Best Restaurants in Paris
Paris offers so much more than French food these days (although the French cuisine IS to die for), thanks to the city being a melting pot of different cultures, visitors have access to all types of food these days, and boy are there plenty to choose from! If you are looking some must visit coffee shops in Paris you can find my guide here.
Below are (in my opinion) the best restaurants in Paris.
Kong
An Asian fusion restaurant with something for everyone, Kong Restaurant in the heart of Paris not only offers excellent food, but incredible service too. Designed to be like a UFO, the restaurant sits below a spectacular glass dome, offering incredible views of the streets around and across the River Seine, any time is a good time for a visit but sunset is extra special.
Visitors can enjoy a relaxing meal throughout the evening, but as it gets later, the atmosphere gets a little more lively as the bar downstairs becomes full and people are in the mood to party.
Dishes include Crispy prawns from Madagascar with chili ponzu sauce, Chicken breast with ginger, miso aubergine confit, mashed potatoes, Roasted duck breast with Sichuan berries and flavoured white rice. I opted for the Roasted duck breast and it melted in my mouth!
Beefbar Paris
Located in a stunning 19th century atrium, the breathtaking building that houses Beefbar was once hidden away from the world as it was protected from the Nazis, it was forgotten about and later found and fully restored back to its former glory.
Whilst beef is the star on the menu, there are plenty of other options for those who fancy something a little different, and plenty of vegetarian options too such as Avocado, tahini, socca crisps, and Keto bowls with tomato, avocado, white cabbage, green beans, corn, pomegranate, Beefbar dressing sauce (this also comes with chicken as an option).
I was torn between the Black Angus beef crispy rolls with hoisin sauce and the Korean buns filled with jasmine tea smoked Kobe beef. I opted for the Korean buns and asked for some hoisin sauce on the side which they were more than happy to accommodate. No regrets from me, it was delicious and I enjoyed a large portion of frites on the side. Of course we toasted our meal with the restaurant’s very own champagne as it was our last meal in Paris!
Pink Mamma
A popular trattoria spread across 4 floors specialising in delicious, Italian food, Pink Mamma offers different monthly menus based on local, seasonal produce. The restaurant is located in Pigalle, near Montmartre, and offers a bit of a break from the very French cuisine that seems to fill these streets.
Pink Mamma has become known as one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Paris, both due to the beautifully presented dishes but also its stunning interior and bright, airy rooms thanks to the huge skylight! Plants are everywhere, adding a nice bit of oxygen in the room and offering some serotonin inducing surroundings.
Breizh Café
Believe me when I tell you there is no one on this earth that loves crêpes like I do, in fact, I am so particular about them, I will book a trip to Brittany in North Western France just to enjoy a ‘proper’ one (crêpes in England will NEVER match crepes in France). Paris is known for a lot of amazing food, but I still think the Breton crêpes are the best, however, in comes Breizh Café….
The café is known for the best Breton-style buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes in Paris. Visitors can enjoy the traditional sweet crêpe or the classic savoury options, but the owners have taken the menu a step further. For those seeking something a little different, diners can try out flavour combinations such as smoked herring with Saint Malo potatoes, or sweet options like white chocolate mousse and matcha tea, with strawberries!
Septime
Fine dining without the arrogance, Septime offers exquisite plant and vegetable-focused dishes, meat is included but plant food is the focal point of any mean here. Tasting menus mean you get what you are given so you must be very clear about allergies/intolerances ahead of time so exceptions can be made for you (they are happy to accommodate for this).
This is Michelin star dining with service to match, waiters have an in-depth knowledge of the food and know exactly what wines to pair with each dish. The surroundings are much more informal than you would expect from a fine dining restaurant in the culinary capital of the world, but this just adds to the relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a meal without feeling stuffy.
Ake Paris
With dishes such as empanadas with confit pork, citrus and spices and sea bream crudo marinated in sake and pink pomelo with avocado and oil, there really is a dish that will suit everyone. Lots of diners here will order dishes to share, the menu changes pretty often with a different tasting menu released each month.
There is a strong Scandinavian vibe here, from the name to the interiors, the decor features raw wooden chairs and stark white walls with wildflowers on the tables. My one recommendation is don’t get too full up on the mains, dessert here is not to be missed, especially the meringue.
Da Graziella
The best woodoven pizzas in Paris? Apparently so. Da Graziella is perfect if you are looking for simple, quick and easy, with the option to eat in or take away.
There are plenty of Italian wines to go with each dish and if you are still hungry once polishing off your main, you must not miss out on the decadent fried pizza dough with chocolate sauce for dessert.
La Fontaine de Belleville
I can’t comprise a list of Parisian eateries without including a cafe, after all, isn’t cafe culture what Paris is all about? La Fontaine de Belleville claims to have the best croque monsieur in the city, are they right? I guess we would have to taste every single one to decide!
The cafe is quintessentially Parisian, arrive in the morning for a quiet coffee, or turn up in the afternoon when you may have to queue a little to get a table. The menu is simple and perfect for an uncomplicated lunch, options include ham-and-cheese baguettes, devilled eggs, and of course, the well-known croque monsieur.
