Paris has long captivated people’s hearts with its romance. Would you dream to be there with your lover or beloved?
Stroll together along the endless embankment of the Seine, confess your feelings under the lights of the Eiffel Tower, admire the masterpieces of the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay and enjoy the gastronomic discoveries of Paris.
French gastronomy is the most important component of the country’s culture and self-identity. And Paris is a city that has brought together the best: talented chefs – masters in cooking and presentation, special atmosphere, high-quality service, great views. That is why the restaurant business here is developing at a tremendous pace, there are more than 40,000 restaurants in the capital and that is why it can be so difficult to decide. How not get lost in such a great choice and variety? In this article, I have selected establishments, thanks to which you can go on a culinary journey, truly unforgettable for a romantic pastime.

Les Foodies

The restaurant for true gourmets is located in the center of the famous Parisian Marais quarter. Its founders are graduates of the famous Cordon Bleu school: the Russian-American entrepreneur Alexander Cogan and the chef of Italian-Thai origin David Galloni. The owners decided to combine their forces and created an original institution where they combined the exterior of a historic building from the 17th century with the interior in modern art deco style. An elegant, cozy, and luminous place reflecting the Marais quarter. From the culinary point of view, it is a neo-bistro – a blend of high French cuisine techniques with regional Italian and Thai culinary traditions.

The restaurant uses the highest quality products, traditional and innovative cooking techniques, and different combinations of ingredients, flavors, colors, and textures. The menu changes according to the seasonality of the products and the team are in constant search, experimenting, and being inspired by travel and culinary discoveries from all over the world. In addition to the seasonal menu, there are also set menus, à la carte menus, and brunch. Particular praise goes to Garganelli pasta with porcini mushrooms, langoustine tartare, and a dessert variation of the famous strawberry Zacher. Also, we would like to emphasize service, namely cordial and professional service: the guys will be happy to present you a detailed presentation of a dish or recommend you a wine or a designer cocktail. If you want to plunge into the atmosphere of aesthetics in design and food and just have a good time, you are welcome, on or off…

Les Fous de l’Ile 

The original bistro is located in the heart of the island of St. Louis, away from the hustle and bustle and crowds of tourists. The stylistics of the whole restaurant are concentrated on different decorations of chickens and roosters of all colors and variations, which makes this institution thematic and gives it a special charm.

The cuisine will please you with its sophistication, quality of products and variety of choices. Interesting serving of dishes, there are options to combine the main menu and dessert – one price, there is just a starter and dessert – another. Everyone can find a dish to his/her taste, but I especially recommend to try tender pumpkin soup with nuts and chestnuts or grilled dorado with wok-fried cauliflower. If you haven’t had time to try the famous ice cream and sherbet Bertillon, it is also available here.

We would like to mention a good wine list, and for big connoisseurs one Monday a month the chef of the restaurant Stephen Rouquier and sommelier of the Cinq restaurant of Four Seasons Hotel George V Florent Martin organizes a degustation evening of the best wine-gastronomic combinations. All this, together with the friendly and helpful staff creates such a warm and welcoming atmosphere that you wish to spend as much time as possible in the restaurant and to please yourself with different delicacies. The menu changes every month, so there will always be a desire to come back to such a pleasant place.

Alcazar

In the heart of the Saint-Germain district is the inconspicuous entrance to a stunning establishment. Once a space that housed the royal tennis courts in the 17th century, then for many years a popular cabaret show, and in 1998 a stylish restaurant run by the famous businessman Sir Terence Conran.

Now just crossing the threshold of the restaurant, you will see a place, the latest renovation of 2013, which will immediately attract you with its interior – elegance, and compactness at the same time. Trendy and modern, literally buried in the green, two-story loft-style restaurant designed by architect Laura Gonzalez. Alcazar abounds with plants and foliage everywhere hanging from the second-floor balcony, and its glass roof and high ceilings give a sense of expansive space.

Equally important, the restaurant’s location and sleek design make the quality of its cuisine noteworthy. The modern and tasty brasserie menu will please even the most demanding gourmets. You can try the duck fillet with honey-ginger sauce, figs, and sweet potatoes, and Pavlov’s cake with passion fruit.

We would like to add that this is not all the restaurant’s advantages. While you can enjoy dinner on the first floor, there is a bar on the second floor. And from Wednesday to Saturday there is a DJ. In general, the restaurant is charged with a good mood and attentive but unobtrusive staff. The place is quite popular, on weekends evenings all the tables are busy, so I advise you to book in advance.

Kong

On the fifth floor, under the transparent dome of a 19th-century Haussmann-era building with a stunning view of Paris’ oldest bridge, the Pont Neuf, and the oldest department store in Samaritan, is the trendy Kong restaurant. Originally opened in 2003, it underwent a recent renovation in 2013.

The ultra-modern airy design by the famous Philippe Starck harmoniously combines French and Japanese motifs, and the beautiful and professional waiters complete the right atmosphere of the place.

The head chef Richard Pommier constantly develops and creates refined French dishes with Japanese accents, where everyone can find a dish to their liking. Try the Wagyu steak with Bernet sauce or the Japanese spaghetti udon with lobster. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s a great selection of desserts, and I suggest you check out the desserts by the world-renowned French pastry chef Pierre Hermès.

If you have a desire, on the floor below the restaurant there is a bar where you can try amazing cocktails, also there is a small dance floor, where you can enjoy the music of different genres and formats under the accompaniment of the best DJs from Thursday to Saturday until dawn. Whichever way you choose to spend your evening in Kong, it’s sure to be magical, with an atmosphere of relaxation and sophistication and a view of the Paris sky and the Seine in front of you.

It’s still advisable to book a table in advance, especially if you want a table with the best view of Pont Neuf or if it’s a weekend getaway.