Dining in Paris
Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée
Curated by Ducasse with Chef Christophe Moret, the emphasis on purity and faultless preparation brings the classical elements of haute cuisine into a contemporary realm. The cloud of 10,000 shimmering crystals floating overhead blends modern and traditional sophistication in an ambiance which interior designer Patrick Jouin calls ‘magic and poetry’. For the gourmands who venture into this three-starred journey it is an indulgence of the highest magnitude while the impeccable service and culinary perfection guarantees lifelong memories.
Au Pied du Cochon
If you’ve ever wondered where to satisfy that 3am craving for oysters or French Onion soup, look no further. Just next to St Eustache church, this institution in Les Halles has been serving tourists and locals 24 hours a day for over 60 years. With its bordering-on-kitsch decor, traditional brisk waiters and always-packed terrace of family and friends, it’s a lively slice of late-night Paris.
Aux Anysetiers du Roy
This intimate restaurant on Île St Louis is located in a picture-perfect building classified as a 17th century historic monument. The name celebrates the organization traditionally charged with making the King's aniseed liqueur, or pastis, from Provence. During its colorful cabaret past it was named Au Petit Bacchus, and now for several decades it has served classic French cuisine with Provençal touches to local romantics, visitors and historical celebrities like Dali, Bardot and Jerry Lewis. Rabbit glazed with mustard, duck with a honey and raisin sauce, onion soup and boeuf Bourgignon are featured on the well-priced formulas and à la carte menus.
Brasserie Lipp
Brasserie Lipp completes the St-Germain des Prés ‘holy trinity’ from the Belle Époque era after neighbours Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. This celebrated establishment is one of Paris’ original upscale Alsatian-style brasseries and continues to feature regional sausages and pork with sauerkraut along with a large selection of beers. Visionary figures have been intertwined with this legend since its beginning in 1880 like literary masters like Proust and St-Exupéry; political bigwigs Pompidou, Mittérrand and Chirac; and cinema stars such as Harrison Ford, Woody Allen and Robert Altman. The high-powered business and political ambience remains noticeably present, but everyone’s snugly packed-in so don’t plan on divulging any top-secret insider information.
Brasserie Printemps
Pure magic awaits you under the awe-inspiring stained-glass dome created in 1923 for the top floor of the department store Printemps Haussmann. The interior was redesigned in 2006 by Dider Gomez with art deco motifs and modern lines and centered around the dome’s ‘floating pearl’ is a seafood bar serving oysters and lobster. On par with the glittering ambiance is the seasonal French cuisine by top-notch chef Alain Cirelli. Whether it’s the ladies who lunch, a midday business gathering or international visitors, all appreciate the high-quality yet moderately-priced brasserie fare with a twist. The veal piccata and roasted sea bass are favorites, as well as afternoon tea accompanied by sweets such as handmade champagne sorbet.
Breizh Café
Sure there’s crêpe stands on every corner, but they simply can’t compare to the authentic preparations of this inexpensive, family-friendly Breton bistrot. Although new to Paris, owner Bertrand Larcher has a location in native Cancale plus several in Japan.
Chez Papa
‘Papa’ Bruno welcomes customers all over town with his chain of restaurants featuring food from the Auvergne. Inexpensive formulas and large servings attract hungry families, students, tourists and frugral French for the filling south-western specialties. Cassoulet Papa, a white bean stew with sausage and the leafy ham salad with blue cheese and browned potatoes are popular.
Le Baron Rouge
A neighbourhood tradition just next door to the Marché Aligre, this busy spot is the inexpensive place to go to fill up your heart’s content on tangy oysters, earthy regional charcuterie and bio wine straight from the barrel. Customers crowd around the bar and the upturned wooden barrel that serves as a table, eventually overflowing onto the street and down the block. With oysters arriving fresh from the Bassin Arachon in the Aquitaine region, customers pair them with wines made at small family vineyards and then fill up a jug (their own or one borrowed from the bartender) to be consumed at home. The rustic decor adds to the family-friendly vibe both at lunch and in the evenings.
Jules Verne
Popular legend has it that self-proclaimed critic of the Eiffel Tower, Guy de Maupassant, ate lunch in its restaurant every day because it was the only place in Paris he couldn’t see the landmark. Instead if a view of the tower, a 360 ° panorama of the timeless cityscape and tranquil Seine is the crowning glory of Paris’ iconic monument. This year has brought a new chapter into the history of the transcendent Jules Verne restaurant, as under the helm of Alain Ducasse the ‘modern classic’ French cuisine has risen to even greater heights.