To the untrained eye, Paris is a uniform city of Haussmannian boulevards and sunny café terraces. At a glance, on the Right Bank you’ll find the classical elegance that is quintessential to Paris, while the Left Bank is more relaxed and bohemian in spirit. But really, the city is fragmented into 20 arrondissements each with its own unique flavor.
With 20 different pockets each having their own distinct culture, neighborhoods to traverse and incredible restaurants to discover, there are some arrondissements that are better than others when it comes to unique hospitality experiences, those that provide a strategic location for exploration and culinary institutions right outside your hotel door.
Of course, the choice was difficult. But whether you're a first-time visitor or rediscovering the capital, we set out to identify the neighborhoods with the best hotels and the restaurants that are most representative of the Parisian culinary scene. There's something for every taste... and every budget!
1st arrondissement
For many first-time visitors to Paris, the 1st arrondissement is their first stop. This district is home to the world-famous Louvre museum and the Jardin des Tuileries, as well as hotels and restaurants brimming with over-the-top luxury. To summarize the 1st in two words? Majestic and touristy. Nevertheless, a stroll down the Napoleon-conceived Rue de Rivoli is a true sign that you’ve arrived in Paris.
Hotel
Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal: Sometimes the name pretty much says it all. That’s true of the Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal, which isn’t shy about pointing out that it’s the only luxury hotel near the Palais Royal. In fact, it overlooks the royal gardens, and is thus mere yards from the Louvre and the Tuileries as well.
Restaurants
Benoit: For the atmosphere of a true Parisian bistro, push open the door at 20 rue St-Martin. It was here, in the heart of Paris, that the brand was born in 1912, at the time of the 'Halles populaires'.
La Dame de Pic: Celebrated chef Anne-Sophie Pic brings her daring creations to life, Parisian-style.
Le Sergent Recruteur: In a house that exudes elegance and coziness, skilfully combining contemporary design and ancient walls, this historic tavern on the Île Saint-Louis has been converted into a gourmet restaurant.
La Poule au Pot: In an old-fashioned Parisian bistro setting, Jean-François Piège revives the great classics of the French culinary repertoire.
3rd arrondissement
Le Marais is known to tourists for its charming streets and abundant shopping options... and to Parisians for its traffic! But Le Marais, which fills the 3rd arrondissement and stretches into the 4th, still has an undeniable charm, and a rich history dating back to 1240, when a temple was built on its grounds by the storied Knights Templar. Today, its history can still be witnessed in its classic Parisian architecture, which now houses fashionable cafés and trendy boutiques.
Hotel
Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers: This hotel serves as a destination in its own right, housing a restaurant, a chic cocktail bar, and a rooftop. The location, in Montorgueil, is an interesting one, a relatively quiet place on the edge of Le Marais that’s nevertheless close to some of the city’s most desirable destinations.Restaurant
Bistrot Instinct : This pocket-sized restaurant offers a classic menu with a modern punch. Everything is homemade, even down to the syrups in the cocktails.5th & 6th arrondissement
The 6th is dominated by Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a Left Bank neighborhood that was home to the existentialist movement of the '40s and '50s; its cafes and bookstores were haunted by French intelligentsia, including the likes of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Today it retains its intellectualist spirit, as it's home to famed universities like Sciences Po as well as museums and galleries, plus a healthy dose of boutique shops and bistros.
Hotel
Bel Ami: This 19th-century building, once a printing works, is now a luxurious boutique hotel with a style that blends classic mid-century modernism with hyper-colored retro-futurism. The resulting atmosphere is perfectly elegant but in no way stuffy, which is perfect for this artistic district renowned for its free-spiritedness.Restaurants
La Tour d’Argent: Founded in 1582, this historic restaurant on the quays of the Seine, with its view of the river and Notre-Dame, is as magical as ever.
Guy Savoy: In the exceptional setting of the Hôtel de la Monnaie, the kitchen pays daily tribute to great French cuisine.
Baca’v: A gourmet bistro offering bistro classics with a modern twist.
Marsan par Hélène Darroze: The culinary delights of a truly great chef.
Relais Louis XIII: This now-historic restaurant serves classic French cuisine.
Armani Ristorante: Where gastronomy meets fashion, in the original location on the 1st floor of the Armani boutique in St-Germain-des-Prés.
Allard: An institution that's now part of the Ducasse Group. Served in true 1900s style, dishes range in style from bistro to rustic.
8th arrondissement
Head for the Golden Triangle, the center of Parisian luxury. In this little corner of Paris, spread over just a few streets, you'll find countless haute-couture houses, luxury boutiques, palaces and other majestic residences.
Restaurants & Hotels
Pierre Gagnaire: The eponymous chef continues to set the French culinary scene abuzz with his auteur cuisine at this modern, understated restaurant, finding success with low-key refinement.Le Cinq: The emblematic table of the Hôtel George V. Chef Christian Le Squer works wonders year after year and commands the utmost respect. His timeless cuisine is always at the service of the finest produce.
