Feel like discovering one of the emblematic restaurants of Paris, but can’t decide which one? I’ve prepared a list of the capital’s famous establishments, with all the information you might need to prepare your gourmet escapade.
First, let’s locate these restaurants on a map:
⚡ No time to read everything? Here are my recommendations in brief:
- The chicest: Le Grand Véfour
- The most gastronomic: Guy Savoy
- The most elegant : Le Café de la Paix
- The least expensive: Le Bouillon Chartier
- The quietest: La Closerie des Lilas
La Tour d’Argent
15-19, quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
9/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
If you had to choose only one, it would certainly be this one.
The fabulous restaurant of the Tour d’Argent, the oldest restaurant in Paris (since 1592) nestled in the heart of the 5th arrondissement offers a panoramic room with a breathtaking view of all of Paris.
A true emblem of French tradition, the Tour d’Argent is careful to preserve its codes of elegance.
Here, the dress code is elegant to enjoy a traditional cuisine that has been revamped with the arrival of Champagne chef Philippe Labbé.
The sorrel quenelles are breathtaking. The chalan duckling roasted with spices, one of the house’s flagship dishes, is to die for.
For wine lovers, the restaurant’s cellar extends several thousand square meters underground!
A labyrinth of over 320,000 bottles to marvel at, but only a select few are lucky enough to enter.
Prices:
- Menus at €105 (lunch), €360 (6-course gastronomic), and €380.
- A la carte, count on spending at least €250 excluding drinks.
We like:
- The panoramic view
- The exceptional cellar
More information and booking at La Tour d’argent.
Restaurant Guy Savoy
11, quai de Conti, 75006 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
9.5/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
In the historic building of the Monnaie de Paris, three-starred chef Guy Savoy welcomes you for an extraordinary culinary experience.
In an intimate room with modern and eclectic decor, in keeping with the chef’s signature of the World’s Best Restaurant (since 2017, according to La Liste), you will be able to taste iconic dishes.
Guy Savoy offers you his famous artichoke soup with black truffle, flaky brioche with mushrooms and truffle, oysters in a glazed sauce, or the open mille feuilles with Tahitian vanilla.
Guy Savoy’s gastronomic excellence has been recognized for over 20 years throughout the world.
You will be able to enjoy refined dishes, with a view of the Seine, and be pampered by a team dedicated to its customers, who will be happy to discuss the proposed culinary experience.
Prices:
- Average price à la carte €585
- Menu “Ne cherchez pas Midi à 14h00!” (excluding drinks) €250
We like:
- The setting of the Monnaie de Paris, perfectly arranged and decorated by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, for a striking and chic effect.
- The modern and daring French gastronomy.
More information and booking at Restaurant Guy Savoy.
Le Grand Véfour
17 Rue de Beaujolais, 75001 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
8.3/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
Nestled in the gardens of the Palais Royal since the Revolution of 1789, Le Grand Véfour is a restaurant not to be missed.
In the eyes of international critics, it embodies the excellence of French gastronomy.
The restaurant has seen historical figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Victor Hugo, George Sand, and more recently celebrities such as André Malraux, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir.
Its terrace overlooking the gardens of the Palais Royal assures you of a quiet meal, away from prying eyes.
The interior is a jewel of 18th-century decorative art.
The menu is simple but includes classics of French gastronomy: lacquered pork belly, duck foie gras, zucchini jam spiced with lime and sumac, or a hazelnut and chocolate palet grands crus.
Prices:
- Average price à la carte: €248
- Lunch menu: €115.
- Pleasure menu (price per guest, menu made per table): €315.
We like:
- The terrace overlooking the gardens of the Palais Royal.
- The classic dishes perfectly executed, with a modern touch.
More information and booking at Le Grand Véfour.
Le Fouquet’s
99 Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris, France
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
7.5/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
On the corner of Avenue des Champs-Elysées and Avenue George V, in the 8th arrondissement, Le Fouquet’s has been open since 1899.
It is registered as a historical monument.
Its reputation is well established if we refer to its upscale clientele, which includes many of the stars and celebrities that the country has produced.
Its typical Parisian brasserie decor is enhanced by the richness of its materials and its proximity to the most beautiful avenue in the world.
You can enjoy classic French dishes, such as escargot, sole meunière or millefeuille, reinterpreted with malice.
Prices:
- From €85 on average à la carte.
- Three-course dinner menu starting at 7pm, at €86 per person.
We like:
- The celebrity plaques in the dining room.
- The simple but perfectly executed French gastronomic dishes.
More information and booking at The Fouquet’s.
La Coupole
102 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
8.7/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
La Coupole is one of the most famous addresses in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, since its creation in 1927.
