Top Eight: Fine Dining Favorites
All of the following are very elevated, gastronomic experiences and are in no particular order. Most were enjoyed with my husband and occurred for special occasions or vacations here without the kids before we moved to Paris full-time. So, I apologize for very few photo moments as I chose to eat and experience these meals in full and was well before everyone decided to take pictures of dishes for social media!!
#1 - Guy Savoy
In the most amazing dining room overlooking the Seine, my husband and I had a three-star lunch here one sunny afternoon. Impeccable service, perfect food. Chef Savoy was there himself after the meal and shook hands with many of the diners which I found lovely and gives warmth and humanity to a sometimes lofty concept of celebrity chefs. Although this was in 2018 and it now has 2 stars, I’ve still only heard good things about it. Definitely worth a meal for a special occasion here.
#2 - Maison Rostang
Loved our New Year’s Eve dinner here in 2015, we were amongst 95% French people and it truly felt like a neighborhood dinner party. Food was excellent and truffle heavy, which is always a bonus in my book! This two-star experience is still going strong and I think is underrated.
#3 - SoLa
This one-star gem on a little street in the 5th was incredibly inventive and fresh; a Franco-Japanese menu from Chef Kosuke Nabeta definitely hit the mark. We opted for the underground cave-turned-tea-room for our lunch and it was amazing - serene, minimal, and fantastic service. We attended in 2016 and they have been consistently star worthy the last nine years.
#4 - Frenchie
This one gets a lot of buzz for Chef Gregory Marchand and its hard-to-get reservation, but it is absolutely worth it. A side-street staple, it also has the bar across the street as well as the caviste on the same street. Had a 40th dinner here with my best friend who was in town in late August of 2024 and we sat at the only bar table which felt like a chef’s table. Truly outstanding service and attention to detail - we had an absolute blast.
#5 - Septime
What can I say - this is such a consistently amazing place for both lunch and dinner with an incredible wine list. A tasting menu is the only option and it always surprises and delights (they will ask for dietary restrictions and allergies beforehand, so don’t worry!) A special dining room to be a part of and feels elevated while at the same time like you are in someone’s home. It definitely lives up to the Michelin star is has consistently maintained since 2015.
#6 - Ciasa Mia
Easily my favorite restaurant in all of Paris for the absolute delight that is the owners, Chef Samuel and his wife Francesca. Hailing from the Dolomites region in Italy, they deliver inventive and beautiful dishes fused with Italian charm and French gastronomy. The interior feels like a ski chalet in the best way with rustic coziness backed with a giant fireplace that crackles all winter long. We have had many a special meal here for anniversaries, birthdays and whenever we want a nice lunch! The three-course lunch menu at 45€ is such a great value, as well. Set on a little side street in the shadow of the Panthéon in the 5th, this literal hidden gem is sure to be a meal to remember.
#7 - Atelier Joel Robuchon
On a little offshoot near Rue de Bac in the 7th arrondissement is the namesake chef’s restaurant that had two Michelin stars for many years. When he passed away in 2018, it had two stars for a number of years while it currently only has one. I love the mostly bar-height seats and open kitchen; the service was excellent and food outstanding. The famous super buttery smooth mashed potatoes are a definite must no matter what else you order!
#8 - Le Train Bleu
After reopening to much fanfare in 2015 following an extensive renovation, I was able to snag a dinner reservation here one night on a trip to Paris without kids - what a treat! Loved the theatrics of flambé desserts and food was very nice. The interiors are an 11/10 of course and this restaurant steeped in history is so incredibly beautiful, you might be craning your neck all evening and let your dinner get cold!
