In the land of great chefs, negotiations draw to an end at the table – that of a fine dining restaurant. Because French cuisine has a superpower: it’s the perfect thing to help you close deals and forge lasting relationships with your business partners.
The capital’s best Michelin-starred restaurants
Paris is famous for its beautiful terraces, where people love to spend relaxing or even romantic moments. Having dinner or lunch at a Parisian Michelin-starred restaurant is a privilege. The memories of this moment of refinement will stay with you for a long time to come. Choose from our selection of options how best to delight your guests.
L’oiseau blanc at the Peninsula Hôtel – 16th arrondissement of Paris
The restaurant is on the roof of the hotel and has a terrace on the rooftop deck. Do ask to be seated on the bay window side – you will have the great pleasure of dining with a majestic view of the Eiffel Tower. The atmosphere and decor are a tribute to two pilots who attempted to cross the Atlantic in 1927. Black tie is in order at this 2-star Michelin restaurant.
L’Ambroisie, place des Vosges – 4th arrondissement of Paris
Some can only describe this 3-star restaurant with the words “excellence”, “perfection” and “remarkable”. It’s the very best of French gastronomy in terms of cuisine, creation and execution. Its location on place des Vosges is just inimitable. Its combination of inventiveness and excellence has seen it hold on to its 3 stars since 1988.
Restaurant Le Cinq, hôtel Georges V – 8th arrondissement of Paris
You’ll soak up the atmosphere of the legendary Four Seasons Georges V hotel over a drink at the bar first, then go looking for something different by sampling the food at Le Cinq. Chef Le Squer turns French gastronomy into contemporary gastronomy. The aesthetics of the dishes served are very modern and inspired. The wine cellar of Le Cinq is every bit as renowned as the 3-star restaurant.
Le Jules Verne, the Eiffel Tower – 7th arrondissement of Paris
Frédéric Anton secured one star for the Jules Verne and helped to create an innovative atmosphere by combining culinary art and decorative art It becomes clear that the experience is as much about the food as the venue, when you’re sitting in L’alcôve or Le comptoir with a view of Paris and the mechanical workings of the Iron Lady, with only four to 8 fellow diners around you. The luxury lies in the setting and its exclusivity. Perfect for business dinners where privacy is at a premium.
Also read: Our selection of the most popular bars in Paris and the 7th arrondissement.
Le restaurant Guy Savoy, quai de Conti – 6th arrondissement of Paris
Voted the world’s best restaurant for the 6th year running in 2023, the establishment headed up by Guy Savoy features six different settings. From the “Paris cityscapes” (“scènes de Paris”) room, you have a view over the Seine and the Institut de France. All of the rooms can be hired out privately. The menus are varied and have a slightly Gavrochian poetry about them, as if to fly in the face of all that plush luxury. Gastronomically Parisian cuisine, you might say.
An unforgettable place in a vibrant neighbourhood.
Guy Savoy also works within reach of the general public at the Atelier Maître Albert in the 5th arrondissement. Groups are welcome, for business lunches if need be.
The most authentically Parisian brasseries
Parisian brasseries are about a feelgood setting and round-the-clock service. The surroundings and decor are what conjures up the atmosphere. The cuisine is generally unassuming, indulgent comfort food. Traditionally so. You can wash down business lunches and dinners with something from the rustic wine cellar, or a beer.
And, if you’re a real wine lover, then perhaps you’ll be interested in our selection of Parisian venues where you can sample some great vintages.
La Coupole – Montparnasse – 14th arrondissement of Paris
In an art deco setting, some of the dishes have been served here since 1927, like the lamb curry, (curry d’agneau) and also choucroute, roast veal liver (foie de veau rôti) and the traditional platter of seafood (fruits de mer). Genuine, down-to-earth French cuisine. Ideal for a relaxed business lunch or dinner.
On some evenings there are Paris Follies cabaret nights. Perfect for a company team-building get-together.
Bofinger – Bastille – 4th arrondissement of Paris
Quite simply the best choucroute in Paris. It’s as if the whole of Alsace had rocked up between place de la Bastille and place des Vosges to thumb its nose at Parisianism. It’s about a feelgood setting and indulgence. Perfect for making your customers feel at ease in a Belle Époque setting.
Brasserie Lipp – Saint-Germain-des-Prés – 6th arrondissement of Paris
A Parisian institution when it comes to traditional cuisine. Here, the specialties are calf’s head (tête de veau) and veal stew (blanquette de veau). A throwback to the last century, where the focus is on the quality of the ingredients, in one of the capital’s fine avenues and on the Left Bank. The perfect setting for a sparkling business dinner.
Bouillon Racine – Quartier Latin – 6th arrondissement of Paris
As the oldest brasserie of the chain in Paris, the Bouillon Racine opened in 1906. It gets its style from Art Nouveau, which first got noticed at the World’s Fair in 1900. The chain gets its name from a butcher who came up with the idea of selling a meat-based one-pot dish with broth (bouillon) for the workers. While this is no great gastronomic journey, you do get to be literally taken back in time. You are literally transported.
Find your favourite chef in Paris
Perhaps your guests want to taste the specialities of a particular chef with a national industry award (meilleur ouvrier de France) or Michelin star? Here are the addresses of these renowned names in Parisian cuisine.
Read also: The top 5 luxury caterers in Paris to surprise your guests!
Thierry Marx
Marx develops the menus of several restaurants in Paris. Here’s where to find him:
- Le Camélia (modern fare) and Sur Mesure (high gastronomy and 2 stars): 251 rue Saint Honoré – Hôtel le Mandarin Oriental – 1st arrondissement of Paris.
- Madame Brasserie: on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.
Cyril Lignac
Lignac plays with a range of culinary styles.
- Le Chardenoux: a listed building on rue Jules Vallès in the 11th arrondissement of Paris.
- Aux Prés and the Bar des Prés: a sophisticated bistro and a restaurant with south-east Asian influences in rue du Dragon, in the 6th arrondissement of Paris.
Alain Ducasse
For a time, Ducasse was the chef at the Jules Verne. He has since swapped his position for another extremely prestigious one.
- The Plaza Athénée: on France’s most fashionable avenue, avenue Montaigne.
- Rech: housed in the Maison de l’Amérique Latine, It’s a seafood restaurant, in the 7th arrondissement.
Booking essential and appropriate dress
With the exception of the brasseries, which are often open until very late, be sure to book your table in advance at all of these restaurants. Don’t forget to ask about the dress code, to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
That said, you’re looking for something a little more alternative. In this case, you can opt for dinner or a cocktail in one of the Parisian rooftops in our selection.
