Best Food in Paris for a Splurge (Luxury Restaurants & Gourmet Experiences)

Paris is one of the best food cities in the world, but some meals are worth stretching the budget for. This guide focuses on the best food in Paris for a splurge — the restaurants, classic dishes, and indulgent experiences that feel special enough to plan a trip around.

After many visits to the city (and more than a few extravagant meals), these are the places and food experiences I’d happily spend money on again. Use this guide to decide where a splurge makes sense, and which indulgent Paris food moments are actually worth it.

This foodie guide is part of my Paris Travel Guide, which brings together neighbourhoods, food, and practical planning advice

➡️ For a broader guide to the city’s classic dishes, see what to eat in Paris and where to find it.

What is a Food Splurge in Paris?

Paris has no shortage of excellent food, but some meals feel more memorable than others. A food splurge here might mean a Michelin tasting menu, a seafood tower piled high with oysters, caviar with champagne, or simply steak frites done perfectly in a classic brasserie.

The experiences below are the kinds of meals people plan ahead for — the restaurants and dishes that turn dinner into an occasion.

Michelin Star Restaurants in Paris in the Eiffel Tower (Le Jules Verne)

Dining inside the Eiffel Tower is about as indulgent as Paris gets. I had lunch at Le Jules Verne and the setting alone makes the whole experience feel special — you’re sitting inside one of the world’s most famous landmarks looking out over the city.

The good news is the food actually lives up to it. Alain Ducasse’s team serves elegant modern French cooking that feels refined but not fussy. Lunch here felt like a proper occasion: slow, relaxed, and perfectly suited to watching Paris stretch out below you while the courses arrive.

💡 Foodie tip: If dinner reservations are hard to get, try lunch. You’ll still get the incredible views and the same cooking, but it’s usually easier to book.

Many of the dishes you’ll see here are elevated versions of classic French cooking — the same flavours you’ll encounter in simpler forms across the city. I cover many of those in my guide to what to eat in Paris and where to find it.

Michelin Tasting Menu in Paris (Joël Robuchon L’Atelier)

This is Paris dining turned up to eleven. I’ve eaten here at the counter, and watching the kitchen at work is half the experience. The chefs assemble each plate with incredible precision, finishing sauces and garnishes right in front of you while the next course quietly appears.

The tasting menu is definitely a splurge, but worth it — especially with the wine pairing. Each course feels carefully balanced rather than overly complicated, and the whole evening has a sense of calm confidence that makes you understand why this place became so famous.

💡 Foodie tip: If a full tasting menu feels like too much, check whether a shorter lunch menu is available. Many Michelin restaurants in Paris offer smaller midday menus that still deliver the full experience.

Frenchie Restaurant Paris

Frenchie is one of those restaurants that feels effortlessly cool without trying too hard.I ate here one evening and it ended up being one of the most memorable meals of the trip. The dishes look deceptively simple, but the flavours are incredibly precise and the ingredients really shine.

The wine pairing is worth considering if you enjoy natural wines. Each glass matched the food beautifully and introduced a few bottles I’d never have chosen myself. It’s also a more relaxed experience than the big Michelin dining rooms — lively, informal, and the kind of place where the whole evening feels easy rather than overly staged.

💡 Foodie tip: If you can’t get a reservation at the main restaurant (tables go fast), try the Frenchie Wine Bar across the street. It’s walk-in only, and the small plates and wines are just as good.

Classic Paris Brasserie (Le Grand Colbert)

Walking into Le Grand Colbert feels like stepping onto a movie set — and if you’ve seen Something’s Gotta Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson, you literally have. High ceilings, chandeliers, mirrored walls, and rows of banquettes make this one of those brasseries that define Paris.

The food? Pure French comfort. Think onion soup topped with a gooey lid of cheese, roasted chicken with crispy skin, and steak frites that arrive just the way they should: no fuss, plenty of flavour. It’s indulgence not because it’s flashy, but because it’s timeless. You come here for the atmosphere as much as the menu, and it delivers both in spades.

💡 Foodie Tip: Brasseries like Le Grand Colbert are great for a long, leisurely lunch. Order a glass of wine (or two), soak up the buzz of clinking glasses and chatter, and don’t be shy about staying to enjoy it.. No one in Paris is in a rush to turn your table.

