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Tours in Paris |
The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.
Most restaurants include tax and a 12-15% service charge in their prices. If service is good, guests will often leave an extra €2 tip or the small change from their bill, if they pay in cash. If service is not included, it is customary to leave a 12-15% tip.
The following hotels have been grouped into four price categories:
$$$$ (over €100)
$$$ (€60 to €100)
$$ (€30 to €60)
$ (under €30)
These prices are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include tax and service charge.
Most restaurants include tax and a 12-15% service charge in their prices. If service is good, guests will often leave an extra €2 tip or the small change from their bill, if they pay in cash. If service is not included, it is customary to leave a 12-15% tip.
The following hotels have been grouped into four price categories:
$$$$ (over €100)
$$$ (€60 to €100)
$$ (€30 to €60)
$ (under €30)
These prices are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include tax and service charge.
Gastronomic
L'Ambroisie
The atmosphere in place des Vosges (one of the most beautiful and intimate squares in Paris) exudes into the ultra chic L'Ambroisie, which is situated in a genuine hôtel particulier (private hotel). Classic French cuisine is served to pure perfection in these refined interiors decorated with rich tapestries. The menu changes according to the best fresh produce available and prices are steep. Diners can expect such delights as sea bass with olive oil emulsion, chanterelle and boletus mushrooms, and millefeuille with crystallised rhubarb. Wines are likewise expensive but the range is exceptional. Closed Sunday and Monday.
9 place des Vosges, 4th
Tel: (01) 4278 5145.
Price: $$$$
The atmosphere in place des Vosges (one of the most beautiful and intimate squares in Paris) exudes into the ultra chic L'Ambroisie, which is situated in a genuine hôtel particulier (private hotel). Classic French cuisine is served to pure perfection in these refined interiors decorated with rich tapestries. The menu changes according to the best fresh produce available and prices are steep. Diners can expect such delights as sea bass with olive oil emulsion, chanterelle and boletus mushrooms, and millefeuille with crystallised rhubarb. Wines are likewise expensive but the range is exceptional. Closed Sunday and Monday.
9 place des Vosges, 4th
Tel: (01) 4278 5145.
Price: $$$$
Pierre Gagnaire
This sumptuous restaurant has the reputation of being among the most exciting gastronomic addresses in Paris and it is certainly one of the most fashionable. Formerly based in St-Etienne, near the gastronomic capital Lyon, Gagnaire brought flavours of that region to Paris in his imaginative menus, which hold dear both tradition and innovation. A simple but refined decor, with spotless white tablecloths, makes the perfect setting for his challenging but impeccable cuisine. Specialities include suprême de poularde macérée au lait d'amande (chicken supreme cooked in almond milk) and pesto de roquette sauvage (wild rocket pesto). Look out for the ‘grand dessert' - an indulgent dessert orgy that includes pistachio ice cream and an explosion of chocolate. Closed Saturday.
Hotel Balzac, 6 rue Balzac, 8th
Tel: (01) 5836 1250.
Website: www.pierregagnaire.com
Price: $$
This sumptuous restaurant has the reputation of being among the most exciting gastronomic addresses in Paris and it is certainly one of the most fashionable. Formerly based in St-Etienne, near the gastronomic capital Lyon, Gagnaire brought flavours of that region to Paris in his imaginative menus, which hold dear both tradition and innovation. A simple but refined decor, with spotless white tablecloths, makes the perfect setting for his challenging but impeccable cuisine. Specialities include suprême de poularde macérée au lait d'amande (chicken supreme cooked in almond milk) and pesto de roquette sauvage (wild rocket pesto). Look out for the ‘grand dessert' - an indulgent dessert orgy that includes pistachio ice cream and an explosion of chocolate. Closed Saturday.
Hotel Balzac, 6 rue Balzac, 8th
Tel: (01) 5836 1250.
Website: www.pierregagnaire.com
Price: $$
Senderens
Alain Senderens' three-Michelin-starred restaurant is at the pinnacle of Parisian gastronomy, situated in a grand fin de siècle-setting in chic place de la Madeleine, amid a wealth of posh shops. The first of the Michelin-starred restaurants to serve wine by the glass, Senderens believes that each dish deserves a wine of its own to perfect the flavours, though the prices may put off those not dining on expense accounts. The wine list is outstanding, with vintage Bordeaux from the 1940s. A wide variety of cigars are also on offer - another way of prolonging the pleasure of the meal. Dishes include pan-fried chicken with cep risotto, roast duck with honey and spices, roast lamb with aubergines or pan-fried lobster served with polenta. No lunch Saturday and Monday. Closed all day Sunday.
