Few chefs embody a rebellious spirit quite like Gordon Ramsay. The Scottish-born culinary dynamo is known for his unfiltered TV persona, but behind the bluster, he is also one of Britain’s most prolific and Francophile chefs. Not only does he have two restaurants in France, but he's also trained with some of the country's top culinary legends, inlcluding Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon.
Now 57, the ever-irreverent Ramsay sits atop a global culinary empire that includes 88 restaurants, 32 of which are in the UK. In France, he helms two Michelin-starred establishments: one inside the opulent Trianon Palace in Versailles, where the Italian-born Gabriele Ravasio leads things in the kitchen, and the other Le Pressoir d’Argent in Bordeaux. Yet, it is with Paris that Ramsay feels he has the strongest connection.
Ramsay has long nurtured a deep love for the French capital—both for its kitchens and, as he reveals with a wink, its heartbreaks. "Paris is where I fell in love," Ramsay recalls. "A Parisienne named Chantal broke my heart—I cried my eyes out at Place de la Bastille."
His first stint in the city came when he was just 22, renting a tiny studio on Rue de la Roquette in the 11th arrondissement. From those humble beginnings, Ramsay has risen to become a celebrated fixture on the gastronomic scene, fusing his British edge with French culinary tradition. His cooking for instance, highlights black truffles from Gironde in the southwest of France and Breton lobster, among lots of other local specialties.
Below, the chef shares some of his favorite spots in the French capital—a blend of neighborhood gems and refined institutions that encapsulate both his chef's palate as well as his more laid-back side.
When you're in Paris, you're often short on time. Where's the best spot for a quick snack?
There's something beautifully simple about a perfect cream puff. Mamiche in the 10th arrondissement in Paris does them like nowhere else - the vanilla is just sublime and at 1 euro each, they're a steal.
You're known for appreciating good wines. What's your go-to restaurant with great wines?
Every arrondissement in Paris has its own character, but I recently stumbled upon Le Bon Georges, which feels like a neighborhood secret. The dim lighting, the intimate setting—it's as if time has stopped here. Their wine list is exceptional with lots of Loire Valley wines, to which I’ve always been partial.
Anywhere particular for dinner with friends?
It would be impossible not to mention Guy Savoy. He’s more than a mentor—he’s been like a father to me. The restaurant, overlooking the Seine at the Hôtel de la Monnaie, is a masterpiece in itself. Every detail is flawless, and recently I was equally taken with Plénitude at the Cheval Blanc hotel. Arnaud Donckele's cooking is a revelation—it’s what he calls ‘new classic cuisine,’ but it’s really a journey across France.
What about a more laid-back bistro?
For something a little bit more relaxed, I avoid the tourist traps and head to Le Voltaire, located on the banks of the River Seine. Chef Tony Ducrocq's menu is all about seasonal French classics. Their sole meunière is as good as it gets, and the fries - oh, the fries! - are just perfection.
Hero image: Chef Gordon Ramsay (© Kevin Gompertz – Make Agency)
Related articles:
