The 7 Restaurants We Loved the Most in 2024

They delighted us, amazed us, and satisfied our taste buds. From devilishly chic restaurants to the eagerly awaited openings of ultra-famous chefs, not forgetting a cozy neighborhood brasserie, here’s a spotlight on the tables we were thrilled to test for you this year.

Few are privileged enough to afford a reservation at Le Pré Catelan, the iconic 3-star restaurant of Frédéric Anton nestled in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne. For smaller budgets and bistro-lovers with a countryside vibe, the opening of La Ferme du Pré is pure joy. Located just across the way, this gem serves hearty, old-fashioned dishes in an enchanting setting.

Why we loved it: Picture this: a yellow former dairy with blue half-timbering. Inside, Toile de Jouy wallpaper, copper pans adorning the walls, hunting scene paintings, and framed vintage menus from La Ferme du Pré Catelan dating back to 1908, 1911, or 1949. The menu celebrates Parisian bistro classics from the Belle Époque. Starters include homemade terrine (20 €), chicken with mayo and mimosa egg (15 €), or velvety black pudding with frisée salad (18 €). Main courses feature standout dishes like butter sauce cod with capers and croutons (29 €) and beef bourguignon worthy of a grandmother’s touch (30 €). Desserts? Heavenly vanilla-chocolate profiteroles (14 €) and a Melba-style pear (15 €).

Le Bistrot La Ferme du Pré, Le Pré Catelan, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16e. 01 44 14 41 40. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 12–2 PM and 7–9:30 PM.
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Matthieu Poirier, a loyal collaborator of Franck Maillot for five years, now shines in this Italian offshoot of neighboring brasserie La Belle Époque, crafting daily fresh pasta and cult classics from Italy. The chic retro decor is romantic, with wood paneling, plants, and moldings. Adding to the vibe is a 100% Italian playlist, which on some evenings gets diners on their feet, singing along.

Why we loved it: It’s the Italy we adore—authentic, straightforward, and sunny. The starters are divine: spinach, ricotta, and gorgonzola gnudi (15 €) and a silky vitello tonnato generously coated with sauce and topped with black olive powder (17 €). For mains, pasta reigns supreme: linguine alle vongole (26 €), cacio e pepe (25 €), while the scaloppine al limone wins universal praise. For dessert, the tiramisu, beautifully served in a coupe, is a mousse-lover’s dream (13 €), alongside a Paris-Brest reimagined with a pistachio twist: mamma mia (15 €). Insider tip: daily pasta special for 21 € at lunch.

L’Italien de la Belle Époque, 36 rue des Petits-Champs, Paris 2e. 01 42 33 00 22. Open Monday to Friday, 12–2:30 PM and 7 PM–2 AM; Saturday, 7 PM–2 AM.
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Known for his Mediterranean-inspired venues, Michel Puech (Cézanne, Pastis) returns to the comforting authenticity of grandmother-style dishes. The familial decor, with its china cabinets and charming knick-knacks, creates a cozy ambiance without venturing into kitsch. Romantic candlelight adds a magical touch in the evenings.

Why we loved it: The menu is irresistible. Highlights include escargots de Bourgogne (18 €), devilish marrowbone on toast with coarse salt (13 €), gratinéed onion soup (16 €), and vinaigrette-dressed leeks with hazelnuts (13 €). For mains, while the beef bourguignon (26 €) tempts a second visit, the chicken casserole with morels and vin jaune delivers on its promise (29 €), as does the veal blanquette (28 €). Finish with a cheese trio (13 €) or succumb to desserts like tarte tatin (14 €), orange blossom crème brûlée (12 €), or cherry clafoutis (14 €).

Biche, 129 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8e. 01 53 89 83 73. Open Monday to Friday all day and Saturday evening.
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Housed in the majestic Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, the team led by Laurent de Gourcuff scores big with Baronne. Nestled in a quiet street in the 8th arrondissement, it has become the go-to for Parisian high society. The impressive courtyard, palace-worthy staircase, and sky-high ceilings with angelic frescoes evoke La Belle et la Bête grandeur.

Why we loved it: Each of the three grand dining rooms has been meticulously restored and redecorated, exuding velvety elegance. The kitchen offers a flawlessly executed menu: salmon carpaccio with lime (21 €), foie gras (33 €), Challans chicken with morels and vin jaune (95 €), whole sea bass with thyme (150 €), black Angus chuck flap with teriyaki glaze (40 €), and surf’n’turf (78 €). Don’t miss the former dining room turned bar, perfect for impressing a date, or the cozy smoking room under a stunning glass ceiling.

