When you’re making the most of Paris’ marvellous cultural offerings, there’s no need to schlep too far to eat: some of the city’s finest restaurants are housed in museums and galleries. Here’s a selection of pit stops perfect for a mid-culture refuel, though most are worth visiting in their own right.
The phenomenal Palais de Tokyo has long attracted the fooderati with its stylish Art Deco brasserie Monsieur Bleu, and with the opening of Les Grands Verres last year, the museum has further upped its gourmet offering. Part of the art of the Quixotic empire (the peeps behind Experimental Cocktail Club), this colossal, open-plan dining room replete with neo-industrial fitout and convivial vibe is a canvas to seasonal, Med veggie and carni plates, created to share, but natch. As you’d expect, the drinks are monumental… just don’t forget to peruse Europe’s largest stash of contemporary art while there.
Why bother with parlous queues at the Louvre, Eiffel and Tuileries when you can get stagger-fab vantages of all three landmarks at once from Les Arts Décoratifs’ tony supper Loulou? Dishing delectable Riviera-style Italian eats, this Joseph Dirand-designed retro-chic dining room is a beau monde magnet, and in summer the vast garden terrace is the place to see and be chichi. Book ahead.
After marvelling the Homme Museum’s archeological delights, beeline to swish house restaurant, Café de l’Homme for some mighty fine Gallic cuisine. The decadent, seasonal menu calls upon the finest homegrown ingredients and is accompanied by a choice of 3000 French vinos. If you’ve not yet had your fill of Eiffel vistas, eschew the stylish dining room in favour of a terrace table.
For yet more glamorous, front-row views of the twinkly Tour Eiffel, frock up for dinner at Les Ombres, perched atop Musée du Quai Branly. This glassy, minimalist Jean Nouvel-conceived rooftop perch is hands-down one of the city’s most romantic sup spots; the luminous coppery-golds of the tower and light bites such as foie gras with artichoke and scallops with hazelnut and orange are guaranteed to brighten your evening in equal measure.
Originally written by LUXE for PenCities.
For more stagger-glam sip and sup spots in the French capital, nab a copy of the LUXE Paris guide…
