Parlour X Director and Buyer, Eva Galambos considers Paris to be her second home, traveling to the city of light up to six times a year for her buying trips. As the go-to list amongst the fashion set and industry leaders alike, Eva shares her comprehensive Paris city guide which you simply, cannot miss. Updated every season, explore each category, including fine dining, casual dining, bars, lifestyle and family outings!
Eva's newest Paris "musts" are...
Dining
CoCo Paris - Palais Garnier.
The new hotspot pays homage to the historic opera house. Unwind and enjoy a quintessential Parisian lunch outside via the intimate terrace, or cosy baroque indoor interiors.
Girafe Restaurant -1 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France.
Eiffel tower views, 1930s décor by Joseph Dirand and seafood cuisine by Benoît Dargère makes Girafe the newest and hottest addition to the Parisian food scene.
Frenchie - 5-6 Rue de Nil, 75002 Paris, France.
With people waiting up to six months to gets a reservation at Frenchie, try to book as far in advance as possible. I’ve been frequenting for years and it never disappoints. Great food, vibe and service.
Balagan - 9 Rue d’Alger, 75001 Paris, France.
Considerably new ‘it’ restaurant, great for breakfast and dinner. A fantastic bar – book well ahead!
Derriere - 69 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris, France.
Make sure to check out the many rooms within the restaurant and the smoking room upstairs. Dinner is the best time to visit.
LouLou - 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France.
From the menu, to the location and the décor – what’s not to love about this restaurant. The ‘it’ restaurant for the fashion folk and industry alike, the Mediterranean style cuisine is superb, and the atmosphere, service and setting is peerless. In summer or spring, sit outside in the courtyard to observe the exquisite grounds, situated right next to Musée des arts décoratifs.
La Belle Epoque - 36 Rue des Petits Champs, 75002 Paris, France.
A favourite for late dinners or large groups; great food, wines and the atmosphere is perfect Parisian style. I adore the team.
Hôtel National Des Arts et Métiers - 243 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris, France.
Warm delights of Italian gastronomy, ingredients and flavours. New hotspot of 2018. The hotel has brought together the expertise of three luminaries in the Parisian restaurant scene: Julien Cohen and the duo of Jean-Pierre Lopes/Thomas Delafon. One of the best rooftops in Paris, usually buzzing with patrons in summer.
Caviar Kaspia - 15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France.
Caviar Kaspia is another Parisian institution and if you love seafood, in particular caviar, then this restaurant is not one to miss! A favourite of the fashion crowd, it’s a little old world, but great in the cold months because it is cosy and intimate. Prepare to enjoy some lavish dishes.
Left: Cafe Marly, Right: Balagan
Bambou - 23 Rue des Jeûneurs, 75002 Paris, France.
Set in old textile workshop that amasses over 500m2, this fashionable Thai restaurant is a new favourite.
Bachaumont - 18 Rue Bachaumont, 75002 Paris, France.
In the 2nd, the restaurant is part of Hotel Bachaumont, a great meeting place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Divine décor, relaxed but polished setting. Great hotel too.
Le Perchoir - 14 Rue Crespin du Gast, 75011 Paris, France.
Very cool restaurant on an open huge rooftop with a 360-degree view of Paris.
Monsieur Bleu - 20 Avenue de New York, 75116 Paris, France.
Beautiful restaurant on the left bank, overlooking the Seine. Monsieur Bleu is having a revival... in the summertime after dinner the bar area is a great place to dance.
Café de L'Homme - 17 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France.
Dinner and lunch with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower.
Le Café Marly - 93 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France. An institution overlooking the Louvre Pyramids in the 1st. Despite the name being Café, this restaurant is quite formal and always full of fashion folk during Fashion Week. Simple menu – best for lunch.
Hoxton - 30-32 Rue Du Sentier, 75002 Paris, France.
Located in Paris' 2nd arrondissement, the restaurant, Rivié offers all-day French-inspired dishes. Enjoy breakfast, dinner or lunch.
L’Avenue - 41 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France.
|After shopping on Avenue Montaigne have lunch at L’Avenue and sit in the front terrace so you can people watch… you may want to come back here for dinner too!
Il Carpaccio - Hôtel Royal Monceau - 37 Avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris, France.
Located at Hôtel Royal Monceau, the restaurant is magnificent for breakfast and brunch. Sophisticated dishes from the freshest seasonal products and tasty and traditional Italian recipes. Also best breakfast and weekend brunch.
Ferdi - 32 Rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris, France.
