March 2025 Restaurant Buzz: Where to Eat in Paris

“The primary requisite for writing well about food is a good appetite.” -AJ Liebling, American author/journalist 1904-1963. 

Looking for a restaurant recommendation this month in Paris? Here’s the latest news, from a change of hands at Aux Lyonnais to a desserts-only extravaganza. Run off all the surplus calories at the Paris Marathon on Sunday, April 13th.

Aux Lyonnais 

“Everything must change so that nothing changes.” Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s adage in his extraordinary book The Leopard is taken to heart by the young generation of Dumants who have taken over Alain Ducasse’s historic Aux Lyonnais. The setting is very 1880s.

Happily, the kitchen is still overseen by Victoria Boller, named “chef of the year” by Pudlo des Bistrots 2024/2025. The menu has a new lease of life, with dishes like pike quenelle, Nantua style, in a bisque, with cream of rice and crayfish emulsion, and the andouillette of Bobosse sliced ​​in the middle, with mustard sauce.

At the helm of the restaurant are twins Félix and Margot Dumont (who we followed faithfully at Le Chardonnay and Les Crus de Bourgogne). They’re expanding the family Parisian empire – which includes restaurants Les Marches, Aux Bons Crus, Aux Crus de Bourgogne, the Chardonnay, Le Paris Seize, L’ Auberge Bressane, Le Royal Bar and Kontxa – with cousin Kevin Marengo, partner in the business, who runs the show with enthusiasm. “Even the clientele has gotten younger,” exclaims Pudlowski. “And Monsieur Ducasse is keeping an eye on this delicious address.” See you there!

DETAILS

32 rue Saint Marc, 2nd 
Metro: Grands Boulevards 
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 96 65 04 
Closed Sunday 

Quelque Part – La Matière 

Because you’d sometimes like to order just desserts, welcome to La Matière, your chic gourmet destination in the heart of Paris. It’s rooted in the heritage of the Quelque Part Group, famous for its gourmet restaurant Les Abysses. La Matière is positioned as the essential reference for exceptional pastries. “The pastry shop offers an immersive tasting experience, where each creation’s an invitation to discover a unique culinary universe,” explains pastry chef Pierre Henry Lecompte. “Chez La Matière, each product is a work of art, made with passion and creativity to awaken your senses and enhance your gourmet moments.” Prefer savory? Be guided by Florian Barbarot’s excellent original themes. Bon Appetit!

DETAILS

Brunch (pastry) €35; Brunch (savory) €39; Brunch sweet & sour (€47)
48 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 9th 
Metro: Cadet/Peletier 
Tel: +33 (0)1 47 70 08 90 
Boutique-Pâtisserie 
Closed Monday  

Bistro Minims 

“The charm of the bistro, Parisian chic, the taste of good dishes” is how Laurent de Gourcuff, founder of Paris Society, describes this must-visit address (with a nod to the nearby Maxim’s!) 

Talented Artistic Director Cordélia de Castellane brings her unique touch to the decor. “With a subtle decorative facelift, Cordélia’s preserved the historic spirit of Minim’s while adding contemporary, elegant, and warm touches,” says de Gourcuff.

The menu’s dedicated to our favorite French classics. So, clink with Kir Minim’s (€12) while you dive into plump Burgundy snails (€17). Other starters include lentil salad with Montbéliard sausage (€16), onion soup (€12), warm goat’s cheese salad (€17). For your main, choose between stuffed cabbage (€34), grilled salmon, beurre blanc (€27), or Saint-Jacques Grénoblaise (€35). Cap off your meal with an assiette de fromage (€12), or  house made desserts like tarte Tatin (€12) or profiteroles (€11). 

DETAILS

Open lunch and dinner  
7, rue Royale, 8th 
Metro: Concorde 
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 65 91 77 

Auberge Nicolas Flamel 

We’ve been fans of Michelin-starred chef Alan Geaam for many years. The self-taught, Franco-Lebanese talent has enthusiasm for everything gastronomical. The latest news?  There’s a new look at Auberge Nicolas Flamel, owned by Geaam since 2007. The restaurant is located in one of Paris’ oldest houses, built in 1407. A historic monument, it was built by the wealthy alchemist Nicolas Flamel, who once lived here.

