International | 05.18.2023

Where to Eat in Paris

Woman enjoys food in the street.

By Finer Things Contributors

Choosing where to eat in Paris, French is a truly overwhelming experience! There are over 100 Michelin-starred Paris restaurants, and hundreds more hidden gems worth visiting. If you’re dreaming of rich scallops, foie gras, or escargots or simpler comfort food like thin, crispy frites, this list is for you. 

From casual pastries to fine dining, we’ve gathered our staff’s favorite spots to eat in Paris from the best restaurants in the city into one, convenient list. Most spots serve French cuisine, but we’ve highlighted a few standouts serving other flavors. 

Breakfast & Brunch

Mamiche

BAKERY | $

Confidently referred to as the “best bakery in Paris,” Mamiche is a staff favorite that was visited repeatedly. They use a sourdough base for bread and produce limited batches so everything is fresh. Visit often and try different things, but don’t overlook the vegetable sandwiches. They are stealthy stars. 

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Carette

PATISSERIE | $$$

Keep it casual with this cozy cafe. There are no reservations, so you’re relying on luck to snag a table, but it’s worthwhile. Don’t let the stunning pastries and crepes* distract from their fluffy scrambled eggs. 

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*If you’re on the hunt for a truly notable crepe, visit Breizh for the crepe experience. 

Le Tout Paris

FRENCH | $$$$

With wonderful Art Deco ambiance and service, Le Tout Paris is an all-day option that is especially wonderful for Parisian breakfast or brunch. Their breakfast menu features a mix of pastry and egg options. On Sundays, they serve an all-day menu designed to emulate French family lunches at home. Don’t skip the homemade hot chocolate. 

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Take Out

Poilâne

BAKERY | $$

A famous spot favored by Ina Garten, Poilâne is iconic, but not overrated. It lives up to its fame with bread recipes that have been made since 1932. Their third-generation head maintains the same classic, unfussy baking.

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Lunch

Chez Georges 

BISTRO | $$

Chez George is the definition of a classic, French meal. Their decor calls on the Art Nouveau movement as they’ve been an institution in the 17th arrondissement since 1926. Wow. The cuisine is old-world French cooking. 

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Le Pré aux Clercs

FRENCH | $$

Led by chef Pierre Franchomme, Le Pré aux Clercs is home to a menu inspired by his travels outside France that retains the brasserie-style gastronomy. There are private rooms for intimate, shared meals but the atmosphere is casual. For lunch, we recommend the house salad with roasted chicken. 

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Café Charlot 

CAFE | $$

If you want a casual, but decadent lunch in Marais, come to Café Charlot. Even later in the day, don’t overlook their egg benedict. Otherwise, they have several tartare worth trying too. 

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La Palette

CAFE | $$

For a casual lunch that’s still worth a Polaroid, La Palette is très chic. It manages to be popular yet un-touristry in large part to its popularity with local students. It’s facade and two interior rooms are historical monuments themselves. 

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Halle aux Grains

FRENCH | $$$

Have you ever wondered just how good buckwheat can be? Here’s your chance. Experience a guided, chef-led meal with their “discovery” menus in five courses or seven courses for a tasting menu dictated by what’s currently on market. Their service is top notch and even when ordering a la carte, desserts shouldn’t be skipped. 

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La Poule au Pot 

FRENCH | $$$

Serving classic French cuisine with a small twist, La Poule au Pot is where you order traditional French food like quenelle or onion au gratin. Their service is notable too with friendly, attentive servers and many tableside elements. 

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Hôtel Costes

FRENCH | $$$$

Hôtel Costes is a five-star hotel with a worthwhile restaurant for an experience. Often overlook details like their signature candle and bathroom hand soap are worth a spotlight of their own. Use your mealtime perch here to people-watch. 

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Café Lignac

FRENCH | $$$$

They use seasonal ingredients and focus on flavorful, slow cooking. Their menu is available translated, so you can put away Google Translate here. If you don’t make it for lunch, they serve breakfast and dinner too. 

