Where to eat in Paris: Top 10 local favourites — high-end to good ‘go-to’ places — UPDATED April 2025
How to choose a good restaurant in France: April 2025
– ALWAYS look for the Fait Maison LOGO
– NEVER eat where the menu is in several languages!
How do you know where to eat in Paris? Some people come to Paris with a fully planned itinerary, whilst others arrive with no plans other than immersion, or just an outline of what they want to do and places they want to go.
But what happens when you find yourself somewhere in Paris without either a reservation or the name of a restaurant nearby and you’re hungry and/or want to take the weight off your feet and relax, or even you just want to further immerse yourself in Parisian culture, and sit beside locals, and eat great food.
Sad, though it is, not every restaurant in Paris offers great food! Yes, sad but true! Many restaurants produce ‘industrial food‘, meaning that often, the restaurant only warms the food before serving it to you. Wow! As a tourist or a traveller, how do you ensure this doesn’t happen to you?
In 2014 the French government introduced a law to help people identify restaurants where the food is Fait Maison– made in-house – that is, the food is completely/entirely Made in House!
Here are the two tricks!
- ALWAYS look for a restaurant with the Fait Maison LOGO.
- NEVER eat at a restaurant with menus in several languages! This is a sure sign that it is NO GOOD.
Where to eat in Paris: Top 10 favourites loved by locals
1.Chefs à table – 15 Rue Trousseau, 75011 Paris
Chefs a table 15 Rue Trousseau, 75011 Paris
My absolute favourite ‘go to’ place in Paris right now. Three young guys running the restaurant, 2 chefs (one who trained in the UK under top chefs) and a front-of-house person, Johanne.
Their food is incredibly interesting, with wonderful flavours, and exceptional plating, and lunch is just 21 euros for 2 courses or 25 for 3.
I am sure they are heading towards Michelin Stars. It’s in a quiet street in the 11th arrondissement in an area with interesting, independent shops so make a day of it!
Dinner is 55 euro for 5 courses so, it’s terrific value.
2. Pianovins — 46 Rue Trousseau, 75011 Paris
The sister restaurant to Chefs a table and located in the same street…. Just as good if not even a little better! The menu is 35 for a three course lunch or 70 euro for five/six course dinner. Smaller than chefs but a bit more innovative in the menu choices. Absolutely outstanding food…
3. Kitchen Ter(re) – 26 Bd Saint-Germain, 75005 and
4. Paris Ze Kitchen Galerie – 4, rue des Grands Augustins 75006 Paris
Both these restaurants are owned by the same group but are actually quite different in food and decor but terrific.
- Ze Kitchen is fabulous value for the set lunch. Really modern decor and an interesting menu. A bit more expensive for dinner but great for a special occasion.
- Kitchen Ter(re) is a more ‘French’ interior and the food is always excellent and the service outstanding.
5. Datil — 13 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris
High-end restaurant, predominantly vegetarian….set lunch is 90 euros for about five (small!) courses. Food is incredible, the flavours are delicious and the presentation of food and service are outstanding…it’s a very unique experience and definitely one to put on your list
6. Le Pavillon de la Reine – 28 Place des Vosges, 75003 Paris
This is actually a 5-star hotel tucked away in the Place des Voges.
It’s worth popping your head in to look at the courtyard and interior anyway! The restaurant is small but exquisite!
Again lunch is the way to go, for a set menu… a delightful experience all round.
7. Le Fumoir – 6 Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny, 75001 Paris
‘My office’ as I refer to it as I am always there!
Great place centrally located (at the end of the Louvre complex) and great for coffee, lunch/dinner and/or drinks.
They have two areas for eating, the main restaurant area and what I refer to as the ‘library’ room (worth booking this space if a small group as its quite intimate).
The food is French, fresh, and reasonably priced (30 euro lunch). There’s always a wonderful mix of locals and internationals. I have never been disappointed here (you can also have a snack in the bar area).
8. Le 975 — 185 Marcadet, 75018 Paris
Only open during the week with an exceptional lunch deal of 25 euros for three courses. Food is wonderful, and service is spot on. Menu changes regularly and is always fresh, current produce
9. Tekes — 4 bis Rue Saint Sauveure, 75002 Paris
Israeli-influenced food with incredible flavours. It’s mostly vegetarian, but you wouldn’t realise this. It’s a vibrant (and sometimes loud!) atmosphere with wait staff who love their job and have been there forever, a sure sign of a good restaurant. This is a regular for me as I absolutely LOVE their food and flavours, and they have an amazing lunch deal of just 30 euros.
10. Pouliche – 11 rue d’Enghien 75010, Paris
A small place run by a female chef.
You have a small choice for mains but starters and desserts are non-negotiable (unless you have an allergy).
It was sensational food, I loved it all and in fact, not having choices made you try things you might not have otherwise!
Where to eat in Paris: Top 10 favourites
To view our 10 favourite Paris restaurants on an INTERACTIVE MAP: click here or click map
How many times have you asked for advice about “Where to eat in Paris”? The best tip is to ONLY rely on recommendations from locals, not tourist sites! Which are your Top 10 favourite Parisian restaurants? Do you have others to add to this excellent list? Please share in the comments below.
About the Contributor
Sarah Cockell
