products and locally grown vegetables.

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.

Young Japanese chef Kunihisa Goto has finally brought Fontainebleau's dining scene a Michelin star. The sleek contemporary dining room is the perfect setting for his refined cuisine that draws from the natural bounty of the lush Fontainebleau region, both wild and cultivated. The menu is small, all the better to highlight luxury ingredients like sea urchin, caviar, truffles, and langoustine served with more prosaic riches like caramelized local tomatoes, puree of chervil root, or a velvety buckwheat sauce (prix-fixe menus are available for both lunch and dinner).

Housed in the stone-vaulted kitchens of the Château de Chantilly's legendary 17th-century chef Vorace Vatel, this quaint restaurant has an open-hearth fireplace big enough for whole lambs or oxen to sizzle on the spit. Reflect at leisure on your cultural peregrinations over mouthfuls of grilled turbot or roast quail, and don't forget to add a good dollop of homemade crème de Chantilly to your dessert. Open from noon to 5, it offers à la carte options plus a three-course prix-fixe menu for €26.

French country specialties and fish are served at this rustic restaurant—one of Barbizon's very best—with a big open fire and a large terrace shaded by lime and chestnut trees. The three-course weekday menu is a good value, but wine here is expensive and cannot be ordered by the pichet (pitcher). Reservations are essential on weekends and highly recommended in summer.

Founded in 1822, this renowned pâtissiere has served generations of local families and Parisians alike, who come here for seasonal specialties like fraise des bois tartlets with almond cream and delicious viennoiseries (croissants, pain au chocolat, etc.). Savory specialties are equally delicious and perfect for a picnic in the nearby gardens.