Steak Frites in Paris (Relais de l’Entrecôte)

Relais de l’Entrecôte is proof that you don’t need a long menu to make people happy. In fact, there isn’t one. You sit down, order your wine, and the only question you’ll be asked is how you’d like your steak cooked.

I’ve eaten here many times and it never really changes — which is exactly the point. A simple walnut salad arrives first, followed by perfectly cooked steak frites smothered in their famous secret sauce.

And just when you think you’re done, the waiter appears with a second helping. More steak, more fries, more sauce. It’s indulgent in the most comforting way possible, and every visit feels reassuringly familiar.

💡 Foodie Tip: Brushing up on French steak terms helps. Here are the ones you’ll actually hear:

• Bleu – very rare, just seared on the outside.
• Saignant – rare, red in the middle.(my go-to)
• À point – medium, pink centre.
• Bien cuit – well done.

And no, don’t bother trying to guess what’s in that famous sauce. People have been debating it for decades, and the recipe is guarded like gold. Just order extra bread and mop up every last drop.

➡️ Steak frites is one of the classic dishes featured in my guide to what to eat in Paris.

Seafood Platter in Paris (La Coupole or Le Dôme)

Nothing says Paris indulgence quite like a seafood tower arriving at your table looking like it belongs in a glossy magazine. A classic plateau de fruits de mer is piled high with oysters, crab claws, prawns, langoustines, whelks, and sometimes even lobster, all sitting on crushed ice and practically begging for a squeeze of lemon.

I ordered mine at La Coupole, one of those grand Montparnasse brasseries where the art deco dining room is almost as impressive as the food. Watching waiters weave through the restaurant carrying towering trays of seafood is half the spectacle. It feels celebratory, indulgent, and unmistakably Parisian.

💡 Foodie Tip: Don’t be shy if you’re not an oyster expert. Just ask your waiter to walk you through the selection. And keep in mind, a full seafood tower is big — it’s best shared between two (unless you’re very, very committed).

Caviar in Paris (Caviar Kaspia)

If you’re going to splurge in Paris, you might as well go all the way — and nothing says indulgence quite like a spoonful of caviar. At Caviar Kaspia, the whole experience feels deliciously over the top: polished wood-panelled dining room, plush banquettes, and little tins of glistening caviar served with blinis, toast points, or even on top of baked potatoes (yes, really).

It’s not cheap — let’s be honest, this is one of those “special occasion” Paris moments. But it’s an experience you’ll never forget, especially if you pair it with a glass of champagne or chilled vodka, as the locals do. It feels like stepping into a slice of Parisian high society, just for an afternoon.

💡 Foodie Tip: If a full tin of caviar feels a bit intimidating (or budget-busting), order a smaller portion with blinis to share. You still get the magic without needing a second mortgage.

Cocktails at the Ritz Paris (Bar Hemingway)

Some bars have cocktails. Bar Hemingway has legends. In a cosy corner of The Ritz, this little wood-panelled bar was a favourite haunt of Ernest Hemingway himself. It’s tiny — only a handful of tables — which makes snagging a seat feel like winning the lottery.

The cocktails are works of art (and priced like it), but it’s not just about what’s in the glass. The whole place has this old-school glamour that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a private club. I normally order a classic martini , and honestly, it feels like the most sophisticated drink of my life.

💡 Foodie Tip: It’s not the place for a quick drink before dinner. Come when you’ve got time to relax, soak it up, and people-watch. Half the fun is spotting who else has made the pilgrimage.

Afternoon Tea in Paris (Le Meurice or Plaza Athénée)

If you’ve ever had afternoon tea in London, you’ll know the routine: scones, clotted cream, and finger sandwiches that taste like childhood picnics in miniature. Paris, though, rewrites the script completely. At places like Le Meurice or Plaza Athénée, the ritual is less about nostalgia and more about haute couture on a cake stand.

Instead of scones, you’ll get pastries that look like jewellery. Sandwiches are dainty works of art — foie gras bites, smoked salmon with dill on brioche — and the service is as polished as the marble around you. It feels more like you’ve wandered into a fashion show with food as the runway.

