Paris is a haven for food lovers, boasting an impressive collection of Michelin-starred restaurants and exclusive hotels. It’s no wonder that the city consistently ranks among the world’s top dining destinations! To help you navigate this culinary paradise, Elite Traveler has compiled a list of 11 exceptional hotel restaurants that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you utterly enchanted.
Gourmet Delights in a Regal Setting
The Hotel Plaza Athénée, located on the prestigious Avenue Montaigne, is home to Alain Ducasse’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Executive Chef Romain Meder, who honed his skills as a sous-chef and chef-de-partie, now leads the kitchen, crafting innovative dishes that emphasize natural ingredients. The restaurant’s focus on the fish-vegetables-cereals trilogy allows the original flavors of each ingredient to shine through, creating a gourmet experience that is as refined as it is delicious.
The dining experience is enhanced by the hotel’s opulent surroundings. Stunning crystal chandeliers illuminate the silver and white seating, creating an atmosphere that is both luxurious and intimate.
Parisian Elegance and Culinary Mastery at La Réserve Paris
A short stroll from the iconic Champs-Elysées, La Réserve Paris is renowned for its luxurious accommodations and exceptional dining. Le Gabriel, the hotel’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant, is helmed by the talented Jérôme Banctel, a veteran chef with experience at esteemed establishments like Le Crillon and L’Ambroisie.
Banctel presents a tantalizing seven-course tasting menu alongside a four-course experience menu that celebrates classic French cuisine with Asian influences. The dining room itself transports guests back to the era of Napoleon III, with its gold accents and regal details that adorn every corner, from floor to ceiling.
Classic French Gastronomy at Hotel George V
Overlooking a picturesque marble courtyard, Le Cinq, located within the Four Seasons Hotel George V, is a true culinary gem. Under the direction of chef Christian Le Squer, the restaurant expertly blends traditional French gastronomy with lighter fare crafted from fresh, regional ingredients.
The hotel’s wine cellar, a testament to its rich history, was designed in 1928 and remained hidden during World War II. Today, this treasure trove houses an impressive collection of 50,000 bottles and 2,800 references ready to be paired with sommelier Eric Beaumard’s nine-course Epicurean Escape menu.
Epicurean Excellence at Le Bristol Paris
Another jewel in Paris’s culinary crown is Epicure, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant at the dazzling Le Bristol Paris. Since 1999, renowned chef Eric Frechon has graced the kitchen, consistently delighting diners with his award-winning seasonal French cuisine.
Beyond Frechon’s exquisite menu, Epicure also offers a spectacular cheese board, expertly curated in partnership with master cheesemakers, providing the perfect complement to a fine French wine. Be sure to try the famous stuffed macaroni with black truffle, artichoke, duck foie gras and aged parmesan, a true taste of culinary heaven.
Royal Dining at Le Meurice
The collaboration of designer Philippe Starck and chef Alain Ducasse has brought forth the two-Michelin-starred restaurant at Le Meurice hotel. Inspired by the Palace of Versailles, the interior evokes a sense of French grandeur, featuring antique mirrors and dramatic chandeliers that set the stage for a truly regal dining experience.
Ducasse’s nature-first cooking style is masterfully executed by executive chef Jocelyn Herland, who creates dishes that showcase the highest quality produce. For a truly intimate experience, book the Chef’s Table, tucked away through a private entrance. Herland personally guides you through a seasonal gourmet menu while you witness the artistry of the kitchen staff firsthand.
A Modern Take on Classic Parisian Elegance at Ritz Paris
At the legendary Ritz Paris, chef Nicolas Sale has breathed new life into the classic Parisian dining scene with his innovative cuisine. La Table de l’Espadon, the hotel’s restaurant, offers a menu showcasing Sale’s unique creativity, featuring dishes like blue lobster with imperial caviar and free-range French chicken in a pastry-sealed cocotte for two.
For a truly private dining experience, the Salon Auguste Escoffier provides a sophisticated setting where Sale personally prepares an intimate meal for up to 12 guests. The restaurant’s refined atmosphere is enhanced by its curving arches, draping curtains, and gold accents.
Culinary Innovation at Thoumieux
Sylvestre Wahid‘s two-Michelin-starred restaurant at the Thoumieux Hotel is a testament to culinary innovation. Taking the reins from the legendary Jean-François Piège, Wahid has crafted a truly unique dining experience that has solidified Sylvestre’s place as one of Paris’s finest restaurants.
The restaurant offers three constantly changing tasting menus featuring bold and imaginative dishes like braised cauliflower with curry leaves, goji berries, fresh horseradish and milk frosts and pigeon served with cherries, fresh almonds, chard and chia seeds. Whether you’re staying at the Thoumieux or simply seeking an extraordinary dining experience, Sylvestre is a must-visit.
Parisian Buzz at The Shangri-La Hotel
Another Parisian gem with two Michelin stars is L’Abeille, located at The Shangri-La Hotel. The restaurant takes its name from the bee, Napoleon’s favorite emblem, symbolizing the industrious nature of chef Christophe Moret. Moret’s career spans collaborations with culinary giants like Bruno Cirino, Alain Ducasse, and Jacques Maximin.
While some have criticized Moret’s food for being less complex than his predecessor, Philippe Labbé, the dishes offered at L’Abeille are anything but ordinary. Moret pairs fresh seasonal ingredients with bold flavors, creating a culinary symphony that will delight your taste buds.
Molecular Gastronomy at Mandarin Oriental
Sur Mesure Par Thierry Marx, located inside the ultra-luxurious Mandarin Oriental, is one of Paris’s most exciting hotel restaurants. The restaurant’s head chef, Thierry Marx, is a legend in the culinary world, having honed his skills at renowned restaurants like Ledoyen, Taillevent, and Robuchon.
Marx, known for his mastery of molecular gastronomy, presents an unusual and daring menu featuring dishes like foie gras paired with smoked eel, onion soup in a ‘trompe-l’œil style’, soy and oysters risotto with black truffle, and pan-fried scallops with pistachios and confit lemon. These vibrant dishes create a stark contrast to the dining room’s all-white interior, adding a touch of drama to the experience.
A Taste of Peru at 1K Hotel
Inka, billed as the first Peruvian restaurant in Paris, has become a trendsetter in the city. With a focus on ceviche and a refined palette of flavors and textures, Inka’s menu encompasses decades of Peruvian culinary history, adapted and modernized for the discerning traveler.
Nestled inside the chic 1K hotel, Inka is one of the best casual dining spots in the 3rd Arrondissement, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking a unique and flavorful dining experience.
Opulence Meets Culinary Skill at Warwick Paris
Restaurant le W, located within the elegant Warwick Paris, is the brainchild of Franck Charpentier and Paulus Van Gessel, renowned chefs from Vié and Barrier restaurants respectively. Currently under the direction of Ludovic Bonneville, known for his work at Restaurant La Terasse Mirabeau and Restaurant le Caméléon, le W offers unpretentious yet exquisitely crafted cuisine.
Dishes like sole “Petit Bateau” – meunière with candied lemon, steamed potatoes with seaweed tartare, and other masterful creations showcase Bonneville’s unrivaled skill, making le W one of Paris’s most opulent dining options.
