This insider's city guide has been a long time in the making. We've eaten in countless Paris restaurants, dined in the best local eateries and visited the latest hotspots. We've also asked the most discerning locals we know to share their favourite hangouts – whether brand new or classic institutions. We bring you our hand-picked selection of our favourite places in Paris right now.

2.  LES GRANDS VERRES
Restaurant, Cocktail Bar & Cafe

Don't miss this fantastic all-day dining & drinking hotspot by the Candelaria team, nestled within Paris' cutting-edge modern & contemporary art museum, Palais de Tokyo. €€

13 Ave. du Président Wilson, 75016 Paris
+33 (0) 1 85 53 03 61  |  palaisdetokyo.com

3.  BALAGAN
Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Savour soul-satisfying Israeli cuisine and killer cocktails at the ECC Group's fabulous new restaurant & cocktail bar, perfect for glamorous dining in the heart of central Paris. €€

9 rue d'Alger, 75001 Paris
+33 (0) 1 40 20 72 14  |  balagan-paris.com

4.  CARBON
Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Enjoy creative charcoal-grilled cuisine at this hip new hot spot in the trendy Marais district ... €€

14 rue Charlot, 75003, Paris, France
+33 (0) 1 42 72 49 12  |  No Website

5.  DEPOT LEGAL
All-Day Restaurant & Cafe

Whether you're stopping by for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or evening dinner & drinks, chef Christophe Adam delivers delicious modern French sweet & savoury creations. €€

2 rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris
+33 (0) 1 44 82 57 51
depotlegalparis.com

6.  LE CAMONDO
Alfresco Healthy Dining

Dine alfresco surrounded by a beautiful garden terrace and enjoy a menu of light and healthy French cuisine, followed by a visit to the neighbouring Musée Nissim de Camondo. €€

61 bis, rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris
+33 (0) 1 45 63 40 40
lecamondo.fr

7.  COMBAT
Great Cocktails

Capturing the edgy spirit of Paris' hip Belleville district, Combat is the new cocktail venture run by an all-female team of mixologists. Settle in and slowly work your way through Combat's superb cocktail menu €€

63 rue de Belleville, 75019 Paris
+33 (0) 9 80 84 78 60
No Website

Whether you're looking for the ultimate luxury hotel, a cosy boutique hotel, or an ultra-cool design hotel, here is our pick of the best places to stay in Paris.

One of Paris’ most sophisticated and exclusive luxury hotels by French designer, Philippe Starck ...

Following a major facelift by legendary French designer, Philippe Starck, Le Royal Monceau Raffles is one of Paris's most luxurious, stylish and sophisticated hotels. Contrasting surrealist chic with elegant restraint, the hotel's opulently decorated rooms feature eclectic touches such as guitars (with portable recording studio available on demand) and mirrors that transform into flat screen televisions. The hotel’s luxe amenities include a Spa My Blend by Clarins, sumptuous Pierre Hermé desserts, a cigar smoking room, a cinema, a concept store and a richly landscaped garden. Guests can also dine at the hotel's two Michelin-starred restaurants, Le Jardin and Le Carpaccio. €€€€

37 avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris
leroyalmonceau.com  |  +33 1 42 99 88 00

The epitome of classical French grandeur and luxury ...

Frequently listed within the top five hotels in the world, the Four Seasons George V delivers opulent interiors and exceptional service, including French maids with white aprons and lacy caps. The 245 guest rooms are luxuriously appointed in the style of Louis XVI, with chandeliers and a light colour palette. Many of the rooms and suites also offer beautiful private terraces with spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower. €€€€

31 avenue George V, 75008 Paris
fourseasons.com  |  +33 1 49 52 70 00

Glamorous, extravagant and jet-set, Hotel Costes simply is one of Paris's most seductive hotels ...

Jacques Garcia’s imagination ran wild when he was commissioned to create Paris’ most talked exclusive hotel, the Hotel Costes. While it may not be quite as cool as it once was when it first opened, it still retains a sort of secret society atmosphere where you’re just as likely to be sitting next to Monica Bellucci over lunch or eyeing Kate Moss across the bar later in the evening. The sultry boudoir-style rooms are furnished in a romantic Napoleon III maximalism style with plush red, purple and gold furnishings, and the spacious suites each feature a themed design such as "Moroccan nights." Make sure to enjoy a meal in the open-air dining courtyard followed by drinks in the intimate black velvet lounge bar. €€€

239 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
hotelcostes.com  |  +33 1 42 44 50 00

Discover a place where your wildest dreams are born ...

