Bars and restaurants
Le Train Bleu, Gare de Lyon
This restaurant in Paris’s Gare de Lyon takes its name from cobalt-coloured luxury overnight train carriages. Its belle époque style dining rooms feature frescoes by painter Albert Maignan and blue-leather banquettes. But it’s chef Michel Rostang’s classic French dishes that keep diners returning for more.
Monocle, Montorgueil
Whether you are in the mood for the perfect latte, a delicious sandwich or a glass from our selection of French wines, the friendly staff at Monocle’s Paris café have you covered. All our offerings pair beautifully with the latest issue of the magazine.
Le Grand Café, 8th arrondissement
The final touch to the meticulous revamp of the Grand Palais was creating a restaurant that could honour the civic monument’s illustrious history. Architect Joseph Dirand was tapped to fit out Le Grand Café – its sumptuous surrounds and tinkling piano in the background recalling a belle époque brasserie. Bag a spot on the elegant wrought-iron terrace overlooking the Petit Palais and opt for the pipe rigate served in a silky tomato-vodka sauce.
Le Square Trousseau, 12th arrondissement
This classic restaurant with marbled mosaics and early 20th-century mouldings at the southwest corner of Square Trousseau near Marché d’Aligre is run by a genial pair called Mickael and Laurence. Their breakfast highlight is the ficelle (thin baguette) with salted butter and strawberry jam.
Arcane 17, Le Marais
First-time restaurateur Pablo Escriva has anchored his menu in specialities from Spain’s coastal regions. The interior, featuring leather banquettes and oak panelling, was designed by architects Carla Romano and Nicolas Cazenave of Marseille’s Bétyle Studio. Basque pintxos with anchovies and Catalan bikini sandwiches make a happy pairing to kick off a bicoastal dinner. Then, tuna carpaccio with a dusting of chives sets diners up for the showstoppers: charcoal-grilled steak and scallops in a light butter and parsley dressing washed down with an olive-oil martini.
Takara, 1st arrondissement
Takara – Japanese for “treasure” – is a gem indeed: a cosy, time-tested restaurant in a city that can stumble when it comes to sushi or sukiyaki. This dimly lit diner claims to be Paris’s oldest Japanese restaurant but whatever the truth, its atmosphere is streets ahead of the competition. Think noren curtains, wooden panelling and the insistent hum of satisfied customers. The food doesn’t disappoint, from hot pots including a beef shabu-shabu, to crisp katsu cutlets and toro sashimi. These chefs certainly know their oignons.
Bistrot des Tournelles, Le Marais
There are few better places to taste traditional, low-key French cuisine than in Bistrot des Tournelles’s red-fronted, pared back setting. Sample the champignons, Cordon bleu and Provencal stew. Don’t forget to break open the crème brulée for dessert.
Terroirs d’Avenir, citywide
Terroirs d’Avenir started in 2008 as a supplier to Paris’s top restaurants before opening its doors to the public with market-style spaces across the city. It now runs a greengrocer, butcher and cheesemonger on the cobbled Rue du Nil, offering goods from independent French producers. There’s also a pint-sized poissonnerie and a bakery specialising in bread made using heirloom grains and a long-fermentation process.
Cravan, Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Franck Audoux’s Cravan is a cultural ecosystem housed in one of the Boulevard Saint-Germain’s last historic buildings. Co-owned by LVMH, it spans five storeys with bars, a library and a rooftop kiosk. Signature champagne cocktails are served in the art nouveau style salons.
La Petite Chaise, 7th arrondissement
Tradition meets the French capital’s glamorous side at La Petite Chaise. Opened in 1680, it’s one of Paris’s oldest restaurants. Recently acquired by Antoine Arnault and Alexandre de Rothschild, it serves up modern takes on age-old classics in a soft, wood-panelled interior. Open every day bar Monday.
Yabaï Sando, Odéon
After stints at multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, French-Japanese chef Walter Ishizuka started Yabaï Sando as a homage to the japanese milk-bread sandwiches of his childhood lunchboxes. His recipes combine fine-dining techniques and classic Japanese sando ingredients to delightful effect.
Searching for more sandos? Tap here to discover the five best sando shops in Paris.
La Coupole, Montparnasse
The grand art deco style dining room of La Coupole used to be the hotspot of Montparnasse’s nightlife in the 1920’s. Today, this excellent brasserie serves its patrons just-so French staples in a friendly and charming atmosphere.
19 Saint Roch, 1st arrondissement
Located just a few steps away from the Louvre and the Palais Royal, this sophisticated bistrot is Pierre Touitou’s third restaurant in the capital. The Parisian chef serves excellent French fare with influences from the Mediterranean and the Far East.
Read next:
- 10 of the best bookshops in Paris
- Monocle’s guide to three must-try classic Paris bistros
- Paris’s five finest tailors and master cobblers
