For Paris Insiders
For Paris Insiders
If there is one city that manages to bring together art, elegance and flavor on every corner, that city is Paris. But I’m not just talking about the postcard Paris — I’m talking about the Paris that reveals itself in the details, in lunches under the shade of beautiful plants, in dinners in gilded dining rooms, in coffee that arrives at the table with perfect foam. This is the Paris I adore, and that I share with you here, in a living list, always updated, with my favorite restaurants, cafés and hotels.
Best Places to Have Lunch in Paris
Loulou – Restaurant with a view of the Louvre
Located in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Loulou is one of the best restaurants for lunch in Paris. Designed by Joseph Dirand, the space perfectly balances the charm of French fashion with the freshness of Mediterranean cuisine. Lunch here is almost like a fashion show: beautiful people, impeccable dishes and a view of the Louvre gardens.
The restaurant uses only vegetables from local producers and features a dessert menu created by a pastry chef who has been awarded by the Gault & Millau guide.
107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Breizh Café – The best crêperie in Paris with a Brittany tradition
A benchmark for gourmet crêpes in the French capital, Breizh Café brings the authentic tradition of Brittany to the Marais and Saint-Germain. The buckwheat galettes are light, crispy and filled with artisanal ingredients — my favorite is the one with cheese, raw ham and a free-range egg.
Chef Bertrand Larcher imports butter from Brittany and serves artisanal cider of his own production in traditional glasses.
109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris (and other locations)
Mimosa – Restaurant in the Hôtel de la Marine
Inside the historic Hôtel de la Marine, on Place de la Concorde, Mimosa recreates the spirit of the French Riviera with freshness and delicacy. The space is bright, with décor that evokes summers on the Côte d’Azur.
The wine list is 100% organic and the olive oil used in all dishes comes from the chef’s own Provençal farm.
2 Rue Royale, 75008 Paris
Le Grand Café – Brasserie with a sophisticated interior
Designed by Joseph Dirand, Le Grand Café combines tradition and sophistication. The Viennese chicken, delicately breaded and fried in butter, is the must-try dish. Don’t leave without trying the Madagascar vanilla mille-feuille.
The desserts follow classic recipes from the Napoleon III era and take more than 72 hours to be ready.
99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Café de Flore & Les Deux Magots – The most iconic cafés in Paris
Two Parisian legends in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. These cafés were the birthplace of existentialism and still welcome artists, intellectuals and curious tourists today.
Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir had reserved tables at Flore; Hemingway was a regular at Deux Magots.
172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris (Flore)
6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris (Deux Magots)
L’Avenue – Restaurant in Paris with a fashionista vibe
On the trendy Avenue Montaigne, L’Avenue is where fashion and gastronomy meet. It’s the darling of models, editors and celebrities during Fashion Week.
The restaurant belongs to the Costes group and has been the backdrop for Chanel and Dior campaigns.
41 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
Girafe – Restaurant with a view of the Eiffel Tower
Ideal for a lunch with a view, Girafe is one of the most sought-after restaurants for views in Paris. With art déco décor and a seafood menu, it’s always an elegant choice.
The architecture is inspired by old French transatlantic liners from the 1930s.
1 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris
Best Restaurants for Dinner in Paris
Lafayette Paris – Modern and intimate French cuisine
In the heart of the 8th arrondissement, Lafayette is one of the best restaurants for dinner in Paris with bourgeois charm. The dishes highlight French terroir with contemporary touches.
Lafayette’s cocktail bar is stocked with more than 80 varieties of artisanal vermouths.
8 Rue d’Anjou, 75008 Paris
Laurent – A gastronomic refuge on the Champs-Élysées
Hidden in a garden between Avenue Gabriel and the Champs-Élysées, Laurent is a historic restaurant with the atmosphere of a Parisian mansion.
Founded in 1842, the restaurant has hosted princes, politicians and actors — and still retains the original grand piano from the central dining room.
41 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris
Hôtel Costes – Restaurant in the coolest hotel in Paris
Costes is one of Paris’s most iconic hotels — and its restaurant is pure atmosphere. Dining in the private garden is a silent spectacle of style and charm.
The restaurant’s soundtrack is released on albums and playlists, curated exclusively for the hotel.
7 Rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris
Maxim’s – Haute gastronomy and history on Rue Royale
More than a restaurant, Maxim’s is a Belle Époque institution. Frequented by Brigitte Bardot, Maria Callas and even Marcel Proust, it still offers a glamorous and timeless dining experience.
The Art Nouveau interior has been preserved as a French cultural heritage site.
3 Rue Royale, 75008 Paris
If you’re looking for the best places to eat in Paris — whether it’s restaurants for lunches with a view, historic cafés or unforgettable dinners — this personal list is your map to authentic Parisian experiences.
Come back often: this list lives, grows and evolves with me, with every new visit to the City of Light.
With love and savoir-faire,
Clau Ribeiro