9 place de la Madeleine, 8th
Tel: (01) 4265 2290.
Website: www.lucascarton.com
Price: $$$$
Alain Senderens' three-Michelin-starred restaurant is at the pinnacle of Parisian gastronomy, situated in a grand fin de siècle-setting in chic place de la Madeleine, amid a wealth of posh shops. The first of the Michelin-starred restaurants to serve wine by the glass, Senderens believes that each dish deserves a wine of its own to perfect the flavours, though the prices may put off those not dining on expense accounts. The wine list is outstanding, with vintage Bordeaux from the 1940s. A wide variety of cigars are also on offer - another way of prolonging the pleasure of the meal. Dishes include pan-fried chicken with cep risotto, roast duck with honey and spices, roast lamb with aubergines or pan-fried lobster served with polenta. No lunch Saturday and Monday. Closed all day Sunday.
9 place de la Madeleine, 8th
Tel: (01) 4265 2290.
Website: www.lucascarton.com
Price: $$$$
Business
Chez Justine
If entertaining a ‘new media' client, or just needing a venue out of the staid ordinary for a client low on formality, then buzzy Chez Justine fits the bill. In raffish Menilmontant this fun and funky café opposite the legendary Café Charbon serves up some of the best value lunches in Paris. Where else can diners enjoy a starter of bone marrow and toast, a rack of veal and dessert for under €20; they even throw in a cup of coffee afterwards. The only danger in this genuinely bohemian haunt is that savvy clients may want to stay all day and start on the similarly good value wines and cocktails.
96 Rue Oberkampf, 11th
Tel: (01) 4357 4403.
Price: $-$$
If entertaining a ‘new media' client, or just needing a venue out of the staid ordinary for a client low on formality, then buzzy Chez Justine fits the bill. In raffish Menilmontant this fun and funky café opposite the legendary Café Charbon serves up some of the best value lunches in Paris. Where else can diners enjoy a starter of bone marrow and toast, a rack of veal and dessert for under €20; they even throw in a cup of coffee afterwards. The only danger in this genuinely bohemian haunt is that savvy clients may want to stay all day and start on the similarly good value wines and cocktails.
96 Rue Oberkampf, 11th
Tel: (01) 4357 4403.
Price: $-$$
Trendy
Georges
Georges, decorated in a style that matches the modern Centre Georges Pompidou, is the latest creation from the trend-setting Costes brothers. The restaurant's location on the sixth floor of the Pompidou Centre draws huge crowds, who come for the superb views across the city. A chic but trendy clientele dine here, while students often come to take a coffee break before diving back into their studies at the Pompidou library. The menu, which includes both French and international cuisine, changes frequently, although the duck, the lobster risotto and the chocolate tart are firm house favourites. Closed Tuesday.
Centre Georges Pompidou, 6th floor, rue Rabuteau, 4th
Tel: (01) 4478 4799.
Price: $$-$$$
Georges, decorated in a style that matches the modern Centre Georges Pompidou, is the latest creation from the trend-setting Costes brothers. The restaurant's location on the sixth floor of the Pompidou Centre draws huge crowds, who come for the superb views across the city. A chic but trendy clientele dine here, while students often come to take a coffee break before diving back into their studies at the Pompidou library. The menu, which includes both French and international cuisine, changes frequently, although the duck, the lobster risotto and the chocolate tart are firm house favourites. Closed Tuesday.
Centre Georges Pompidou, 6th floor, rue Rabuteau, 4th
Tel: (01) 4478 4799.
Price: $$-$$$
Spoon, Food & Wine
Star chef Alain Ducasse forsakes classic French food for an Asian-inspired international cuisine where anything goes but it is all blended beautifully together. Expect copious portions and a trendy crowd. Guests can take a quick bite to eat from Japanese-style bento boxes at the bar, or indulge in a leisurely meal in the main area. Dishes in this minimalist-style restaurant include tofu and noodles or spiced chicken in coconut milk. The wine list is extensive, with a particularly wide choice of Californian wines. Closed weekends.
