10 Most Romantic Restaurants in Paris

The view from Ore, Pavillon Dufour, Chateau de Versailles. Credit: Patrick Tourneboeuf/Tendance Floue

For foodies seeking seductive dining options in Paris, the choice can be bewildering. The city is packed with intimate brasseries and chic restaurants, ideal for dining à deux. To help you select the best, we’ve listed 10 of the most romantic restaurants in Paris. Straight from our little black book, they’re guaranteed to get you in the mood for love…

1: Bouillon Chartier

Legendary Bouillon Chartier in the 9^th has been delighting customers since 1896 with its traditional French dishes at accessible prices. It’s the huge historic listed dining room and old-world glamour that add romance. Think dark wood and brass fittings, ornate cornicing and vintage pendant lights with crisp tablecloths and retro branded plates. Waiters flit about in black and white uniforms, condiments are classic, and dishes are old-school. Enjoy entrées of leeks vinaigrette or snails, mains of hearty steak frites, and local cheese and desserts. Despite the grand scale, the convivial mood suits date nights. 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009

2: Ore – Ducasse au Château de Versailles

The decadent afternoon tea at Ore. Credit: Pierre Monetta

Fancy delicious buttery breakfasts, signature lunches or indulgent teas? Top chef Alain Ducasse’s glamorous contemporary café Ore adds gourmet style to a Versailles visit. Its updated heritage interiors, boasting floor-to-ceiling view-blessed windows, are ideal for a romantic meal before or after sightseeing. This elegant affair only opens in the day during palace hours. Breakfasts include savory bites and assortments of delicate mini pastries. Enjoy lunch dishes such as pollock with artichokes and samphire (kids will love the Prince & Princess menu). Teatime stars Les Versaillaises sweet treats and flavourful ice-creams, sorbets, and soufflés dubbed Marie-Antoinette’s Delight. 1^st Floor, Pavillon Dufour, Château de Versailles, Place d’Armes, 78 000 Versailles

3: Le Pantruche

If your idea of the perfect romantic meal out is a cozy neighborhood bistro, then Le Pantruche is your friend. Set in Pigalle in the 9^th, this lovely local “bistro gourmand” offers an intimate white-walled dining room with bentwood chairs.  Antique mirrors, brass details, and vibrant red signage add to the Parisian vibe. Chef Franck Baranger mans the pans, serving a classic French set menu and dishes with a dash of modern foam. Sophisticated but affordable standouts include the foie gras black truffle risotto and the Grand Marnier soufflé for dessert. Book ahead for lunch or a date-night dinner. Check the Facebook page for more details. 3 Rue Victor Massé, 75009 

4: Le Jules Verne

Impress your date at Le Jules Verne. Credit: Pierre Monetta

Perched on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, Michelin-starred restaurant Le Jules Verne is another Alain Ducasse destination. It teams contemporary French cuisine with postcard-worthy views of Paris from the heart of the iconic wrought-iron edifice. A private elevator whisks you away from the tourist hordes for lunch or dinner when the City of Light is at its sparkling best. In the evenings, choose between a five- or six-course Experience Menu, with optional sommelier-guided French wine pairings. Top-notch dishes span foie gras, seared sea scallops with cauliflower and gold caviar, and venison with chestnut and pumpkin. Book online and dress to impress. 2^nd Floor, Restaurant Tour Eiffel, Avenue Gustave Eiffel, 75007

5: Le Train Bleu

Do you like frescoes and fabulous old-fashioned brass, wood and gilt interiors? Then head to heritage restaurant Le Train Bleu at Gare de Lyon station for Valentine’s Day. Open daily for lunch or dinner, the restaurant has been an iconic fixture since 1901, serving classic French gastronomy. Culinary options include à la carte and set menus celebrating local produce. Service is key, with roast leg of lamb carved on a trolley in front of you. Go retro with fois gras, lamb or veal, followed by rum baba. There’s an impressive local wine list or clink Champagne glasses at the glamorous bar lounge. 1^st Floor, Gare de Lyon, Place Louis Armand, 75012

6: Le Mandragore

Seasonal French cuisine.

Magically romantic restaurant Le Mandragore is tucked away inside townhouse Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, serving tailor-made cocktails and gourmet dinners. The intimate, candlelit dining space is swathed in dark velvet curtains and hush-inducing carpet. Sultry fringed chairs and ornate wallpaper set a chic tone. Respected chef Thibaut Spiwack (ex Le Cinq) serves up vibrant, seasonal French cuisine with contemporary global influences. Savour a three- or five-course menu, with some produce hailing from the restaurant’s own gardens, hens, and beehives. After dinner, enjoy a nightcap in house bar Le Très Particulier, set in a tropical conservatory with a vintage feel. 23 Avenue Junot, Pavillon D, 75018

7: Les Ombres

Get up close and personal with the illuminated Eiffel Tower at Les Ombres, a rooftop restaurant designed by Jean Nouvel. The famed French architect has ensured huge windows keep the Tower center stage, with a generous terrace for warmer days. This lofty eatery perches at the heart of Musée du Quai Branly in the 7^th but opens outside of museum hours. Whipping up lunch and dinner daily, it serves contemporary fare with flavourful, seasonal global influences. Enjoy set menus or à la carte dishes, with stellar views of Paris. 27 Quai Branly, 75007

8: Divellec

Retro-chic interiors at Divellec. Credit: Divellec

Seafood lovers will be in heaven at Divellec, a romantic destination for sampling coastal produce in Paris. Oysters, lobsters, abalones and whole fish are the stars here, including line-caught sea bass and Breton crayfish. A strong wine list backs up the tempting food by cutting-edge chef Mathieu Pacaud. This storied Left Bank restaurant overlooks the Esplanade des Invalides. Retro-chic interiors by Studio KO (behind London’s hip Chiltern Firehouse hotel) channel 60s and 70s style. Cue geometric mirrors, rattan chairs and velvet banquettes with botanical prints and plants. Enjoy a three-course weekday lunch or four- to six-course tasting menus any evening. 18 Rue Fabert, 75007

9: Lasserre

With its pretty yellow-and-white dining room, boasting high ceilings, arched windows, and Grecian columns, Lasserre revs up the romance. Its retractable roof is a hit in summer, or in winter enjoy the soft chandelier light. The atmosphere at this fine diner is a wow, with white orchids, waiters in tailcoats and even a pianist. Food is just as refined, with chef Michel Roth offering upscale French fare. Order à la carte or treat yourself to the tasting menu with optional wine pairings. Located in the 8^th, near the Champs-Elysées, 1942-founded Lasserre is ideal for a vintage night out. 17 Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008

10: Brunello apartment

Brunello is perfectly situated on the Left Bank.

Paris Perfect offers gorgeous romantic retreats across the city. A stunning apartment for dining with a view is Saint Veran on the Left Bank. Gather around the dining table for spectacular vistas of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Île de la Cité, and Île Saint Louis. Set in an 18^th-century building, it boasts parquet floors, high ceilings, and elegant, French-style interior design. Saint Veran sleeps up to six in three bedrooms and the dining table hosts six too.

Browse Paris Perfect’s rental list for more romantic retreats in Paris. Read more about restaurants in Paris on our blog.

Posted on Tuesday, January 16th, 2018 at 7:30 am in Food & Drink. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.