Paris Restaurants

This tiny bistro is simply decorated with a plain white facade and a rustic interior and is always buzzing with locals. Chef Pierre Jay trained at La Tour d'Argent and his blackboard menu describes the classic French dishes, such as calf's liver cooked in sherry vinegar and scallops cooked in basil oil. The puddings are equally enticing and the bill is outrageously inexpensive for the quality of the food - €31 for the three-course set menu. Booking essential. Closed on Mondays.

Address: 28 rue du Mont Thabor (Beaubourg/Les Halles); Tel: (0)1 4296 2818; Price: Between €17 and €23

When L'Astrance opened in 2000, it was hailed as the most important gastronomic event for months and it has recently been awarded a Michelin star. But despite the continued critical acclaim guests do not experience either the pomposity or the crushing prices that can be found in other restaurants of a similar standard. Pascal Barbot uses only the freshest, in-season ingredients and the result is creative, sophisticated and mouth-wateringly delicious. Book weeks in advance. Closed Monday, lunch on Tuesday and for the month of August.

Address: 4 Rue Beethoven (Trocadéro/Eiffel Tower); Tel: (01) 4050 8440.

La Tour d'Argent is a national institution that serves up not only mouth-watering (and expensive) dishes, but also wonderful views over the Seine and Notre-Dam. A restaurant has stood on this site since 1582 and although no longer rated as 'the best' in Paris, dining here is still an unsurpassed event. A good section of the menu is devoted to duck, and diners who order the house speciality - caneton (pressed duckling) - are issued with a certificate; the practice started in 1890 and they are now at well over a million. Book well in advance and insist on a table with a view. Closed Monday, and lunch on Tuesdays.

Address: 15-17 quai de la Tournelle (Latin Quarter); Tel: (01) 4354 2331; Price: €59 (lunch menu); €215 (evening menu)

Nineteen years after being awarded two Michelin Stars, Guy Savoy's luxury restaurant won its third. This virtuoso chef's creations are audacious and inventive; the artichoke and truffle soup and grilled mullet on a bed of dandelion leaves reveal the enormity of his talent, and his mille-feuille is a contemporary classic. Half-portions allow patrons to graze through the menu and the wine list reveals a treasure trove of exceptional vintages. Jean-Michel Wilmotte recently redecorated the restaurant and, although formal, the atmosphere is jolly. Book well in advance. Dinner Monday to Saturday and lunch Tuesday to Friday. Closed Sundays.

Address: 18 rue de Troyon (Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile); Tel: (01) 43 80 40 61; E-mail: reserv@guysavoy.com

The kitschy and exotic Buddha Bar remains a hit with trendy Parisians and foreigners in the know. A massive gilt Buddha dominates the spacious interior of the restaurant, which offers an imaginative variety of Japanese-Californian cuisine. The cocktail bar upstairs is a popular haunt with drinkers and world-renowned DJs are as much of a draw as are the dishes, which although good and well presented are perhaps a little pricey for what they are. Book in advance for dinner, otherwise enjoy the complementary prawn crackers at the bar.

Address: 8 Rue Boissy d'Anglais (Champs-Élysées); Tel: (01) 5305 9000; E-mail: buddha.bar@buddha-bar.fr

Founded in 1872, the restaurant Goumard has all the charm of a century-old establishment with original oak woodwork, an engraved 1930s glass facade by Labouret and chandeliers and other lighting designed by Lalique. One of the finest seafood restaurants in Paris, the food at Goumard is influenced by Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. Chef Stephane Arsicaud coats his dishes with subtle and delicate sauces - the emphasis is on enhancing the natural flavours of the catch. Impressive dishes include rockfish bouillabaisse, line-caught bass grilled with oyster juice, and sautéed scallops with curry.

Address: 9 Rue Duphot (Madeleine); Tel: (01) 4260 3607

Housed within the arcades of the Palais-Royal, Le Grand Véfour has been entertaining diners since the reign of Louis XV and has welcomed everyone from Napoleon to Danton - almost every table bears a plaque commemorating a famous patron. Chef Guy Martin's menu is influenced by the cuisine of his native Savoie and his blend of sophisticated and rustic dishes draws foodies and celebrities from all over the world. Favourites include the filet of sole meunière, fennel with citrus fruit essences and tarama jus, and the wild duck cooked in laurel leaves with fig jus. Desserts include the now signature artichoke crème brûlée. Those who can't stretch to the expansive and expensive à la carte menu can try the lunchtime set menu for €75. Booking is essential. Closed Friday night and weekends; annual closing from10-17 April, August and 24-31 December.

Address: 17 Rue de Beaujolais (Louvre/Tuileries); Tel: (01) 4296 5627; E-mail: vefour@relaischateaux.com; Price: €250 for fixed price dinner menu, €75 for fixed price lunch menu; main courses between €70 and €100

Sir Terence Conran's foray to Paris has been a massive success and l'Alcazar attracts fashionable Parisians looking to dine on seafood or Modern British fare before heading out on the town. The huge ground floor restaurant is of course designed more for style than comfort and patrons can see the chefs in action in the open-plan kitchens. The upstairs lounge bar is a great spot to enjoy a quick snack and a glass of wine while listening to remixes by some of the best DJs in Paris. L'Az bar has regular theme nights with celebrity artists and jazz musicians.

Address: 62 Rue Mazarine (Odéon); Tel: (01) 5310 1999; E-mail: contact@alcazar.fr; Price: About €30

The prestigious Jules Verne Restaurant is located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower and has an atmosphere that is reminiscent of an airship moored high above Paris. The head chef, Alain Reix, has brought the restaurant an excellent reputation; the Michelin Guide recently awarded it a star. Book weeks in advance. The restaurant's more casual annexe, Altitude 95, is located on the first floor - 95 metres above sea level. Its large bay windows look out over the Seine and the Trocadéro to one side and the inside of the Tower to the other.

Address: Eiffel Tower, second floor (the restaurant has its own private elevator access at the south pillar); Tel: (01) 4555 6144

A popular restaurant, le Bouillon Racine features a sophisticated Belgium menu and an enormous selection of Belgium beer. The food here is hearty and filling even without the help of several thirst-quenching ales. The reasonably-priced menu changes monthly and includes popular dishes like the casserole of mussels, shrimp and baby clams, suckling pig roasted with the bitter Orval beer, and rack of lamb roasted in a pale biere blonde. The décor is festive and the service impersonal but efficient. Reservations essential. Open for lunch and dinner.

Address: 3 Rue Racine (St-Germain-des-Prés); Tel: (01) 4432 1560; E-mail: bouillon.racine@wanadoo.fr