On the corner of Faubourg St.-Honoré and Avenue Matignon in Le Bristol Paris (between the hotel’s three-star Michelin gourmet restaurant and its famous Bar Bristol), 114 Faubourg occupies two floors linked by an enormous spiral staircase adorned with gilt leaves. The orange walls glow with giant photographs of pink and white dahlias (one of owner Maja Oetker’s favorite flowers); banquettes are embellished with brocade trim; and a violet carpet adds to the warmth of the room. The chef, presiding over an open kitchen, stresses seasonal simplicity, and diners can choose from a variety of meats and fish preparations—grilled, steamed or sautéed—and garnishes. The comfortable chic atmosphere and personalized service have made 114 Faubourg a favorite among fashionable residents.

Just steps away from the imposing Bourse de Commerce, À L'Épi d'Or sits nestled away among the bustling streets—you might miss it if you’re not looking for it. But behind the weathered doors, you’re transported into what feels like 1920s Paris, with dark wooden tables, eclectic and unassuming decor and soft, cinematic lighting. It’s the type of place you can’t help but wonder what notable names have dined at these tables. Expect unpretentious but delicious classic French bistro cuisine. A perfect spot for lunch after a busy morning among the hustle and bustle of Paris; you’ll feel like a local here.

Dining at this restaurant makes a drive up the winding mountain roads worthwhile. A Pignata is as authentic as it gets, when it comes to local terroir specialties. If you haven't experienced rustic traditional cuisine, this is a must. The owners have created a convivial farm-to-table restaurant that is modestly priced and just plain fun. You might find yourself elbow to elbow with anyone from well-heeled locals from Porto-Vecchio to agricultural families who live down the road.

The portions are large, so be prepared for a long afternoon of tasting. After the homemade charcuterie, some of the most outstanding simple grandmotherly recipes include the Corsican peasant soup, oven-baked caramelized lamb, cannelloni stuffed with brocciu, and chestnut flour cakes with nuts.

In the space that was formerly the bustling Left Bank canteen of Conran Restaurants from London, Alcazar is now a popular eatery by decorator Laura Gonzalez. The designer has filled the space with an interior garden that evokes summer all year round. There are cozy tables and a lively bar on two levels, and chef Guillaume Lutard focuses on French country classics like roast chicken with trendier additions like ceviche with grapefruit.

Chic yet cozy and with an excellent bar, Alfred serves French classics and comfort food with a contemporary flair. Located just steps from the Place Vendome, the crisp white tables and impeccably attired waitstaff seem de rigueur. Plush velvet banquettes and Art Deco touches add to the elegant ambiance. Indulge in a luscious truffle stracciatella atop a crispy baguette or a cherry tomato tarte tatin to start, followed by the pepper-crusted beef filet with whiskey sauce and frites. Save room for the signature Trio of White Dunes with chocolate sauce for dessert.

A classic choice for high-end, traditional French food, Allard is part of the Alain Ducasse empire. With its 1930s interiors, the dining room feels like being at your grandparents’—think flowery wallpaper with pencil-drawn artworks, old photos and 1900s paraphernalia hanging on the walls, plus velvet banquettes in front of wooden bistro tables. On the menu, there’s cabbage stuffed with lobster and chestnut and pan-seared veal sweetbread, braised lettuce and black trumpet mushrooms.

If you’re skiing in Méribel, stop by Allodis, which has a lovely, sunny terrace with panoramic views perfect for lunch. Enjoy charcuterie, salads, beef carpaccio and smoked salmon, but save room for dessert—the buffet is legendary.

At this beloved institution, generations of families have come for sweets and countless grandmothers have tested their descendants’ table manners in its dining room (which was completely overhauled in 2009 and has rediscovered its former grandeur). It’s Paris’ most famous tea salon and a great place for a light lunch or indulgent snack; some consider it to have the best hot chocolate in the world. There are three additional outposts:

• Musée du Luxembourg 19, rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris 01.46.34.31.19
• Musée du Louvre Aile Richelieu, Café Richelieu, 75001 Paris 01.49.27.93.31
• Château de Versailles 1er étage du Pavillon d’Orléans, 78000 Versailles 01.39.20.08.32

Attracting a sophisticated crowd, including many guests who just hopped of their yachts, Anjuna still makes for a low-key evening in a relaxing setting. The pebbled private beach and restaurant is best reached by boat, and is particularly enjoyable for a candlelit family-friendly dinner. The unfussy cuisine—mostly sashimi and seafood—is reliably excellent and always fresh.

