The 7 Restaurants We Loved the Most in 2025

They delighted us, spoiled us and amazed us. From ultra-chic restaurants to the most highly anticipated openings and friendly neighborhood brasseries, here’s a closer look at the tables we loved testing for you this year.

Freshly renovated, the Grand Palais now boasts one of the most beautiful terraces in Paris, home to a stunning restaurant run by the Loulou Groupe, already behind the namesake restaurant at the MAD. With its majestic columns, magical views over the Petit Palais, impeccable service and glowing terracotta walls, Le Grand Café has quickly become THE new hotspot delighting Parisians and tourists in search of beauty.

Why we loved it? An extraordinary address deserves an extraordinary décor. A bold and highly successful bet by architect Joseph Dirand: while the terrace is already sublime with its original mosaic floors and majestic columns, the XXL interior volumes are just as impressive, with mirrors reflecting the outdoors, marble finishes, perfect symmetry, crisp white tablecloths and warm velvet accents. Of course, the menu lives up to the setting, crafted by the group’s executive chef, Benoît Dargère. Expect traditional French dishes staged with grandeur: deviled eggs with anchovies and bottarga (€21), an exquisite thin tomato tart (€25), seafood platters, potato salad (€29)… along with fresh seasonal creations and refined desserts. The cherry on top? As night falls, a jazz orchestra sets the mood by the bar while shaker star Colin Field begins crafting his legendary cocktails – Bellini, Serendipity, French 76 (€30) – along with creations like the Absinthe Café with cocoa cream and chocolate bitters (€26). A guaranteed unforgettable night!

Le Grand Café - Le Grand Palais, 1 place Clémenceau, Paris 8e. Open daily. Lunch from 12pm to 4:30pm, dinner from 7pm to 2am, bar open from 6:30pm.
© Matthieu Salvaing – Oddur Thorisson

No need to look elsewhere to find all the pretty girls and handsome boys of Paris : dressed for the evening, they’re all seated at Billie. With its killer playlist, sexy plates that go straight to the point and polished décor, here’s the new HQ of the capital’s beautiful people.

Why we loved it ? A perfectly tuned sound system, collector vinyl spun by a resident DJ (and guest DJs), and an ultra-chic décor with tablecloths, candles, leather, marble and wood paneling—this is the winning formula at Billie. Sure, we love people-watching, showing off in a great dress and discreetly listening to nearby conversations, but we’re also obsessed with the boldly seductive dishes. The menu is short, seasonal, chic and efficient, with strong Mediterranean vibes: roasted squash and stracciatella (€15), sea bream crudo with citrus (€18), nduja croquettes with herb mayonnaise (€13), vitello tonnato (€18), not to mention silky al dente pastas : linguine limone e pepe (€19) or paccheri gamberoni in a briny sauce (€31). Special mention for the irresistible desserts like the affogato (€8) or lemon, mascarpone and basil cake (€12), perfect alongside a grapefruit Paloma or a classic Espresso Martini (€16).

Billie, 36 rue de Petits Champs, Paris 2e. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, until 2am.

With its charming Minorcan house aesthetic, the talent of chef Alexandre Giesbert (Daroco) and a clearly identifiable travel-inspired artistic direction, Casa Pregonda has it all. The result ? Parisian fashion insiders can’t stop talking about it and have already made it their new stylish HQ. Same for us.

Why we loved it? Perfectly located just steps from press offices and showrooms, Casa Pregonda boasts a lively façade and a picturesque atmosphere that instantly transports you to the Balearic Islands. White stone walls, chandeliers and a raised bar where you can dine at the counter : it almost feels like the sea could appear through a window.
On the plate? Start with the best sangria in Paris, infused with peach, verbena and rosemary (€10 a glass, or go straight for the carafe at €40), then dive into a parade of Iberian specialties. We share the tortilla with aioli and candied peppers (€14), spectacular carabineros prawns al natural (€24, incredibly tender!), and of course jamón ibérico croquetas (€8). Guaranteed: you’ll want to come back very, very soon.

Casa Pregonda, 6 rue Marie Stuart, Paris 2e Open Wednesday to Sunday from 7pm to midnight.
© Venue photos Adel Fecih – Food photos Mickaël Bandassak

For his second restaurant, Omar Dhiab bares his heart and delivers an address even more personal than his Michelin-starred table. Elbi (“heart” in Arabic) is a brilliant balancing act between Egyptian gastronomy, a down-to-earth wine bar and a cheeky Parisian bistro—an ode to his roots and a tribute to his father, a chef. The result: generous, authentic and impeccably executed cuisine.