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Le Voltaire

FRENCH | $$$$

Another longstanding institution, Le Voltaire has been in business since 1908. It’s named for the writer François-Marie Arouet, otherwise known as Voltaire, who lived in the building. Situated on the Seine, it has an old-school charm reminiscent of its history. We recommend the Sole Meunière, one of their specialties. 

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L’Ami Louis

FRENCH | $$$$

There are mixed opinions on L’Ami Louis. Some think it’s overpriced for visitors; some think it’s a must-visit classic. We’re in favor firmly because of their roast chicken. It’s a tiny spot with a high price tag, so if you’re watching your budget while visiting, you can skip this for one of our favorite splurge dinners instead. 

Outdoor Dining

Le Progrès

BISTRO | $$

With a heated terrace, it’s easier to enjoy a meal out-of-doors. Its location is close enough to many hot spots including the Louvre which make it a convenient brasserie. They have a notably large wine list to pick from too. They only accept reservations for their lunch service, so take advantage and make to avoid missing a table. 

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Café Bonaparte

BRASSERIE | $$

With an iconic striped awning, Café Bonaparte feels quintessentially Parisian with an outdoor terrace facing the abbey church. The menu offers many organic and vegetarian options without eschewing more traditional fare. 

Chez Julien

FRENCH | $$$

Their terrace has a view of Île Saint-Louis, and their lunch tasting menu features a starter, main, and sorbet or ice cream for 29 €. The menu itself changes according to what’s in season. Otherwise, choose from a variety of a la carte options. 

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Loulou

ITALIAN | $$$

Recently renovated this spring, Loulou is a worthwhile departure from French cuisine with a chic atmosphere and lush Italian. Their outdoor dining is their peak with chic landscaping and inviting views. Be sure to reserve on a sunny day for a Mediterranean experience in the heart of Paris. 

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Café de Flore

CAFE | $$$

Situated in the city for wonderful people-watching, Café de Flore serves wonderful food to fuel your viewing. Our most notable spotting was Tonne Goodman during Fashion Week. Their website is available in French, English, Spanish, and Japanese for easy navigation. 

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Ralph’s

AMERICAN | $$$$

An American menu under the Ralph Lauren brand, Ralph’s is a unique dining opportunity. The decor and ambiance are fiercely in-style. Steaks served are flown in from the RRL Ranch in Colorado (same as the Ralph’s New York location). It is not essential French cuisine, but it is an iconic experience to partake in. 

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Take Out

Miznon

ISRAELI BISTRO | $$

Another of Ina Garten’s favorites in the City of Lights, Miznon is a worthwhile departure from French cuisine with pita sandwiches from Israeli chef Eyal Shan. It’s take-out only so you’ll have to order online and pick it up. 

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Dinner

Brasserie de l’Île St-Louis 

BRASSERIE | $$

Situated opposite Notre-Dame, Brasserie de l’Île St-Louis is decorated like a brasserie of the 1930s. Their cuisine is traditional, and the view is incredible. Order the Entrecote du Limousin with a glass of wine. 

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Café de la Poste

CAFE | $$

Our notes for Café de la Poste prominently feature the notation, “Cool kids!!” which captures the sleek, style of the cafe perfectly. Order the fillet of sea bream with green curry, if available, and enjoy your transformation to one of the in-crowd. 

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La Rôtisserie d’Argent

FRENCH | $$$$

Combine adorable checkered tablecloths and their trademark duck doodle to be instantly enamored by La Rôtisserie d’Argent. Their signature is, of course, duck, but another unique classic is Mimosa Eggs which are devilled eggs filled with a fresh crab salad. You must finish the meal with Ile Flottante, a whipped egg white in creme anglaise. 

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Relais de l’Entrecôte

FRENCH | $$

For the experience of a real Parisian bistrot, visit the sophisticated, elegant Relais de l’Entrecôte. Their iconic dish is a walnut salad, sirloin steak, and thin-cut frites

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Chez Paul

FRENCH | $$$$

It’s not the oldest restaurant in Paris, but Chez Paul looks like it could be with a charmingly weathered facade and small outdoor area. Their menu is homey yet elevated paired with a variety of meats and preparations. 

