With a metro ticket or Navigo travel pass, you can have lunch or dinner at the restaurants of some of the French capital’s top chefs. The west of Paris is a little overshadowed in the MICHELIN Star stakes by central and eastern Paris, which is teeming with MICHELIN-Starred eateries. Choose your station:
Château de Vincennes: L’Ours – One Star
At the end of Line 1, you come to Vincennes and its castle. It’s also where you’ll discover Jacky Ribault and his restaurant. At L’Ours, the chef does not have a menu of any kind; you just have to trust him. Jacky improvises in line with the seasons and lets his childhood memories come to the fore. Together with his wife Valérie and architect Caroline Tissier, the chef has designed a place in his own image, where nature is omnipresent and lives in harmony with raw materials like steel, concrete and copper.
Gare de Lyon: Virtus – One Star
Coming from La Vague d’Or – Cheval Blanc in Saint Tropez, Frédéric Lorimier (in charge of the kitchen) and Camille Gouyer (front of house) have set up shop just a stone’s throw from the Marché d’Aligre and Gare de Lyon. Behind the blue façade, a vintage interior with an Art Deco feel awaits you – as do dishes that are notable for being perfectly cooked and finished with superb sauces.
Reuilly-Diderot: Table – Bruno Verjus – Two Stars and Green Star
Bruno Verjus had already worked in various fields and was a company director and culinary journalist before taking the plunge and donning a chef’s hat to open his first restaurant at the age of 50. People come here for his inventive dishes, lovingly made with exceptional ingredients – tuck in while watching the chefs preparing diners’ orders 'à la minute'.
Bastille: Restaurant H – One Star
Not far from the Place de la Bastille, Restaurant H, sporting a retro-futuristic look, serves cuisine created by Hubert Duchenne (the 'H' in the name). The chef, originally from Normandy, prepares dishes that are both affordable and extremely subtle – his signature being razor clams with parsley.
Saint-Paul: L’Ambroisie – Three Stars
Bernard Pacaud is at the helm of this iconic establishment occupying a grandiose venue on the Place des Vosges. The famous bitter cocoa sablée tart has been served here for 20 years, along with other timeless classics. The remarkable cuisine is notable for the extremely high-quality ingredients that go into dishes that are coherent, and even simple… or seemingly so. In a move that underscores the restaurant's excellence, Christophe Moret, with his glittering CV, has been appointed Executive Chef.And also...
Restaurant Anne – One Star
Relish classic dishes here in the Pavillon de la Reine, on the Place des Vosges – either in the library lounge or the lovely, verdant courtyard garden.
Châtelet: Benoit – One Star
Close to Hôtel de Ville, the Centre Pompidou and the Tour Saint-Jacques, Benoit has been beloved by fans of haute bistro cuisine for over a century. Enter through the double doors and let yourself soak up the warm and intimate atmosphere. From the tiled floors to the wood panelling, each detail recalls the splendour of the past. Make sure to snag a seat on one of the plush red velvet banquettes under the the brass light fittings for a truly Parisian experience.
Louvre-Rivoli: La Dame de Pic – One Star
La Dame de Pic is the Parisian branch of Anne-Sophie Pic’s restaurant empire, which includes the Three MICHELIN Starred Maison Pic in . Consider entry an invitation into the chef’s world, characterised by Pic’s delicate, precise craftsmanship combined with lively inspiration. The soft, feminine atmosphere helps you forget the hectic pace of the city outside.
And also...
Yam'tcha – One Star
A very popular place on account of Chef Adeline Grattard’s refined French-Asian fusion cuisine. She combines ingredients of the highest quality, such as XO sauce, black rice with vinegar and shellfish jus.
Palais Royal: Palais Royal Restaurant – Two Stars
This restaurant enjoys a prime location beneath the colonnades of the Palais Royal. In good weather, the terrace transforms into a space hosting lunches and dinners in the garden. Two private lounges upstairs create the sense of entering a chic Parisian apartment. Greek Chef Philip Chronopoulos, previously of L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Étoile and Alain Passard's Arpège, devises a menu marrying creativity with striking Mediterranean-influenced cuisine.
