In all of France there are now 627 restaurants boasting at least one Michelin star for the year 2022 (down from the 638 in 2021, mostly due to restaurant closures). Paris is home to many of them — ten Paris restaurants have earned three stars, fourteen now have two stars. The biggest category, though, is Michelin one-star restaurants, where Paris has a grand total of 94 of them. Let's start at the top, with a list of restaurants holding trois macarons, and then take a look at those with two-stars and, finally, the big list of Michelin one-star restaurants in Paris.
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Chef Arnaud Donckele (R) and Pastry Chef Maxime Frédéric at Plénitude
The big news in the 2022 Michelin Guide was Chef Arnaud Donckele at restaurant Plénitude garnering three stars, from zero. It's very unusual for a new restaurant to pick up three stars in its first year of operation — in fact, we aren't sure it's ever happened before. Perhaps this shows what money can buy, for Plénitude is found in the former Samaritaine department store building, on the banks of the Seine, which, after a lengthy and expensive revamp (Michelin calls the work a "pharaonic investment") has become a new Parisian luxury shopping, dining, and hotel destination.
The Michelin inspectors found it "impossible not to be impressed by [the chef's] work here" as they elevated Chef Donckele to the Olympic heights of chefs who hold three stars at more than one restaurant. Plénitude also received Michelin's Passion Dessert award for the work of Maxime Frédéric, the restaurant's pastry chef.
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At Pierre Gagnaire
Pierre Gagnaire has been at this a long time; his restaurant has held three stars continuously since 1996. But perhaps his greatest accolade came in 2015 when he was named best chef in the world, as chosen by the other best chefs in the world! Michelin refers to his dishes as "poetic and in constant reinvention." Once you're seated, several small plates appear at your table, each more delightful then the last. Even frequent diners will be amazed since the dishes change as often as the seasons.
Life couldn't be better than when you are seated beneath chestnut trees on the terrace of the Napoleon III Pavillon while enjoying this Le Pré Catelan's mouthwatering tidbits. In addition to these three stars, Chef Frédéric Anton also holds a Michelin star at both Le Jules Verne (a restaurant on the Eiffel Tower) and (for the first time ever on a Paris bateau) the dinner yacht, Don Juan II.
"The most beautiful cookbook was written by nature," chef Alain Passard is fond of saying. Chef has reinvented this venerable three-star more than once, including its current incarnation as a vegetables-only luxury restaurant; vegetables sourced from the three gardens the restaurant cultivates. If you're looking for a place to relax and be pampered after a wandering the rooms and gardens of nearby Musée Rodin, this is the restaurant for you. Provided you have a reservation, of course.
Set in the classical beautiful Hôtel de la Monnaie, with vintage windows overlooking the Seine, Chef Guy Savoy continues to serve what can only be thought of as a celebration of French cuisine. His restaurant is a combination of true luxury and ultimate simplicity.
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Le Cinq, at the Four Seasons Hotel George V
"What style, what opulent luxury… not to mention the soft light coming from the interior garden", Michelin effuses as it continues to award Le Cinq the highest restaurant accolade for the food, the location, and the design. Latterly, though, The Guardian newspaper panned the place. Who to believe? The only sure way is to try it out.
The Michelin diners are over the moon about courses like lobster fricassee with civet sauce and Saint-Germain mousseline; scallops with leeks, potatoes and truffles; and fine shortbread tart with bitter cocoa and vanilla ice cream. Located in the elegant 17th-century Places des Vosges, L'Ambroisie is Paris' longest-running three-star restaurant.
Chef Yannick Alléno at his 3-star restaurant
Set in a prestigious building in the gardens along the Champs-Elysées, Michelin noted the "luxury of the decor, the culture of tableware, the service orchestrated with elegance", and was equally impressed with the cooking. Chef Yannick Alléno, once a young rising star, has matured into Paris cooking royalty.