A jewel of Art Deco (its cubist-inspired mosaics are classified as historical monuments), it represents the Parisian brasserie, a symbol of the living history of the Montparnasse district.
Many personalities have frequented this authentic traditional brasserie: Picasso, Camus, Sartre, Josephine Baker, Serge Gainsbourg, and Jane Birkin.
The menu features seafood specialties as well as French gastronomy.
One will gladly taste its emblematic dishes, such as the legendary lamb curry à l’indienne or the skate à la grenobloise.
Prices:
- From €45 à la carte.
- Menu at €19.50 at lunchtime, from Monday to Friday, from 12h to 16h, except on public holidays and the day before a public holiday.
We like:
- Seafood platters and oyster tastings at reasonable prices
- The sublime Art Deco dome
More information and booking at La Coupole.
Le Bouillon Chartier
7, rue du Faubourg-Montmartre, 75009 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
9/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
In 1896, the Bouillon Chartier was born from a simple idea: to offer a meal worthy of the name, with good products, at a modest price.
The immense and legendary room is classified as a historical monument, and one can catch a glimpse of what makes the soul of the place: from the napkins of the regulars, to the incessant ballet of the waiters in black vests and white aprons.
On the plates, the philosophy of the establishment has remained unchanged: leeks with vinaigrette, egg mayonnaise, vegetable soup, or snails for starters; meat, fish, or well-cooked dishes for the rest. The menu is vast, the flavors are authentic, and each dish costs around €10.
Prices:
Starting at €8.
We like:
- The popular spirit intact and the friendly atmosphere
- The unbeatable quality-price ratio
More information and booking at Bouillon Chartier.
La Brasserie Lipp
151, Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
7/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
A mythical brasserie, LIPP has occupied a prime location on the Boulevard Saint-Germain since the 19th century.
Continuously attracting personalities from the world of fashion, the social sphere, or emblematic intellectuals, this chic place with its Art Nouveau decor has managed to preserve its charm and its inimitable French aesthetic.
Not to mention its menu, which has not changed for over 60 years.
The products are seasonal, and you can find the classics of Parisian brasseries: leeks with vinaigrette, duck foie gras, beef tartar, sole meunière, and andouillette AAAAA (French label of excellence).
Prices:
From €30 à la carte.
We like:
- The chic and cosmopolitan atmosphere
- Brasserie classics at affordable prices
More information and booking at Brasserie Lipp.
La Closerie des Lilas
171 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
9.5/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
At the end of the 19th century, La Closerie was the first café to make the reputation of the Montparnasse district.
Located next to the famous Bullier ball, La Closerie became the place to eat before or after the ball, for the bourgeoisie, as well as for the penniless artists.
For a century and a half, all the greatest artists reconstructed the world to the measure of their excess. Modigliani, Picasso, Sartre, Oscar Wilde, Beckett, and many others.
Today, this chic brasserie is a joyful mix of elegance and casualness.
On the menu, you will find the original red tuna tartar with mango, the exceptional pike quenelles or the lobster fricassee Thai style, and the apricot ginger macaroons brochettes with apricot sorbet.
The service is perfect and testifies to historical know-how.
Prices:
- From €47 for lunch.
- Count €50 (excluding drinks) at the brasserie and €90 (excluding drinks) at the restaurant.
We like:
- Its shaded terrace, full of greenery.
- The seafood, specialty of the house.
ore information and booking at La Closerie des Lilas.
Café de Flore
172 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
7/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
Nestled in the heart of the very chic St Germain des Prés district, the Café de Flore is undoubtedly one of the most famous restaurants in the Parisian capital.
It is especially known thanks to some of its particularly famous customers.
Between the two wars, the café even became a literary and artistic café with artists who liked to come and have a drink and a chat.
In the literary continuity of the café, a prize is even awarded every year: the Prix de Flore.
The café lends itself more to a quick meal, a hot drink, or sweet treats but its menu does not disappoint those wishing to linger a little longer.
Pork rillettes, Royal crab mayonnaise, onion soup au gratin, and egg-based specialties will delight your palate.
Prices:
From €28 à la carte.
We like:
- The typical decoration of the Parisian brasseries.
- The literary history of the café.
More information and booking at Le Café de Flore.
Le Café de la Paix
5 Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
8.7/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
Built in 1862 under Napoleon III, the Café de la Paix is a true Parisian institution, located in front of the Opéra Garnier.
Since its opening, the restaurant has been a landmark for authors, actors, politicians, and other Parisian notables.
Classified as a historical monument, the restaurant has a magnificent Second Empire décor.
The period columns and the sublime painted frescoes invite you to a bucolic reverie, in a setting of Parisian elegance.
