7 iconic dishes to try in Paris and where to find them

While food critics may argue, Paris remains the pinnacle of fine dining. It’s the city where culinary legends like Carême and Escoffier perfected their craft.

Centuries later, their influence is seen in a thriving culinary scene filled with talented chefs creating masterpieces in breathtaking locations. Here are some unforgettable dishes that will have you booking your next trip to Paris.

If you’re headed to Paris or just dreaming of it, be sure to try these seven exceptional dishes:

1. Gratinated onions à la Parisienne at Le Cinq

Chef Christian Le Squer leads Le Cinq at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel George V, located in Paris' elegant 8th arrondissement, just off the Champs-Elysées. A Breton by birth, Le Squer’s approach to French haute cuisine adds a lightness rarely seen in the lavish three Michelin-starred restaurants.

As you enter through ornate wrought-iron doors, the Le Cinq dining room is a vision in gold and gray, with antique furniture dating back to the reigns of French kings Louis XIV and XVI.

Le Squer’s signature dish, “gratinated onions à la Parisienne,” is an inventive take on French onion soup. Picture small, delicate onion spheres filled with a rich onion broth—just be careful not to bite them too enthusiastically. Black truffle, thyme and rosemary extracts, and Parmesan croutons elevate this ingenious twist.

For wine enthusiasts, the renowned wine cellar overseen by sommelier Eric Beaumard boasts an impressive collection of 50,000 bottles, some of which are over 300 years old.

Restaurant Le Cinq, 31 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris; +33 (1) 4952 7154

2. Pike Brioche, Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen

Few restaurants in France can match the history, prestige, or clientele of Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen. Located near the French Prime Minister’s residence, Le Matignon, it’s the same place where Napoleon Bonaparte first met Josephine, where artists and writers like Degas, Monet, and Zola dined, and even where duelists once settled their disputes after narrowly avoiding death in the Bois de Boulogne.

Under the guidance of superstar chef Yannick Alléno, the elegant dining room serves a menu that includes a surreal and brilliant interpretation of brioche. It may look like a golden-brown loaf of bread, but it’s made from pike. The fish has a mousse-like texture, complemented by a velvety celeriac sauce that perfectly balances the dish.

Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen, 8 Avenue Dutuit, 75008 Paris; +33 1 5305 1000

3. Rum Baba with Armagnac, Le Jules Verne

The first of two renowned venues from the culinary genius Alain Ducasse, Le Jules Verne offers unparalleled views of Paris, perched 125 meters above the city in the Eiffel Tower. Ducasse has been at the helm for a decade, yet diners have been enjoying meals in the tower since its debut in 1889.

Le Jules Verne, Avenue Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris; +33 (0) 1 4555 6144

4. Stuffed Cabbage Leaves, L’Arpège

Alain Passard, a vegetable visionary, founded L'Arpège in 1986 and earned his third Michelin star within just a decade—a rare feat in the world of French gastronomy. He sources his ingredients from three entirely organic gardens across France, where produce is handpicked every morning and served fresh that same day, whether at lunch or dinner.

"Nature itself has written the most beautiful cookbook," says Passard. As a result, diners at L'Arpège can expect only the finest offerings from over 500 varieties of vegetables grown by his team, along with an exceptional selection of fish and meat.

L'Arpège, 84 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris; +33 1 4705 0906

5. Oyster Violine, Pierre Gagnaire

Pierre Gagnaire holds multiple Michelin stars, including three at his renowned restaurant in the Hôtel Balzac, located just steps from the Champs Élysées. Named 'best chef in the world' by his peers in 2015, diners are in the hands of a true culinary master.

Gagnaire’s approach to cooking is modern yet rooted in tradition. This philosophy shines through in his exceptional dishes, such as the oyster violine paired with broccoli purée and horseradish. The artistic presentation on each plate is matched by the elegant décor, designed by Carolyn Quartermaine, where walls are adorned with torn book pages.

Pierre Gagnaire, 6, rue Balzac, 75008 Paris; +33 (0)1 5836 1250

6. Pigeon with Wild Strawberries, Hélène Darroze La Salle à Manger

Located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris’ sixth arrondissement, Hélène Darroze has earned widespread praise for her culinary artistry. Behind a humble exterior lie three dining options, the most prestigious being La Salle à Manger – The Dining Room – where her two-Michelin-starred cuisine takes center stage.

In a chic, modern space that served as inspiration for Colette in the film 'Ratatouille,' Darroze presents an array of exceptional dishes, including Northern Ireland lobster spiced with tandoori, complemented by carrot and coriander.

Another standout is pigeon from the Périgord region of southwestern France, paired with an indulgent combination of foie gras, beetroot, wild strawberries, and rich Mexican mole sauce. Darroze’s fearlessness in innovation offers diners a global culinary journey with unexpected yet harmonious flavor pairings.

Hélène Darroze La Salle à Manger, 4 Rue D’Assas 75006 Paris; +33 1 4222 0011

7. Lobster, Girolles, and Tomatoes, Le Meurice Alain Ducasse

Rue de Rivoli gracefully stretches from the Louvre and Tuileries gardens to Place de La Concorde, but none of its honey-hued buildings can compare to the dining experience at Le Meurice Alain Ducasse.

Ducasse’s two-Michelin-star restaurant is one of the most stunning dining rooms in Paris, blending 18th-century gilded elegance with modern touches, such as Tulip chairs designed by the late Finnish-American designer Eero Saarinen.

Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse, Hôtel Le Meurice, 228, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris; +33 1 4458 1055