Whether you’re planning a tranquil fall respite or a jubilant holiday vacation in the City of Light, Whitewall recommends making time for these best Paris restaurants.
Le Cinq
Ideally situated within the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, an iconic gilded dining room embellished with gracious palms and floral arrangements sets the posh scene for Executive Chef Christian Le Squer’s three Michelin-starred triumph: Le Cinq. Invoking the sumptuous culinary heritage of France, a supremely modern, gourmet menu delights and exhilarates on a daily basis. Signature dishes including the Line-Fished Sea Bass with caviar and buttermilk, inspired by the Chef’s childhood; the Spaghetti Gratin with truffle, ham, and artichokes; and the Dublin Bay Prawns with warm mayonnaise and buckwheat pancakes, are a symphony for the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Whitewaller recommends: Pairing your meal with the perfect glass of wine from the awe-inspiring 50,000-bottle wine cellar—a singular assemblage created by Head Sommelier Eric Beaumard.
Best Paris Restaurants: Dragon
Dragon unfolds as an opulent and cinematic journey through the Far East from the brilliant mind of Chef Cyril Lignac. Designed by skilled architect Jacques Garcia, visitors are enveloped in a warmly lit sanctuary of Asian inspired cuisine, enhanced by beguiling artworks set against hypnotic wallpaper and red lacquered panels. Recline in velveteen booths and armchairs, and allow heavenly dishes of Caramelized Portobello with hazelnut, Citrus Marinated Sea Bass, and Sweet-and-Sour Prawns whisk you away. A ravishing cocktail menu includes a myriad of luscious creations: Dernier Empereur spotlights 12-year-old Chivas whiskey alongside Umeshu, smoked black tea, ginger and Umami bitter, while Green Garden sets the evening aglow with Tanqueray gin, shiso, cucumber, green chartreuse, and lime juice.
Whitewaller recommends: Savoring the Black Sesame Ice Cream before stepping out into Paris under the moonlight.
Monsieur Dior
Highly-acclaimed Chef Jean Imbert blends the impeccable taste of luminary and self-proclaimed gourmand Christian Dior with the charismatic Art of French living for Monsieur Dior—an enchanting restaurant at the heart of historic 30 Avenue Montaigne. Developed alongside close collaborator Chef Antony Clémot, captivating dishes are served beside luxurious and colorful tableware from the Dior Maison collections. An ode to the enduring artistic legacy of Dior, the airy and stylish space displays mesmeric works of art, from a rich oil painting titled Christian Dior à Table by René Bouché, to an angular Claudia Wieser bar mirror, which deftly reflects Guy Limone’s rouge, onyx, and cream wall installation—an engaging collage of thousands of visuals derived from the maison’s archive and the visionary’s own collection.
Whitewaller recommends: Indulging after lunch in the icing on the cake—La Pâtisserie Dior, adjacent to the fragrant rose garden.
Brasserie L’Émil
Within the elegant and historic Château Voltaire hotel, Brasserie L’Émil serves refreshing Mediterranean cuisine within a transcendent atmosphere. The polished tavern enthralls with streamlined luxury and welcoming design details, from the classic, glossy tiled flooring and walls, to the cozy, artistic booths. Delightful blue and white dishes serve as warm decoration across creamy shelving, while eclectic lamps send the bar and restaurant gleaming. Seasonal dishes aim to please; vegetable carpaccios, langoustines with fleur de sel, risottos, and vitello tonnato allow for a feast of the senses while joyful moments among friends transpire.
Whitewaller recommends: Reveling in the delectable salmon sashimi with ponzu and lime sauce.
Best Paris Restaurants: Septime
Esteemed Chef Bertrand Grébaut welcomes visitors to his illustrious, Michelin-starred restaurant, with extraordinary joy, wit, and humility, offering an ever-evolving set menu based on the radiant nuances of micro-seasonality. Septime was conceptualized alongside lifelong friend and Associate Director Théo Pourriat, inviting foodies and passerby alike to explore thoroughly modern takes on classic French dining in a hospitably minimalist setting. Understated wooden tables and chairs are set with fresh florals and ethereal candlelight, with overhanging industrial light fixtures which evoke both the past and present of Parisian cosmopolitan life. Harmonious dishes range from a prismatic Crudités platter, with fresh cheese, sorrel, and tarragon, to a decadent Roasted Endive, complemented by rye bread sauce and pickled mustard seeds.
Whitewaller recommends: Luxuriating in the masterful wine collection—hand-selected by Pourriat.
