When it comes to famous culinary destinations around the world, Paris may be at the top of anyone’s list. The city is well known as a mecca where some of the best chefs around the world come to train under the masters of the French culinary arts.
In this article, we’ll be looking at five of the best restaurants in Paris, some high end, and others on the more affordable (but no less delicious) side. If you need first-hand directions or recommendations from a local, why not consult one of your Parisian tour guides so they can set you up with a wonderful gastronomic tour of the city?
David Toutain
At the restaurant David Toutain, guests are greeted with a chic and modern aesthetic removed from the sometimes stuffy atmosphere of French fine dining. While the surroundings are designed to be more relaxed, the cuisine is on par with anything on offer at the most premium restaurant, as evidenced by their 2 Michelin stars.
The venue is well known for its imaginative use of vegetables, herbs, and all manner of plant-based ingredients. The menu changes on a daily basis, and the restaurant serves some truly exciting and innovative dishes. These also change along with the seasons, so you’ll also have a fresh new appetizing experience awaiting you. Some of the intriguing dishes you can sample at David Toutain include black sesame eel, Parmesan gnocchi and soy milk, Féra with button mushrooms, and many more exotic delicacies that yours truly lacks the understanding to truly describe. Each dish is laboriously crafted, some elements taking several hours to prepare.
The restaurant also caters to the dietary needs of its clientele, meaning options for vegan, vegetarian, and lactose intolerant guests are available. Depending on your selection, prices can range between 70 and 280 euro. As with most Michelin tier restaurants, a reservation is required, and depending on the season you may need to reserve your seat weeks in advance, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.
Aux Bons Crus
If you are in the mood for something a bit less exotic, why not head to Aux Bons Crus? This classic bistro serves hearty and delicious French family cuisine, ensuring an affordable and mouth watering experience. The classic decor traces its roots from France’s roadside bistro’s - no unnecessary pomp here, instead you’ll find a quaint and welcoming atmosphere.
The menu prioritizes taste and simplicity, so even first time visitors won’t feel intimidated by fancy sounding French delicacies. Some of the dishes one can enjoy here includes staples such as steak au poivre (steak with pepper sauce), braised beef with carrots, scrumptious salads topped with a poached egg and bacon, or even a grilled cheese sandwich with truffles. Like most French restaurants, the menu changes on a weekly basis, but one will always find simple yet enchantingly delicious options here.
The restaurant is built upon its assurance of a good yet affordable meal, which means guests can enjoy a great two-course meal (with wine) for between 20 and 40 euro. The restaurant accepts walk-ins as well, though it is very popular, so if you’re planning a trip it may be a good idea to call ahead just in case.
Septime
For our next recommendation, we’re again heading into the fancier realm, with the Michelin star awarded Septime. Helmed by chef Bertrand Grébaut, the restaurant is well known for its excellent service, and subtle menu emphasizing vegetables and delicate cuisine. This means the restaurant is very vegetarian friendly, and even won the 2017 Sustainable Restaurant Award for its use of locally sourced ingredients and dedication to vermi-composting for recycling.
Again, the menu changes on a regular basis, but examples of some of the healthy and imaginatively presented dishes you may run into include seared tuna with raspberries, fig leaf tart with a blackcurrant sorbet, or foie gras bouillon with mushrooms and oysters. Septime offers a five course table d'hôte tasting menu as its lunch option, and a seven-course menu during dinner service.
The five-course lunch menu will set you back €65, while the more expansive dinner menu is currently set at €110 (wine not included). Be careful, however, as Septime is well known for being fully booked weeks or even months in advance. A reservation is required, and these are available three weeks in advance via phone or online booking.
La Bourse et la Vie
Next up, let’s move to something that could be described as somewhat in-between the bistro and gourmet scenes. La Bourse et la Vie features a stylish and rich interior, and specializes in serving classic French cuisine at a slightly more affordable price. Run by Daniel Rose, here you can find rare French dishes such as duck à l’orange (crispy duck with a vibrant citrus sauce) and poireaux vinaigrette (marinated leeks with a mustard vinaigrette).
There are also more well known staples, including delicious foie gras, steak-frites, and veal pot-au-feu (French style veal stew). La Bourse et la Vie will also be popular with guests who have a sweet tooth, with homemade artisanal ice creams, fruitcake, and many more delicious dessert options, all lovingly put together using only the highest quality ingredients.
For the dinner service, an à la carte menu is available, with main dishes starting from around €34. For lunch, the restaurant serves a unique pre-set menu every day, with a filling lunch available for a very reasonable €23.
Urfa Dürüm
For our final recommendation, we’re putting forward some casual, affordable, and delicious take-out food. Yes, Parisian eateries are usually famed for their fanciness, but the city actually offers a much more eclectic and diverse range of dishes than you would imagine. For this, we head down to Urfa Dürüm, a cozy restaurant specializing in Kurdish wraps.
Using fresh ingredients with in-house made bread and meat grilled on skewers in front of patrons, guests can enjoy a cheap yet absolutely delectable assortment of middle eastern kebab wraps. You can dine-in or enjoy Paris’s vibrant atmosphere from the outdoor seating areas, they even do takeaways, allowing you to call ahead and pick up your food on the go, perfect for a lunch during a busy shopping trip.
The staff is friendly, and the restaurant is frequently praised for its fast and consistent service. The best thing may be the price, with most meals coming in at well under €10! There is a reason why Urfa Dürüm is a favorite of Parisian locals, from office workers to late nightclub goers. Vegetarian options are also available, of course, with each wrap featuring its own authentic flavor profile. No reservations here though, walk-ins only.
Conclusion
Paris is truly one of the most gastronomically refined cities in the world, whether you’re in the mood for Michelin star tier French cuisine, a hearty bistro experience, or simply a great wrap - anything your taste buds desire can be found in the City of Lights. If you’re unsure of how to get to a particular restaurant, or you’d like some more recommendations from a local, why not contact one of our many Paris guides for a private food tour today!
*Please note: Photos in this article are unrelated to the specific establishments mentioned.