Fine Dining Near the Champs Elysées

Think you know the Champs-Elysées? Do you sigh at the mention? Note that there’s too many fast-fashion brands, selfie sticks, and souvenir shops? Look again. Behind the tourist clichés, discover some of Paris’s top restaurants, hidden boutiques and cultural gems. A symbol of Parisian chic, the Champs-Élysées is a place of historic importance. This is where Salvador Dalí strolled, Joséphine Baker become an iconic artistic figure of the Roaring Twenties, Andy Warhol hung out. And today, Emmanuel Macron and Nicolas Sarkozy dine (no, not together!) at Fouquet’s.  

Here’s a brief history of the avenue with the imposing Arc de Triomphe at the summit. In the 17th century, Louis XIV transformed what was then marshland into a majestic avenue. From the 18th century onwards, the Parisian elite established their private mansions and theaters here. Then, Napoleon I began construction of the monument, celebrating the emperor’s victories, that would become the Arc de Triomphe. (It was inaugurated in 1836, after 30 years of construction and after Napoleon’s death in exile.) In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Champs became the epicenter of luxury and fashion. And, today, the ‘hood boasts elegant hotels and chic restaurants, in a setting that’s increasingly eco-conscious. 

Where to eat? 

The area around the iconic Arc de Triomphe is going through a revival. It boasts many Michelin-starred restaurants, starting with Origines, which has one well-earned star. Chef Julien Boscus’ discreet, refined restaurant reflects this renaissance. “There’s real neighborhood life here, a commercial soul,” he says. Launched in 2019, Origines first * is recognition that many foodies considered inevitable, starting with chefs Pierre Gagnaire (3 *** on rue Balzac, 8th) and Yannick Alléno (3***Pavillon Ledoyen, 8th), Boscus’ former mentors. “Chef Julien Boscus deserves to be more well-known. His authentic cuisine highlights seasonal and local produce in every dish; his menus celebrate French terroir.

“I love this place because it’s warm and welcoming. Julien allows his ingredients to do the talking, treating them without fuss or frills – they shine through on the plate thanks to his accurate and precise cooking. You can choose the tasting menu or opt for à la carte, but either way you’ll enjoy the finest vegetables, fish and meat”, confirms Alléno. On the seasonal menu: hare à la royale or foie gras infused with lemongrass. And, Origines proudly lives up to its name: 95% of its products are sourced from French soil. The winery boasts over 800 wines, 99.9% from French vineyards. 

At Le Clarence chef Christophe Pelé creates marvels in the kitchen of his excellent **Michelin-star restaurant. It’s housed in an elegant 19th-century mansion. Here’s the address everyone loves, and where you might spot a trendy young chef celebrating his birthday en famille. 

Le Gabriel, in the setting of L’Hôtel La Réserve, once owned by Napoleon III’s half-brother Charles Duc de Mornay, sparkles with three Michelin stars. Highly praised by the Guide inspectors, the restaurant enjoys natural light thanks to its large windows overlooking the Champs-Élysées bucolic gardens. Chef Jérôme Banctel offers cuisine of remarkable technical precision, inspired by French terroirs: roast pigeon with fermented turnips and Apicius spices, or mackerel served on a hot stone with bottarga, sea urchin, and samphire. 

Located on a discreet street (5, rue Troyon) an olive stone’s throw from the Étoile, Oxte showcases Franco-Mexican gastronomy. Condiments, herbs, and spices gently infuse the cuisine of the talented and passionate Enrique Casarrubias. The dishes suggest escape – as in: pigeon, mole Oxte, leek, and pickled grapes. Chef creates thoughtful, masterful dishes, perfectly cooked and seasoned with invigorating notes. They’re colorful, punchy, and remarkably well made. Don’t leave without tasting the house’s signature desserts.  

Four Seasons Hotel George V, one of Paris’s most prestigious addys, showcases the 3-star Michelin Le Cinq restaurant. And here (since 2014) super-chef Christian Le Squer elevates classic French cuisine with superb precision and creativity. Attentive to the origins of ingredients (he works with specialized producers bien sûr) Lesquer transcends the apparent simplicity of dishes, say, his revisited onion soup or lobster with a yellow wine sauce. The talented Breton native often slips nods to his region into his dishes, such as this dreamy, creamy cauliflower purée matched with sea urchin roe. A delight!

Stop Press: Rumor has it that LeSquer is leaving! Where will he go – watch this space! 

Le Cinq’s 50,000-bottle wine cellar is the work of the charming Eric Beaumard who’s overseen its daily operations since the 1999 launch. In his book The Wines of My Life Beaumard presents 75 exceptional wines and reflects on some of the most flavourful wines in the world. Along the way, he reveals that a budding career as a chefs’ apprentice was cut short by a motorcycle accident that deprived him of the use of his right arm, and how, after months of recovery, he changed his focus on cooking into a lifelong passion for wine. Full of vineyard secrets, fascinating portraits of winemakers, and serious meditations on life, The Wines of My Life is an unforgettable story of one man’s journey and the incredible wines he’s tasted/discovered along the way.  

Raise a glass  

Founded in the 1980s, the private club L’Aventure was recently relaunched by Gilbert and Thierry Costes, the father-son duo behind Café Marly, Hôtel Thoumieux, and Le Matignon. With mosaic tiles gleaming under the red lights, the atmosphere’s decidedly disco chic. The menu struts a luxuriously minimalist feel, featuring Dom Ruinart champagne or Billecart-Salmon Sous-Bois rosé, along with premium spirits such as Seventy-One gin or Louis XIII cognac by Rémy Martin. Why not enhance your flute with a spoonful of Osciètre Royal caviar? Because you’re worth it! 

Frivole is the recently launched restaurant & bar, with terrace, open 7/7, located in the elegant 5-star La Maison Champs Elysées Hotel, a croissant’s throw from Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. At lunch there’s contemporary, “plats du jour” etc. showcasing delicious French cuisine. In the evening, the atmosphere comes alive with signature cocktails, subdued lighting and secrets shared. Perfect for a terrace lunch, festive dinner, or after-work drinks. “Be Frivole” is the mantra. I want the T-shirt! 

Where to stay? 

Right on the Champs-Élysées! Impossible to miss the Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s, many of whose rooms overlook the avenue and some with Arc de Triomphe views. The 5-star hotel boasts a Decorté spa, pool and sauna and Le Fouquet’s brasserie well worth the delightful and delicious detour! This is evidenced by the walls decorated with portraits of celebrities by Studio Harcourt, Joséphine Baker, Marlène Dietrich, François Truffaut, and Jean-Luc Godard who’ve stayed/dined there. Today, the brasserie (with delicious food by Pierre Gagnaire) hosts the party following the César Awards – still welcomes the world of cinema – and you!  

By the Way 

When you’re in London, don’t miss the V&A London, there’s an exciting Cartier tribute expo featuring the iconic brand created by Louis-François Cartier in 1847. By the early 20th century his three grandsons Louis, Pierre and Jacques Cartier had transformed the small family-run Parisian business into a global household name. Much of the exhibition explores the relationship between the British royal family and the jeweller. King Edward VII called Cartier “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers,” issuing it with a royal warrant just two years after it opened its first London store in 1902. Tres chic!