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 Restaurants : French
Gastronomy finds a perennial welcome in Paris thanks to the luxuriant, sensual nature of traditional French cookery. Superlative ingredients – including premium wines and cheeses – enrich the cuisine, which runs fat with foie gras, escargots, moules frites, and such classics as coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon. Even so, cued by a fashion-forward culture, innovative chefs unabashedly shake up standards, reinventing them in light of globalization and emergent trends. As a result, while incredible bistro and brasserie fare remain strong, fantastic restaurants also offer foods from once-French areas like Vietnam and North Africa. Haute cuisine distinguishes the city, and Taillevent, the city’s grande-dame of the genre, serves as an elegant, long-lived Parisian landmark. Guy Savoy, another mainstay, drifts towards contemporary tastes while holding fast to class and refinement. Hiramatsu, however, leaps boldly forward, marrying Asian and French cuisines in a seamless fusion of romance and flavor. For more casual occasions, the allure of the brasserie runs strong, and Bofinger is a time-tested haven favored by fans of oysters and Alsatian choucroute. And, night or day, when a light snack or sweet is in order, Ladurée ranks among the city’s best patisseries.
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52, rue Lamarck, Paris 75018 • 01 42 55 05 42
Description: 18ème ARRONDISSEMENT. There's nothing understated about this romantic restaurant's focus on creature comforts. Spectacular floral arrangements add delicacy to the rich decor, which is already opulent with gilt-framed mirrors and exquisite art work. Tables feature a king's ransom of silver, china, and crystal, but they're aptly set for Beauvillier's traditional cuisine. Great wines are an added perk. METRO: Lamarck-Caulaincourt
20, rue d’Artois, Paris 75008 • 01 43 80 19 66
Description: 8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Elegance abounds at this French fave, which entices diners with foie gras and roasted duck with black pepper or foie gras pan-fried with black radish confit. It's also an excellent place for catching glimpses of Paris's chic set. A superb wine menu distinguishes the restaurant too. METRO: Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1, 9), or Saint-Philippe-du-Roule (line 9)
8, rue Falguière, Paris 75015 • 01 42 73 07 02
Description: This discrete dining spot offers superior cuisine, seafood dishes in particular, and wines. Several members of the wait staff speak English, and diners may expect excellent service in an intimate setting. The restaurant's interior reflects the personal touch invested in every detail, such as the locally handcrafted pottery.
25, rue Vernet Hôtel Vernet, Paris 75008 • 01 44 31 98 98
Description: 8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Elysées Du Vernet boasts a strong reputation for its French cuisine. It's also a terrific special-occasion restaurant, given its fantastic food and lofty prices. However, the restaurant features an extensive selection of wines and cheeses, so you can sample a little of France's best in classy surroundings. If you're watching the euros, a prix fixe menu also offers more affordable options. METRO: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile/George V
13, bd Haussmann, Paris 75009 • 01 47 70 21 01
Description: 9ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Many French treats render visitors speechless with delight at this restaurant. They often find themselves tempted by galantines, terrines, confits, pates, foie gras and cassoulets. Plus, there's a great selection of stews and soups too.
17, rue Beaujolais, Paris 75001 • 01 42 96 56 27
Description: 1er ARRONDISSEMENT. Under the arches of Palais Royal, chef Guy Martin creates culinary alchemy in a restaurant described as one of Paris's most beautiful; mirrors, gilts and fresco paintings contributed to the election of this place as an official Historical Monument. Historically, it's been a favorite with the French elite – imagine Napoleon or Jean Cocteau at dinner. Delight in foie gras-stuffed ravioli or poached oysters in beetroot sauce. Exquisite wines accompany dinners, and the cheese tray features varieties from Chef Martin's native Savoie. METRO: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (lines 1, 7) or Bourse (line 3)
19, rue du Commandant René Mouchotte Hôtel Méridien, Paris 75014 • 01 44 36 44 36
Description: 14ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Chef Jean-Yves Guého made Le Montparnasse famous during his reign as chef at this silver and black restaurant located in a modern tower block hotel. Now, Chef Christian Moine follows in his footsteps, continuing the tradition of bringing traditional French classics to the public. METRO: Montparnasse-Bienvenue
22, rue Surcouf, Paris 75007 • 01 45 51 46 93
Description: 7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Chef Philippe Pentecôte's love affair with food find roots in his formative years in Saint Emilion, where his parents owned a winery, and his knack for creative cuisine was seasoned by stops at some of Paris' top kitchens. His cozy restaurant serves fabulous, inventive dishes at reasonable prices. Mouth-watering delicacies include thick-cut perch with Madras curry, wood pigeon with stuffed cabbage and entrecote with Bordeaux sauce. A respectable selection of wines is available to complement any dinner choice. METRO: Invalides
20, rue Rennequin, Paris 75017 • 01 47 63 40 77
Description: 17ème ARRONDISSEMENT. It's rare to find a family-owned restaurant with longevity, but Michel Rostang is one of them. Daughter Caroline Rostang (official hostess) shows the same passion for fine French cuisine as did her parents, Marie-Claude and Michel. Caroline proudly informs diners of menu items created by her grandfather, and truffles are introduced into dishes in creative, sumptuous ways. Tiny lobsters prepared on a branch of thyme evoke subtle flavor, and desserts include hot bitter chocolate mousse. The wine list is primarily French, although a few California varieties are available. You can even visit the air conditioned cellar with Sommelier Alain Ronzatti. The kitchen can be seen through a viewing bay, if you want to glimpse the chef's secrets. METRO: Ternes (line 2)
15, rue Lamennais, Paris 75008 • 01 44 95 15 01
Description: 8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Top-rated for food, service and popularity, Taillevent has been a reckoning force in Parisian dining for more than a half-century. The small, elegant townhouse boasts an accomplished kitchen, incredible seasonal specialties, and an extensive, award-winning wine list. Dessert pastries maintain their own, well-deserved reputation for excellence. METRO: George V (line 1) or Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile (line 1, 2 or 6)