A round-up of some of the Best Restaurants in Paris in 2022
Bakeries, Cafés + Treats
- The French Donuts – A tiny shop with a collection of creative doughnut flavors. Despite the colorful array of doughnuts, guests rave over the beignets. The collection of board games and list of classic coffee drinks invite you to stay a while.
- Aki Boulangerie – an extremely popular Japanese bakery serving some traditional Japanese favorites like melon bread and matcha tea cookies.
- Glaces Glazed – With their own offbeat approach to ice cream, some of their imaginative flavor combinations include avocado and eucalyptus, lychee and galangal, curry and caramelized banana. The creators of the Black Sugar Sex Magic ice cream mentioned above is a combination of chocolate, ginger and wasabi. A crowd favorite is the black sesame and pistachio flavor.
- Jean-Paul Hévin – This French-born chocolatier travels the globe to gather cocoa from various regions to mix into his creative confections. Offering chocolates of all types, cheesecake, French macarons, eclairs, mille feuille, little cakes and more, this is truly a temple of decadency.
- Ladurée – an upscale bakery and Parisian staple specializing in their famed French macarons. Favorite flavors include black raspberry, pistachio, lavender and passion fruit. If you’re feeling especially boujee, Ladurée collaborated with Bergdorf Goodman to create a special edition chocolate macaron filled with salted caramel and painted with gold leaf. It really shines!
- Josephine Bakery – a bright spot with colorful treats, quiches and filled baguettes.
- KB CaféShop – The ultimate spot for people watching while sipping a cappuccino. Their in-house roasted beans draws crowds of coffee enthusiasts. Hot and cold beverages are served on a large street-side patio where readers and conversationalists alike embody the deep thinkers of the historic neighborhood. Order the carrot cake and a flat white.
- Café Verlet – A quaint cafe in a beautifully vintage setting that roasts their own single-origin beans. Patrons rave over the French Toast and good prices.
- Noir – a tiny coffee shop with locally roasted beans, lovely cookies, informative baristas and coffee with big flavor. Some think Noir prepares some of the best tasting espresso in all of Paris.
Brunch
- Cucina Eat – Take a walk through the park while marveling at the Eiffel Tower, to enjoy a lovely brunch. Their mostly organic menu mimics their second-hand, shabby-chic decor, reflecting their passion for healthy bodies and a healthy planet. Their burrata and assorted salads are among the favorites.
- Le Louis – an intimate brunch spot offering classic French dishes with notably friendly service and the occasional piano player.
Classic + Modern French
- Bar Le Gustave – a speakeasy style bar serving French classics like onion soup and escargot. Guests love the beautiful cocktails, funny bartenders and reasonable prices despite the touristy Eiffel Tower area.
- De la Tour – A tucked-away gem in the heart of tourist-central, steps away from the Eiffel Tower. This small, family-run bistro serves expertly cooked meals and guests enjoy the calm atmosphere, wine recommendations and pre-fixe, multiple course options.
- Seb’on – Offering seasonal dishes, guests are enamored with the freshness of ingredients at this modern French restaurant. Seb’on’s rustic-chic decor and intimate atmosphere is romantically lit by candlesticks. With only about 10 tables, guests are treated as the center of attention. There’s an impressive wine list for such a small spot. Reservations can be made through Facebook Messenger, and trust me, don’t show up without one.
- Jaïs – An elegant French bistro serving traditional dishes with a modern twist. Patrons love the plentiful wine options and elevated food presentation.
- didon. – an inventive French restaurant with clever flavor combinations.
- Tradi – serves French-centered cuisine in a cozy traditional French bistro with an ever-changing menu.
- Le Wepler – a traditional French brasserie established in 1881 that appeals to the young cinema and literary crowd. Le Wepler helped create a foundation that awards the best authors of the year, which is proudly displayed in their restaurant.
