There are few fine-dining scenes as legendary as Paris. While many globe trotters have taken to exploring gastronomical opportunities in new regions, the classic appeal of Parisian cuisine remains timeless.
Many restaurants in the City of Light continue to honor the time-honored tradition and style of romantic scenery coupled with meticulously crafted dishes. For those who would like to take their first sojourn into Parisian dining or revisit what this culinary hub has to offer, these restaurants demonstrate the lasting appeal of Paris for international diners.
The Timelessness of La Tour d’Argent
Few venues capture the iconic imagery of Parisian dining better than La Tour d’Argent. As told in a review by CN Traveler, the venue originated as an inn in the 16th century. It was later converted into a restaurant in the 19th century and has been operated by the Terrail family since 1911.
Guests arriving on the dining floor will be met with a sweeping view of the Seine and the Paris city skyline. The restaurant’s extensive wine offerings include 300,000 bottles with 15,000 different references, making this the perfect dining experience for wine lovers. As for the menu, La Tour d’Argent has signature dishes perfected across the restaurant’s long history, including Frédéric Delair’s famous “pressed duck.”
Sensational Flavors at Espadon
Opening as an addition to the Ritz Paris Hotel in September 2023, Espadon celebrates the international influence of French cuisine. The Michelin-starred chef Eugénie Béziat has cultivated a menu inspired by her upbringing in Africa and family summers spent in Provence. The result is cuisine flavored by the spices and essences of two continents.
Diners at Espadon will find an elegant dining room with an impressive crystal-leaf chandelier overhead and the opportunity to sit on a tree-lined terrace that overlooks the Grand Jardin. The large bay windows allow diners to watch the workings of the kitchen in action as the chef’s team crafts exciting flavors and dishes. This month, Espadon will be providing a specialized Christmas dinner, with salmon in two courses, scorzonera smoked with cedar work, venison Wellington served with button mushrooms, and sorrel sorbet for dessert.
Celebrating Tradition at Chez L’Ami Louis
Since its opening in 1929, Chez L’Ami Louis has hardly diverted from its signature cozy atmosphere. The servers remain dressed in white blazers and black ties, and the woodfire oven continues to cook the restaurant’s classic French dishes to perfection.
In a BBC interview with Anne-Sophie Pic, the Michelin-starred chef recommended Chez L’Ami Louis as the best old-fashioned restaurant for those who wish to experience an authentic Parisian dining experience. “Chez L’Ami Louis is an iconic restaurant in Paris serving classic French dishes,” Pic stated. “It truly encapsulates the myth of the Parisian bistro with its checkered tablecloths, serving classic French food.”
The Art and History of La Coupole
Celebrating another era in French culture, La Coupole serves as a living memorial to Paris’ Art Deco legacy. Founded in 1927, the restaurant has been listed as a historical heritage site. Diners seated at La Coupole’s tables will be joining in a part of Paris’ rich history and celebrity draw. A review by CN Traveler lists the great personalities who have graced the venue, including Patti Smith, Henry Miller, Jane Birkin, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, and Josephine Baker.
The menu of La Coupole features essential dishes from the great Parisian Brasseries, such as sauerkraut, razor-cutter beef tartare, roast calf’s liver, and seafood platters. The restaurant also offers a traditional Parisian breakfast for early diners, with à la carte selections such as a baguette with butter and jam, a croissant, or chocolate bread.
