The Insider Restaurant Guide | Paris
The Bearleaders guide to the best Paris restaurants, bistros and bars
By the Bearleaders
Hôtel Costes | Picture by Bearleader in Design Judith van Mourik
Paris is the city of love, and we all know the way to our hearts is through our stomach. So let the Bearleaders guide you through the streets of Paris on your search for the best places to eat. With tips from tastemakers in food, art and fashion, you can be certain to discover not only the tastiest, but also most characteristic places to eat, with decor and history as impressive as their dishes.
Want to do some sightseeing too? Be sure to check out our Cultural Guide to Paris, too.
Where to eat & drink in Paris
LE CINQ
With its opulent columns, richly dressed tables and wealth of flowers and soft light, this three Michelin star restaurant located in the George V restaurant might look intimidating.
But despite its high price tag and worldwide renowned cuisine, it is one of the most welcoming and comfortably casual dining experiences that can be had at this level.
Chef Christian Le Squer is at the absolute peak of French cuisine, prepared with unmatched technique and presented with flair and elegance. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.
LE LOIR DANS LA THÉIÈRE
This classic teahouse is not only iconic in its appearance, but also home to some of the most delicious cakes and pastry in all of Paris.
facebook | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
TERMINUS NORD
The perfect way to land in Paris when you’re arriving there with the Thalys train. This art deco & nouveau brasserie is right next to the Gare du Nord train station and serves perfectly prepared classics.
CAFÉ DE LA PAIX
An iconic restaurant since 1862, with its Napoleonic glory fully restored. An incredibly luxurious dining experience with beautiful views of the Opera House.
instagram | maps | favourite of Heinz Strobl, Senior Hotel Executive
BRASSERIE LIPP
A glorious Parisian bistro. The decor is a feast for the eye, with grand mirrors covering its walls and pillars, and exquisitely detailed tiling all around. Their dishes are just as beautiful, and especially their Poireaux Vinaigrette (marinated leek) comes recommended. Don’t be surprised to be seated on the upper floor if you are new, but if you build a relationship and speak French, they will reward you with a top spot right in the middle of the ground floor.
instagram | maps | favourite of Roberto Payer, Hotelier & Paulien Wesselink, Founder
LES DEUX MAGOTS
Just around the corner of brasserie Lipp you’ll find another classic Parisian café. A historically important place since 1885 that’s deeply interwoven with literary culture. Its patrons include French intellectuals like Camus and Sartre as well as artistic refugees like Hemingway and Charles Baldwin. Be inspired by this legacy and enjoy a drink on their lively terrace, which also gets a lot of sunshine throughout the day.
CAFÉ DE FLORE
Directly across the street of Les Deux Magots is one of the oldest brasseries of Paris. Becoming especially popular from the 90s onwards, it has essentially overtaken Les Deux Magots role as the top celebrity hotspot. Aside from its celebrity crowd it is also worth a visit for the beautiful art deco interior, which has remained authentic since it opened in 1880.
MA BOURGOGNE
A romantic restaurant located on the Place des Vogues – Paris’ oldest square. They serve great Burgundian cuisine, with excellent steak tartare. Come early and make a reservation for a seat under the wonderful arched architecture overlooking the square.
maps | favourite of Roberto Payer, Hotelier
LES BAINES
This bathhouse turned venue was once Paris’ most legendary nightclub, with an eclectic mix of people partying in its pools till deep into the night. After shortly falling out of graces, this place has recently been revived as a hotel and is quickly becoming a hotspot once again, with great artists, a hip decor and a fashionable crowd. The accompanying restaurant, Roxo, has also been revived and serves exciting cocktails – made by one of France’s top mixologists - and food with a Latin-American twist.
LE PERCHOIR MÉNILMONTANT
Located on the 6th floor of a sleekly redesigned industrial building you’ll find a wonderful restaurant with a single menu serving daring dishes. One floor up, you’ll find a spacious and comfortable roof terrace with amazing views of Paris.
instagram | maps | favourite of Shiran Gort-Jankie, Founder of Four Leaves
LES PHILOSOPHES
A classic French bistro in aesthetics and food.
maps | favourite of Humberto Tan, Photographer
L’ALIVI
Good French bistro, inspired by the Corsican cuisine, the way I like it.
CHEZ JANOU
Trés simple, trés Francais, excellent. Here you can eat classic French dishes till deep into the night.
instagram | maps | favourite of Humberto Tan, Photographer and Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
MARRIAGE FRERES
High-end tea shop and lunch spot.
HOTEL COSTES
Go to the bar for a drink. DJ sets every evening. Or dine and mingle with the sexy in-crowd of Paris. They have an interior covered terrace that is just amazing for lunch.
instagram | maps | favourite of Judith van Mourik, Interior Architect, Humberto Tan, Photographer and Heinz Strobl, Senior Hotel Executive
LE MARAIS ON SUNDAY
Walk around the Jewish quarter, great restaurants and all shops are open on Sunday.
maps | favourite of Humberto Tan, Photographer
LA COUPOLE
Visiting this seafood restaurant in the sprawling Montparnasse area is always an event. From the synchronised waiters knocking through doors with large plates full of lobsters and oysters to the art deco interior and chic crowd, this place is an experience.
It is famous not just for its wonderful food and gorgeous interior, but also for the long list of renowned artists that frequented it, from Picasso to Matisse. And they’re not just present in spirit: its columns were once painted by these world renowned artists in exchange for free food.
instagram | maps | favourite of Roberto Payer, Hotelier and Ivan Cremer, Sculptor
BOFINGER
This lavish brasserie, founded in 1864, serves the most amazing seafood platters. To eat here is a classic experience that takes you back to a time full of grandeur, with mirrored walls and a high stained glass ceiling that wouldn’t look out of place in one of Louis XIV’s palaces.
instagram | maps | favourite of Paulien Wesselink, Founder O My Bag and Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
BAR HEMINGWAY
This iconic bar in the Ritz hotel, named after Ernest Hemingway is run by Colin Field, a bartender who has twice been named ‘Best Head Bartender of the World’ by Forbes Magazine. He developed his own famous cocktail ‘the Serendipity’.
L’ABYSSE
For the best sushi you have to go to L'Abysse, located next to Place de la Concorde. Chef Yannick Alleno received a Michelin star six months after the opening in 2018.
LA PÂTISSERIE LE MEURICE
During a weekend in Paris, a visit to the best pastry in the world cannot be missed. Cédric Grolet makes the most beautiful creations in the world.
PETROSSIAN
Find the tastiest delicacies at Petrossian. An absolute institution, most famous for its extensive collection of caviar.
LE COMPAS
A wonderful Parisian bistro on Rue Montorgeuil. Their cocktails are especially spectaculair, but their hearty soupe a l’oignon also comes recommended.
instagram | maps | favourite of Johnny Talbot and Adrian Runhof, Fashion Designers
AUX CRUS DE BOURGOGNE
A real Parisian classic, with great food in an authentic environment. Especially a recommendation in the summer, their terrace is top notch.
instagram | maps | favourite of Johnny Talbot and Adrian Runhof, Fashion Designers
LE TAILLEVENT
In this restaurant food and wine pairings are created and experienced with subtle sophistication and contemporary cachet. The restaurant is known for being elegant, discrete and the superb service.
MUN PARIS
Magnificent rooftop restaurant and bar located on the Champs-Elysees with a sophisticated vibe and twisted Asian cuisine.
