The best typical restaurants in Paris
1. La Tour d’Argent
15 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005
Tel: 33(0)1 43 54 23 31
Nearest tube station: Pont Marie
It is one of the most famous restaurants in Paris, providing you the nicest French cuisine. Its chef, Laurent Delarbre, has been one of the best chefs in France since 2004, and he is now the Chef de Cuisine at La Tour d’Argent. His cuisine is based on quality, seasonal products, two elements that are essential to this restaurant. It renews the menu regularly in accordance with tradition.
2. L’Astrance
4, rue Beethoven, 75016
Tel: 33(0)1 40 50 84 40
Nearest tube station: Passy
Opened in 2000, L’Astrance passed from one Michelin star to three in the past ten years. Although criticized in the past for sacrificing the fare to ceremony and decor, there is plenty on offer here to stimulate the palate. Chefs Pascal Barbot and Christophe Rohat offer their best specialties, such as gratin-style mussels and red mullet with tamarind butter. The decor is predominantly grey, with classically-clad wait staff, and a cool dining experience is guaranteed.
3. Ze Kitchen Galerie
4, rue des Grands-Augustins, 75006
Tel: 33(0)1 44 32 00 32
Nearest tube station: Saint Michel
Ze Kitchen Galerie offers an attractive fusion cuisine with a hint of Asia, a minimalist, loft-style decor, contemporary paintings on the walls, and a view of the open kitchens. For over 10 years, Ze Kitchen has been one of the unmissable restaurants on the Left Bank. Its specialties are the sardines marinées, marmelade de tomate et gingembre, fleur de courgette, crabe mou en tempura, glace au chocolat blanc et wasabi, and condiment framboise.
4. Pierre Gagnaire
6, rue Balzac, 75008
Tel: 33 (0)1 58361250
Nearest tube station: Georges V
In Paris’ chic eighth district, Chef Pierre Gagnaire provides an exclusive gastronomic experience for a maximum of 45 guests. The atmosphere is cosy and the menu is innovative (raw gambas stuffed with niora chilli are recommended), with hand-made starters and main dishes, and a special tasting menu. Dessert is a medley of nine traditional French pastries (croissants, Paris-Brest, patte d’ourse, fraisier…) accompanied by seasonal fruits and chocolate.
5. Pré Catelan
Bois de Boulogne, 75016
Tel: 33 (0)1 44 14 41 14
Nearest tube station: Porte Maillot
Located in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris’ affluent 16th district, Frédéric Anton (member of the French Masterchef jury) heads up this restaurant owned by the hotel Accor group. Set in a peaceful area in the middle of trees and silence, a stylish dining room opens to an outdoor terrace surrounded by greenery and sheltering parasols. Classic French cuisine meets contemporary here, with the likes of roasted Breton lobster or black risotto with Thai basil.
6. Bouillon racine
3 Rue Racine, Paris, 75006
Tel: 33 (0)1 44 32 15 60
Nearest tube station: Cluny – La Sorbonne
Located near the famous University of the Sorbonne, this splendid brasserie was created in the art nouveau style by the Chartier brothers in 1906. Converted in a listed building, the interior has been painstakingly renovated to its former splendour. The menu is a mixture of modern and traditional French with specialties such as stuffed milk pig, the traditional Liégeois, or the Crème Brûlée flavoured with maple syrup. The Bouillon Racine takes you on a wonderful journey through time back to the Paris of the 1900s, la Belle Époque.
7. Arpège
84, rue de Varenne, 75007
Tel: 33 (0)1 47 05 09 06
Nearest tube station: Varenne
In no way is simplistic food given to Arpège’s customers. Talented Chef Alain Passard puts his utmost into the cuisine here, and foodies will not be disappointed. The prized truffles are a dominant feature in the dishes, and the Thai crab curry is worth trying. Couscous with vegetables and shellfish and monkfish with mustard sauce are also among the specialties.
8. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée
25 avenue de Montaigne, 75008
Tel: 33 (0)1 53676500
Nearest tube station: Alma Marceau
With an impressive nine to his name, world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse holds the most Michelin stars in all of France. Also responsible for the Louis XV in Monaco, Ducasse’s reputation consistently pulls crowds. In collaboration with designer Patrick Jouin, Ducasse ensures an unfailingly elegant and excellent dining experience at the Plaza Athénée. A winter menu will set you back a steep amount and à la carte choices include foie gras.
9. Pavillon LeDoyen
1, avenue Dutuit, 75008
Tel: 33 (0)1 53051000
Nearest tube station: Champs Elysees-Clemenceau
From the elegant Champs Elysees, this classic French restaurant was established by Pierre Ledoyen in 1792. The dining room is spacious, with high ceilings and numerous windows, providing customers with a view of the Petit Palais. A former chef at the Ritz restaurant, Christian Le Squer competently serves up dishes such as smoked eel and spaghetti with a cream of porcini mushroom sauce. Le Doyen is a top choice for a gourmet dining experience that won’t break the bank. This restaurant is surprisingly out of the Michelin book but highly recommended in the world of Parisians chefs.
10. Guy Savoy
18 rue Troyon, 75017
Tel: 33 (0)1 43804061
Nearest tube station: Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile or Ternes
See the wonderful talents of Chef Guy Savoy at this gourmet restaurant! This provides you a half-starter, a main course, and a half-dessert. The menu is subject to change according to season, with game (e.g. pheasant and venison) popular winter additions. Recommended gourmet soups include artichoke and truffle or lentil and crayfish. The decor, all dark wood and leather, is resolutely contemporary.