In the heart of Pigalle, the Maison Souquet represents an invitation to hedonism. Romantic, intimate and sensual, this boutique hotel is a tribute to the Belle Époque. We owe this unique, cosy and playful visual universe to French master decorator Jacques Garcia, whose inspired interiors are reminiscent of a 19th-century bordello. Meticulously sourced from antique shops in Brussels, the hotel's period furniture recreates the highlights of this codified universe where the powerful came to “socialise”. With a backdrop of mystery, elegance and exoticism, the only five-star in SoPi (South Pigalle) houses 20 rooms – 14 Deluxe, 6 Junior Suites– and 2 apartments blending luxury and fantasy. Each boasts its own décor: 18th century, Empire, Napoleon III, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Art Deco… An intimate cocktail bar and private basement swimming pool complete this 1865 mansion with its Arabian Nights-inspired lobby. €€€

10 rue de Bruxelles, 75009 Paris
maisonsouquet.com  |  +33 1 48 78 55 55

This stylish hotel is a trendy haven of dining, cocktails and boutique-chic accommodation ...

Set within a beautiful post-Haussmann building in the lively Montorgueil pedestrian district, the historic Grand Hôtel de Bachaumont has been reborn into a stylish boutique hotel illuminated by skylights and marble embellishments. Designer Dorothée Meilichzon fuses neo-classicism with Art Deco influences, flavoured with a sixties twist. Graphic and multi-coloured, the Bachaumont offers 49 cosy rooms, and the hotel's chic restaurant and cocktail bar are run by the Experimental Group, confirming their status as très-cool Parisian hangouts. €€

18 rue Bachaumont, 75002 Paris
hotelbachaumont.com  |  +33 1 81 66 47 00

Only a stone’s throw from the Champs-Elysées, La Réserve unveils the quintessence of Parisian chic ...

An opulent Haussmanian manor house on avenue Gabriel has been transformed into an exclusive Belle Époque haven by legendary French designer, Jacques Garcia. Building on the success of its sister properties in Geneva and Ramatuelle, the hotel features a glamorous profusion of Carrara marble, silk-covered walls, Damascus curtains, taffeta, velvet, embossed fabrics, herringbone parquet flooring and one-off antiques – everything oozes exquisite luxury.  Home to 26 suites and 14 rooms, this five-star sanctuary also hides a few surprise elements, such as a vast library, an underground indoor swimming pool and spa, and a beautiful paved courtyard. La Réserve’s incredibly refined and unique art of living extends to its restaurant, Le Gabriel, which draws in visiting VIPs in Paris. €€€€

42 avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris
lareserve-paris.com  |  +33 1 58 36 30 30

Discover Paris's cool and affordable "bed & breakfast" hotel in Paris's hip SoPi district ...

“We wanted to create a timeless décor and a true overnight experience”, explains Experimental Groupfounders, Romée de Goriainoff, Olivier Bon and Pierre-Charles Cros of their first boutique hotel project in Paris. The trio has created this upbeat address as a “bed & beverage” venue, featuring a wine bar with 200 references, expertly-crafted cocktails that can be prepared by an in-house mixologist in your room, and delicious tapas as an added bonus. Situated within the hip South Pigalle (SoPi) neighbourhood, the hotel's entire reception area embodies a welcoming living space, and the same vibe is carried throughout its 37 rooms and suites. Imbued with a distinctly Parisian flair, the décor by Dorothée Meilichzon draws upon the cosmopolitan, hedonistic and mysterious elements of South Pigalle, a bohemian turned ultra-trendy neighbourhood. €

29 rue Victor Masse, 75009 Paris
+33 1 85 73 12 00  |  grandpigalle.com

This historic public swimming pool has been transformed into a modern urban retreat ...