14 rue Marignan, 8th
Tel: (01) 4076 3444.
Website: www.spoon.tm.fr
Price: $-$$
Star chef Alain Ducasse forsakes classic French food for an Asian-inspired international cuisine where anything goes but it is all blended beautifully together. Expect copious portions and a trendy crowd. Guests can take a quick bite to eat from Japanese-style bento boxes at the bar, or indulge in a leisurely meal in the main area. Dishes in this minimalist-style restaurant include tofu and noodles or spiced chicken in coconut milk. The wine list is extensive, with a particularly wide choice of Californian wines. Closed weekends.
14 rue Marignan, 8th
Tel: (01) 4076 3444.
Website: www.spoon.tm.fr
Price: $-$$
Budget
La Boulangerie
Just opposite the legendary Lou Pascalou pub in trendy Menilmontant is this excellent neighbourhood restaurant. Fresh ingredients and all the usual suspects are on a menu that also manages a bit of flair, pretty impressive given the bargain basement prices. Set lunches are of two or three courses. Half the fun is having a drink across the road afterwards and hanging out with the local cool crowd who are starting to turn their backs on busy rue de Oberkampf.
15 Rue des Panoyaux
Tel: (01) 4358 4545.
Price: $
Just opposite the legendary Lou Pascalou pub in trendy Menilmontant is this excellent neighbourhood restaurant. Fresh ingredients and all the usual suspects are on a menu that also manages a bit of flair, pretty impressive given the bargain basement prices. Set lunches are of two or three courses. Half the fun is having a drink across the road afterwards and hanging out with the local cool crowd who are starting to turn their backs on busy rue de Oberkampf.
15 Rue des Panoyaux
Tel: (01) 4358 4545.
Price: $
Café Med
Right at the heart of touristy Paris sits this little budget gem. Getting a table in the tiny one room restaurant may not be easy, but it is worth the wait. Savour a starter, main and dessert crêpe for a low, set price. The food may not win any Michelin stars, but it is honest and fairly substantial, and the relaxed dining space is somewhere to linger a little in.
77 rue St Louis en L'Ile, 4th
Tel: n/a.
Price: $
Right at the heart of touristy Paris sits this little budget gem. Getting a table in the tiny one room restaurant may not be easy, but it is worth the wait. Savour a starter, main and dessert crêpe for a low, set price. The food may not win any Michelin stars, but it is honest and fairly substantial, and the relaxed dining space is somewhere to linger a little in.
77 rue St Louis en L'Ile, 4th
Tel: n/a.
Price: $
Galerie 88
This smoky little Moroccan restaurant, frequented by an arty young crowd, is just a step away from Notre-Dame, overlooking the quayside. The thick, split-pea soup is delicious - equally good is bread with cumin and the wide range of wholesome salads. Meals are served until 2400 daily.
88 quai de l'Hotel de Ville, 4th
Tel: (01) 4272 1758.
Price: $
This smoky little Moroccan restaurant, frequented by an arty young crowd, is just a step away from Notre-Dame, overlooking the quayside. The thick, split-pea soup is delicious - equally good is bread with cumin and the wide range of wholesome salads. Meals are served until 2400 daily.
88 quai de l'Hotel de Ville, 4th
Tel: (01) 4272 1758.
Price: $
La Grande Mosquée de Paris
This beautiful mosque, close to the Jardin des Plantes and Natural History Museum, is an exotic setting for a spicy North African couscous or grillades (spicy meat stew) with frites (chips), followed by a tiny glass cup of refreshing mint tea, accompanied by sweet pastries, packed full with honey and pistachios.
39 rue Geoffroy St-Hilaire, 5th
Tel: (01) 4535 9733.
Website: www.mosquee-de-paris.org
Price: $
This beautiful mosque, close to the Jardin des Plantes and Natural History Museum, is an exotic setting for a spicy North African couscous or grillades (spicy meat stew) with frites (chips), followed by a tiny glass cup of refreshing mint tea, accompanied by sweet pastries, packed full with honey and pistachios.
39 rue Geoffroy St-Hilaire, 5th
Tel: (01) 4535 9733.
Website: www.mosquee-de-paris.org
Price: $
Le Grappillon
Right in the heart of Paris is a real bargain that does not sacrifice quality when it comes to budget eating. The set dinner menu of two or three courses is a steal for food of this standard in this location. Starters include the likes of tangy Bourgogne snails or foie gras followed by sliced roast duck or a chunky fillet of beef. This is the sort of great little unpretentious French restaurant that most people wish they had where they live.