This one-star Michelin restaurant has one of the most romantic settings in Paris. Located on the ground floor of a gorgeous 19th century townhouse on the Right Bank near the Champs Élysées, Apicius has been a favorite spot for grand gestures like a proposal or an anniversary since it opened. The food highlights sophisticated classics like fennel langoustines and black truffle pastry with foie gras. In warm weather, tables are set in the beautiful garden.

Arbela is a wine and tapas bar, highlighting the flavors of Basque country with small, shareable plates typical to the region.

The minimalist-modern dining room, designed with warm colors of red and chocolate, serves as the perfect backdrop of chef Alain Passard’s mostly vegetable-focused menu. The chef is passionate about fresh veggies (many of them grown on Passard’s organic farm outside Paris), though shellfish and poultry also make appearances (carnivores will be disappointed, though). The restaurant has three Michelin stars. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

The astonishingly inventive cooking of chef Pascal Barbot—as well as a third Michelin-star—have made this this a hot spot for foodies. Barbot cooks for some twenty-five diners in a gracious, modern duplex dining room not far from the Trocadéro. There’s no à la carte menu, only two prix-fixes. Dishes like his avocado ravioli filled with crab and drizzled with almond oil and turbot with a coulis of lemon and ginger are simply amazing. Reserve two months in advance for dinner.

Au 36 is a charming spot for tastings and shopping in the picturesque, perched village of Hautvillers. After a visit, stop by the church where Dom Pérignon is buried and then stroll through the villages’ charming lanes decorated with wrought-iron signs that identify the local tradesmen.

Au Bon Acceuil is a favorite bistro of food writer Patricia Wells and it's a great choice for lunch or dinner if you're touring the Eiffel Tower. After a delectable meal, you'll come out and see the tour all lit up. Talk about a spectacular dessert. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

This friendly bistro has a romantic candlelit ambiance and serves a combination of southwestern and home-style Provençal cuisine. Try the duck magret roasted with truffle sauce, the coquille St.-Jacques and the homemade moelleux au chocolat or crème caramel.

For a casual bite after a morning of shopping at Le Bon Marché, and some of the best people-watching in Paris, make your way to Au Sauvignon, an unassuming brasserie just off Rue de Sèvres. The wine bar, which has been owned and operated by the same family since 1954 (full disclosure: this writer has been paying an annual visit for the last 25 years), serves simple Poilâne open-faced sandwiches with regional cheeses, saucisson d’Auvergne, goose rillettes and other artery-clogging delights. Topping out at about 15 options, the excellent wine list is short and to-the-point — much like the service, which can be a tad austere (but don’t take it personally). The decor stems back to the 1950s with an original zinc bar, antique ceramic tiles and faded postcards sent from friends abroad; as a whole, the experience utterly charming and authentic, which is why you’ll find yourself squeezed in among a primarily local crowd. Order up a tartine and a crisp glass of Quincy, sit back on the covered terrace and watch the beau monde stroll by.

Chef Gaël Orieux recently received a first Michelin star for this, his first restaurant, which comes highly recommended by Yannick Alléno, the former star chef at Le Meurice, under who Orieux used to work. It's very close to the Musée Rodin, so makes a good spot for lunch when touring the museum. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Alain Ducasse took over this century-old Art Nouveau bistro near the old Bourse (stock market) in 2002 and shrewdly updated the menu, which runs to modernized versions of traditional Lyonnaise dishes. Try the brochet aux écrevisses (airy pike perch dumplings in crayfish sauce), frogs’ legs and Grand Marnier soufflé. Great value prix-fixe lunch. Closed Monday, Tuesday and Sunday dinner. 

This contemporary wine bar close to Place St. Pierre is the brainchild of Benjamin Bouet. Guests can self-serve samples amongst 32 different vintages, many from the region, but also some of Bouet's discoveries beyond Bordeaux, and even France. Stainless steel Enomatic machines pour 3 centiliters, 6 centiliters (about a half-glass) or 12 centiliters (a glass), so you can sample a wide variety before settling on that grand cru Bordeaux or white Burgundy of your choice.

The lovely staff is on hand to guide you through the offerings, and if self-sampling wine is not your idea of a romantic night out, they are happy to serve you at the high bar tables as well. A short menu of charcuterie and cheeses makes this a brilliant way to start the evening. On Friday and Saturday nights, reservations past 7:30/8pm are a must.

Set back on the scenic, winding coastal road of the Cap d’Antibes, this family-run, one-Michelin-star restaurant serves up some of the tastiest, authentic bouillabaisse in the area. The seafood is straight off the boat, and the sea views from the dining room’s bay windows are spectacular. Other superb options include a creamy garlicky soup; the catch of the day grilled with fennel; and sea perch served with truffles or the house-made aioli.