Paris both thrills and frustrates epicures from out of town. Thrills because the culinary landscape is supreme; frustrates because the landscape is ever-mobile, on the move and elusive. Sure, Paris has gastro icons, staples and temples (some stagnant, some as impressive as ever) but like any other big city, new chefs, boulangers and pâtissiers endlessly inject new brio and verve into the scene and keep bon vivants in La Ville-Lumière abuzz.

With that, discover 15 old and new hot spots for hardcore food lovers in Paris. This list will keep you at the top of your gourmet game in the sublime capital of France.

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Poilâne
8, rue du Cherche-Midi

There is very little debate about the fact that Poilâne makes, simply put, the best bread on the planet.

Pierre Hermé
several shops in Paris

Pierre Hermé, Sadaharu Aoki and Ladurée form a quasi-holy trinity of name-brand pastry shops in Paris but we give the edge to Hermé for his non-macaron gems.

La Pâtisserie des Rêves
93, Rue du Bac

The new pastry all-star in Paris is, sans doute, the stellar La Pâtisserie des Rêves. Expect to queue.

Le Sot L’y Laisse
70 Rue Alexandre Dumas

Japanese chefs rule Paris at the moment, with Eiji Doihara’s Le Sot L’y Laisse a prime exemplar.

Chez Michel
10, rue Belzunce

Exquisite bistro that inflects Breton classics and offers a winter hunter’s menu.

Roseval
1, Rue d’Eupatoria

Hole-in-the-wale in Menilmontant is the hot reservation du moment.

Le Chardenoux
1, Rue Jules Vallès

This classic, detail-perfect bistro in the middle of the 12th is a quintessential Paris experience. Go on a weeknight.

Patrick Roger
108, Boulevard Saint-Germain

Master chocolatier Patrick Roger is a mad scientist whose decadent creations have become the cocoa gold standard in Paris.

Chez L’Ami Jean
27, Rue Malar

Almost impossible to get a table but well worth the effort, Chez L’Ami Jean is a cook’s restaurant with a convivial vibe.

Spring
6, rue Bailleul

Daniel Rose’s Spring is one of the toughest gets in town. The intimate restaurant has won raves from all the important food mags and critics in Europe and North America.

Neva
2, Rue de Berne

Neva has almost single-handedly resuscitated the 8th’s moribund culinary bona fides and features a brigade with Michelin-star kitchen experience.

Ma Cocotte
106, rue des Rosiers, Saint-Ouen

The loft-life space and Philippe Starck interiors blare Manhattan but the food at Ma Cocotte, in the Marché Paul Bert, is strictly French.

Breizh Café
109, Rue Vieille du Temple

Just the place to stop for a glass of cider and a crêpe in the tony Marais.

Abri
92, rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière

Hipster-central Abri is a Japanese-run (by a chef whose résumé includes Robuchon, Taillevent and l’Agapé Bistrot, no less) boîte and pioneer of a new type of restaurant in Paris: the restaurandwicherie gastronomique.

Atelier Vivanda
18, rue Lauriston

The successful carnivore concept of Atelier Vivanda has a Michelin-star talent at the helm in Chef Akrame Benallal.

Where to stay in Paris:

Le Bristol Paris

Saint James Hotel Paris

Park Hyatt Paris Vendome Hotel

Paris City Guide