Paris is a city that tantalizes the senses. Food here is not just about the taste, but also the aroma, presentation, and the captivating ambiance. Many restaurants in Paris boast stunning interiors, but the most captivating ones offer a delightful journey through time, a glimpse into the city’s rich past. Paris’s most buzzing eateries understand the allure of history, and they invite you to dine in style surrounded by the ghosts of a bygone era.
Maxim’s: Where History Meets Modernity
Maxim’s is a Parisian legend. This iconic restaurant needs no introduction. Its interior is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau, with floral lamps, stained-glass windows depicting botanical themes, and plush ruby and mahogany furniture. Maxim’s has played host to a constellation of A-listers, from literary giants like Marcel Proust to cinematic icons like Brigitte Bardot and Mick Jagger. It’s also graced the silver screen in films like “Gigi,” “Chéri,” and “Midnight in Paris.”
But Maxim’s is not stuck in the past. This 130-year-old institution has been given a fresh lease on life with new management, who have revitalized its storied menu of classic French cuisine. Indulge in the heavenly cheese soufflé and crêpe Suzette, and lose yourself in the exotic ambience. And don’t forget to visit the vibrant late-night bar.
Laurent: A Belle Époque Paradise
Nestled in the charming Jardin des Champs-Élysées, Laurent is a salmon-pink Pompeian-style pavilion. This enchanting space has been waiting for a revival for years, thanks to its beautiful location, exquisite architecture, and captivating history. It was originally a royal hunting lodge, transformed into a restaurant in 1842 by Jacques Ignace Hittorff, the architect who beautified the Champs-Élysées. In 1860, it became Le Laurent, a favored spot for powerful business lunches and dinners due to its proximity to the Élysée Palace and numerous embassies.
Under the stewardship of Paris Society, Laurent has been reborn, redesigned by the elegant artistic director Cordélia de Castellane, who also oversees Dior Maison. The result is a mesmerizing blend of black and white tiles, pastel walls, and glittering chandeliers. Potted palms create a lush Belle Époque greenhouse effect. The menu is equally refined and French, offering sensory delights like crudités served with soufflé aioli, sea scallops with truffle vinaigrette, and golden caviar mousseline brioche. And, of course, no French meal is complete without a dazzling dessert trolley, adding a touch of whimsy to the experience.
Lafayette’s: A Fusion of Cultures
Lafayette’s is the most anticipated new restaurant of 2023. This glamorous restaurant is tucked away in an early 18th-century townhouse, occupying the ground floor salons of the former residence of the Marquis de Lafayette. The French hero of the American Revolution hosted gatherings here regularly from 1827 until his death in 1834.
Chef Mory Sacko, the breakout star of French Top Chef Season 11, has infused the Gallic menu with nods to American cuisine, along with influences from his African heritage. This creates a unique culinary experience, combining the familiar with the unexpected. Expect 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. It’s a melting pot of flavors, reflecting Lafayette’s spirit of adventure and travel. The plush, candlelit interiors evoke the warmth and hospitality of the Marquis’s final years.
La Tour d’Argent: A Legacy of Haute Cuisine
La Tour d’Argent is a Parisian icon. This iconic restaurant, widely considered to embody haute cuisine for the 20th century, has captivated discerning palates from political figures to royalty and business moguls. Its culinary history dates back to 1582, when the first Restaurant de la Tour d’Argent opened on this site, next to the Château de la Tournelle. The shimmering stones of the castle inspired the eatery’s name. One of its earliest devotees was King Henri IV. The current building dates back to 1830, and from this time, the restaurant has attracted a diverse array of high-society figures, from playboys to princes, courtesans to countesses. Its reputation reached new heights in 1911 when the esteemed Terrail family took over, transforming it into a multi-starred establishment.
André Terrail, the grandson, oversaw the latest renovation. The signature pressed duck dish remains, as does the breathtaking view of Notre-Dame. (And the sky-high prices, of course.) But the sixth-floor dining room has been modernized, shedding any hint of outdated décor. Now, there’s a zinc-adorned rooftop bar with panoramic views, perfect for enjoying drinks under the Parisian sky. And for those who prefer a more intimate setting, there’s a first-floor speakeasy-esque bar, housed in the space where the restaurant was located before 1936.
Procope: A Journey Through Time
Procope, one of Paris’s first cafés, opened in 1686. This historic restaurant has long celebrated its Age of Enlightenment heritage. Its chandelier-lit dining rooms are adorned with mirrored walls, antique furniture, and intriguing curiosities. You can even see a desk and hat that once belonged to two of its most famous patrons, Voltaire and Napoleon.
With the recent opening of the Café-Glacier room, Procope harkens back to its original roots. This new Salon de Café is a tribute to the café’s early days when it was renowned for its iced drinks and a newfangled concoction called coffee. Settle into a luxurious armchair and savor a selection of coffees, hot chocolates, ice creams, and pastries.
Lapérouse: Where History and Indulgence Meet
Lapérouse, a restaurant that has been renovated in recent years, is a must-visit for any food enthusiast. Though its story began in 1766 as a wineshop serving snacks, it was during the Belle Époque that Lapérouse truly blossomed as a gastronomic gem. Libertines of the late 19th century adored Lapérouse for its lavishly decorated private rooms, where they could discreetly rendezvous with their mistresses. These rooms still exist, boasting patinaed wall paintings, crystal chandeliers, and mirrors scratched decades ago by courtesans testing the authenticity of their lovers’ gifts.
Lapérouse offers luxurious dining rooms and a menu filled with traditional French flamboyance. Julia Child, a renowned chef, even celebrated her 40th birthday here. The restaurant also features a ground-floor bar that will be familiar to fans of the film “Midnight in Paris,” as it perfectly encapsulates the millefeuille-like layers of Parisian cultural history.
