10 Great Restaurants in Paris

Le Sot l'y Laisse is one of those restaurants we're happy to share, but we hope the secret won't spread too far for fear of seeing it overrun. Located a stone's throw from the Père-Lachaise cemetery, the restaurant offers colors, textures and flavours that give visitors a delicious feeling of pleasure and simplicity at the same time.

From starters to desserts to carefully presented wines, harmony is the key word here. There's no need to outdo anyone – the savoir-faire of French cuisine is combined with a touch of Japanese originality. Osaka-trained chef Eiji Doihara's influence is clear throughout Le Sot l'y Laisse in the form of soy and wasabi condiments to accompany flawlessly cooked meat and fish, or black sesame seeds sprinkled over an irresistible blancmange.

Au Petit Rozey, a wine bar where gourmet platters are just as worth the detour as the wine itself, has set up business in the village of Batignolles in the 17th arrondissement. This family, yet trendy, neighbourhood has good reason to surprise you, and Au Petit Rozey embodies its spirit. Here, the regulars mix with visitors over the vintage zinc and the muted atmosphere lends itself well to discussion. 

The hand-picked natural, organic and biodynamic wines hit the spot as they free the taste buds, and the artisan cold meats and mature cheeses are carefully selected to seal friendships. You could accompany a glass of red with treats to share, such as beef tongue, Italian-style broiled vegetables or mezze, for a wonderful evening.

The Hôtel du Nord has been part of the landscape of the Canal Saint-Martin since 1912 and part of French movie theatre since 1938. The establishment that started out as popular accommodations for lock keepers and other workers is now the setting and inspiration for Marcel Carné's movie of the same name. Its façade, classed as a historical monument in 1989, remains unchanged, but the restaurant that now sits within has undergone a very elegant refurbishment. 

You might come to Hôtel du Nord for the history and atmosphere steeped in movie theatre, but it's thanks to the generosity of the cooking that you'll stay and keep coming back. Regional recipes revisited with a touch of creativity and simple and seasonal produce are the order of the day in this restaurant which enthusiastically shares its taste for good and beautiful food. The patio by the canal is also a wonderful advantage during the summer months.

The name Le Pantruche, which refers to the Parisian in old French slang, sets the tone from the outset. It offers a typically decorated bistro, with moleskin seating, mirrors, zinc bar and all the classic dishes, including rack of roast pork, rump of milk-fed lamb and potato pave. However, what makes this establishment stand out from the many other bars that shape the scenery of the capital is the inventiveness, talent and extreme freshness of the dishes offered.

The meat, fish and vegetables are all French (and even from the Paris region, where possible) and coated in delicious sauces. When it comes to the desserts, they're all light and unforgettable. Don't miss the Grand Marnier soufflé, a house specialty.

The Mandoobar only serves one dish, but it has mastered the recipe to perfection. Mandu, Korean dumplings filled with meat, vegetables, tofu, or even kimchi (fermented cabbage), is every bit as good as Japanese gyoza or Chinese dim sum. Straight out of Seoul, chef Kim Kwang-Loc gives these chunky little pastry cushions their excellent reputation, serving them in a bamboo steamer basket for the most explosive visual and taste experience. 

What else is special about this unique restaurant? It can only welcome 12 diners, so you'll feel like a privileged guest which, in a city as densely populated as Paris, is as refreshing as discovering this specialty which may well become your new guilty pleasure. Plus, all of this comes at a reasonable price.

Pierre Sang, the chef who gives his name to this Asian-fusion restaurant, is no stranger to the Parisian food scene. After opening 2 other loved restaurants in the 10th arrondissement, Pierre Sang has gone back to his core concept of discovery, and livened it up with a new touch of refinement.

In an understated and elegant atmosphere, the French-Korean chef offers to teach his privileged guests (the restaurant can only welcome 12 diners) the essence of his art. There's no menu here – the master will guide you through his inspirations, promising an explosion of both visual and taste sensations. Clever food and wine pairings and attentive customer service put the finishing touches on the experience.

Le Popine is the best place to try delicious and authentic Neapolitan pizza in Paris, and it's the expats who say so. This handmade dough has risen for its traditional 24 hours, is speckled to testify to it being cooked in a wood-fired oven and, above all, is crowned with ingredients of incomparable freshness, also imported from Italy.

Put on your best Italian accent to order your topping on a base of fior di latte cheese, mozzarella di bufala, San Marzano tomatoes, friarielli (rapini), or additional Muraglia fruity extra virgin olive oil. The menu is split between 3 types of pizzas: rosse (on a base of tomato sauce), bianche (without tomato sauce), and gourmet, ranging from the revered Margherita to the chef's creations to regional specialities such as the Casernata.

Brasserie du Louvre is a culinary gem located within a five-star hotel close to the Louvre. The brasserie opened in 2019 and introduced the inspiring creations of the renowned chef Paul Bocuse to Paris.

Choose from a menu filled with typical French cuisine from escargot and onion soup to roasted beef fillets and veal cutlets. Portions are generous, and the atmosphere is infused with elegance. If you're visiting the Louvre in the morning, stop in for French toast and other delicious breakfast items.

Le Septime is quite the charmer with its modern atmosphere, metal beams, large windows and raw timber tables. Its passion for cooking is a delight to the taste buds. Epicurean by nature, the sophisticated cooking offered here uses high-quality ingredients bought from producers all over the world combined with a precision that may well make your head spin.

The prices correspond to this type of luxury dining. Booking is necessary around three weeks in advance (online or by phone).

La Fine Mousse is a restaurant that ignores food and wine pairings and instead puts the spotlight on food and beer pairings, which are no less dignified and can work just as well. Here, the draught beers and other bottles from the large cellar highlight notes of the beautifully presented, delicate and refined dishes right through from appetisers to dessert. 

The cooking is super fresh and seasonal and depends on market availability. The limited menu bears witness to this, consisting of just 2 appetisers, 2 main dishes and 2 desserts and changing each week. Inspirations vary, ranging from Italy to Asia, according to the chef's fancy. Traditional beer, Gueuze and Lambic, are sometimes classic and sometimes exotic, but they always hit the mark.