- Mova – a French restaurant offering tasting menus and strikingly beautiful, artfully composed dishes
Unique Eats
- Arnaud Nicolas – Restaurant & Boutique – Known for their house-cured meats, the charcuterie boards here a draws many locals. A unique, meat-lovers paradise, their most popular dish is a pâtés en croûte, or meat-filled, beautifully decorated pie. Also offered are beautifully plated tasting menus and superb wine list.
- L’Ami Jean – A rustic, cozy setting that serves large portions from a carefully sourced menu. The service is warm and accommodating, providing vegan options despite a mostly meat-oriented menu. They offer a tasting menu that many rave about. Save room dessert, their most famous must-order dish is rice pudding, drizzled with caramel and topped with nuts.
- New Jawad – a hugely popular, elegant spot for Indian and Pakistani dishes. A posh spot for traditional curries, kebabs and biriyanis. Their Kulfi dessert, a type of ice cream with flavors of rosewater and cardamom, is a crowd favorite.
- Le Monteverdi – an Italian menu offers plentiful Antipasti boards and elaborate pastas. My favorite is the truffle fettuccine with mascarpone. A swanky spot (that isn’t overpriced) to sip Chablis and listen to live jazz music.
- Le Soufflé – with its quint sky-blue exterior, this spot lives up to its name primarily focusing on a selection of soup, salad and an endless offering of various soufflés. Visitors seem to adore their French onion soup. Romantic and charming, they’ve been whipping up soufflés since 1961.
- Kodawari Ramen (Tsukiji) – Reminiscent of the old Tokyo Fish Market, Kodawari Ramen serves up generous portions of ramen in a fish-based broth. This place might be hard to find since their sign is mostly written in Japanese, but don’t worry, you’ll know it’s the right place since it’ll have a line out the door.
Drinks + Snacks
- Yagō – The vibe of this cocktail bar is a mix of a 1920s speakeasy with a Japanese twist. It also feels a bit like a lavish boudoir scene with red velvet, crystal chandeliers and a pole bar. Perhaps fitting for the Pigalle neighborhood. Guests love the reinvented Japanese appetizers, original cocktails, the beats by the weekend DJ.
- Le 17.45 – For voluptuous cheese and charcuterie boards, white subway tiles, dark earth tones, warm lighting and patterned pillows, enjoy the inviting environment Le 17.45 has created. Here, beer is ordered as often as wine. Drawing a young professional crowd, guests love the attentive staff, ample treats served on large planks and truffle brie
- Les Ambassadeurs: Steps away from the United States Embassy, this cocktail bar attracts the most sophisticated crowd with its candlelit tables, striking marble walls, and quirky drinks.
- Le Hibou – a brasserie best visited during late night hours, post-dinner to sip unique cocktails on their large patio.
- Ô Chateau – an elegant, old-world wine bar offering small plates, flights and wine pairings.
- Les P’tits Potes – a low key wine bar with small plates of inventive, fresh food
- La Villa Batignolles – a casual cocktail bar with tree-lined patio
Michelin + Almost Michelin
- Le Gabriel – Within the hotel is an opulent two-star Michelin restaurant with an inventive French-inspired menu. Le Gabriel is is known for its bold and intense flavors and unwavering consistency.
- Epicure – To further elevate your culinary repertoire, let the astonishing modern haute cuisine and refined dining room decor marvel you. With three Michelin stars, visitors deem it one of the best restaurants in Paris. Chef Eric Frechon’s large langoustine appetizer is among the most notable dishes served.
- Alleno Paris – Swap classically ornate dining rooms with something a bit more modern looking but keep the highly regarded flavors and three star Michelin rating. At this iconic spot on the Champs-Elysees, guests are invited to choose their main course – either vegetable, meat or fish – and they’re entire meal is created around the core dish. Chef Yannick Alleno has even pioneered new techniques to create modern sauces.
- Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse: Sit beneath crystal chandeliers and elegant frescoes in this majestic Versailles-inspired, two-star Michelin to indulge in a meal fit for a King. Specializing in classic haute cuisine and paying particular attention to flavor, texture and the element of surprise, chef Amaury Bouhours exemplifies the pinnacle of French cuisine.