Known for Paris' best cheeseburger, Ferdi's gourmet bar serves casual tapas but is a first-class dining experience. A little kooky, you'll need a special number to enter. Otherwise, try walking in looking exceptionally chic.
Ralph's -173 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France.
A classic, by Ralph Lauren. Divine courtyard setting in the 6th arrondissement. Best for Sunday lunch.
Left: Perruche, Right: Margherita
Chez Julien - 1 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 Paris, France.
Located just behind the Marais, Chez Julien is one of my favourite spots in Paris for dinner, but good for lunch too.
Le Jules Verne - Tour Eiffel, Avenue Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris, France.
Located at the very top of the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne is an experience. With three Michelin stars, the food is as extraordinary as the view. You must book in advance.
La Maison Blanche - 15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France.
While shopping on Avenue Montaigne, stop in at La Maison Blanche for a lovely lunch or intimate dinner with a spectacular view.
Le Chateaubriand Paris - 129 Avenue Parmentier, 75011 Paris, France.
Cool and typically French, book well in advance for dinner. Not recommended for vegetarians.
Hotel du Nord - 102 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris, France.
Great for large group dinners… An oldie but still a goodie and pulls a cool crowd. Best for dinner.
Anahi - 49 Rue Volta, 75003 Paris, France.
Great Argentinian restaurant in the Marais, but not for the vegetarians.
Hotel Costes - 239-241 Rue Saint Honore, 75001 Paris, France.
Hotel Costes has become a Parisian institution, good for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make sure to be seated in the terrace because the hotel has a beautiful courtyard in the centre. The hotel bar is also fun to just sit and have an evening drink.
Perruche - 2 Rue du Havre, 75009 Paris, France.
A new restaurant and cocktail bar nestled on the top of Printemps Haussmann. With a panoramic view, this open-air venue offers delicious cocktails and a menu made to share.
Liza - 14, Rue de la Banque, 75002 Paris, France.
A vibrant Lebanese restaurant which offers an experience that marries the elegance of Paris and the charm of Beirut.
Café Castiglione - 235 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France.
An institution. Whether you’re after breakfast, lunch or dinner, this is a classic hotspot always bustling with an ‘it’ crowd.
La Cuisine de Philippe - 25 Rue Servandoni, 75006 Paris, France This warm loft style venue offers an experience that you might expect from New York.
Le Duc - 243 Boulevard Raspail, 75014 Paris, France.
An unmissable fish and seafood restaurant visited by everyone from former French presidents to fashion folk. Inside, the original décor is tinged with nautical notions, creating a timeless and chic experience.
Le Petit Lutetia -107 Rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris, France.
A Parisian gem, which has been transformed. As you walk in, you are immersed by a classic Parisian Bistro with theatrical mirrored walls...and the cuisine is full of flavours.
Balagan
Casual Dining
Café-Restaurant Louis Philippe - 66 Quai de l'Hôtel de ville, 75004 Paris, France.
For a casual lunch, visit this quintessential Parisian bistro with outdoor seating.
Margherita Saint Germain - 17 Rue de l'Ancienne Comedie, 75006 Paris, France.
Best for dinner with kids! A child friendly restaurant with games rooms and a wonderful Italian menu.
Cafe Charlot - 38 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France.
The ideal destination cafe in the heart of the Marais. Make sure to stop here for brunch, lunch or dinner and sit outdoors because its great people watching on the weekend. The crowd is always beautiful looking, and dinner is always fun too on any night of the week! In fact, it’s a meal you can have at any time of day and would interest generation millennial.
Le Richer - 2 Rue Richer, 75009 Paris, France.
Cute little restaurant with a very cool vibe and delicious food.
Au Passage - 1bis Passage Saint-Sebastian, 75011 Paris, France.
Cute and small, this restaurant has delicious food.
Aux Deux Amis - 45 Rue Oberkampf, 75011 Paris, France.
Small but very cute with fantastic food.
Le Petit fer a Cheval - 30 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris, France.
Cute little bar that also serves delicious meals.
Cibus - 5 Rue Moliere, 75001 Paris, France.
Tiny little Italian place, famous for its exclusivity and great food.
Le Square Trousseau - 1 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012 Paris, France.
Modern French with a traditional feel – you may bump into Isabel Marant and Jerome Dreyfuss here as its their favourite local spot.
Left: Au Rocher de Cancale, Right: Balagan
Bars
Bar Vendome - The Ritz Paris - 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France.