We've been following chef Eric Fréchon since he started at his own small place many years ago, and that devotion includes eating his superb creations at the luxe Hotel Le Bristol. Dine at Fréchon's three-star luxury restaurant or lunch at the hotel's one-star bistro. Either way you're going to be awed by delicacies.
When chef Kei Kobayashi discovered French cuisine on Japanese television, he made it his mission to move to France and train with the best. Finally, in 2020, he won a coveted spot as the first Japanese chef to win three stars in France. Michelin gushes that "his work borders on perfection: a virtuoso in combining flavors, always correct in the design of his dishes, he glorifies the high-quality products."
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Chef Bruno Verjus at restaurant Table
Paris lost one 2-star restaurant in 2022 with the closing of La Table de L'Espadon at the Ritz Hotel (for renovation, it seems). But, it gained three new two-star eateries, including the simply-named Table in the 12th Arrondissement. Michelin cites Chef Bruno Verjus for "choosing the most beautiful products, cooking them with humility and absolute respect" and fondly calls him "an astonishing character… who has become a self-taught chef". Everything on the short menu is cooked to order.
The Iron Lady as seen from restaurant L'Oiseau Blanc
The "contemporary French gastronomy" of this restaurant at the luxe Peninsula Hotel has earned chef David Bizet two stars from Michelin. Diners also enjoy a two-star view of the Eiffel Tower from L'Oiseau Blanc's rooftop perch.
"Royal is the word," to describe this Greek-flavored restaurant at the historic Palais Royal. So say the Michelin inspectors. Chef Philip Chronopoulos learned his chops (and lamb cutlets, we assume) working in a number of lauded Parisian eateries. Michelin further says that Chronopoulos presents "a creative and impactful cuisine," with, "recipes of an invigorating maturity."
Marsan par Hélène Darroze
Hélène Darroze's restaurant in the 6th Arrondissement, renovated and renamed in 2019, was awarded a second star in the 2021 Michelin Guide. Chef Darroze, through, is no stranger to cooking, or to Michelin acclaim. Her family has run a restaurant in the French town of Villeneuve-de-Marsan for years, and Hélène is the fourth generation to have cooked there. (Hence, the name for her Paris restaurant.) She won her first Michelin star in Paris back in 2007.
Located in a 19th-century mansion steps from Champs Elysées, Le Clarence is owned by a French luxury company under the direction of Prince Robert de Luxembourg, who also controls three Bordeaux chateaux — Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion, and Quintus. At Le Clarence Prince Robert brings a little piece of Bordeaux to Paris. Chef Christophe Pelé (formerly of his own La Bigarrade) orchestrates the kitchen. He describes his culinary philosophy as generous, fresh, instinctive and spontaneous.
David Toutain, photos by Mark Craft
At age 20 David Toutain started at Arpège just as Alain Passard was reinventing his restaurant with an all-vegetable menu. In less than a year Toutain was promoted to sous chef. He then sharpened his skills at Pierre Gagnaire and with Bernard Pacaud at Ambroisie. He became a culinary force to be reckoned after he earned a second star in less than six years, a rare accomplishment in Michelin circles.
As stunning as David Toutain's achievement in winning two Michelin stars, was Le Gabriel's solid entrance onto the Paris luxury restaurant scene. Less than a year after opening, Michelin awarded Le Gabriel two stars. The elegant Napoleon III interior was designed by Jacques Garcia. Chef Jérôme Banctel leads the kitchen.
He may have a baby face, but Jean-François Piège is no slouch in the Michelin star department. He won two Michelin stars at Hotel Thoumieux before he branched out on his own with casual, neighborhood bistro Clover. Now Piège has hopes pinned to his Grand Restaurant. He won a second star in 2016, less than a year after opening.
