We've eaten at a lot of restaurants in Paris. Some, of course, are better than others, but all of them have been memorable experiences. Reminisce with us, traveling by Metro to practically every arrondissement, as we revisit a few of our special Paris dining experiences from recent years.

The Best Restaurants In Paris

We maintain a special vault in our memories for the exceptional culinary experiences we've had in Paris at restaurants like Le Jules Verne on the Eiffel Tower, Les Climats near Musée d'Orsay, Jacques Faussat in the 17th. Read our reviews and come with us for a stroll down le chemin des souvenirs.

L'Assaggio

Although we usually don't seek out Italian cuisine in Paris, L'Assaggio changed that for us. In the refined restaurant of the Castille Hotel, on the elegant Rue Cambon where Coco Chanel set up her headquarters, L'Assaggio is combining Italian flavors and refined French techniques. Chef Ugo Alciati from Piedmont and Executive Chef Sasha Arandjelovic are creating exemplary dishes. We urge you to try their memorable tasting menu.

Le Grand Véfour – Palais-Royal

A table at Le Grand Véfour, photo Le Grand Véfour

"Bonaparte and Josephine, Victor Hugo, Jean Cocteau, Colette, Sartre…" That's how every review of Le Grand Véfour starts out. And it makes sense. Since 1784 this restaurant has fed the famous and celebrated of every era.

After a 20th-century renovation to restore it to the original glory, Le Grand Véfour claimed the highest honor — three Michelin stars in the year 2000. Today the restaurant still holds two stars (not a bad achievement!) and retains the glory of bygone days.

Seine River VIP Dinner Cruise

We loved this dinner cruise along the Seine. Not only did we view the iconic landmarks of Paris, we dined on a multi-course classic French meal that exceeded our expectations. Everything looks better from a bateau sailing along the river at night. For the the ultimate experience, choose the Service Privilege option with the best seating, the best meal, and more champagne!

La Verriere

We dined at La Verriere by chance when we were looking for a place to have lunch before visiting the new Musée de la Libération de Paris (Museum of the Liberation) in the 14th Arrondissement. The neighborhood is funky but lively while the renovated Hilton hotel Maison Astor Paris, where the restaurant is located, is swish and modern.

Chef Kayori Hirano brings her Asian flavors and integrates them with French culinary savoir-faire. There are some very good dishes — like the foie gras a la plancha in a dashi broth, and the canette with garlic, ginger, and a Japanese pepper sauce called Sanshoe. Worth a Metro ride.

• 4 Rue Niepce
• 14th Arrondissement
• Metro – Pernety
• Website…

The Hottest Paris Terraces

Let's take a virtual tour of the hottest Paris restaurant terraces — at least according to the Paris newspaper, Le Figaro. We've pared down Le Figaro's selection to our ten top favorites, found everywhere from the Palais Royal in the 1st Arrondissement, to St-Germain on the Left Bank, to way out in Belleville in the 20th.

Summer dining in the city is best on these hot Paris terraces. Eat with the locals, outside where the sun is warm and the views are spectacular.

Hotel Particulier Montmartre & The Grand Salon

If the crowds milling around the Grand Magasins are getting to you, hop on the Metro and head up to the top of Montmartre to tuck yourself into the Hotel Particulier Montmartre's comforting restaurant, Le Grand Salon. It's found in a quiet, secret garden that's far, far away from that madding crowd. Sip champagne from vintage flutes, dine on the refreshing vegetable-forward menu, and wonder what it was like to have lived here when it was a private mansion.

Chez Janou

Bask in the sunny flavors of Provence at this popular bistro in the Marais. It's a crowded scene at lunchtime with regulars filling up on casual-fare favorites like roasted goat cheese rounds in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce; petite friture de poissons (deep-fried, bite-size fish); and a lamb, rabbit, or duck main course. Yes it can get packed, and sometimes the service can be sloppy, but it's worth it.

• 2 Rue Roger Verlomme
• 3rd Arrondissement
• Metro – Chemin Vert
• Chez Janou Website…

Brasserie Bellanger

In a quiet corner of the 10th Arrondissement a tired corner cafe has been transformed into one of the best examples of an old-fashioned brasserie. Nothing fussy or fancy about the food — it's stick-to-your-ribs French grandmother classics made with high-quality ingredients sourced from every part of France. Hams from the Auvergne, rich butter from Brittany, and fish from the shores of Normandy on a short, fun menu at bargain-basement prices.

Brasserie Lutetia – Hotel Lutetia

Four years and a zillion euros (approximately) in the making, Hotel Lutetia revealed a new look, including the restored restaurant, Brasserie Lutetia. Chef Gérald Passédat brought his seafood sensibilities from his Michelin 3-Star restaurant in Marseille to launch the renovated brasserie. This is the place to fill up on fresh oysters, with seafood platters and whole fish as the stars of the show.

Les Cocottes – Retrospective Review

At one time, a culinary visit to Paris for us wasn't complete without a meal at one of Chef Christian Constant's restaurants. If you lodged around Rue St-Dominique near the Eiffel Tower, it was hard not to dine at one of them — three of his restaurants dominated the last block of the street. Among them was Les Cocottes.

However, Christian Constant retired and the restaurants he created are closed or have changed hands. But, we have fond memories of dining at Les Cocottes. We remember seared duck with Asian vegetables, scallops served in the shell with a purée of celeriac, flavorful roast chicken (served on Sundays only), and Basque cheese with black cherry jam. Bonne retraite, Chef Constant.

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