Paris | The Capital of Cuisine Excellence

Paris is the capital of cuisine excellence, from traditional French bistros to new-age experimental joints and not to forget the incredible array of ethnic cuisine. When visiting Paris, choosing a restaurant to dine at is nothing short of overwhelming.

With expensive yet mediocre restaurants hiding in plain sight, (especially near the touristy areas of the city) it can be extremely difficult to know what is worth your time and money. But fear not–we have gathered the top restaurants in Paris, so you don’t have to do the looking yourself!

1. Septime

Having earned a spot on the top 50 best restaurants in the world, Septime has also been awarded the Sustainable Restaurant Award. Bertrand Grebaut, the owner and chef of this restaurant has taken classic French cuisine to a whole new sublime level.

Recognized as the future of French cooking, Bertrand Grebaut has broken ground with his entirely plant-based recipes. A bold move in the meat-loving France, Grebaut has found the perfect balance between freshness and savoriness.

Located at 80 Rue Charonne in the 11th arrondissement, anyone who gets a chance to dine at the Septime is lucky indeed.  Dinner is seven courses and costs 80 euros a person.

However, the big challenge here is securing a reservation at this vegetarian-friendly restaurant. May be ask your hotel concierge to work their magic.

2. La Poule au Pot

La Poule au Pot, located in the central first arrondissement at 9 Rue Vauvilliers is the place to go if you want to experience the magic of fine French cuisine. This traditional French bistro is run by famous chef Jean-Francois Piège.

This long-standing restaurant was saved and restored by Piège, who offers locals and tourists a delicious place of refuge in bustling Paris. Chef Piège is known for his inventive take on traditional French comfort foods, putting a new spin on the tried and true classics.

Despite the name of the restaurant, there is in fact no chicken on the menu itself. Instead, La Poule au Pot offers dishes such as a veal shoulder roast, an exceptional tomato salad, escargot, and steak dishes as well.

This is the place to go if you want polished French service, an intriguing and timeless interior, and flavorful dishes!

3. Benoit Paris

If you want to stick to the high standards of Michelin dining, you can’t go wrong with booking a table at Benoit Paris. Located at 20 rue Saint Martin, Benoit Paris is a classic restaurant that has been around since 1912! A true staple of the city, and especially of its neighborhood Le Marais, it’s hard to find a Parisian that hasn’t heard of this charming and historic bistro.

Here you will find a tempting selection of France’s finest meats including a calf’s head with ravigote sauce (34 euros), a pan-seared beef fillet (54 euros), as well as any seafood plate your heart desires including thick Scottish salmon steak (34 euros) and seared sea scallops (54).

Although these plates may not be the most inventive ones you will find in Paris, it’s well-worth the price tag to experience French cooking done right. You will be amazed by the difference in both atmosphere and quality.

4. Uma Nota

Taking a breather from the traditional French cuisine, let’s talk about some of the more provocative and groundbreaking restaurants in Paris in 2020. Uma Nota, a new and upcoming Brazilian Japanese street food restaurant fits the bill perfectly.

This open minded and inviting environment is exactly the place you want to go if you want to try something new and unusually delightful! Combining the art of Japanese cuisine with Brazilian ingredients, Uma Nota is certain to blow you away.

Their signature dishes include ceviche Amarillo prepared with snapper, prawns, marinated squid with leche tiger, aji amarillo and coriander. With the precision of a Japanese chef and the delectable and ripe ingredients of Brazil, these plates are sure to be nothing like you’ve experienced before.

5. Miznon

If you had not yet had the pleasure of experiencing Isreali cuisine, now is the time. Miznon has been the buzz of the city for a restaurant providing top notch middle eastern cuisine. Here you will find delicious yet healthy dishes such as roasted cauliflower, lamb kebab, and their famous potato pita bread.

Anyone living in Paris is extremely lucky to have such a diverse and exciting array of cuisine, and Miznon is pure proof of that! The dishes here are more casual compared to the likes of Benoit Paris or Septime, so Miznon makes a great lunch time stop or late-night hangout.

6. Breizh Café

Whether you’re simply craving a good crepe or a first-timer, Breizh Café at 14 Rue Des Petits Carreaux is sure to impress. Specializing in the art of traditional crepe making with a modern Japanese twist, Breizh only uses the finest and freshest ingredients, a vital component of any quality crepe.

You can opt for a classic, fail-proof ham cheese an egg crepe or go for some of their more decadent options, including a lobster and yellow chicken crepe.

7. Mijo T

Of all of the amazing restaurants in Paris in 2020, Mijo T is perhaps my favorite in all of the city. Located in a quaint side street in Belleville at 6 Rue Victor Letalle, Mijo T serves comforting and surprising French cuisine in an intimate and charming setting.

Mijo T takes farm to table restaurant to a whole new level. Specializing in the utilization of local and seasonal ingredients, the chef rotates the menu nearly daily. This restaurant serves food that is as comforting as it is surprising, combining flavors that are nothing short of sublime.

8. Bagnard

Bagnard is the impressive restaurant from famous chef Yoni Saada, a son and grandson of the oldest butchery in Paris, located right in Le Marais. Known for having some of the best mediterranean plates in the city, Bagnard is the epitome of trendy cuisine in the best way.

The menu is colorful, full of flavor, and has something for everyone.

When you come to Bagnard, you can expect dishes such as pan bagnat, their signature avocado toast, and fresh pasta dishes that change on a weekly basis. Not only is this one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Paris, it is also as satisfying as it is healthy.

9. Clamato

Also run by the same chef as Septime, Clamato is Bertrand Grebaut’s latest project. Focusing on seafood fare, Clamato is the place to go for something fresh, exciting and rejuvenating.

Everything on their menu is delivered daily from L’ille d’Yeu, an extremely rare delight to find in Paris.  Among the menu items are Belle de Corde oysters (23 euros), raw cuttle fish from Oléron (14 euros), and even whole sea bass (39 euros).

10. Perruche

Last but not least on our list is Perruche, a stunning restaurant located on the rooftops of the Printemps. Setting, location, service…Peruche has it all! Menu items range from 12-24 euros for the main plates, but Perruche is also an excellent place to enjoy a glass of wine and a couple of appetizers.

Located at 2 Rue de Havre, we recommend heading over to La Perruche just before sunset. It’s sure to be an experience you won’t forget.

11. Restaurant Oursin

Perhaps the chicest restaurant opening of the new year is Oursin Paris. Housed in the Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysées, Oursin is their signature restaurant. So you know this place has something special to offer.

Set in a bright, airy space reminiscent of a French Riviera town, this upscale restaurant is a collaboration between fashion designer Jacquemus and renowned seafood restaurant, Caviar Kaspia. Seafood is the highlight here, and each of the tasty dishes incorporates it in a thoughtful way. This place tends to be busy though, so booking a table is a good idea.