Top Tables: Paris’s Best Restaurants

Indagare is always scouting for the newest best restaurants, classic spots and neighborhood gems that feel like a special find. Though the restaurant scene changes often, here is our current list of top tables in Paris, for any occasion.

Contact Indagare for assistance planning a vacation to Paris, including accommodations at the hotel that is right for you, reservations at the best new restaurants and more.

Set in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (part of the Louvre), Loulou serves a mix of French and Italian Riviera–inspired cuisine. The truffle pizza is a must-order and the terrace is the best place to dine when the weather is nice. 107 Rue de Rivoli

Father-and-son duo Michel and Sebastien Bras crafted the brilliant, intricate menu of this indoor rooftop restaurant at the Bourse du Commerce, a magnificent space dedicated to contemporary art from all over the world. Not open for lunch on Tuesdays. 2 Rue de Viarmes

This Italian restaurant has won many global awards located in the historic Passages des Panoramas serving up delicious homemade pastas, a fantastic veal milanese and more. 8 Pass. des Panoramas

Arguably Paris's best creperie, Breizh Café is a tiny spot worth stopping at for their innovative sweet crêpes and savory galettes. 109 Rue Vieille du Temple

Recently revamped by third-generation owner, Monsieur André Terrail, this is one of Paris’s most exclusive spots, where Chef Yannick Franques puts a lighter spin on traditional French classics like the signature dish of pressed duck. 15 Quai de la Tournelle

This restaurant serves up crowd-pleasing food (nothing too adventurous) to a glamorous crowd that is enhanced by the sexy atmosphere. La Société has an enviable location right on the Place Saint Germain. 4 Place Saint-Germain-des-Près

At this Left Bank institution soufflés are a specialty of the house, where varieties such as Creole and vanilla are added monthly alongside the more traditional choices. Snag a seat on the terrace. 4 Rue Récamier

For those imagining the classic Parisian brasserie with sidewalk seating and people-watching, Le Petit Lutetia fits the bill. Menu highlights are the beef tartare and foie gras. 107 Rue de Sèvres

This beautiful, hot spot restaurant from the team behind Loulou and Monsieur Bleu has a terrace with views of the Eiffel Tower and a Mediterranean menu. 1 Place du Trocadéro

Designed by Cordelia de Castellane (the designer behind Baby Dior and Maison), this restaurant in the courtyard of Hôtel de la Marine has a menu comprised of French comfort food with dishes like lobster salad, smoked salmon, sole meuniere and chateaubriand. 2 Rue Royale

A storied gourmet restaurant in Paris (and a Michelin two-star), Le Taillevent has a sumptuous redesign and an Italian chef whose menus emphasize quality and local produce with fresh takes on classic French dishes. 15 Rue Lamennais

An Art Nouveau landmark on Place de la Madeleine that dates back to 1839, Lucas Carton’s listed paneled interiors were recently dusted off, making an alluring space for diners to enjoy the forward-thinking menu by Michelin-adored chef Hugo Bourny. 9 Place de la Madeleine

From the same group that created LouLou, Perruche (“parakeet” in French) feels like a beach club in the sky. Printemps de l'Homme Haussmann, Rue de Havre

One of the prettiest spots in town, this boutique hotel has a restaurant that takes up the ground floor and is best appreciated at lunch or brunch for its garden views. 23 Av. Junot Pavillon D

The ornate 1906 pistachio green Art Nouveau interiors are the main draw at Bouillon Julien, along with the well-valued menu including classics like snails and calf’s head, as well as tamer options like steak. 16 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis

A little pocket in an offbeat neighborhood close to Bastille, Mokonuts offers dishes like yogurt with kumquats, broccoli salad with labneh and tahini and meatballs with focaccia, as well as perhaps the best gooey chocolate chip or miso-sesame cookies in Paris. 5 Rue Saint-Bernard

Chef Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant at the Trianon Palace hotel serves fine French food in an elegant dining room. 1 Boulevard de la Reine

Located in the Pavillon Dufour, Alain Ducasse’s culinary project was the first full-service restaurant to open inside the palace’s gilded gates. Place d’Armes