I still love a classic London afternoon tea for the comfort factor, but in Paris it feels more like a small luxury experience. Everything is stylish, theatrical, and undeniably indulgent.

➡️ If you’re curious about how French bakeries work, I explain the difference in my guide to boulangerie vs pâtisserie.

Raclette or Fondue in Paris (Le Chalet Savoyard)

When the Paris weather turns cold, melted cheese suddenly becomes a very good idea. Raclette and fondue might come from the Alps rather than the capital, but they’ve become winter favourites in Paris restaurants.

At places like Le Chalet Savoyard, a wheel of raclette cheese is melted and scraped directly onto your plate, usually served with potatoes, cured meats, and pickles. Fondue is just as indulgent — a bubbling pot of melted cheese where you dunk chunks of bread until you’re completely full and slightly wondering how you’ll ever eat again.

I lived in Switzerland for a few years, so raclette and fondue are comfort food for me. Finding a good version in Paris always feels like a little slice of alpine nostalgia, especially on a cold evening.

💡 Foodie Tip: Raclette portions are generous, so come hungry or bring a friend. And don’t wear your fanciest outfit — cheese splatters are practically part of the experience.

Wine and Cheese Tasting in Paris (Ô Château)

Paris does wine and cheese extremely well, and a guided tasting is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience it. At places like Ô Château, tastings usually take place in atmospheric cellar rooms where several French wines are paired with carefully selected cheeses.

I did a tasting here and it ended up being one of the most relaxed food experiences of the trip. You learn a little about the regions and styles, but the atmosphere stays friendly rather than overly serious. Tasting a few different cheeses alongside wines from across France quickly turns into one of those evenings where you forget to look at your watch.

➡️ Want to try several Paris food specialities in one go? Many of these experiences appear on guided tastings. You’ll find some excellent options in my guide to the best food tours in Paris.

Foie Gras in Paris

Few foods feel quite as indulgent as foie gras, and Paris is one of the best places to try it properly. Served as a terrine or lightly seared, it’s rich, silky, and usually paired with toasted brioche and something sweet to balance the flavour.

I’ve had foie gras in Paris a few different ways, but the most memorable version arrived studded with black truffle. It’s the sort of dish that makes you pause for a moment before taking the next bite — rich, earthy, and unmistakably luxurious.

It’s often served with a glass of Sauternes, the famous sweet wine from Bordeaux. The combination works beautifully: the honeyed wine cuts through the richness and turns the foie gras into one of those classic French food pairings people talk about for years.

➡️ If you want to take something edible home, here are some foodie gifts from Paris that travel well.

FAQs about Paris Foodie Indulgences

What is the most indulgent food in Paris?
Paris has plenty of luxurious food experiences, but the classics include foie gras, caviar, seafood towers (plateaux de fruits de mer), and rich brasserie dishes like steak au poivre. Champagne bars, Michelin tasting menus, and palace hotel afternoon teas are also among the city’s most indulgent food splurges.

Are Michelin restaurants cheaper at lunch in Paris?
Yes! Many Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris offer a smaller set menu at lunchtime for a fraction of the dinner price. You’ll get fewer courses, but the same flawless execution. It’s the best insider trick for enjoying Paris’ fine dining without blowing your whole budget in one evening.

What luxury foods should you try in Paris?
Paris is famous for indulgent ingredients such as foie gras, oysters, caviar, truffles, lobster, and artisan cheeses. Many restaurants highlight these ingredients in classic French dishes or tasting menus, often paired with Champagne or fine French wines.

Is Paris expensive for foodies?
Paris can be pricey, especially if you’re splurging on Michelin-starred restaurants, palace hotel teas, or wine pairings. That said, there are ways to indulge smartly: book lunch menus, share larger dishes like raclette or seafood towers, and balance big splurges with simple pleasures like market picnics or bakery runs.

➡️ Planning a short visit? My Paris in a weekend guide shows how to organise two days in the city.

Paris does everyday food beautifully — croissants from a neighbourhood bakery, a simple baguette sandwich, a quick espresso at the bar. But the city really shines when you lean into the indulgent side.

From Michelin dining inside the Eiffel Tower to steak frites with legendary sauce, seafood towers piled high with oysters, and glasses of champagne alongside caviar, these are the food experiences that make a trip to Paris feel unforgettable