32 rue Tiquetonne, 2nd
Tel: (01) 4028 9604.
Price: $$
Right in the heart of Paris is a real bargain that does not sacrifice quality when it comes to budget eating. The set dinner menu of two or three courses is a steal for food of this standard in this location. Starters include the likes of tangy Bourgogne snails or foie gras followed by sliced roast duck or a chunky fillet of beef. This is the sort of great little unpretentious French restaurant that most people wish they had where they live.
32 rue Tiquetonne, 2nd
Tel: (01) 4028 9604.
Price: $$
Personal Recommendations
La Tour d'Argent
This temple of fine food has superb service, expensive but delectable dishes and, best of all, superb views onto Notre-Dame and the River Seine. The restaurant has a classic French interior and serves duck specialities, such as canard au sang (duck in blood). As it is so popular with tourists some dishes can be tamed a little, so diners should make sure their duck or steak is really served rare if that is what they want. The midday menu is especially good value for €70 and is always popular for business lunches. Advanced booking and insisting on a table with a view is highly recommended. Closed Monday. No lunch Tuesday.
15-17 quai de la Tournelle, 5th
Tel: (01) 4354 2331.
Website: www.tourdargent.com
Price: $$$$
This temple of fine food has superb service, expensive but delectable dishes and, best of all, superb views onto Notre-Dame and the River Seine. The restaurant has a classic French interior and serves duck specialities, such as canard au sang (duck in blood). As it is so popular with tourists some dishes can be tamed a little, so diners should make sure their duck or steak is really served rare if that is what they want. The midday menu is especially good value for €70 and is always popular for business lunches. Advanced booking and insisting on a table with a view is highly recommended. Closed Monday. No lunch Tuesday.
15-17 quai de la Tournelle, 5th
Tel: (01) 4354 2331.
Website: www.tourdargent.com
Price: $$$$
La Coupole
This elegant brasserie originally served the market traders at Les Halles before it was moved to the suburbs. The restaurant continues to offer hearty traditional fare, among them oysters, French onion soup with a cheesy crust, steaks and a choice of pork offal dishes such as the hallmark dish (grilled pigs' trotters) all washed down with robust house wine from the owner's own vineyard. La Coupole is strong on seafood too with the oysters particularly good. And there is an added bonus... it is open 24 hours a day. Also look out for 15% discounts for online bookings.
102 boulevard du Montparnasse, 14th
Tel: (01) 4320 1420.
Website: www.lacoupoleparis.com
Price: $$
This elegant brasserie originally served the market traders at Les Halles before it was moved to the suburbs. The restaurant continues to offer hearty traditional fare, among them oysters, French onion soup with a cheesy crust, steaks and a choice of pork offal dishes such as the hallmark dish (grilled pigs' trotters) all washed down with robust house wine from the owner's own vineyard. La Coupole is strong on seafood too with the oysters particularly good. And there is an added bonus... it is open 24 hours a day. Also look out for 15% discounts for online bookings.
102 boulevard du Montparnasse, 14th
Tel: (01) 4320 1420.
Website: www.lacoupoleparis.com
Price: $$
L'Espadon Ritz Paris
Paris is a city of excess and to do it in a style the likes of Hemingway would have approved of, then head to the Ritz. There enjoy the world's most expensive cocktail in the Hemingway Bar, before moving on to the reassuringly expensive restaurant. With legend Michel Roth at the helm things cannot really go wrong. Start with the likes of the Cesar Ritz lobster bisque laced with pistachio before moving on to truffled sole or perhaps the lamb flambéed in cognac. Desserts and one of the city's best cheeseboards follow in an experience that has to be rounded off with a room at, where else, the Ritz. For mere mortals there is an excellent value four-course lunch. Look out also for what claims to be the world's first exclusively vegetarian gourmet degustation menu.
15 place Vendôme, 1st
Tel: (01) 4316 3070.