At Fleur de Pavé, Chef Sylvain Sendra and his wife Sarah prepare sublime, vegetable-forward (though not strictly vegetarian) dishes inspired by his travels around the world and sourced from legendary Japanese cultivator Asafumi Yamashita. 5 Rue Paul Lelong

This no-frills restaurant has a small bar and simple tables, but the bistro food—squid ink risotto, chicken stuffed with foie gras and served with vegetables—has a loyal fan base. 123 Rue Saint-Honoré

Headed by chef Tom Meyer, Granite earned a Michelin star in its first year—the focus here is on the cuisine, which takes diners on a journey between France’s lands and seas in an exclusive and surprising tasting menu that’s bold yet refined. 6 Rue Bailleul

This is one of the city’s coolest spots, set inside a 1700s upscale brothel that transformed into a handworked leather atelier. Here, Chef Victor Blanchet whips up colorful plates focused on fish scattered with delicate foraged flowers. 12 Rue Saint-Sauveur

Awarded a Michelin star a few months after it opened, Israeli chef Assaf Granit and his team serve up inventive Middle Eastern cuisine with a fresh Mediterranean spin. 19 Rue Saint-Sauveur

Walls of glass and a mirrored ceiling help bring the views inside this New York import atop the SO/Paris, where white leather banquettes and boldly patterned carpets add a Space-Age vibe. Menus from the team behind Girafe and Gigi include American-inspired bistro classics. 10 Rue Agrippa d'Aubigné

A jewel box of a restaurant in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Aux Prés is an atmospheric neighborhood restaurant from famed French chef Cyril Lignac, serving delicious international fusion cuisine like crispy salmon rice, caramelized eggplant with miso and a beef rib for two. 27 Rue du Dragon

Located on the Left Bank, Chez Fernand is an old fashioned and cozy brasserie with a traditional and classic French menu. It’s not fancy, but it’s also not touristy. 13 Rue Guisarde

The sister restaurant of Girafe offers a prime view of the Eiffel Tower at night and an appealing menu that includes yellowtail carpaccio and salmon sashimi, sea bass fillet, filet of beef and linguine with truffles. 1 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre

This hot spot from chefs Kevin de Porre and Erwan Ledru allow both to flex their Michelin-adored expertise in a creative menu showcasing innovative flavors and ingredients from land and sea. 18 Rue d'Anjou

Le Bristol’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant offers a gastronomic experience in an oak-paneled dining room or a tented room that overlooks a courtyard garden. 112 Rue du Faubourg St.-Honoré

Located in a 19th century mansion, the restaurant was opened by the owner of Chateau Haut-Brion, who wanted a setting worthy of his family’s legendary wines. He hired the talented Michelin-adored chef Christophe Pelé (formerly of Ledoyen and Le Bristol) to helm the kitchen. 31 Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt

Another splendid dining experience in Paris, the century-old Prunier restaurant is the spot to book for caviar lovers. Plus, make time for a pre-dinner drink at the champagne bar upstairs. 16 Av. Victor Hugo

Opened only a few months before Covid lockdowns, this restaurant set a record for shortest time for a restaurant to be open and receive a Michelin star. The menu emphasizes prime French purveyors. 33 Rue Jean Goujon

After working in kitchens in top New York and London restaurants, Chef Geoffrey Lengagne opened his own spot where he rustles up French fare with Mediterranean accents—like cod raviolo with Basque octopus and grilled trout with black garlic lemon Pil Pil sauce and marinated cabbage. 17 Rue Lamartine

At this little tavern with a frills-free dining room, the focus is on the small daily-changing menu of bistronomic-style dishes (namely French classics with an updated twist), crafted using mainly seasonal produce sourced in France. 53 Rue des Cloys

To get a taste of bistronomy cuisine, a laid back strand of French gastronomy that has been updated for contemporary tastes, it’s worth the schlep to this hugely popular restaurant in the bustling bar-lined Oberkampf area. 129 Avenue Parmentier

A hot spot since opening in 2011, Septime serves a unique five-course carte blanche tasting menu every day. 80 Rue de Charonne

Alain Ducasse’s beloved bistro (first opened in 1912) serves traditional French cuisine in a classically Parisian dining room. 20 Rue St.-Martin

This casual corner bistro is popular with both travelers and locals who come for its classic Provençal dishes (think moules gratinées and ratatouille). 2 Rue Roger Verlomme

