The dining scene in Paris has changed drastically over the past
few decades, presenting a kaleidoscope of high-quality food
experiences, influences, flavours, and atmospheres in the city of
haute cuisine, strict kitchen etiquette, and lively bistros.
Today, dining out in Paris may involve starting with a multi-
course meal with a dramatic presentation for dinner and
finishing with a steaming hot pita loaded with beef
bourguignon for luncheon. Our list of the top restaurants in
Paris features dishes that stand out among the crowd, from the
traditional establishments that cannot be missed to the more
recent and renowned dining spots.
1. Clover Grill
The Clover Grill, a chic restaurant by prestigious chef Jean-
François Piège, is a favourite with the media and fashion
crowds. It is a contemporary French steakhouse that is equally
suitable for an official lunch as it is for a leisurely dinner with
buddies. The chef discovered a place with enough area for two
dining rooms and a special meat cabinet. Fillet, prime rib, or a
burger made with beef are the obvious highlights here, but
don't ignore the inventive beginnings like tomato tartare with
straciatella and basil or a "wild sea bass gravlax" with dill and
lemon.
Delicious braised prawns and regional seafood are available,
along with a selection of sauces. Whatever you do, ask for the

churros as sweet treats because you'll be daydreaming about
them long after you leave the restaurant. Many furnished
apartments in Paris are located nearby.
2. Substance
Substance gives the slumbering 16th arrondissement a
welcome jolt right out of the gate. In the evenings, customers
should be prepared for a laid-back but discerning gastronomic
audience; these patrons are either knowledgeable about Chef
Matthias Marc's credentials, champagne lovers, or inhabitants of
Western Paris. With more than 180 cuvées from small producers
and popular houses, the champagne selection is the main
attraction here.
Substance, which is named after a glass of premium
champagne, is the one and only restaurant in the city that
serves the "Jacques Selosse Initial Brut cuvé" You could eat
things like potato emulsions with pickled onions and trout eggs,
cannelloni with goat cheese and beets, and many other plant-
based meals.
3. Allard
If there ever was a fitting, if archaic, name to describe a classic
gourmet bistro, Allard is one of the last of its kind. Mimi
Thorisson explains beauty is present here, both in the setting
and the food. The duck served with fresh green olives is
absolutely delicious. The preparation of the frog legs, duck foie

gras, and poached turbot is proper and without extraneous or
unwelcome flourish.
4. Epicure
There is no denying that this restaurant has three Michelin stars,
as evidenced by the white tablecloths, impeccable service,
stylish decor, and impressive menu. The nicest tables are
located by the window that looks out onto the interior garden of
the hotel because the dining room is large and open.
You may concentrate on an almost religiously-like dining
experience because both the music and talking are kept to a
minimum. Dive into the fussy Frenchness of everything,
however, once Eric Frechon's main dish is put in front of you,
you won't even notice the decor.
5. La Tour d’Argent
This is featured as one of the greatest restaurants in Paris. The
16th century saw the construction of this Seine-facing paragon
of French cuisine, but soon it transformed at the beginning of
the 19th century into the restaurant we know today. La Tour
d'Argent is the perfect venue to let the chef handle the cooking.
Or, if surprises aren't your thing, choose the multi-course meal,
which features both the chef's recipes and classic cuisines from
the eatery's heritage that has been modernised by a "Meilleur
Ouvrier de France", Yannick Franques.
The wine cave contains 300,000 bottles, and there are 15,000
distinct references, so this is unquestionably the place where

wine aficionados should go. Look through the pictures and
news articles of all the famous people who have eaten at the
restaurant, from Angelina Jolie to JFK, while you make your way
to the lift.
6. Benoit Paris
The cuisines from this venerable cafe, which first operated in
1912, appear like still-life photographs from the Time-Life "Foods
of the World" series, like a memory capsule to your first vacation
to Europe.
Consider dishes like butter, garlic, and parsley-bathed escargots,
pâté en croûte, cassoulet, 'seared scallops with leeks', 'Scottish
salmon with Béarnaise sauce', the ideal cheese meal course,
and even the delicious crêpes Suzette.
7. Septime
The excellent, imaginative, plant- and vegetable-inspired
cuisines that are served to start meals in this cosy yet
understated Scando-inspired setting change over the course of
two weeks.
However, regardless of the high standards of the meal, this is
exquisite dining without the showmanship or hubris of the chef
cult. It is typical to see a combination of both cooked and raw
foods (prepared using different techniques) on the same platter
because Grébaut is a genius at bringing out the flavours in every
item and toying with texture.

8. Le 52
A gathering place for Right Bankers and residents of the 10th
arrondissement who enjoy the availability of the neo-brasserie
style that Charles Compagnon cunningly established. These are
serious diners who value their meals as much as a good time
and the security of knowing their servers.
They—and the occasional visitor from outside the
area—continue to visit because of the menu's limitless diversity,
which is changed at least once every month. You may also find
fowl, sardines, root vegetables like the tasty Jerusalem
artichokes, and fish in addition to more traditional meat cuts
and seafood, which may make for a tasty yet inexpensive
supper.
9. La Coupole
La Coupole, a fair tribute to the Art Deco era in Paris, has
witnessed its fair share of notable Parisians. On the deck, Patti
Smith was playing the guitar. Richard Miller joined us for
breakfast. James Joyce, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and Jane
Birkin all frequented this restaurant for lunch.
The cuisine features standard French brasserie fare with a heavy
seafood emphasis. With either of the seafood dishes, ask for a
side of buttered whelks or winkles, which are equally as tasty as
they are appealing to the eye.
10. L’Avant Comptoir

The purpose of this odd well-attended establishment is to fill up
on the top-notch finger dishes. Despite the menu occasionally
changing, items like fried parmesan cheese puffs, ham
croquettes, artichokes, cured ham waffles and boudin noir
macarons are nearly always available.
11. Bistrot Paul Bert
After a meal, there is no escape from a food coma. From the
seasonally available "Côte de Boeuf for two" and "plump white
asparagus" to their distinctive "big-as-your-head steaming-hot
soufflé" or "praline-buttercream-filled Paris-Brest pastry", this is a
heart-stopping traditional French feast at its best. Naturally,
there is tartare as well as a golden egg with black truffle
shavings. The $25 double-course prix fixe for lunch is a great
deal; for dinner, you can choose à la carte or follow the same
formula.
There is so much to see in Paris, the global centre for culture,
gastronomy, fashion and art. While you explore the "City of Love"
don't forget to stop by some of the above-mentioned
restaurants. If you are wondering about where to stay in Paris,
check out the wonderfully furnished apartments in the city at
TheSqua.re.