The 7 Restaurants We Loved in 2023

They delighted us, tantalized our taste buds, and amazed us. From the devilishly chic restaurant to the eagerly awaited opening of an ultra-famous chef, and a charming neighborhood brasserie, let's take a closer look at the tables we preferred to explore for you this year.

At 25 rue des Grands Augustins, bid farewell to Kitchen Galerie Bis and welcome Oktobre. Familiar with the place, Chef Martin Maumet, who previously worked alongside William Ledeuil, has taken the reins to showcase his talent and awaken French cuisine. Collaborating with Studio Bateaumagne, Martin Maumet has redesigned the restaurant's decor entirely. The mood? Autumnal, reminiscent of a Van Gogh painting, immersed in a warm color palette ranging from beige to brown and Bordeaux.

Why We Loved It: Having been acquainted with herbs and condiments cherished by William Ledeuil for 10 years, Martin Maumet retained a taste for unique seasonings, vibrant flavors, and a traveler's spirit that electrifies French culinary classics. The menu promises an energetic experience with dishes like vibrant green beans, mackerel, kombu and sesame vinaigrette, a delicate water tomato, cucumber and smoked eel, and a beef tartare enhanced with horseradish, dried bonito, and puffed rice. Verdict: This cuisine is sharp, agile, lively, and elegantly surprising.

Oktobre, 25 rue des Grands Augustins, Paris 6th. 01 46 33 00 85. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, lunch & dinner.

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The mere mention of its name instantly evokes the Paris of the Belle Époque, an iconic restaurant where grand artists and intellectuals gathered to feast and reshape the world. Later frequented by Callas, Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis, and even Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot. Left abandoned since the death of its illustrious owner Pierre Cardin in 2020, it took the ambition and resources of the Paris Society group (Laurent, Dar Mima, Riviera…) to awaken the sleeping beauty. The star of the restaurant remains the legendary Maxim's bar, where entrance now requires a high-fashion style and impeccable grooming from 7 pm onwards.

Why We Loved It: Laurent de Gourcuff's Maxim's continues to attract a decidedly socialite crowd of all ages in this timeless setting. The menu features comforting bistro dishes such as frog legs (€25), creamy truffle-infused Dubarry soup (€16), sweetbreads and poultry vol-au-vent (€48), or tournedos Rossini with black truffle and green beans (€60). Pastry chef Yann Couvreur delights with a stunning soufflé chocolate mousse and glazed parfait (€22) and legendary floating islands (€14).

Maxim's, 3 rue Royale, Paris 8th. 01 42 65 27 94. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

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Assaf Granit (Shabour, Tekés, Shosh) is unstoppable in 2023! The Israeli chef's year includes the reopening of Balagan, now Kapara , a beach restaurant in Cap d'Antibes, and his new Parisian venture, Boubalé, located at the Grand Mazarin in the Marais.

Why We Loved It: The charismatic chef showcases his talent in a cuisine that honors iconic Ashkenazi recipes, injecting a good dose of sexy-glam. Sparks fly from the start with the delightful warm challah served with sumac cream (€10). The excitement continues with chic Russian salad and potato caviar emulsion (€48), tender shredded chicken with carrot pickles (€31), the famous chocolate mousse drizzled with olive oil (€12), and the traditional strudel (€14). A boundless joy shared to an engaging playlist. Best seats: at the counter facing the kitchen or in the wonderfully soothing winter garden.

Boubalé at Grand Mazarin, 17 rue de la Verrerie, Paris 4th. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

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There's a sense of déjà vu in the air! After enlivening the right bank with the Bellanger, Dubillot, and Martin brasseries, the Nouvelle Garde group tackles the left bank with Brasserie des Prés, its fourth address, nestled in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The 2023 version features large windows accommodating both small and large groups, a delightful terrace, and a dancing spirit bar with sparkling disco balls.

Why We Loved It: Rest assured, the mimosa eggs (€4), pâté en croûte (€14), sausage and mashed potatoes (€13), and beef flank steak with fries (€19) are still on the menu! Also, the quirky animal-themed carafes. Among the novelties are luxurious seafood treasures, including a selection of caviars from Maison Sturia (€80 to €100) and ultra-fresh langoustines (€15). Before dessert, a cheese cart featuring a selection of local products directly from the Cow cheese dairy. And for the sweet touch, regulars can indulge in the iconic Paris-Brest, always a bit naughty (€8), or opt for the summery strawberry-pistachio tart (€10) or share the incredible cherry clafoutis flambé with Kirsch (€20 for 2).