Baronne, 11 rue Berryer, Paris 8e. 01 42 25 73 35. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Bar open without reservations, 7 PM–2 AM.
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Located on the Left Bank near the Assemblée Nationale, the Hémicycle restaurant surprises with Aura, a unique concept run by pastry chef Aurora Storari and chef Flavio Lucarini. On the upper floor, a sleek counter seats only seven lucky diners for an inventive menu blending pastry and culinary artistry.

Why we loved it: Breaking boundaries and creating a modern, playful take on food, Aurora Storari delivers a dazzling seasonal menu with unique combinations and textures. Highlights include sweet potato brioche with chili sauce, trout roe, and smoked chili cream; spaghettini with green tomato and elderflower; and artichoke alla giudia with cherry mole and hay ice cream. Desserts dazzle, from a smoked mushroom with 80% chocolate crème brûlée to a royal taco filled with wheat and orange blossom ice cream.

Aura, on the first floor of Hémicycle, 5 rue de Bourgogne, Paris 7e. 01 40 62 98 04. Experience available Wednesday–Saturday for dinner only. 10-course tasting menu, 115 €. Sommelier pairing, 75 €.
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Who would have thought that the PMU would become the new place to be? After just a few months, Le Cornichon is packed and continues to attract all the cool people of the 11th arrondissement, offering an efficient weekly lunch menu and a combo of cocktails and finger food to share in the evening, all in a wildly Parisian bar-tabac vibe. The result? A trendy refuge straight out of the ’70s where you can joyfully spend the entire day: coffee at the counter while scratching lottery tickets, comforting dishes at lunch and dinner, and don’t hesitate to push the tables aside at nightfall to dance between two cocktails. Add to that the warm conviviality of the Southwest, where the two owners hail from, and you’ve got a winning bet!

Why we loved it: Start your day at the counter with a bowl of indulgent granola and fresh fruit paired with a hot tea, then swing by for lunch to enjoy a weekly menu worth the detour, featuring reimagined brasserie classics at a very accessible price (starter, main, dessert for €25). On Thursdays, for instance, you’ll find endive salad with Parmesan and anchovy dressing, followed by hake à la fish & chips with an addictive coleslaw. Don’t skip the fries, freshly cooked to order and perfect for dipping in their homemade Algerian sauce. And definitely leave room for the dessert of the day: peanut butter brownie with pecans and custard. For dinner, dive into a tapas-style spread with parsley-buttered bulots (6 for €9), hard-boiled eggs with tartar sauce (€3), smoked chicken liver terrine (€12), or zucchini with pesto and ratatouille sauce (€9). If you’re feeling indulgent, share the generous ribeye steak with béarnaise sauce and fries (€38 per person).

Le Cornichon, 2 rue des Goncourt, Paris 11th. 01 42 54 18 32. Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to midnight, Thursday and Friday until 2 a.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
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© Félix Dol Maillot - Matteo Verzini

Tucked away on a quiet street in the Odéon district, Sétopa reveals its gastronomic ambitions with a chic décor featuring wood and marble in a softly lit dining room. At the helm is the queen of K-food, Linda Lee (Misu, Mari-Mari), who has enlisted two Michelin-starred chefs from Seoul, Mingoo Kang (Mingles) and Chang-Ho Shin (Joo Ok), to deliver a feast.

Why we loved it: Dishes that honor traditional Korean cuisine with a French touch and bold twists! The focus is on chicken with two signature dishes as divine as they are hearty: charcoal-grilled chili chicken with seasonal vegetables and rice (€48 for 2 people) and soy-roasted chicken with garlic rice (€54 for 2 people). For adventurous eaters, the soy-braised osso bucco is worth every bite (€38). Start with delicate oyster dumplings with tofu and citrus soy sauce (€16 for 4 pieces) or crunchy green beans drizzled with sesame and Brazil nuts (€6) to set the mood. For dessert, the cozy yellow soybean paste crème brûlée (€9) is unforgettable, rivaled only by the elegant chestnut and black sesame mochi (€7).

Sétopa, 6 rue Dupuytren, Paris 6th. 09 77 91 95 01. Open Monday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
© Sétopa by Géraldine Martens
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