First established in 1929, the Piscine Molitor was Paris's most iconic public swimming pool for over 60 years. After closing in 1989, the site was abandoned and became a favourite haunt of street artists who used its surfaces as a canvas for their graffiti art. Nestled on the edge of Paris's verdant Bois de Boulogne, the historic Art Deco swimming baths re-opened in mid-2014 and have been given a new lease of life as the Hôtel Molitor. Discover a sanctuary of 124 modern rooms and suites by MGallery Collection, along with a wealth of luxe amenities including two heated swimming pools (one indoor and one outdoor), a revitalising Spa by Clarins, and a state-of-the-art health and fitness centre. Parisians no longer need to leave the city to enjoy a relaxing health spa retreat. €€€

13 rue Nungesser et Coli, 75016 Paris
mltr.fr  |  +33 56 07 08 50

Discover this sanctuary of modern design close to the Eiffel Tower ...

Designer Jean-Philippe Nuel has transformed a 1930s building in Paris's 7th arrondissement into a haven of modern design. The hotel's 67 rooms and suites evoke a unique artistic loft experience, showcasing colourful art works and furnishings, and signature floor-to-ceiling bay windows. Upgrade to the spacious suites for the ultimate treat. €€

 5 rue Louis Codet, 75007 Paris
le5codet.com  |  +33 1 53 85 15 60

A sumptuous Parisian pied-a-terre ...

Set amidst the grand architecture of Paris’ 1st arrondissement, Le Roch Hotel & Spa blends luxury design with classic elegance. Designer Sarah Lavoine weaves deep jewel tones throughout the hotel’s cosy fire-lit library and 37 soothing rooms, while in the restaurant, the menu by celebrated chef Arnaud Faye is best enjoyed from the plush velvet banquettes overlooking the romantic courtyard terrace. After a day spent exploring the Louvre only minutes away, escape to the hotel’s dramatic black lava-rock swimming pool and spa, where a hammam is hidden behind an ingenious waterfall.   

 28 rue Saint-Roch, 75001 Paris
leroch-hotel.com  |  +33 1 70 83 00 00

Whether you're looking for a fabulous foodie dining spot, the city's best local bistro, or a see-and-be-seen dining spot, here is our pick of the best places to eat in Paris right now.

Discover the shining stars of the French contemporary dining scene ...

Chef Bertrand Grébaut is one of the leaders of France’s gifted young chefs. After working his way through the best gastronomy kitchens in France, he offers a refreshing, creative take on the modern French bistro dining experience at his intimate modern bistro, Septime. Awarded one Michelin star, Septime serves a superb and a highly affordable 3-course lunchtime menu and an evening 7-course carte blanche menu. Make sure to reserve ahead as this is one of Paris' best restaurants and also one of the most difficult tables to book. €€

80 rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris
septime-charonne.fr  |  +33 1 43 67 38 29

Other Modern French (Smart) Favourites...

DAVID TOUTAIN

29 rue Surcouf, 75007 Paris
davidtoutain.com
+33 1 45 50 11 10

PAGES

 4 rue Auguste Vacquerie, 75116 Paris
restaurantpages.fr
+33 1 47 20 74 94
 

PAPILLON

8 rue Meissonier, 75017 Paris
papillonparis.fr
+33 1 56 79 81 88

Cosy, casual and affordable foodie favourites ...

The award-winning L'Abri is a foodie jewel box which delivers perfectly-crafted tasting menu creations by Japanese chef, Katsuaki Okiyama. With only 20 tables, book ahead for Okiyama’s inspired French-Japanese fusion cuisine, where diners can watch the chef at work in his tiny open kitchen.

92 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris
No Website  |  +33 1 83 97 00 00

LE SERVAN

32 rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris
No Website
+33 1 55 28 51 82

IRATZE

73 rue Amelot, 75011 Paris
restaurant-iratze.com
+33 1 55 28 53 31

LES ARLOTS

136 rue du Fbg Poissonnière, 75010
No Website
+33 1 42 82 92 01

Our favourite Paris dining spots for classic French cuisine ...