Brasserie des Prés, 6 cour du Commerce Saint-André, Paris 6th. 01 42 03 21 10. Open daily from 9 am to midnight.

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A grand "kif" for this fresh address! After the success of Yemma and its bestselling recipe book, Chef Abdel Alaoui once again expresses his love for his native Morocco in this new spot that promises to shine the sun twelve months a year. Far from the postcard scene, Choukran's pop decor instantly transports us to its fun and gourmet world, featuring a menu that blends traditional dishes with top-notch street food. A gastronome's promise: it's fantastic!

Why We Loved It: Colorful zellige from floor to tables, white lime walls, bottle-green benches adorned with cushions, wicker pendant lights: Choukran's cheerful and modern decor instantly takes us to Jemaa el-Fna square. In the kitchen, a chef with a sunny personality: Abdel Alaoui, trained by the greats and also a food columnist on France 5. With a coolness that suits him, Choukran shares its sunny vibes and delights in everything that makes us happy in life: kémias, couscous, and competitive 'dwichs! Highlights include cucumber and tomato salad with orange blossom (€5.50), beetroot hummus (€6.50), chicken almond pastilla fingers (€7.50), and of course, couscous available in chicken, merguez, kefta, and royal versions (from €15.50 to €19). Also noteworthy is the Bledwich, a meaty delight with shredded beef in a fluffy brioche bread (€13).

Choukran, 29 rue Saint-Georges, Paris 9th. Open Monday to Friday from 12 pm to 2:30 pm and 7 pm to 10:30 pm. Continuous service on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

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A restaurant with a minimalist decor of light wood and natural materials, a one-way ticket to Kyoto where simplicity of lines and a gentle atmosphere reign, accompanied by a jazz playlist. Guests are greeted in Japanese by the entire team before joining one of the 11 tables, each equipped with a binchotan grill for personalized cooking.

Why We Loved It: For this indulgence to be experienced (at least) once in a lifetime, enter the Fukuroi menu at €180 (though the €120 menu is also perfectly satisfying). It starts with a glass of Umeshu, the sweet plum sake, to accompany the best edamame of your life, grilled with sesame oil. Next: duck broth with Udon noodles, crunchy Tonkatsu pork, vegetable and mushroom broth, followed by beef pieces to grill on your personal barbecue, leading to the ultimate joy of the Ito Ranch™ sushi with the famous melt-in-the-mouth meat. End on a high note (and without feeling overly full, surprisingly) with two desserts: a matcha mousse and a slice of Crown Melon, the pride of the Japanese.

Marie Akaneya, 12 rue Godot de Mauroy, Paris 9th. 09 87 52 36 38. Open only in the evening from Tuesday to Sunday.

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© Jose Salto for Marie Akaneya

Nestled in a peaceful street in the 2nd arrondissement, facing the Notre-Dame de Bonne Nouvelle church and a stone's throw from the Grands Boulevards, La Baignoireis the perfect spot for a romantic interlude. The first restaurant of Chef Cécile Lévy, noted at Tekés, this charming table blends charm and refinement with a cuisine that goes straight to the heart.

Why We Loved It: In the window, a bathtub filled with candles, a retro touch-tone phone, aged terracotta tiles on the floor. In this small, intimate, and dimly lit room, a handful of tables with vintage porcelain tableware, fresh flowers, candles, and soft music create a calm, wise, and ultra-romantic atmosphere that makes you want to whisper sweet words. At La Baignoire, her first solo restaurant, the chef offers a fully fusion gastronomic journey mixing Mediterranean, Japanese, and French influences: Figs in carpaccio mode, smoked sheep's cheese, roasted almond flakes, Timut pepper, and olive oil (€19), Leek, white miso, raw cream, and sage (€16), a remarkable curry-drizzled faux-filet, corn cream, red wine jus, and baby carrots (€34)! Special mention for the fluffy homemade hallah bread that served as a delightful finish to all dishes with unapologetic indulgence!

La Baignoire, 7 rue Notre-Dame de Bonne Nouvelle, Paris 2nd. 06 76 81 65 91. Open Monday to Saturday from 6 pm to midnight, and Tuesday to Friday from 12 pm to 2 pm.

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Discover also Substance, the starred table that never disappoints and the chicest brunch in Paris.