Best French Restaurants in Paris

1.

Septime

Best Overall Value + Experience

As one of the shining stars of Paris' restaurant scene, Septime offers an unforgettable contemporary French dining experience at the hands of the highly talented young French chef, Bertrand Grébaut. Grébaut (ex. L'Arpege and Joel Robuchon) is one of the leaders of France’s gifted young chefs who have worked their way through the world’s best gastronomy kitchens, yet have opted away from the Michelin limelight in favour of opening their own fresh and creative take on the modern French bistro. Septime offers a highly affordable 3-course lunchtime menu for only €26 euros, and an evening 5-course “carte blanche” menu for €55.

2.

2. Le Chateaubriand & Le Dauphin Wine Bar

Inventive Cuisine + Parisian Scene

With the talented and disruptive young chef Inaki Aizpitarte at the kitchen’s helm, Le Chateaubriand restaurant offers a highly affordable 5-course menu (or ‘bistronomy’ cuisine as foodies like to call it) in a trendy 1930’s neo bistro setting. Having been voted as the best chef in France at the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards 2011, Aizpitarte is the master of sourcing fresh, seasonal produce with inventive flavour combinations. Prepare to be taken on a surprising culinary journey of light yet intense flavours inspired by the chef's travels around the globe. Also, don't miss his fantastic wine and tapas bar next door, Le Dauphin.

3.

Frenchie & Frenchie Wine Bar

Intimate Dining

The award-winning Frenchie is one of the most in-demand restaurants in Paris for its simple yet flavorsome seasonal Franco-Italian cuisine, and its cosy-yet-chic Brooklyn-style interiors. Chef Grégory Marchand's refreshing cuisine allows the seasons' produce to shine. The Frenchie team have also recently opened an exciting new casual wine and tapas bar only meters from the restaurant, Frenchie Bar à Vins, where you can sample fine wines, delectable charcuterie and delicious sharing plates inspired by the restaurant’s menu. 

4.

L'Agape Substance

Tasting Menu

L’Agape Substance is an exciting new contemporary French dining venue in Paris, tucked away in a sleek, modern and intimate 24-seat space in Paris’ Saint Germain district. The highly talented young chef, David Toutain, brings serious cooking credentials to the table through his time working in some of the world’s best kitchens - no less than Marc Veyrat, L’Arpege, Mugaritz and New York’s Corton. Toutain brings equal measures of creativity, technical precision, surprise and restraint throughout his experimental evening “carte blanche” tasting menu.

5.

L'Arpege

The Ultimate Splurge

Chef Alain Passard’s world-renowned L’Arpège restaurant is set within a beautiful orange-and-white pear-wood dining room, where the master chef presents what he describes as “la cuisine legumière” - however, don't expect simple vegetarian cuisine. The 3 Michelin star L'Arpège has been creating Paris’ finest haute cuisine for almost 25 years. In 2002, chef Passard developed his own strictly organic garden to create a constant supply of perfect ingredients grown to exacting specifications. Offering one of the most expensive evening tasting menus in the city, opt for the fractionally lower priced multiple-course lunchtime menu.

6.

Vivant

Hidden Gem

Hidden away in a quiet street in Paris' 10th district is chef Pierre Jancou's latest dining venture, Vivant. With walls and ceilings covered with beautiful antique ceramic tiles, this highly enjoyable casual bistro offers a fantastic menu of natural wines for which Jancou has become renowned for. Vivant's frequently changing menu matches its diminutive size, a short yet sharp offering of flavoursome dishes which are elevated by the chef's naturally-sourced ingredients. With a diverse culinary background in Italy, France, and Switzerland, expect flavours such as sumptuous smoked burrata, perfectly roasted chicken, and soul-satisfying gnocchi al ragout. 

7.

Le Comptoir du Relais

A Paris Institution

Gourmet foodies and dedicated locals sit elbow-to-elbow at this tiny Latin Quarter bistro, Le Comptoir du Relais, willing to wait up to four months in advance for a reservation to experience acclaimed chef Yves Camdeborde’s brilliant modern take on traditional French bistro cuisine at dinnertime. As a glimmer of hope for those without a booking, Le Comptoir du Relais also serves a fantastic casual bistro menu during the day, where the outdoor terrace on the busy Carrefour de l'Odéon is one of the best people-watching spots in Paris. Don't miss a glass of wine and charcuterie at their casual wine & tapas bar next door, L’Avant Comptoir.

8.

Cafe des Musees

Casual French Bistro

Located in the heart of Paris’ trendy Marais district, Cafe des Musees is a typically stylised French bistro with atypically good, modern French bistro cuisine. The lunch menu, at only €14, is a two-course delight and an absolute steal, while the €21 prix fixe dinner offers some of the freshest, most flavoursome and affordable bistro cuisine in the area. A la carte staples include the wild mushrooms cooked with escargots served in a bubbling hotpot, a hearty entrecote steak with a creamy bearnaise sauce and hand cut frites, and chunky, marbled steak tartare.

9.

The Best Organic Cafes

Health-conscious

A new wave of cool-yet-casual cafes have recently been opening in Paris with a focus on fresh, healthy and seasonal organic ingredients. The owner of hip Parisian nightclub, Le Baron, has opened two Japanese-inspired canteens called Nanashi--one located in the up-and-coming 10th arrondissement and the other in the hip Northern Marais district. Rose Bakery is another welcome sanctuary in Paris for healthy and delicious salads, delectable quiches and a daily-changing menu of organic creations. Merci concet store also offers trendy organic dining at its Le Cantine Merci.

 

10.

L'Ami Jean

Hearty French Bistro Cuisine

Oh, what fun you’re going to have here. As one of Paris’ foodie favourite haunts, L’Ami Jean is a riotously fun gourmand dining experience. Tucked away in the backstreets of Paris’ 7th arrondissement, you’d even be forgiven for walking straight by and thinking its just another classic French bistro with simple, rustic wooden interiors. However, as any in-the-know foodie knows, chef Stéphane Jégo is simply a master of highly conceptual yet sumptuously delicious French bistro cuisine. 

Explore our highly selective RedVisitor Paris Restaurant Guide to find out the best restaurants in Paris right now.

 

 

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