The Best Restaurants in Paris

There are endless gastronomic delights to discover in Paris, but Cheval Blanc is its own petite universe of culinary experiences: beyond the luxury LVMH-owned hotel’s rooftop brasserie, upscale Italian restaurant, and superb three-Michelin-star Plénitude, their newest offering is a Japanese omakase spot. Hakuba—the Japanese translation of Cheval Blanc, or “white horse”—is all gorgeous grained wood and rice paper screens. It’s an intimate, minimalist space where maximal consideration is given to every bite, created in collaboration between chef Takuya Watanabe and the hotel’s pastry chef Maxime Frédéric. To eat such fresh, delicate sushi and sashimi is already a transportive experience; the achingly beautiful tableware, all handcrafted by artisans in Kyoto, will take you even further.

There’s no better place to be on a Sunday in Paris than slurping down a seafood platter at Clamato—after all, oysters and other briny bits are the best cure for a gueule de bois (hangover). The ambiance at Septime’s no-reservation next-door neighbor is laidback and low-maintenance, although the food is top-notch and delivered fresh daily. The menu changes according to the sustainably sourced catch of the day, but recent delights included cockles doused in smoked vinegar butter and a bonito tataki with tamarind.

There’s only one rule at Mokonuts: order everything on the menu. Admittedly, that may be self-imposed, but I’d encourage everyone who manages to get a reservation at this tiny, breakfast-and-lunch-only spot to follow suit. I was first introduced to the restaurant by my mentor of sorts, fellow lifestyle writer Sara Lieberman, who lived nearby for years; in homage, it’s become the place I insist on bringing first-timers whenever I’m in Paris. It never disappoints. Moko Hirayama, one-half of the husband-wife duo at the helm, whizzes around the room taking orders, delivering ceramic plates of roast squab or silky corn soup topped with crunchy prawns (cooked up by her husband, Omar Koreitem), and dipping into the cellar for natural wines from France, Austria, and beyond. It’s her tireless energy (plus her fluffy homemade bread and famous miso-sesame cookies) that keeps me coming back.

You don’t really come to Chez Janou for the food—classic Provençal fare like chou farci and moules gratinées—you come here for the chocolate mousse. You’ve likely seen it on social media: a waiter arrives with what is essentially a bottomless pot of fluffy and decadent chocolate mousse, scooping generous portions onto your plate until you’ve had your fill. It’s a great weekend brunch spot to hit with a group of friends (they’re open Sundays), where you can spread out on the sunny terrace or snag a booth inside to admire the retro Marcel Pagnol posters and candy-stripped lighting. Pastis lovers, take note: they have a selection of over 80 different brands.

Photo: Courtesy of Breizh Café