After the festive season, the indulgence continues. Winter is only just beginning, and booking a table at one of these three elegant Parisian restaurants is the kind of little pleasure worth treating yourself to in the name of joie de vivre. A Michelin-starred gem in the Golden Triangle, the revival of a cult institution for candlelit dinners, and the new hotspot to know on Île Saint-Louis: zoom in on three refined favorites set to become your go-to gourmet hideaways this winter.
Trente-Trois
Our revelation of the moment. The next celebration on your calendar is the perfect excuse to book Trente-Trois, the Michelin-starred restaurant tucked inside the private mansion Maison Villeroy, itself awarded three Michelin Keys, just steps from Avenue Montaigne. At the helm, chef Sébastien Sanjou pays tribute to his southern roots with a sun-kissed cuisine you could happily enjoy day after day without ever growing tired of it.
We’re instantly charmed by the intimate, wood-clad dining room, dressed with crisp white tablecloths and adorned with striking artworks by Pierre Bonnefille. Impeccable service pampers guests from start to finish, elevating the experience with a multitude of thoughtful touches and delightful surprises.
Available à la carte or as tasting menus, the signature dishes from the Bigorre-born chef—also behind Relais des Moines in the Var—arrive one after another with flair: raw marinated scallops with citron and squash; pearly catch of the day with shellfish and parsnip; roasted guinea fowl supreme with quenelled leg and winter roots; or beef fillet cooked in a cocotte with langoustines, celeriac and black truffle. Dinner menus are priced at €130 or €160. The magic continues through dessert, with a Provençal twist on the trou normand or a Madagascar chocolate creation with pecan, white coffee and cocoa nibs. Also worth noting: lunch menus from €60 and a five-course truffle menu at €198. Our tip? Opt for the wine pairing (€60) to complete this flawless experience.
The extra touch: Grappille, the adjoining wine bar, is the perfect place to kick off the evening with curated bottles discovered by MOF Xavier Thuizat and small plates designed to showcase them. A discreet, date-night-perfect spot.
Trente-Trois, 33 rue Jean Goujon, Paris 8th. +33 1 45 05 68 00. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.
Cypsèle
The name might not ring a bell just yet, but Marcin Król is the chef to watch. Originally from Poland, this affable globetrotter honed his craft at the legendary Noma in Copenhagen before traveling the world. He chose to settle on Île Saint-Louis—an area surprisingly short on standout dining options—where he has just opened Cypsèle.
Teaming up with Quentin Loisel, former sommelier at Le Jules Verne (and equally charming), the duo unveils a minimalist, understated dining room where the focus is firmly on bold flavors and flawless service. In the evening, expect a nine-course tasting menu priced at €145, including amuse-bouches and mignardises (€85 at lunch).
The menu changes daily depending on market finds and the chef’s inspiration, but highlights from our visit included taleggio and walnut agnolotti; outstanding Brussels sprouts with smoked eel ragout (#banger); confit skate wing with clams, whelks and spider crab; and wild duck with salmis sauce. Desserts are equally impressive, from a frozen citrus and saffron creation to a generous chestnut and quince Paris-Brest designed for sharing.
The extra touch: Quentin’s wine list, packed with sharp, exciting discoveries that may just tempt you to order a few cases to take home.
Cypsèle, 11 rue des Deux Ponts, Paris 4th. +33 6 49 70 49 54. Open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.
La Boule Rouge
You may already know La Boule Rouge, a Grand Boulevards institution famed for its cult couscous nights. Recently taken over by the teams behind Tempête and Kamo, the venue now reveals a bold new culinary concept led by chef Nicolas Ricouard, embodying its fresh identity.
Red candles, dim lighting and a warm, wood-accented decor make it a new favorite for intimate dates and lively birthday dinners alike—perfect for epicureans in search of culinary surprises.
Far removed from predictable, “safe” dinner spots, La Boule Rouge 2.0 offers a refreshingly original menu with global influences and unexpected pairings. Currently on the menu: aged Comté bikini sandwich with truffle and yellow wine (€16); raw ikejime amberjack with gochujang sauce, satsuma and shiso (€24); potato mille-feuille with Sarawak pepper sauce and morels (€18); tuberous chervil with horseradish, brown butter and herb salad (€16); Tuscan black cabbage barbecued with anchovy cream, chili oil and hazelnuts (€18); Erquy scallops with cauliflower, green pepper jelly and autumn truffle (€32); and vol-au-vent with sweetbreads and 120-day-aged poultry, wild sauce and puntarelle (€38). For dessert, we love the kiwi pavlova with yogurt mousse (€14) or the Basque cocoa cheesecake with fenugreek custard (€15).
The extra touch: expertly shaken cocktails prepared behind the beautiful front bar, along with a thoughtful selection of alcohol-free creations. Our pick? The Peanut Espresso Martini with coffee, liqueur and peanut (€14).
La Boule Rouge, 1 rue de la Boule Rouge, Paris 9th. +33 1 86 04 81 29. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 7pm–2am.
Also discover: the 7 restaurants we loved most in 2025 and the best galettes des rois to indulge in this January.
