Paris, the City of Lights, is a place where culinary experiences transcend mere taste. It’s a symphony of senses, where aroma, presentation, and ambiance come together to create unforgettable moments. While many Parisian restaurants boast stunning interiors, the most captivating ones offer a dose of history, adding an extra layer of magic to the experience. Let’s delve into some of the most buzzworthy establishments that invite you to dine in style alongside a glittering cast of historical figures.
Dining with the Legends: Maxim’s, Laurent, and Lafayette’s
Maxim’s, a name synonymous with Parisian grandeur, needs no introduction. Stepping inside is like entering an Art Nouveau fairytale. Imagine floral lamps, stained-glass windows adorned with botanical motifs, and opulent ruby and mahogany hues. This legendary restaurant has played host to a who’s who of celebrities, from Marcel Proust to Brigitte Bardot to Mick Jagger. It’s also graced the silver screen in films like “Gigi,” “Chéri,” and “Midnight in Paris.”
But Maxim’s is more than just nostalgia. This 130-year-old institution has been revitalized under new management, breathing fresh life into its classic French menu. Indulge in their famed cheese soufflé and crêpe Suzette while soaking up the exotic ambiance. And don’t forget to linger in their charming late-night bar.
Laurent, a salmon-pink pavilion nestled within the enchanting Jardin des Champs-Élysées, has long been a hidden gem waiting for its moment. With its picturesque location and rich history, it was only a matter of time before this former royal hunting lodge found new life. Originally transformed into a restaurant in 1842, Le Café du Cirque, as it was known then, became Le Laurent in 1860, a favored haunt for powerful business lunches and dinners, thanks to its proximity to the Élysée Palace and numerous embassies.
Now under the expert hand of Paris Society (the team behind Maxim’s revitalization), Laurent has been given a sophisticated makeover by the group’s artistic director Cordélia de Castellane (who also oversees Dior Maison). Black and white floor tiles, pastel walls, and sparkling chandeliers create a light and airy ambiance, enhanced by lush potted palms that evoke a Belle Époque greenhouse. The menu mirrors the elegance of the surroundings: think fresh crudités with soufflé aioli, sea scallops with truffle vinaigrette, and golden caviar mousseline brioche. And for a grand finale, nothing beats the charming dessert trolley, a true Parisian delight.
Lafayette’s, the most anticipated new restaurant of 2023, occupies a glamorous wing of an early 18th-century townhouse, the former residence of the Marquis de Lafayette. This iconic figure of the American Revolution entertained guests here from 1827 until his passing in 1834. Chef Mory Sacko, a rising star of French Top Chef, has infused the Gallic menu with nods to American cuisine and his own African heritage, creating a truly unique culinary experience. Corn chowder encased in puff pastry, fried chicken, sole meunière in champagne sauce, sweet potato curry, and a cheeseburger with Cajun-spiced fries are just a few examples of the diverse flavors on offer. This melting pot of culinary influences reflects Lafayette’s spirit of travel and adventure, while the plush, candlelit interiors evoke the warmth and comfort of the Marquis’ final years.
Parisian Classics Reimagined: La Tour d’Argent, Procope, and Lapérouse
La Tour d’Argent, a Parisian icon that embodies haute cuisine, was the most anticipated restaurant renovation of 2023. Its gastronomic legacy stretches back to 1582, when the first Restaurant de la Tour d’Argent opened on this site, inspired by the shimmering stones of the nearby Château de la Tournelle. Among its early devotees was King Henri IV. Over the centuries, high-society figures from playboys to princes, courtesans to countesses, flocked to its tables. The current building, dating back to 1830, reached new heights of culinary excellence under the management of the esteemed Terrail family, beginning in 1911.
The latest renovation, overseen by grandson André Terrail, preserves the restaurant’s iconic pressed duck dish and breathtaking river views of Notre-Dame. But the sixth-floor dining room has been streamlined, shedding any hint of chintz, and a new rooftop bar offers a more relaxed ambiance. For those seeking a more intimate experience, there’s a speakeasy-esque bar on the first floor, where the restaurant was located before 1936. This innovative space offers one of the most captivating views in the city.
Procope, one of Paris’s first cafés, opened in 1686, and has long been a beloved restaurant. Its chandelier-lit dining rooms, adorned with mirror walls and antique furniture, transport guests back to the Age of Enlightenment. Even a desk and hat once belonging to Voltaire and Napoléon grace the space, testament to the restaurant’s illustrious history.
But with the opening of its Café-Glacier room, Procope harkens back to its original purpose: serving iced drinks and the then-novelty of coffee. This new Salon de Café offers a luxurious escape with its plush armchairs, inviting guests to indulge in a selection of coffees, hot chocolates, ice creams, and pastries.
Lapérouse, a restaurant steeped in Parisian history, underwent a revitalization in 2019, sparking a trend of breathing new life into the city’s glamorous food institutions. Its food story began in 1766 as a wineshop serving snacks, but it was during the Belle Époque that Lapérouse became a culinary sensation. Libertines of the late 19th century favored its lavishly decorated private rooms, accessed via a secret stairway, where they could discreetly entertain their mistresses. These rooms still exist, complete with patinaed wall paintings, crystal chandeliers, and mirrors bearing the marks of courtesans testing the authenticity of their lovers’ diamonds.
Beyond the private salons, Lapérouse boasts lavish dining rooms and a menu of traditional French flamboyance, reminiscent of the meals enjoyed by Julia Child, who celebrated her 40th birthday here. The ground-floor bar, featured in “Midnight in Paris,” embodies the layered history of Parisian culture, much like these iconic restaurants themselves.