Steeped in history, The Ritz Paris at the exclusive Place Vendôme has reopened. The bar - ideal for breakfast and dinner - has spirit of a fine Parisian brasserie where great classics are elevated to new heights.
Les Bains - 7 Rue du Bourg l’Abbé, 75003 Paris, France.
5 star hotel, bar and club.
Mandarin Oriental - 251 Rue Saint Honore, 75001 Paris, France.
Beautiful hotel. Have a drink at the bar in the terrace. The hotel is also a great central meeting point on Saint Honore.
Bar du Marche - 75 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris, France.
Have a drink at Bar du Marche, a great place for people watching.
Café de Flore, 172 Boulevarde Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France.
A Parisian institution and a great meeting place for a drink or snack. Very tourist-centric of course but a great place nonetheless. Often, you will find famous ‘artsy’ people here.
Le Piaf - 38 Rue Jean Mermoz 75008 Paris, France.
Set in the heart of Paris is Le Piaf. With an elegant atmosphere, you can chat with friends over a traditional French cuisine.
Left: Cafe Charlot, Right: Monsieur Bleu
Clubs
Crazy Horse - 12 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France.
An iconic cabaret and burlesque club that shouldn't be missed.
Silencio - 142 Rue Montmarte, 75002 Paris, France.
Designed by David Lynch, Silencio is a Parisian nightclub open to the public from midnight onwards. Not for those wanting a quiet night!
Manko Club - 15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France.
Peruvian cuisine in an outrageous and chic cabaret and nightclub setting.
Raspoutine - 58 Rue de Bassano, 75008 Paris, France A hotspot for nights out in Paris. The interior decor, listed as a historical monument, is dominated by red.
Lifestyle
David Mallet Hair - 14 Rue Notre Dame des Victoires, 75002 Paris, France.
I can’t go past this go-to salon for a refreshed styling session.
The Ritz Club - 17 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France.
An institution that is one of the most indulgent spas in Paris. I frequent this space for everything from my weekly manicure to a Melanie Grant facial treatment during fashion week.
Left: Vendome, Right: David Mallet
Family Outings
Eiffel Tower - Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France.
No trip is complete without a visit to La tour Eiffel, in the 7th arrondissement.
Louvre - Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France.
The world’s largest art museum and a historic monument, located in the 1st arrondissement.
Arts Decorative Museum - 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France.
Home to one of the best fashion exhibitions in Paris, the Arts Decorative Museum is situated in the Western Wing of the Lourve. Founded in 1905, it is renowned for its collections of decorative arts, design, advertising and graphic arts.
Nuits de l'Orangerie - Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, France.
A captivating light and sound show in the garden of Château de Versailles.
Jardin Du Luxembourg - Rue de Médicis - Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris, France.
Picturesque flowerbeds and manicured lawns these idyllic gardens offer a moment of tranquillity within a bustling city. This is one of the best playgrounds in Paris, you can have a glass of rosé in the nearby restaurant while you watch the children play. There is also a marionette which is sure to keep the children entertained for hours.
Musée d'Orsay - 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France.
Located on the Left Bank, the museum holds mostly Impressionist and French art including paintings, sculptures and photograph. One of my favourites.
Bois de Boulogne - Bois de Boulogne, 75016 Paris, France.
Second largest park in Paris, Bois de Boulogne is the perfect for a lunchtime picnic, a leisurely bike tour or even an afternoon boat ride.
Parc de la Villette - 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris, France.
This spacious urban park features botanical gardens, playgrounds, and a number of exciting events and activities. The open-air cinema is a must-visit from mid-July to mid-August.
Parc de Buttes-Chaumont - 1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris, France.
Located in the north-east of Paris, this park has been reclaimed and transformed into one the most charming parks.
Science Museum - 30 Avenue Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris, France.
The biggest science museum in Europe, fun for the whole family.
Jardin d’Acclimatation - Bois de Boulogne, Route de la Porte Dauphine à la Porte des Sablons, 75116 Paris, France.
An amusement park with rollercoasters to exotic bird enclosures. Take a day to discover all that Jardin d’Acclimatation has to offer, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Nuit Blanche - In October, the contemporary all-night art festival 'Nuit Blanche' takes place across the city's streets and monuments. A major cultural event in the capital, it is a free invitation to Parisians and tourists to engage with works of art by national and international artists.
Palace of Versailles - Place d'Armes 78000 Versailles, France.
One of the most famous castles in the world, home to Marie Antoinette and the principal royal residence of France under Louis XIV until the start of the French Revolution.
Left: Versailles, Right: Musee d'Orsay