A relaxed bistro in the Marais, Parcelles has an excellent wine list of organic and natural wines. 13 Rue Chapon

This new contemporary French bistro in the Latin Quarter is earning high praise for its easygoing international comfort food, such as stracciatella cheese with black olives and tonkatsu-style breaded pork cutlet topped with a fried organic egg and red-curry sauce. 48 Rue Monge

Another classic for visitors in search of high-end traditional French food, Allard is part of the Alain Ducasse empire, with 1930s interiors—think old photos and 1900s paraphernalia hanging on the walls, plus velvet banquettes in front of wooden bistro tables. 41 Rue Saint-André des Arts

This cozy, 10-table bistro in the center of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is just about the toughest restaurant to score for a dinner reservation—so go for lunch, when it’s first come, first served. 9 Carrefour de l’Odéon

Open since 1845, this traditional French bistro in the Latin Quarter was the stomping ground of many poets and writers from Hemingway to Verlaine. We recommend the Dauphiné ravioli with truffle cream or the garlicky snails and boeuf bourguignon with fluffy mashed potatoes. 41 Rue Monsieur le Prince

With a small, loft-like dining room that wouldn’t be out of place in New York’s SoHo, this stylish one-Michelin-starred contemporary bistro is the place to dine for art and antiques dealers, politicians and book editors. 4 Rue des Grands Augustins

This quintessential neighborhood spot, offering bistro classics near Galerie Lafayette, is great for a casual lunch or dinner. It’s open every day, has sidewalk tables and is a neighborhood favorite for wine and cheese boards. 45 Rue Saint-Georges

A brilliant and busy bistro full of locals of all ages and backgrounds, Chez Pradel ticks many traveler’s boxes: simple interiors reminiscent of the early 1900s, really good service from a personable staff and excellent, well-priced food like slow-cooked chicken with tasty gravy and moreish mashed potatoes. 168 Rue Ordener

A neo-bistro with all the trappings of a traditional spot, Le Bon, La Butte is helmed by self-taught chef David Polin who cooks delicious garlicky razor clams and melt-in-the-mouth Charolais steak. 102 ter Rue Lepic

Within a stone’s throw of two of Paris’s main train stations, Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est, Café les Deux Gares was entirely refurbished under the design of creative wunderkind Luke Edward Hall, who was tasked with turning a gimmicky bar of French train memorabilia into a laid back neighborhood bistro that feels like it’s always been there. 1 Rue des Deux Gares

One of Paris’s best and most authentic natural wine bars, La Cave à Michel is as casual as it gets, with a bartender who is ready to let you try anything before you make your choice and will walk you through the ins and outs of natural wines. 36 Rue Sainte-Marthe

Vivant 2 is a natural wine bar and restaurant with a focus on Provence that has been popular since the day it opened its doors. 43 Rue des Petites Écuries

Next door to Vivant 2 is Deviant, the new wine bar and restaurant by the talented chef Pierre Touitou where natural wines are the star. Together, Deviant and Vivant turn Rue de Petite-Ecuries into a block party each evening. 39 Rue des Petites Écuries

Septime La Cave is a superb, small, natural wine bar with attentive and approachable service, where many enjoy their glass of wine out on the street. 3 Rue Basfroi

Top Tables: Dessert, Coffee & Tea

Paris’s most famous tea salon is a great place for an indulgent snack or sweet; some consider it to have the best hot chocolate in the world. Several Locations

Telescope Cafe is a place where coffee aficionados will feel right at home and purists will appreciate the short and sweet menu: espresso, filter coffee, noisette or crème. 5 Rue Villedo

The fabled Parisian ice cream shop serves flavorful ice cream (and sorbet), ranging from classics like pistachio and salted caramel to more adventurous concoctions, like licorice. 29-31 Rue St.-Louis en l'Ile

The original outpost of this classic tea salon is perhaps most well known for its delicious macarons. 16 Rue Royale

Alain Ducasse’s bean-to-bar factory (the first of its kind in Paris) and boutique is in a renovated garage where cocoa beans from Peru to Papua New Guinea are transformed into a variety of bars, bouchées, pralines and truffles. 40 Rue de la Roquette