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Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar |
Maison Rostang
2020 wasn't a particularly good year for Chef Michel Rostang. 150 bottles of Bordeaux and Burgundy wine were stolen from the cellar of his restaurant, Maison Rostang. The estimated value of the wine was about €600,000. (That's €4,000 a bottle!) 2022 may be a bit brighter for Chef Michel — at least it began with him holding onto his two Michelin stars.
Le Meurice, the restaurant of the hotel of the same name, has everything you could possibly want in a fine dining experience — location, brilliant service, and Michelin 2-star chef Jocelyn Herland. A Paris landmark, Le Meurice opened its doors in 1835 and has seen a bevy of important chefs work the kitchens, including Yannick Aléno, now at 3-star Aléno Paris.
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There are (still) only a few women chefs showing up in the Michelin Guide; Stéphanie Le Quellec is one of them. Running the kitchen of La Scène, Le Quellec is one of the most talented chefs in France. In 2019 the chef was awarded two stars at her new restaurant; but then relocated, moving out of Hotel Prince de Galles, and her stars vanished. Now, she's back! During that time of transition, and in the space of only twelve months, this chef went from one star to two stars to zero stars to two stars.
Thierry Marx trained at Ledoyen, at Taillevent, with Joël Robuchon, and was awarded his first Michelin star in 1988. For a decade he held two stars at Châteaux Cordeillan Bages in Bordeaux before joining the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Paris in 2010. Less than two years into that gig he earned two stars. In other restaurant news, in 2022 Marx brought new energy to the Eiffel Tower with his new brasserie way up on the first level of the monument.
The legendary restaurant reclaimed a second star on 2020 under the leadership of chef David Bizet. Alongside sommelier Antoine Petrus, the duo infused fresh energy into the historic dining room. In case you're wondering, Le Taillevent is named for a famous chef from the 14th century, who, they say, wrote the first cookbook, for Charles V of France.
Chef Yannick Alleno did it again! This was his 3rd restaurant in Paris to be awarded Michelin stars. Here, chef Yasunari Okazaki is turning out technically perfect sushi, nigirizushi, and chirashizushi. According to restaurant critic Patricia Wells l'Abysse is serving the best sushi outside of Japan. High praise, indeed.
When you're in Paris and France you'll want to have the guide that chooses and lists the best restaurants in the country. This guide has descriptions and photos not only of the 3-, 2-, and 1-star establishments but of all the restaurants the Michelin inspectors have deemed worthy of a visit. We wouldn't be without the latest edition.
Small-Group Loire Valley Chateaux & Wine Tasting Trip from Paris |
Mysterious Mont Saint-Michel |
Small-Group Loire Valley Chateaux & Wine Tasting Trip from Paris |
La Grande Cascade, photo by Mark Craft
One of our memorable dining experiences was had during an afternoon at La Grande Cascade, out in the Bois de Boulogne, located in what was once Napoleon III's hunting lodge. The restaurant retains its well-awarded star.
Dish at Les Climats, photo by Mark Craft
Continuing on with memorable meals, every time we've dined at Les Climats we come away satisfied and astounded. We named this Bourgogne-wine-inspired restaurant one of The Best Restaurants in France 2020.
Le Jules Verne, on the Eiffel Tower, photo by Mark Craft
Last up in our trifecta of memorable eating in Paris is Le Jules Verne, located 200 meters above Paris on the Eiffel Tower. We still don't understand why the magnificent food, lovely room, and stunning views haven't earned this place two stars from the Michelin misers. We named it The Best New Restaurant in Paris 2019.
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Restaurant Granite
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Restaurant Jacques Faussat
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Dinner Cruise by Maxim's of Paris |
VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens |
Restaurant Ogata Paris
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Marais Food & Wine Tour |
Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar |
Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar |
Chef Jean-Louis Nomicos from Nomicos, photo by Mark Craft
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The Louvre's Greatest Masterpieces |
Louvre Skip-the-Line Tour |
The Louvre's Greatest Masterpieces |
Chef Jacky Ribault at Qui Plume La Lune, photo by Mark Craft
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