The Coolest New Restaurants in Paris—And What to Order

Any seasoned Paris visitor knows that the challenge with dining out in the city is deciding where to go. Long appointed as one of the global gastronomic capitals, it’s a destination with a lineup of restaurants offering excellent food and a buzzy scene, too. While the metropolis is home to plenty of hall-of-fame spots that have been around for years, like La Rotonde on the Left Bank, where French president Emmanuel Macron is a regular, Paris, like every urban giant, has its latest hotspots where the plugged-in crowd clamors to eat.

Exciting New Entrants

Lately, near the Eiffel Tower, they can’t get enough of Le Relais Plaza at the tony Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Open since 1936, the French brasserie is now helmed by celebrity chef Jean Imbert, who has reinterpreted it with his creative hand.

The dishes, such as tableside-prepared beef tartare and turbot with hollandaise sauce, are traditional and take Imbert back to the days when he cooked with his grandmother. They’re simple and delicious, with our top pick going to the exquisite Dover sole.

Photo: Courtesy of Janette / Angela di Paolo

Just down the street, Janette Bar de la Mer is shaking up the neighborhood with its fresh seafood. The younger sibling to its popular neighbor, Marius et Janette, this new entrant offers a relaxed setting reminiscent of a coastal sea shack.

The oysters are a must, as is the lobster spaghetti and scallop ceviche, which all use crustaceans brought in the same day.

Culinary Innovations

Over in the Marais, Boubalé, with an eclectic design conceived by the architect of the moment, Martin Brudnizki, serves Mediterranean cuisine with nods to Israel, Turkey, and Greece. Start with a creative cocktail at the bar before turning to the meal meant for sharing with good company.

Photo: Courtesy of Boubale / Nolwenn Pernin

The plates include marinated mackerel, a Fattoush salad studded with addictive zaatar croutons, and a slow-cooked lamb shoulder punctuated with spices.

As for desserts, the semolina cake flavored with rose water and orange blossom panna cotta is refreshing and evokes a hit of sun. Ischia, the brainchild of Italian chef Denny Imbroisi, who has firmly planted his roots in Paris, offers some of the best pasta in town and attracts an in-the-know media crowd.

Photo: Courtesy of Le Photographe du Dimanche

The risottos, gnocchi, and any-but-basic spaghetti al pomodoro use house-made pasta and are worth the splurge. The osso buco, dorado a la plancha, and decadent burrata are other wins. And don’t miss the solid list of Italian wines and the affogato poured over homemade fior di latte gelato.

Upgrading the Experience

For a more upscale experience minus the stuffiness, check out the Michelin-starred Anona from chef Thibaut Spiwack, who cut his teeth at renowned fine-dining establishments in France. He prides himself on sustainable practices and is dedicated to using local and seasonal products.

Photo: Courtesy of Anona / Jean-Louis Carli

Spiwack’s philosophy means that his menu is constantly changing, but rest assured, they don’t skimp on taste. They’re heavy on vegetarian dishes, bursting with bright produce, but meat and seafood also figure in. Go at lunch for an à la carte experience or during dinner for a full-on multi-course feast.

Photo: Courtesy of Janine / Stephane Riss

Then there’s Janine, in the 17th arrondissement, where talented chef Zief Bechahed presents his take on a modern French bistro. The dishes, such as a terrine with vegetable pickles, a veal confit, and gravlax salmon, are familiar, but here, there are elevated and lighter interpretations of their predecessors.

The cognoscenti are already regulars and wash down their meal with a glass, two, or more of reasonably priced wine courtesy of smaller producers throughout France. Dine here on your trip, and you’ll also want to be a repeat diner. Janine is definitely on our list for our next Paris visit.