Affiliate Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my travel blog!
Introduction
Paris isn’t just a city, it’s a dining experience. From timeless brasseries to modern Parisian gems, the French capital delivers some of the best meals you will ever taste. After eating my way through the city (from seafood towers to melt-in-your-mouth scallops), I’ve curated my personal list of the Best Restaurants in Paris. Places that truly impressed me and that I’d return to again and again.
These aren’t the overly touristy spots you see all over social media. These are elegant, authentic, beautifully Parisian places where the food, ambience, and service actually live up to the hype.
If you’re planning a trip soon, make sure you check out my EDITABLE ITINERARY PLANNER and book your hotels and activities early, Paris gets busy fast.
Before You Eat: Book Your Paris Essentials
✓ Where to Stay in Paris
Compare hotel prices here:
Booking.com: CHECK FOR HOTELS HERE
Expedia: CHECK HOTELS HERE
Or stay near the best restaurants in Saint-Germain, Opéra, or the 7th arrondissement.
✓ Best Paris Food Tours
🍷 Wine & Cheese Tasting in Paris — BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE HERE
🥐 Croissant & Pastry Baking Class — GET YOUR TICKET HERE
🍽️ Gourmet Paris Food Tour — GET YOUR TICKET HERE
These tours pair amazingly with a foodie trip.
The Best Restaurants in Paris – My Personal Favorites
Below are the restaurants I ate at and genuinely loved. The ones I’d return to without hesitation.
If you’re searching for the best restaurants in Paris, these are the spots that stood out most during my trip.
1. Brasserie Vaudeville – For Seafood Lovers
📍 29 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris
Brasserie Vaudeville is a classic Parisian brasserie with old-school charm and some of the best seafood towers in the city. I had an unforgettable seafood platter and a delicious crepe. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully served.
Perfect for:
✔️ Seafood lovers
✔️ Lunch after shopping at Galerie Vivienne
✔️ Classic Parisian vibes
💡 Want to stay nearby? Check hotels in the Opéra district:
→ MAKE YOUR BOOKING HERE
2. La Closerie des Lilas – Historic & Iconic Paris Dining
📍 171 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris
Known for its literary history, La Closerie des Lilas is elegant, intimate, and timeless. I enjoyed the freshest oysters and an incredible sole which was cooked perfectly and full of flavor.
Perfect for:
✔️ A romantic evening
✔️ Historic Paris charm
✔️ Oyster lovers
🍷 Pair the evening with a Montparnasse wine tour:
→ GET YOUR TICKET HERE
O3. Brasserie Vagenende – Classic Art Nouveau Beauty
📍 142 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
If you love architecture and beautiful dining rooms, this place will make you swoon. Their scallops were some of the best I’ve had, fresh, buttery, and perfectly cooked.
Perfect for:
✔️ Stunning Art-Nouveau interiors
✔️ A stylish dinner in Saint-Germain
✔️ Traditional French cuisine
🏨 Stay in Saint-Germain (best foodie neighborhood):
→ LOOK FOR ACCOMMODATION HERE
4. La Pagode – Elegant & Modern Paris Dining
📍 57 Rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris
La Pagode offers refined modern cuisine with immaculate presentation. I had the best salmon of my entire trip. It was soft, flavorful, and beautifully plated.
Perfect for:
✔️ Lovers of modern cuisine
✔️ Chic interiors
✔️ A quiet, upscale dining experience
🕊️ Combine dinner with a Seine river cruise nearby:
→ YOUR YOUR TICKET HERE
5. Brasserie Lutetia – Modern Parisian Brasserie
📍 45 Boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris
Located inside the Hôtel Lutetia, this brasserie offers luxury dining with a relaxed feel. Their lobster pasta was rich, decadent, and perfectly cooked.
Perfect for:
✔️ Celebrations
✔️ Fashionable dining in Left Bank
✔️ Hotel luxury vibes
💄 Treat yourself to a luxury experience at Dior Spa – Plaza Athénée:
BONUS: Pierre Hermé – The Best Macarons in Paris
📍 Multiple locations
Your trip to Paris is not complete without their iconic macarons. Pierre Hermé has mastered the perfect texture, crispy shell, soft center, and unforgettable flavors.
Try these flavors:
✔️ Mogador (passion fruit + chocolate)
✔️ Loomi
✔️ Ispahan
🛍️ They also make great gifts to take home!
🍽️ Best Restaurants in Paris – Quick Comparison
| Restaurant | Best For | What I Ate | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brasserie Vaudeville | Seafood & Classic Brasserie | Seafood platter, crêpe | Opéra / Grands Boulevards |
| La Closerie des Lilas | Oysters & Romantic Dining | Oysters, sole meunière | Montparnasse |
| Brasserie Vagenende | Belle Époque Dining | Seared scallops | Saint-Germain-des-Prés |
| La Pagode | Hidden-Gem Modern Cuisine | Signature salmon | 7th Arrondissement |
| Brasserie Lutetia | Luxury Brasserie Experience | Lobster pasta | Left Bank / Hôtel Lutetia |
| Pierre Hermé | Best Macarons in Paris | Ispahan, pistachio, passion fruit chocolate | Saint-Germain / Various |
Find Hotels Near These Restaurants
These map automatically shows hotels near the restaurants.
👇🏾👇🏾
Other Food Experiences to Book in Paris
These convert perfectly in restaurant posts:
🥐 Croissant Masterclass GET YOUR TICKET HERE
🧀 Wine & Cheese Pairing Workshop
BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE🍰 French Dessert Class
GET YOUR TICKET HERE🍾 Champagne Day Trip from Paris
GET YOUR TICKET HERE
Travel Essentials for Your Paris Food Trip
✈️ Flights + Priority Boarding
Book flights with priority services:
→ BOOK YOUR AIRLINE HERE
🚆 Train Tickets to Paris
Great for travelers coming from London, Brussels, Milan, Amsterdam.
→ Trainline: COMPARE PRICES HERE
🛡️ Travel Insurance
Because things happen — better to be covered.
→ GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE HERE
Download My Paris Travel Itinerary
✨ Planning your Paris trip?
Download my editable itinerary with daily schedules, restaurant map, and activity links.
→ GET YOUR ITINERARY HERE
Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Best Restaurants in Paris
Paris is one of the best food cities in the world, and this list of the Best Restaurants in Paris covers places I genuinely loved and would return to again. Whether you’re into seafood, classic brasseries, or modern cuisine, these restaurants offer unforgettable dining experiences that capture the magic of Paris.
Don’t forget to:
✔️ bookmark the restaurants
✔️ book hotels early
✔️ save the food tours
✔️ download my itinerary
Your Paris food adventure starts now. Bon appétit! 🇫🇷✨
Leave a Reply