Tuileries: Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse – Two Stars
Exiting the metro, cross rue de Rivoli – which runs alongside the Jardin des Tuileries – and make a beeline for one of Paris’s finest hotels, Le Meurice, home to the Two MICHELIN Star restaurant of legendary chef Alain Ducasse. Beneath the gilded ceiling, high-calibre cooking is served by an impeccable service team; don't forget about the artistic desserts by the very talented (and media-savvy) Cédric Grolet.
Concorde: L’Écrin – One Star
The grand Hôtel de Crillon stands proud on the Place de la Concorde facing the Obélisque. Nestled within the hotel, amongst the delicate, refined and contemporary décor, lies L’Écrin. Captivating in look and moving away from conventional set menus, the restaurant instead offers a unique experience. Head Sommelier Xavier Thuizat advises diners as they choose their wines, before he and Chef Boris Campanella put their heads together to create the perfect pairing. The wines set the tone, as every personalised menu is individual and based on your wine selection.And also...
Le Baudelaire – One Star
The restaurant of the Le Burgundy Hotel is led by Chef Anthony Denon, whose vegetable-forward cooking showcases his savvy use of expertly selected produce.
Champs-Élysées–Clémenceau: Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen – Three Stars
Towards the bottom of the Champs Élysées, slightly off the main stretch, Yannick Alléno established his Three MICHELIN Star restaurant on the first floor of a fine neo-classical building with bay windows. Alléno and his team innovate with sauces and utilise fermentation techniques to draw on the flavours of the land – all while serving up course after course as light as a feather. Every dish is carefully crafted and expertly researched.And also...
L'Abysse at the Pavillon Ledoyen – Two Stars
A master sushi chef, top-quality produce (such as ikejime Atlantic fish) and Yannick Alléno’s creative touch – what more could you ask for?
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Le Gabriel – La Réserve Paris – Two Stars
Just off the Champs Élysées, La Réserve is home to Le Gabriel, a Two MICHELIN Star restaurant where you can sample Chef Jérôme Banctel’s exquisite cooking. Three set menus, an informal and cheerful atmosphere, and an immaculate setting make for a special culinary experience.
George V: Pierre Gagnaire – Three Stars
We leave behind the most beautiful street in the world to head up rue Balzac towards Hotel Balzac, where Pierre Gagnaire has been plying his trade since 1996. This undisputed jewel in the crown of French gastronomy is world-renowned for its excellence in both cooking and service. Lunch or dinner at Pierre Gagnaire is not just another meal, it’s a unique culinary experience.And also...
Le Cinq – Three Stars
Christian Le Squer commands respect with his timeless cooking. Working wonders year after year, his cooking is always a vehicle for the finest produce, and the culmination of virtuoso technique and memorable finesse. Case in point: the splendidly foamy butter with vin jaune that accompanies the lobster.
Charles-de-Gaulle–Étoile: L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon - Étoile – One Star
On the Champs Élysées, a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe, this restaurant is located on the lower level of the Publicis Drugstore. The red and black colour scheme provides a bold pop, as the long counter surrounded by comfortable bar stools allows diners to eat and view into the kitchen. The menu offers customers a choice between small tasting portions and regular-sized dishes. There's also an extensive list of wines by the glass for the perfect pairing.And also...
Le Chiberta – One Star
Helmed by Guy Savoy, this restaurant has an eye-catching 'vertical wine cellar' and boasts a terrific selection with a penchant for burgundy and bordeaux, which adorn the walls like books in a library. The cooking of Chef Irwin Durand (who trained with Joël Robuchon and Bernard Loiseau), overseen by 'the boss' Savoy, puts a modern spin on traditional dishes such as pike quenelle, suckling pig and calf’s head.
Argentine: Mallory Gabsi – One Star
One of Top Chef’s most likeable contestants thanks to his humour, Mallory Gabsi has opened his first restaurant in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. A mix of materials – including stone, mahogany-stained wood, large mirrors, marble and velvet – set the scene with a plush and cosy vibe. Seating is divided between tables facing the open kitchen and tables for two. One standout on the the menu is anguille au vert, eel laced with beer, and beef cheek stew, gently cooked for 48 hours and inspired by one of his grandmother’s recipes.
Hero Image: Peter Vitale/Le Cinq