Website: www.ritzparis.com
Price: $$$$
Paris is a city of excess and to do it in a style the likes of Hemingway would have approved of, then head to the Ritz. There enjoy the world's most expensive cocktail in the Hemingway Bar, before moving on to the reassuringly expensive restaurant. With legend Michel Roth at the helm things cannot really go wrong. Start with the likes of the Cesar Ritz lobster bisque laced with pistachio before moving on to truffled sole or perhaps the lamb flambéed in cognac. Desserts and one of the city's best cheeseboards follow in an experience that has to be rounded off with a room at, where else, the Ritz. For mere mortals there is an excellent value four-course lunch. Look out also for what claims to be the world's first exclusively vegetarian gourmet degustation menu.
15 place Vendôme, 1st
Tel: (01) 4316 3070.
Website: www.ritzparis.com
Price: $$$$
Le Gymnase
Le Gymnase offers a complete night out for the price of a bottle of wine in some Parisian restaurants. Here diners are warmly welcomed in off the busy street and enter a world of decent food and jazz. Neither is world class, but that is not the point as the regulars who hang near the bar and the lucky tourists who stumble across it will attest to. The music is free and the chunky and perfectly cooked cōte de boeuf for two is a steal. Wines come by the glass or bottle and the generous crème brulées make a perfect climax to the night as the band finishes up.
44 boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 2nd
Tel: (01) 4236 4645.
Price: $$
Le Gymnase offers a complete night out for the price of a bottle of wine in some Parisian restaurants. Here diners are warmly welcomed in off the busy street and enter a world of decent food and jazz. Neither is world class, but that is not the point as the regulars who hang near the bar and the lucky tourists who stumble across it will attest to. The music is free and the chunky and perfectly cooked cōte de boeuf for two is a steal. Wines come by the glass or bottle and the generous crème brulées make a perfect climax to the night as the band finishes up.
44 boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 2nd
Tel: (01) 4236 4645.
Price: $$
Les Philosophes
This restaurant in the Marais is justifiably very popular, so booking ahead is recommended. In summer there is a flurry of tables outside and a cosy interior awaits in the colder months. The outdoor tables are the perfect place to sit and watch the hectic Marais street life. Menus are creative with lots of set and a la carte options. The most famous starter is the tomato tart, a delicate and flavoursome concoction, while the steaks on the main menu are chunky and expertly cooked. Leave room for desserts too with a smattering of French classics such as crème brulée and tarte tatin in generous portions.
28 rue Vielle du Temple, 4th
Tel: (01) 4887 4964.
Price: $$
This restaurant in the Marais is justifiably very popular, so booking ahead is recommended. In summer there is a flurry of tables outside and a cosy interior awaits in the colder months. The outdoor tables are the perfect place to sit and watch the hectic Marais street life. Menus are creative with lots of set and a la carte options. The most famous starter is the tomato tart, a delicate and flavoursome concoction, while the steaks on the main menu are chunky and expertly cooked. Leave room for desserts too with a smattering of French classics such as crème brulée and tarte tatin in generous portions.
28 rue Vielle du Temple, 4th
Tel: (01) 4887 4964.
Price: $$
Le Train Bleu
The grand old dame is one of the most atmospheric places to eat in the city. It is a brasserie that just oozes class, with seamless service and quality cuisine. It has the added bonus of looking on to the tracks of Gare du Lyon to one flank and out across the city on the other. Romanticised scenes of the Mediterranean destinations that the station used to serve adorn the walls and ceiling in an eatery that feels more like a palace than a brasserie with its lavish gilt and stucco work. The steak tartare is first rate and the three-course lunch is a steal with the likes of Lyon sausage to start, roast duck with raspberries to follow and the dessert of the day to end. The price also includes half a bottle of wine.
Gare de Lyon, 12th
Tel: (01) 4343 0906.
Website: www.le-train-bleu.com
Price: $$-$$$
The grand old dame is one of the most atmospheric places to eat in the city. It is a brasserie that just oozes class, with seamless service and quality cuisine. It has the added bonus of looking on to the tracks of Gare du Lyon to one flank and out across the city on the other. Romanticised scenes of the Mediterranean destinations that the station used to serve adorn the walls and ceiling in an eatery that feels more like a palace than a brasserie with its lavish gilt and stucco work. The steak tartare is first rate and the three-course lunch is a steal with the likes of Lyon sausage to start, roast duck with raspberries to follow and the dessert of the day to end. The price also includes half a bottle of wine.
Gare de Lyon, 12th
Tel: (01) 4343 0906.
Website: www.le-train-bleu.com
Price: $$-$$$
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