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La Fontaine de Mars

FRENCH | $$$

With a style of a classic, old-world bistro, La Fontaine de Mars looks like any other delightfully retro French restaurant, but their food and service combine for a truly stand-out experience. You must try the cassoulet for the full experience, but no dish will let you down. 

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Le Chateaubriand

FRENCH | $$$

In a city often associated with terse service, Le Chateaubriand’s exceptionally kind, patient service is especially enjoyed. Staff often speak English and can guide you to your best dish off the menu. 

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Candelaria

MEXICAN & COCKTAIL BAR | $$

Sometimes you travel to Paris, France for the best, authentic Mexican food, right? Well, Candelaria is proving that you should. Bright, lively Mexican cuisine is the first cover for a hidden bar in the back. 

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Keep it Casual

Chez Janou

BISTRO | $$

A playfully unpretentious bistro, Chez Janou features an affordable lunch menu, but their rich dishes like veal liver with apples and braised fennel duck breast with rosemary speak to dinnertime. Whatever time of day, don’t say no to their lush chocolate mousse for dessert. 

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Ellsworth

FRENCH | $$

Paris, the city of friend chicken… Well, when you’re at Ellsworth, it is. The interior and food both carry an easy charm. Their chicken is highly applauded because it’s highly delicious, but the menu is otherwise filled with seasonal small plates. 

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Worthwhile Splurges

Le Train Bleu

FRENCH | $$$$

With stunning architectural details and eye-catching plating, Le Train Bleu is an entire experience. The gilded, carved ceilings are stunningly ornate with details enough to fill hours here. For the full experience here, you must make a meal reservation. If you’re only there for drinks, you’ll be seated in a secondary room lacking the most ornate bits. 

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Le Grand Véfour

ITALIAN | $$$$

When your occasion calls for an elegant meal, Le Grand Véfour is here. Every entree is delicious, and the dining room is stunning, but they don’t have a dress code, so sometimes the other patrons can undermine the aesthetic. 

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Anahi

SOUTH AMERICAN | $$$$

Created by three-starred chef Mauro Colagrecco, it’s no surprise Anahi is stunning. Yet it bears repeating that this restaurant, set in a historic butcher’s shop, is worth the reservation. 

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Suite Girafe

FRENCH | $$$$

Dining with a view of the Eiffel Tower is the dreamy ambiance that Suite Girafe offers. The only issue is their desserts may rival the actual entrees. 

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Caviar Kaspia

FRENCH | $$$$

If you’re a fan of caviar, prepare to be ruined forever. Their serving of Caviar Potato from the Rasputin menu “changed the way I want to eat caviar forever,” for our reviewer. Thank her for her sacrifice by visiting yourself. 

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Snacks

Le Sancerre

BRASSERIE | $$

If you missing the dining window for your other choices, Le Sancerre is here to satisfy you. They serve food all day alongside the caffeine you need to perk up in the midst of a day of sightseeing. 

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La Grande Épicerie 

GOURMET GROCER | $$$

Stock your hotel for your visit with a haul from La Grande Épicerie which is the more impressive grocer within the city. It’s not like your home grocery store, with its own fresh-baked and handmade products.

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Berthillon

ICE CREAM | $$$

No trip would be complete without sampling the iconic ice cream. Berthillon truly satisfies the need for Paris’s best-known scoop. 

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Laduree Bonaparte

PASTRY | $$$

If you’re short on time, take your pastries to go, but if you have the time sit in for an afternoon tea. Their pastries are as delicious as they are visually stunning. 

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Where to eat with dietary restrictions?

Sapid

VEGETARIAN | $$

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Wild and the Moon

VEGAN | $$

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Many of these spots are popular, so reservations are always recommended when you can, especially for locations nearby to popular sightseeing locations. If you’re a foodie with another recommendation, we’d love to know your favorite spot in Paris, France. 

If you’re dining somewhere with a notable wine list or wine bar, but you’re not usually a wine drinker, never be shy with their sommelier. They’ll be happy to recommend a fitting wine for your chosen meal and your budget. The above content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop, we receive a small commission to support our writers.

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