Orchestrated by chef Laurent André, the Café de la Paix offers the great classics of French gastronomy: onion soup au gratin, beef tartar, and brunch on Sunday morning.
Prices:
- From €39 for lunch.
- €82 for the Tasting Menu, and the Sunday morning brunch.
We like:
- The setting is unique and timeless for a real getaway.
- Its location is ideal for a day strolling in the capital.
More information and booking at Le Café de la Paix.
Les Deux Magots
6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
8/10 : France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
Welcoming the gotha of the intellectual and artistic scene (Verlaine, Rimbaud, Mallarmé, Aragon, Sartre, Beauvoir, Hemingway, Picasso, to name but a few) since the last century, Les Deux Magots remains one of the favorite places of Parisian and international personalities.
In its superb historical room dominated by the statues of the two magots, on the terrace or in the garden to enjoy the bucolic view of the Place Saint-Germain, you will be welcomed all day long, from breakfast to dinner.
I especially recommend the excellent brunch, served on weekends.
Prices:
- From €36 for lunch, and €52 for brunch.
- Average price à la carte: €68/person.
We like:
- Its location in the Saint Germain district.
- Its engaging menu and its classic croques-monsieurs.
More information and booking at Les Deux Magots.
Le Train Bleu
Place Louis-Armand, 75012 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
8/10: France Hotel Guide Expert Rating
Mythical restaurant, Le Train Bleu, is an institution at the Gare de Lyon.
In this elegant setting made of gilding, moldings, and sparkling chandeliers, travelers and other gourmets come to enjoy French gastronomic cuisine.
You can also relax in the lounge bar upon arrival or while waiting for your train.
You can taste leg of lamb, tartar, duck foie gras, smoked salmon, roast veal Foyot, and baba au rhum.
The great added value of the Train Bleu lies in its very complete wine list.
Ideal when arriving in Paris, or before leaving for other destinations.
Prices:
- From €49 for lunch.
- Menus at €67 and €115 for dinner.
- Count about €55 for the à la carte menu.
We like:
- Mouldings and gilding for a timeless “Versailles” effect.
- The possibility to take away gastronomic meals.
More information and booking at Le Train Bleu.
Comparative chart of Famous Restaurants in Paris
| Restaurant | Prices (menu per person) | Type of cuisine | Recommended specialties | Highlights | Rating FHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Tour d'Argent | €105 | Traditional French | - Sorrel quenelles - Chalan duckling | The panoramic room and its view of all of Paris. | 9/10 |
| Guy Savoy | €250 | Modern French | - Artichoke soup - Oysters in the water - Millefeuille with Tahitian vanilla | Its daring dishes bearing the French excellence. | 9.5/10 |
| Le Grand Véfour | €115 | Contemporary French | - Glazed pork belly - Foie gras and zucchini jam | The terrace overlooking the gardens of the Palais Royal. The classic dishes perfectly executed, with a modern touch. | 8/10 |
| Le Fouquet's | €85 | Traditional French | - Grilled sole meunière - Supreme of poultry | The quality-price ratio and the brasserie setting. | 7.5/10 |
| La Coupole | €45 | Seafood and traditional French | - Lamb curry Indian style - Grenoble-style skate - Real steak with pepper. | The quality of the products and the charming welcome. | 8/10 |
| Le Bouillon Chartier | €8 | French traditional | - Snails - Leeks with vinaigrette - Steak-French Fries | The unbeatable value for money, in a restaurant with a preserved popular spirit. | 9/10 |
| La Brasserie Lipp | €30 | French traditional | - Andouillette AAAAA - Sole meunière | The superb rooms and chic and international atmosphere. | 7/10 |
| La Closerie des Lilas | €47 | French traditional | - Red tuna tartar - Lobster fricassee - Brochette of macaroons | The magnificent green and shaded terrace, out of sight, and the specialty of the house: the seafood. | 9.5/10 |
| Café de Flore | €28 | French traditional | - Royal crab mayonnaise - All their egg-based specialties | The typical Parisian brasserie decor. | 8/10 |
| Le Café de la Paix | €39 | Classic contemporary | - Onion soup au gratin - Beef tartar | The unique and timeless decor for a real getaway. Its ideal location for a day strolling in the capital. | 8.7/10 |
| Les Deux Magots | €36 | French traditional | - Croque monsieur - Brunch | Its location in the Saint Germain district. Its engaging menu and its classic croques-monsieurs. | 7/10 |
| Le Train Bleu | €49 | French gastronomic | - Smoked salmon - Roast veal Foyot | The moldings and gilding for a timeless "Versailles" effect. The possibility to take away gastronomic meals. | 7.5/10 |
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