Oh, what fun you’re going to have here. L’Ami Jean is one of our favourite gourmand dining experiences in Paris. Chef Stephane Jego is a master of sumptuously delicious French cuisine. With a frequently-changing menu and the utmost focus on seasonal ingredients, the restaurant's atmosphere is boisterous and fun (as is the chef himself), where everybody – the chefs, the staff and the guests – are having a great time. Gourmet foodies and dedicated locals sit elbow-to-elbow at Le Comptoir du Relais, a tiny Latin Quarter bistro run by famous French chef Yves Camdeborde (the pioneer of the bistronomy movement in France) which serves a casual bistro-style menu during the day and a tasting menu during the evenings – the outdoor terrace tables on the busy Carrefour de l'Odéon are superb for people-watching. Pop next door to his bustling standing-only wine & tapas bar, L'Avant Comptoir, for delicious sharing plates and French wine. We also love the casual and affordable La Cantine du Troquet for classic French cuisine by legendary Basque chef Christian Etchebest, which boasts five restaurant locations in Paris. €€

L'Ami Jean:  27 rue Malar, 75007 Paris   lamijean.fr   +33 1 47 05 86 89
Le Comptoir du Relais:  5-9 Carrefour de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris   hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com   +33 1 44 27 07 97
La Cantine du Troquet:  79 rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris   lacantinedutroquet.com   +33 1 43 27 70 06

Enjoy delicious wood-fired pizza and excellent cocktails at this cool & casual dining spot ...

Nestled inside one of Paris’ most beautiful covered arcades, Daroco is the jewel in the crown of the Galerie Vivienne. Once the home of Gaultier’s flagship boutique, this stylish Italian dining spot & cocktail bar was launched in 2016 by Parisian restaurateurs, Alexandre Giesbert and Julien Ross. Their latest creation boasts double-height ceilings in rough stone, beautifully countered by crushed velvet banquettes in dreamy turquoise. With a touch of green marble and wrought-iron work by contemporary artist SupaKitch, the scene is set for Daroco’s classic Italian cuisine – the trattoria-style menu encompasses stone-baked pizzas, fresh pastas and coffee by top local roasters, Coutume. The waiters dressed in striped sailor t-shirts offer a playful nod to Gaultier’s signature style. €€

6 rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris   daroco.fr   +33 1 42 21 93 71

BACHAUMONT

Run by the talented ECC team, Bachaumont restaurant is a favourite haunt of the cool crowd for its stylish interiors by talented French designer, Dorothée Meilichzon. Make sure to enjoy a great cocktail at the cosy Night Flight lounge bar next door. €€

18 rue Bachaumont, 75002 Paris
hotelbachaumont.com
+33 1 81 66 47 00

COSTES

Where the cool people go to see-and-be-seen in Paris, Costes is a chic and seductive adults playground. Dine in the open courtyard in summer, and during the cooler months, head indoors and settle into the sultry red velvet lounges for an intimate dining experience. €€

239-241 rue Saint Honoré, 75001
hotelcostes.com
+33 1 1 42 21 93 71

MERCI

111 Blvd. Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris
merci-merci.com
+33 1 42 77 00 33

WILD & THE MOON

55 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris
wildandthemoon.com
+33 9 51 80 22 33

ROSE BAKERY

30 rue Debelleyme, 75003 Paris
No Website
+33 1 49 96 54 01

FRAGMENTS

76 rue des Tournelles, 75003 Paris
No Website  |  No Telephone

COUTUME CAFE

47 rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris
coutumecafe.com  |  +33 1 45 51 50 47

11. Best Food Emporium ...

LE BON MARCHE

38 rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
lagrandeepicerie.com
+33 1 44 39 81 00

12. Best New Patisserie ...

YANN COUVREUR

137 Avenue Parmentier, 75010 Paris
yanncouvreur.com
+33 6 05 97 63 01

Whether you're looking for the perfect cocktail, the city's best alfresco bar, or a late-night club, here is our pick of the best places to drink and party in Paris right now.

ROSA BONHEUR

Drinks on the Seine ...

Port des Invalides, Quai d'Orsay, 75007
rosabonheur.fr
+33 1 47 53 66 92

LE PERCHOIR

Chilled Marais rooftop bar ... 

33 rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris
No Website
No Telephone

NUBA

Fun outdoor live events ... 

36 Quai d'Austerlitz, 75013 Paris
lenuba.com
+33 1 76 77 34 85

Iconic Landmarks ...

