In 2021, Paris restaurants weren’t allowed to fully reopen until June 9, but we struck it lucky, reviewing so many good restaurants in only seven months that we have chosen 12 favorites (many of which happen to have female chefs) this year rather than 10.
New beginning
Cuisine
For our first dining-out experience in Paris after nearly six months of pandemic-induced restaurant deprivation, we had the good fortune to get a table on the terrace of this restaurant with a talented chef who introduced us to the Japanese cooking technique called karaage.
A serendipitous discovery
L’Oyat
A new restaurant we fell in love with on the now-trendy Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth in Paris’s third arrondissement, serving complex, perfectly judged, visually appealing dishes made with the finest ingredients.
Island cuisine
Bobi
Paris’s only Filipino restaurant, which serves delicious, authentic food from the archipelago, introduced us to unfamiliar ingredients and dishes like ube, purple yam ice cream.
Noble nut
Noisette
The two women who run this charming little place, named after the hazelnut, stick strictly to the seasons and turn out original, mouthwatering dishes.
Street smarts
Achi
Airy and spacious, the restaurant Achi kept us interested with clever, unusual dishes to share.
Wildly good
Brigade du Tigre
Eels chef Adrien Ferrand’s Asian restaurant is as delightful and delicious as his original place, one of our favorites.
Art Deco haven in Pigalle
Hôtel Rochechouart
We’re including this new brasserie, located on a boulevard short on appealing restaurants, not so much for the food, which was mostly very good, but for the gorgeous Art Deco interior.
Latin Quarter standout
Narro
Wary of all those touristy restaurants in the fifth arrondissement? This is the place to go in the student quarter for a gourmet meal in a calm ambiance.
Reborn cuisine
Louis Vins
This old favorite, also in the Latin Quarter, is now better than ever thanks to a new cheffe who is working wonders in the kitchen.
Postmodern refuge
Forest
Sinfully good vegetable-dominated food (although some fish and meat dishes are available) with a Middle Eastern accent, located in the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris.
A happy place
Liquide par Substance
This bistro opened by the owner of the restaurant Substance is deservedly popular (book well in advance). Joyous atmosphere and creative, joy-inducing food.
Set for stardom
Coda
A tiny, simple restaurant in the ninth arrondissement with a kitchen that produces beautiful, complex dishes.
Chef d’œuvre
L’Esquisse
Cheffe Laëtitia Bret turns out some masterly dishes in one of her two Montmartre bistros.
Favorite