Paris is a city that celebrates all the senses, and food is no exception. When you dine in the City of Lights, you’re not just savoring delicious flavors, you’re immersing yourself in a symphony of aromas, aesthetics, and ambiance. Some of the most captivating restaurants in Paris offer a delicious dose of history alongside their exquisite meals, inviting you to dine in style alongside an impression line-up of A-list ghosts.
This article explores some of Paris’s most iconic restaurants, each with its own unique story to tell, from legendary Art Nouveau havens to Belle Époque-inspired pavilions and restored historical townhouses.
Time-Traveling through Gastronomy
Maxim’s needs no introduction – it’s arguably Paris’s most legendary restaurant. This Art Nouveau masterpiece with its floral lamps, stained glass, and plush ruby and mahogany décor has been a favorite haunt of celebrities for over a century, from Marcel Proust to Brigitte Bardot to Mick Jagger. Maxim’s has also graced the silver screen, starring in films like “Gigi,” “Chéri,” and “Midnight in Paris.”
While Maxim’s boasts a rich history, this 130-year-old restaurant is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, thanks to a refreshed management that has breathed new life into its storied menu of French gastronomic classics. Indulge in the cheese soufflé and crêpe Suzette and soak in the exotic ambience of this timeless establishment.
A Parisian Jewel in the Heart of the City
Nestled within the charming Jardin des Champs-Élysées, Laurent is a salmon-pink Pompeian-style pavilion that has been a revival waiting to happen for years. Originally a royal hunting lodge, the pavilion was transformed into a restaurant in 1842 by Jacques Ignace Hittorff, the architect responsible for beautifying the Champs-Élysées. Le Café du Cirque, as it was then known, became Le Laurent in 1860 and was a favorite spot for powerful business lunches and dinners, thanks to its proximity to the Élysée Palace and numerous embassies.
Under the expert stewardship of Paris Society, Laurent has undergone a stunning transformation. Cordélia de Castellane, artistic director of Paris Society and Dior Maison, has infused the space with an elegant Belle Époque allure, with black and white floor tiles, pastel walls, glittering chandeliers, and potted palms. The menu is equally light and French, offering sensory delights like crudités with soufflé aioli, sea scallops with truffle vinaigrette, and golden caviar mousseline brioche, all culminating in a glittering dessert trolley.
A Fusion of Flavors and History
Lafayette’s, the most anticipated new restaurant of 2023, is nestled within a glamorous wing of an early eighteenth-century townhouse, the former residence of the Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution. Chef Mory Sacko, the breakout star of French Top Chef Season 11, has skillfully blended his Gallic culinary expertise with nods to American cuisine and his own African heritage, resulting in a melting pot of flavors.
Experience the comforting warmth of the Marquis’ final years in the plush, candlelit interiors while savoring dishes like corn chowder encased in puff pastry, fried chicken, sole meunière in champagne sauce, sweet potato curry, and a cheeseburger accompanied by Cajun-spiced fries. This unique menu reflects Lafayette’s love of travel and adventure, and the rich historical backdrop adds an extra layer of intrigue to the dining experience.
A Parisian Icon Reborn
La Tour d’Argent, a Parisian icon that embodied haute cuisine for twentieth-century visitors, has undergone a highly anticipated renovation, returning to its former glory. With its gastronomic credibility dating back to 1582, La Tour d’Argent has been a magnet for high-society types for centuries, from playboys to princes, courtesans to countesses.
Under the stewardship of André Terrail, grandson of the esteemed Terrail family, La Tour d’Argent retains its signature pressed duck dish, spectacular river view of Notre-Dame, and sky-high prices. However, the sixth-floor dining room has been streamlined in style, and the addition of a zinc-adorned rooftop bar and a first-floor all-day speakeasy-esque bar offers a more casual experience. Whether you choose to indulge in a multi-course extravaganza or simply enjoy a drink with a view, La Tour d’Argent remains a monument to Parisian culinary history.
A Journey Back in Time
Procope, one of Paris’s first cafés, opened in 1686 and has long been a beloved restaurant. This time capsule of the Age of Enlightenment features chandelier-lit dining rooms, mirror walls, antique furniture, and curiosities. Among the treasures on display are a desk and hat that once belonged to Voltaire and Napoléon.
Procope recently opened a Café-Glacier room, a tribute to its original history, when it was renowned for serving iced drinks and coffee. In this new Salon de Café, you can sink into a luxurious armchair and indulge in coffees, hot chocolates, ice creams, and pastries.
A Glimpse of Parisian Glamour
The renovation of Lapérouse in 2019 was a catalyst for the current trend of revitalizing Paris’s glamorous food institutions. Lapérouse’s story began in 1766 as a wineshop, but it was in the Belle Époque that it blossomed into a gastronomic sensation.
Libertines of the late nineteenth century adored Lapérouse’s lavishly decorated private rooms, where they could escort their mistresses, sometimes via a secret stairway. These rooms remain intact, showcasing patinaed wall paintings, crystal chandeliers, and mirrors scratched by courtesans testing the authenticity of their diamonds.
In addition to the private salons, Lapérouse offers lavish dining rooms and a traditional French menu reminiscent of the one Julia Child enjoyed for her fortieth birthday. The ground-floor bar even appeared in the film “Midnight in Paris,” a fitting tribute to the millefeuille-like layers of Parisian cultural history that these restaurants embody.
These historic Parisian restaurants offer more than just delicious meals; they provide a window into the city’s rich past and an opportunity to experience the magic of Paris in a whole new way. So next time you find yourself in the City of Lights, step back in time and discover the captivating history and culinary delights that await you in these iconic establishments.