Le Relais Plaza: Within the Plaza Athénée, it's hard to resist the charm of this brasserie, with its 1930s décor inspired by the ocean liner Normandie. A unique atmosphere enhances the experience.
Lasserre: Just off the Champs-Élysées, this Directoire-style townhouse is sure to make a lasting impression. It's all about traditional cuisine for this historic Parisian spot created by René Lasserre in 1942.
9th arrondissement
It may not hold the flash of the 3rd, or the grandeur of the 1st, but the bustling 9th arrondissement on the Right Bank is full of authentically Parisian experiences, from its restaurants to its cultural institutions and history. The arrondissement extends from the foot of Montmartre all the way to the Palais Garnier, and includes the gritty and authentic SoPi neighborhood, a purlieu of trendy bars and boutiques. The 9th also includes retail institutions such as the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, as well as covered passages including the Passage Jouffroy and the Passage Verdeau.Hotel
HOY Paris: If you like yoga, you’ll like HOY, which stands for House of Yoga. While it may sound kitsch, HOY offers a singular experience combining Latin American culinary traditions and Feng Shui principles. In the rooms, everything has been designed to do you good, from the water purified with Japanese binchotan charcoal to the organic French beauty products and the stretching bar.Restaurants
Louis: Tucked down a quiet street, MICHELIN-Starred Louis is an intimate spot. Expect set menus and French dishes with surprising, Japanese-inspired flavors.
Les Canailles Pigalle: Opened by an experienced duo from Brittany, Les Canailles Pigalle’s specialties include beef tongue carpaccio and rum baba piled high with cream.
15th arrondissement
The 15th arrondissement may not be a top tourist destination, but it has a unique charm. As you stroll through the district, you'll be captivated by the magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower from the street.
Hotel
Villa M: This hotel, a modern structure sheathed in living vegetation on the Boulevard Pasteur in Montparnasse, is intended to be warmer, more serene, and more organic than the typical Parisian boutique hotel, and on all counts it succeeds.Restaurants
Le CasseNoix: Old posters, clocks, and vintage furniture set the scene. When it comes to food, authenticity is a priority.Le Radis Beurre: A friendly bistro serving seasonal produce cooked with care. Generous, tasty, and reasonably priced.
Beurre Noisette: A fabulous bistro that's well-known to its regulars!
Biscotte: Carefully prepared market cuisine that evolves with the seasons and produce.
11th arrondissement
For a truly local experience, the 11th offers little by way of tourist attractions, but plenty of incredible restaurants and nightlife. At the risk of sounding uncool, it’s known by many as the cool part of Paris, encompassing neighborhoods including Oberkampf and Bastille. Stay here and you can skip the crowds while still maintaining easy access to the rest of the city.Hotels
Maison Bréguet: A modestly-sized luxury hotel in the Bastille, Maison Bréguet offers comfortable rooms, a private garden, and a glass-roofed restaurant.Fabric: Hôtel Fabric sits in a former textile factory, and its loft style is more reminiscent of New York than typical Parisian hotels.
Restaurants
Le Chateaubriand: With neo-retro décor, this institution cultivates an unwavering formula: a unique menu with original flavor combinations.Septime: This restaurant symbolizes the best of the new generation of Parisian restaurants that are at once very trendy, wholly epicurean and focused on sustainability.
Chardenoux: Cyril Lignac has reinvented this historic Parisian bistro, while retaining its characteristic Art Nouveau cachet.
Pierre Sang in Oberkampf: If you're a fan of the TV show Top Chef, you'll be familiar with 2011 finalist Pierre Sang. Here he serves delicate, generous, and spirited cuisine. The ingredients are sourced from local traders.
Le Cotte Rôti: Close to the Aligre market, this continues the bistro tradition in a friendly atmosphere.
17th arrondissement
The Cité des Fleurs, Parc Monceau, Promenade Pereire, and numerous green spaces make this district an ideal place for a stroll. In the evening, the Batignolles district offers a relaxed atmosphere, with pleasant restaurants and a friendly ambience.
Hotel
Eldorado: The location, in Batignolles, is a desirable one, close to Montmartre and Pigalle but far enough from the center of the city to afford the hotel some space to breathe. The owner has an eye for eclectic design; the hotel’s interiors span a multitude of eras, though it all adds up to a remarkably unified aesthetic.Restaurants
Maison Rostang: A renowned restaurant that has remained at the top of the game. Beautiful Art Nouveau décor is an added bonus.
Le Bistrot Flaubert: A true Parisian bistro that has been a fixture in the neighborhood for decades. In the kitchen, Chef Louis de Vicari delights with well-crafted, richly flavored dishes.
Comme Chez Maman: In the heart of Batignolles, is this contemporary bistro where you'll feel right at home. Belgian chef Wim Van Gorp serves up contemporary recipes seasoned with creative touches.
Hero Image: © olrat/iStock
