The most famous restaurants in Paris

A foodies’ paradise, Paris offers exciting dining experiences for any budget. However, to fully appreciate the city’s food scene, it is worth, at least once in a life time, splashing out on a special meal in some of the top gourmet establishments. Here is our quick pick of the most famous restaurants in Paris.

A masterpiece by Alain Ducasse

Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athénée

This three-star Michelin restaurant is run by the famous chef Alain Ducasse who offers a sumptuous seasonal menu with delicacies like Brittany langoustines with golden caviar, Cotentin blue lobster, with baked sea potatoes, roasted chestnuts consommé. The interior is fittingly lavish with futuristic looking solid oak tables, gilded wall decor and crystal chandeliers. Be prepared to pay about $400 per head without wine.

Courgette flower with caviar at Guy Savoy

Restaurant Guy Savoy

Another eatery for big spenders, the three-star Michelin Guy Savoy is located a short stroll from the Arc de Triomphe and is famous for excellent modern Haute French cuisine. Their artichoke soup dressed with black truffle shavings is sublime and the chocolate fondant with layered praline and chicory cream is to die for. Lunch here costs about $120, dinner at least $450.

Lasserre

For classic French cuisine head to the refined two-star Michelin Old World-style Lasserre. The restaurant is famous for classic dishes such as Beef Rossini, spiced duck with roasted figs that are served in a magnificent dining room with a frescoed ceiling which opens up on warm summer evening.

Lasserre

Le Meurice

A bastion of ultra-fine dining, Le Meurice is located in a 19^th century palace and aims to offer gastronomic grandeur at its best. You will be surrounded by crystal chandeliers, heavy damask curtains, mosaic floors and spoilt with attentive and friendly service. Try to get a table by a window, so you can devour a young partridge pie, scallops with truffles and snails fricassee while admiring the Tuileries Gardens across the street.

Photos by: Alain Ducasse/Facebook, Guy Savoy/Facebook, Lasserre/Facebook.

Saint Tropez, the jewel of the Western Riviera

A magnet for the rich and famous, Saint Tropez miraculously has managed to retain its small village atmosphere. Although multi-million dollar yachts flock in the harbour, the quays are lined up with achingly expensive restaurants and chic bars, you do not need to be super-rich to enjoy the glamour of Saint Tropez. 

Saint Tropez

Take a walk along Quai Jean Jaurès and stop for a cocktail at Café Sénéquier if you want to rub your shoulders with international celebrities. Prepare to pay around $10 for a coffee but star spotting is free of charge. In the old part of town, you will find tiny grocery shops flanked by high-end boutiques which only adds to the town’s charm. At the central square, Place des Lices, you can watch old local men playing pétanque. Every Tuesday and Saturday a local market sprawls across the square where you can buy anything from seasonal fruit to antiques. If you do not feel like wondering around the crowded stalls, take a sit in the famous old Le Café, sip a coffee and watch the bustling crowd. Another authentic Saint Tropez experience is shopping for fish at the daily morning fish market on Place aux Herbes.

Harbour

Climb up to the 17th-century citadel for the stunning vistas over the Mediterranean, surrounding hills and the town roofs. Inside the fortress houses a pleasant maritime History Museum. Another museum that is worth a look is Musée de l’Annonciade with some great works by Matisse, Utrillo, Seurat. 

No visit to Saint Tropez would be complete without an apéritif at sunset. Check out the glitzy Le Quai (Quai Jean Jaures, 22) or, for less vertiginous prices, head to Pan Dei Palais Hotel (rue Gambetta, 52) to sip a cocktail at the pool bar.

Saint Tropez

To get away from Maseratis, Bentleys and billionaires’ helicopters put your walking shoes on and head to “Le Sentier du Littoral”, a well-maintained coastal track with breathtaking views that will bring you to less crowded beaches. 

Photos via Flickr by: Frédérique Voisin-Demery, Chris Robinson, Jos Dielis