The symbol of the French capital and one of the most visited cultural attractions in the world, the Eiffel Tower stands on the Champ de Mars overlooking the Seine. This wrought iron structure spans over 324 meters tall and is famous for its spectacular panoramic views from the 3rd floor (276 meters high). Skip the queues by dining at chef Alain Ducasse’s superb Le Jules Verne restaurant. An emblematic landmark towering 50 metres above Place Charles-de-Gaulle, the Arc de Triomphe lies at the centre of twelve intersecting avenues, one of which is the famous Champs-Elysées. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 and inaugurated in 1836, the building honours his French army soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars. Enjoy breathtaking views of Paris by climbing the 280 stairs to the top of this monumental landmark. Located on the doorstep of the Louvre Museum, the Palais Royal is home to the former private residence of Cardinal Richelieu built in 1628, as well as galleries, a theatre, a picturesque garden and dramatic striped columns by conceptual French artist, Daniel Buren. First established as a church in 1764 by Louis XV to honour Sainte Geneviève, the Pantheon was converted into a mausoleum during the Revolution to house the tombs of France’s great figureheads. One of Europe’s most magnificent public squares, Concorde has played a major part in France’s history as an iconic public meeting place, and a death-by-guillotine site during the Revolution. With a beautiful riverside setting overlooking the Institut de France, the Louvre and the Île de la Cité, the Pont des Arts is one of the most romantic places in Paris. Until recently, thousands of padlocks inscribed with hearts and initials were placed along the bridge by couples. One of the most beautiful squares in Paris is the leafy Place des Vosges, formerly the home of Victor Hugo.

Museums & Art Galleries ...

As the former residence of the kings of France, the Louvre Museum is one of the most visited museums in the world with over 8.5 million visitors per year. The museum’s extensive collection spans from the antiquity period to 1848, and covers a geographical area stretching from Western Europe to Iran, Greece, Egypt and the Middle East. Nestled at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on the former site of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Quai Branly Museum features an innovative modern design by French designer, Jean Nouvel. This anthropological museum houses a collection of over 300,000 ancient tribal objects from Africa, Oceania, Asia and the Americas. Set within a magnificent former railway station, the Musée d’Orsay hosts one of the finest collections of French impressionists in the world, with paintings dating from 1848 to 1914 from artists such as Monet, Degas and Cezanne. The visually spectacular ‘inside out’ Centre Georges Pompidou houses Paris’s outstanding modern art museum, displaying over 1,400 permanent artworks from the 20th century until the present day by artists such as Matisse and Kandinsky. Located in Paris’ opulent 16th arrondissement, the Palais de Tokyo’s vast, futuristic concrete exhibition space is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. The Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées, commonly known as the Grand Palais, is a significant Art Nouveau historic site, museum and exhibition hall complex located on the Champs-Élysées. Home to events as diverse as the annual FIAC art fair, Chanel fashion shows, and major art exhibitions, the Grand Palais and the neighbouring Petit Palais are two magnificent must-visit Parisian cultural landmarks. Initiated by Louis XIV in 1670 as a home and hospital for aged and disabled soldiers, Les Invalides pays tribute to France’s military history.

The Best Gardens ...

Stretching from the Louvre Museum to Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries is one of Paris’ most famous parks. Decorated with hundreds of metal chairs, the fountains are a popular relaxing spot on sunny days, where visitors have strolled along the sculpture-lined pathways since 1667. Don’t miss a ride on the scenic ferris wheel for some of the most beautiful aerial views of Paris. The second largest park in Paris, the verdant Luxembourg Gardens span approximately 23 hectares in Paris’ 6th district. A lush setting for the French Senate which is housed in the Luxembourg Palace, the extensive gardens boast fountains, manicured lawns, playgrounds, outdoor cafes and tranquil pathways.

Historic Churches ...

An iconic Parisian landmark immortalised by Victor Hugo in his famous novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the impressive French-Gothic Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral has towered over the banks of the Seine since the 13th century. Visit the stunning glass stained rose windows, vaulted interiors, fascinating crypts and its famous bell tower, then climb to the top of the church to enjoy panoramic views of Paris. Nestled atop Montmartre, the Medieval Sacré-Cœur de Montmatre is recognisable by its four domes. Welcoming over 10 million pilgrims and visitors every year, its dome offers breathtaking aerial views of Paris and its huge square tower contains the ‘Savoy’, the largest bell in France weighing 19 tonnes. The breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle Holy Chapel was consecrated over 750 years ago, and was built by Louis IX to house some of the most important relics of the Medieval world.