What has been your best meal in Paris in the past 12 months?

Our two favorites were L'INitial where we have had many a celebration -- wonderful multi course tasting menu for about 60 Euro -- has never disappointed. two amuses, two entrees, fish course, meat course (with some choice), two desserts, mignardises -- coffee and wine extra.

For the first time tried Eclipses. We did the 5 course tasting menu for about 80. Had the table in the wine cellar which was particularly lovely. Beautiful presentations, lovely food.

I had several good meals in Paris in September. "Best" is hard.

The finest was at La Closerie Des Lilas /6th Ar./ fine dining / Great service, beautiful setting, delicious food. Sole Meuniere.

A favorite was La Mosquee/ 5th Ar./ Casual cafe with stunning Moroccan tiling and brass tables/ Delicious couscous dish and a resident cat sat next to me on the banquet, patiently waiting for a morsel (I know that wouldn't be welcomed by everyone)

Le Septieme Vin/ 7th Ar./ small and intimate/ delicious boeuf bourguignon, terrific service

Angelina Paris/1st Ar./ 1903 Tearoom/ not a tourist trap IMO/ I ate here twice. Tea and Croque Madame./ Delicious and great service, though bustling.

New Kashmir/ 2nd Ar./ Quirky, casual, I sat at a table in the Passage des Panorama/ I an Indian meal in just about every city I visit and this was one of the best.

Au ti Breizh Creperie/20th ARR./streetside cafe/ yummy, inexpensive buckwheat crepes.

L'AS du Fallafel/ 4th Arr./ casual cafe or take-away/ yummy wholesome food

Hmmm, well there was the day I spent 42E for lunch. I am not a foodie but apparently wine at lunch clouds my judgement! La Terrasse du 7eme. Lovely waiter. Large Salad, bottle of sparkling water, a couple of glasses of rose on a warm, sunny terrace in April, then the waiter talked me into the non-vegan but freshly-made-by-the-chef-that-morning-and-you-will-love-it-Madame mille feuille topped off by espresso. I needed a nap afterward. Was it the food? The terrace/view/people watching? Just the feeling of being in Paris in the spring? The waiter? I don't know that the feeling could be duplicated....

Robert et Louise, 3rd. A very meaty restaurant which is not usually this vegan's style but a meet-up of forum friends organized by one of them. Not sure if it was the food or the company? We were in the basement but it was very picturesque and had an old (in a good way) feel. Lovely evening! We must have had wine....cuz we had a mighty fine time.

Wonder if anyone at Angelina’s was not a tourist?

Sorry imho Angelina’s is a tourist trap.

If you follow les frenchies on YouTube, they did a review of six places for hot chocolate in Paris. Guess who came in dead last by a long shot.? Angelina’s.

I have a couple of French friends who live in Paris and the two places they say to avoid that get a lot of play on tourist forums like this are Angelinas and le train bleu , and they’ve been right about both of them

+1 for a sandwich from L'AS du Fallafel and a couple vegetable sides from Miznon across the street!

We also had yet another lovely meal at L'Initial, a lunch. This and the second restaurant Janet mentioned are what the French call gastronomic, a different style of cuisine and ambiance, the places for special celebrations.
Otherwise, I've had good meals at bistros and neighborhood restaurants, including a couple Tocard recommended.
Can't choose a best, but several good, some better.

What does ¨best¨ mean?

For overall execution in the kitchen, attentive staff, comfortable surroundings, in the last year I would include l´Eclipse and les Climats. Dinner for 2 at either of these locations (near the Musée d´Orsay) and a modest bottle of wine would easily approach 250€. Maybe a bit more at les Climats. Lunch will always be much less.

I did enjoy lunch at l´Initial a few months ago. It is one of the best restaurants in the 5th, along with Alliance, which I have not yet tried.

I might include an evening with Ducasse sur Seine, an overall memorable experience and one that might push the budget window a bit.

Angelina is not a tourist trap. But it is a location whose reputation, particularly among tourists, proceeds its value. There are many places with better hot chocolate. Le Figaro mentions Café de Flore among its list of the top ten locations for hot chocolate in Paris. Angelina did not make even honorable mention. Perhaps the most interesting location for hot chocolate is at George V. It may be 15€ (I am not sure) for a small pot of hot chocolate, but it will be, for many reasons, a more memorable experience than fighting the hordes of tourists at Angelina.

From December 2022
Best dinner- Les Papilles (5th) No menu- from the market of the day. Delicious food. Crowded but pleasant. Two 4 course dinner and bottle of wine 125E. Reservations needed.
Best quick lunch - La Maison d’Isabelle (5th) The chicken salad sandwich (on baguette). I have one every trip. My favorite bakery. Next to a wine and cheese shop too. Market in the square most mornings. The chocolate chip cookie is my husbands all time favorite.

Aux Anysetiers du Roy, 61 Rue Saint Louis en L’ile. It’s atmosphère was as good as it’s food. 4th arr. Excellent Beef Bourguignon.

Vandrabrud, Tocard & Bets.

Alors, best is a very elastic word. A chef's grace, great food, your fellow diners, the comfort of the dining room ... Indeed, food is primary, but more is involved in any dining experience.

I just wanted to to catch the eyes of those who wanted to share a great dining experience, recently, in Paris. Thought this would be a topic of use to many of us on this forum. ... My wife and I will be in Paris for a few days in June, at the end of a four week sojourn from Bordeaux/Dordogne, to the Loire, Chartres, Versailles and finally Paris. This will be our third trip to France and our second time in Paris.

fred,

I hope you have many fabulous meals in Paris. I plan on having a few more there myself!

I love this question! Two favorites from our recent trip in December – the first time we’d visited both and now both are on our return list for future trips:

Parcelles – a modern bistro in the 3rd – Cozy & small, warm & friendly staff. Seemed to be filled with locals. The food was delicious and my husband actually suggested we cancel our hard-to-get reservations at another trendy restaurant to return here. https://www.parcelles-paris.fr/en/

Maison by Sota – in the 11th, but worth the trip – One set menu in a small dining room facing an open kitchen with husband & wife chef team. The wine pairings wowed us (thoughtful & interesting) and the sommelier was very happy to “top off” our glasses and share an extra tasting when we were genuinely interested. Their 4-course lunch would fit your budget and, notably, they’re also open for Sunday lunch (though more courses and a higher price). https://en.maison-sota.com/

I look forward to reading others' responses, and hope you report back after your trip!

I just need to say, that woman in les frenchies cracks me up. She doesn't look like the Paris type. Just saying.