This delightful address showcases the history of Paris in a unique authentic setting. The Auberge menu respects its gastronomic heritage, while incorporating contemporary elements. The ingredients reflect French terroir, of course. Begin with, say, Plouguerneau crab, Prunier caviar or wild mushrooms from Ossau-Iraty. Continue with Racan pigeon, served with chard and buckwheat, or the Brittany Blue Lobster, paired with artichokes and prunes. There’s a “cheese of the week” and seasonal desserts such as Tahitian vanilla soufflé or Citrus fruit confit. If you have visitors from abroad to entertain, this is enchanting. See you there!  

DETAILS

Menu Découvert €78, Menu Saveur €118, Menu Signature €148 
With wine +€45
Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Friday  
51, rue Montmorency, 3rd 
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 71 77 78 
Metro: Rambuteau/Arts et Metiers 

Brasserie Molitor 

Step inside Brasserie Molitor, in the heart of the 16th arrondissement, where the art of the Parisian brasserie is deliciously alive and well. Chef Grégory Gbiorczyk’s menu celebrates the great classics of French cuisine, with particular attention to the quality of the products and traditional know-how.

Settle into a comfortable armchair and admire the setting. Decorated in Art Deco style, the space is bathed in light. On the menu, find French brasserie dishes such as the country croque-monsieur, coquillettes with French ham and young comté cheese, saucisse au couteau from Olivier Brosset, or duck pâté en croûte.

The chef’s signature dishes included the award-winning (2023) Chou/cabbage stuffed with foie gras and sweetbreads, and Ballotine of French lamb rubbed with smoked paprika, a tribute to Molitor’s historic swimming pool where Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan) was the legendary lifeguard.

As for sweet treats, there’s timeless creations such as the intensely chocolatey marquise and custard, poached pear in puff pastry crust, or the very gourmet tartelette with Madagascar vanilla, praline peanuts and salted butter caramel. For brunch aficionados, note your gourmet rendezvous on Sundays, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

From the main room at Brasserie Molitor, or in fine weather in the gallery, enjoy a unique setting facing the emblematic outdoor pool. The hotel is a multifaceted destination, attracting a Parisian, French and international clientele for well-being, sports, artistic and cool culinary experiences. 

DETAILS

10 avenue de la Porte Molitor, 16th 
Metro: Porte d’Auteuil 
MGallery Collection 
Tel: +33 (0)1 56 07 08 82

Bonnie 

Overlooking the city, an exciting setting from where you’ll admire your favorite emblematic monuments such as Notre-Dame, La Tour Eiffel, the Sacré-Cœur. The spectacular panorama is combined with excellent cuisine for the newly created “Power Lunch” a gourmet break in 45 minutes for €45. The weekly evolving menu offers starter + main or main + dessert. (Starter, main, dessert is €55.) The vibe is influenced by the best of Paris and New York.  From Monday to Friday, book on the terrace in fine weather, there’s great cocktails.

DETAILS

10, rue Agrippa d’Aubigné, 4th 
Metro: Sully Morland 
Tel: +33 (0)1 78 90 74 74

Le Petit Marguerite 

“The authenticity of a bouillon, the elegance of a Parisian Bistro.” Novotel Paris Les Halles proudly launches its new restaurant, Le Petit Marguerite, designed with raw wood and red check napkins to channel historic Parisian bistros. For an even more immersive experience, guests book in The Private Bubble, equipped with a wood stove. Chef Marc Vachon – who hails from a family of fruit and vegetable vendors at Les Halles d’Antan, and finds inspiration from long-time mentor Thierry Marx – revisits traditional seasonal recipes. Here are some sample dishes: butternut cream soup with croutons and pumpkin seeds; cod with parsnip mousseline, roasted carrots, buckwheat; Chef’s Fish and Chips with smoked haddock cream and homemade fries; and salmon gravlax, beetroot, pomegranate vinaigrette, apples and celery.

DETAILS

8 place Marguerite de Navarre, 1st 
Metro: Les Halles 
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 21 31 31 
Open lunch and dinner 7/7 
Thursday & Friday evening, La Fondue de la Bulle d’Hiver from €22-28 + wine.