Why we loved it? Plates prepared before our eyes in the open kitchen, a rap playlist, ultra-designed industrial décor mixing wood and zinc, and above all, flawless service by cool kids in denim jackets. The concept? Dishes are organized by cooking temperature: low-temp (37.5°C), steam (85°C), fried (180°C), grilled (350°C) or roasted (400°C). Pick one from each to fully experience the journey.
At 37.5°C, a delicious eggplant glazed with pomegranate and fresh herbs (€15). Steamed: bread soldiers dipped into “cocotte eggs” with a slow-cooked merguez ragout (€12). Fried: crispy prawns wrapped in filo pastry (€22). Grilled: lobster and orzo in a fragrant nigella sauce (€38). Roasted: molokheya, a Maghreb classic elevated with a sauce bathing half a chicken (€39). Our absolute favorite ? The fragrant chickpea bihia (€9), a refreshing twist on classic sides. And the desserts are just as irresistible : so yes, we give in… and promise to come back for the rest.

Elbi, 54 rue de Paradis, Paris 10e. Open Monday to Friday from 6:30pm to midnight; Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 2:30pm and 7pm to midnight.
© Ilya Kagan

Big Mamma strikes again! After conquering Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, London and Milan, the group that reinvented Italian dining unveils its most accomplished chapter yet in Paris’s 7th arrondissement.

Why we loved it? From the moment you enter, the fully embraced Italian style and 70s décor—zebra-print carpet, gilded mirrors and monumental chandeliers by Jacopo Foggini—make you feel like you’ve stepped into Gianni Versace’s glamorous hideout. The plates live up to the promise, showcasing authentic Italian flavors made with top-quality ingredients. Here, pizza takes a back seat in favor of elevated classics. Antipasti and crudi set the tone with gamberi carpaccio and foie gras petals (€30), beef tartare with mushrooms and truffle (€27), or burratina with basil cream (€15). Pasta lovers rejoice : black truffle gnocchi (€35, or €55 with white truffle) as soft as a cushion, or perfectly peppery cacio e pepe (€21). Ultimate favorite dessert : the ultra-generous molten chocolate soufflé with pistachio ice cream (€18). Salute !

Gloria Osteria, 41 Rue de Lille, Paris 7e. Open Monday to Thursday 12pm–4pm and 7pm–12:30am; Friday 7pm–2am; Saturday 12pm–5pm and 7pm–2am; Sunday 12pm–5pm.
© Joann Pai

Paris now has its own stylish take on the American dive bar with Superfine, newly opened in the 11th arrondissement. Goodbye anti-glam, hello French Touch! Behind the project: Vincent Pinceloup (also behind Monsieur Antoine), entrepreneur Etienne Gatti, chef Delphine Laguerre (Sando Club) and Raphaël Blanc, former head bartender at Groupe Ducasse. A dream team promising seriously sexy food and cocktails—worth crossing the city for.

Why we loved it ? Inside, a minimalist décor that keeps the raw neighborhood-bar spirit with brick walls, large mirrors and candles on every table. The star of the show ? The central stainless-steel bar where you can watch bartenders in American diner-style uniforms shake up signature cocktails. Bonus: spotting your pizza puffing up in the open kitchen.
On the food side, sexy and carefree street food: katsu eggplant veggie burger (€12), Sausage Dog with Guinness gravy (€13), or the ultra-fluffy Puff pizza topped with ricotta, butter-harissa sauce and honey (€13). Choosing is hard—so we take everything.
Drinks are just as bold, with a PB&B Milkshake (€13) or a Butter Not Texture blending gin, barley shochu, buckwheat and butternut (€14). The extra perk: on Fridays and Saturdays, DJ sets pay homage to the musical spirit of the Motel Bar that once occupied the space.

Superfine, 8 passage Josset, Paris 11e.Open Wednesday to Friday 6pm–2am, Saturday 4pm–2am, Sunday 4pm–12am.
© Pierre Lucet Penato

Perched atop Hôtel Sax in the 7th arrondissement with breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, Kinugawa has just unveiled its most beautiful Parisian address yet. With terracotta décor, large tables perfect for special occasions and a refined, discreet atmosphere, it’s the Left Bank spot to try.

Why we loved it: The exceptional setting alone would be enough to draw us up to this rooftop, but the menu seals the deal—everything is delicious. Our top picks : tuna taruto, a flat pizza-style base topped with summer truffle tarama (€25); snow crab and spicy tuna wrapped in tempura nori (€29); and melting miso-glazed eggplant (€23).
We continue with a delicate steamed sea bass fillet and mushrooms on an intensely fragrant dashi consommé (€39), before reaching the grand finale: grilled black cod rolls marinated in miso and cucumber (€30), spicy bluefin tuna maki (€21), or grilled eel sushi (€9). Dessert keeps the pleasure going with a nostalgic hazelnut and sobacha rocher (€18).

Kinugawa, 55 avenue de Saxe, Paris 7e. +33 1 81 69 07 49. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
© Claire Israël

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