Aux Deux Amis
Paris is the final city in the Fashion Month, and some may argue the best. Along with the hosting the world’s top designers and fashion elite, Paris can also provide some very tasty eats along the way. From age old destinations that have served some of the most creative minds of our time, to young up and comers who are redefining classic Parisian cuisine, the City of Lights is renowned for its food just as much as its fashion.
45 rue Oberkampf 75011 / +33 (0)158303813
Neighborhood: Canal Saint-Martin/République
The ultra hip and casual Aux Deux Amis is all about small plates meant for sharing,
from chilled white asparagus to pan-fried sweetbreads. Allow one of their good-looking
waiters to select a complementary organic wine and dig into their Spanish/French tapas
with a friend or two
172 Boulevard Saint Germain 75006 / +33 (0)145485526
Neighborhood: Saint-Germain
For a truly French experience, spend some time at this former haunt of Paris’ existential
leaders (Sartre was a regular). With its classic Art Deco interior, Café de Flore is a
perpetually celebrated Saint-Germain institution and one of the best-known cafes in the
world, for good reason. It’s also smack in the middle of some of the city’s best shopping,
so a surefire favorite of the fashion flock.
52 rue de Saintonge 75003 / +33 (0)142744128
Neighborhood: Le Marais
The unassuming, bare bones taqueria Candelaria has a lovely secret. Once you scarf
down your amazingly authentic Mexican tacos in the minimalist front room, push on
the back wall. You’ll find a door that leads to a very different environment: a candle-lit,
hidden bar where tiny tables are tucked into stonewalled nooks and inventive cocktails
are the name of the game.
Chez Georges
1 rue du Mail 75002 / +33 (0)142600711
Neighborhood: Palais Royal/Louvre
All-time favorite Chez Georges is a venerable Parisian institution, serving traditional
French familial food in an unpretentious setting. A fashion week favorite for visiting
editors.
5 & 6 rue du Nil 75002 / +33 (0)140399619
Neighborhood: Étienne Marcel
Located on a small cobblestone street just off Montorgueil, this tiny restaurant has
an intimate atmosphere to match: polished tables, stone walls, stellar lighting, and a
timbered ceiling with food that is fresh and inventive.
Sister spot to the perennially packed Frenchie restaurant, and located directly across
the street, Frenchie Bar à Vins is a tiny new wine bar that takes no reservations, isn’t
open on Saturday or Sunday and is totally out of this world. It’s the kind of place where a
dinner with friends can easily run over four hours, just nibbling, sipping and admiring the
charming brick-walled space. Just be sure to arrive early, as tables fill up fast.
L’Avenue
41 Avenue Montaigne 75008 / +33 (0)140701491
Neighborhood: Montaigne/Champs-Elysées
This Costes-owned restaurant has become an Avenue Montaigne staple. After a long,
hard day of designer shopping, Paris’s creative elite head to L’Avenue for modern
cuisine and seriously stylish people watching. Don’t be surprised if you run into Raf
Simons, who has already been spotted having lunch there by the Stylesight team.
Le Chateaubriand
129-131 Avenue Parmentier 75011 / +33 (0)143574595 / +33 (0)148065841
Neighborhood: Canal Saint-Martin/République
Those in search of an authentically French dining experience must visit acclaimed
French chef Inaki Aizpitarte’s Le Chateaubriand and Le Dauphin. If the cool 1930s
decor and inventive “neo-bistro” cuisine of Le Chateaubriand weren’t enough, the
inventive tasting menu is an experience to remember. Le Dauphin is a more casual
affair, featuring inventive French tapas and wine list that’s mostly organic (and priced to
sell at a reasonable €5 a glass). World famous architect Rem Koolhaas designed the
sleek mirror and marble clad interior.
35 Place du Marché Saint-Honoré 75001 / 33 (0)144869797
Neighborhood: Saint-Honoré
Possibly the trendiest new spot in Paris. Très Honoré is everything chic, from the
clientele to the swanky décor. Escape to this secret garden-like space to enjoy fine
French dining amidst Art Nouveau décor, crystal chandeliers, and mirrored walls.
There’s no better way to enjoy celery remoulade-topped crab cakes than beneath the
fresco of a seductive redhead (we can thank German artist Kat Menschik for this).
34 rue Pétrelle 75009 / +33 (0)142821102
Neighborhood: Pigalle/Montmartre
A genuine Parisian bistro, featuring an excellent seasonal French cuisine in an
atmosphere of gorgeous bric-a-brac and flea-market finds. It’s always packed so be sure
to book ahead.
Rose Bakery
30 rue Debelleyme 75003 / +33 (0)149965401
Neighborhood: Le Marais
They created quite a stir when they started what was then the first truly organic
restaurant in Paris, but now Rose Bakery has three Parisian locales under their belt.
This location is in the Northern Marais; finally a place you can get a healthy lunch or
yummy gluten-free pastry after indulging in all that fabulous neighborhood shopping.
Septime
80 rue de Charonne 75011 / +33 (0)143673829
Neighborhood: Le Bastille/Charonne
Septime is setting foodies afire with its comforting blend of seasonal fare and simple
surroundings, both still rarities on the city’s fine dining scene. Owner, head chef and
local boy done good Bertrand Grébaut has never trained anywhere but France, but the
influence of California cuisine is evident in his farm-to-table, totally seasonal, produce-
driven dishes such as duck with pickled yellow beets and soft onions, hake with carrots
and zucchini and a perfectly poached egg sprinkled with corn and breadcrumbs that is
one of the menu’s standout appetizers.
5 rue Villedo 75001 / +33 (0)142613314
Neighborhood: Saint-Honoré
Owned by two nattily-dressed gents, the much buzzed about Télescope is a welcome
addition to the Paris café scene, roasting their own beans and offering hand-filtered
coffee in addition to beautifully crafted espresso drinks. The décor is pleasingly
minimalist, with a Brooklyn feel, the staff knowledgeable and friendly. Great for a post-
show coffee or light breakfast.
Vivant
43 rue des Petites Ecuries 75010 / +33 (0)142464355
Neighborhood: Canal Saint-Martin/République
The latest venture from sexy, tattooed chef Pierre Jancou (formerly of the excellent
Racines and Crèmerie), Vivant is a minimalist jewel of a space decorated with Art
Nouveau tiles, where the food takes center stage. Expect the freshest local produce to
be transformed into Mediterranean delights such as foie gras pan-fried with artichokes
and suckling pig and mash, while the wine list focuses on natural French wines. Closed
on Saturday and Sunday.
