Every Christmas and New Year's Eve, it's the same thing: there are those who opt for the restaurant option and spend bothevenings with their feet under the table, and then there are those who prefer to do things themselves and get their hands dirty preparing a spectacular menu that will impress and delight their guests.
If you fall into the second category, then you're probably looking for the best places in Paris to order essential dishes for the holiday season.
Foie gras, pâté en croûte (or even Oreiller de la Belle Aurore for the more aesthetically minded); oysters, scallops, and smoked salmon for lovers of the sea—and even caviar for those who want to indulge; turkey, capon, or other poultry prepared with great care; not to mention high-quality cheeses, a must for any good French New Year's Eve celebration.
Those with a sweet tooth will not hesitate to wander the streets and shops of the capital to find the perfect Christmas log, the ideal ice cream to finish off Christmas Eve on a light note, or even small cookies andchocolates to accompany the coffee that will round off the feast.
If you're looking for all these essential holiday specialties, here are some great places to go in Paris!
The best butchers and delicatessens in Paris, our top picks
Meat lovers, if you're craving a nice piece of meat, head to these great butcher shops and charcuteries in Paris! [Read more]
The best caterers in Paris, our good addresses
Want to put your feet under the table for a highly gourmet experience? Call on the best caterers in Paris! [Read more]
Where to eat foie gras in Paris? Our best addresses
Here are our top tips for enjoying home-made foie gras in Paris restaurants. [Read more]
Winter or summer, the call of the pie is often irresistible. Can you relate? If so, here are the best places to enjoy a slice of pâté en croûte in a Paris restaurant! [Read more]
The mythical Pâté en Croûte and totemic figure of French cuisine, the Oreiller de la Belle Aurore is a little marvel... weighing up to 30kg! Discover the story behind this legendary recipe, and find out where to eat a slice in Paris. [Read more]
In the mood for a real poulet-frites? We're off to the rotisseries of Paris, where you can savor beautiful poultry delicately roasted for hours on end. [Read more]
The best fishmongers in Paris, our good addresses
If you love fresh fish, Paris is full of fishmongers worth visiting. From well-stocked stalls to shiny shellfish and expert advice, this is the place to go! [Read more]
Why not splurge on a nice tin of caviar for lunch? Here are the best places to taste this black gold in Paris! [Read more]
A brief history of Paris's top restaurants: L'Alsace, Alsatian tradition on the Champs-Elysées
Since 1968, brasserie L'Alsace has been bringing out the soul of the great Parisian houses on the Champs-Élysées, between generous sauerkraut, crispy flammekueches and seafood benches. [Read more]
A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: La Lorraine, a brasserie with a taste for the sea
A major brasserie in the 8th arrondissement since 1919, La Lorraine boasts a terrace, Art Deco decor and exceptional seafood platters. A lively, elegant Parisian institution. [Read more]
The history of Paris's great restaurants: La Coupole, symbol of the Roaring Twenties
An art deco institution in Montparnasse since 1927, La Coupole is a monumental brasserie that has seen the Parisian avant-garde come and go. A festive temple to popular Parisian gastronomy. [Read more]
A short history of Paris's great restaurants: Le Café de la Paix, breeding ground for emperors
Facing the Opéra Garnier, Le Café de la Paix is a prestigious address in the 9th arrondissement, open since 1862. Its majestic Second Empire setting has witnessed the passing of celebrities and the history of Paris. [Read more]
A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Le Vaudeville, Art Deco charm
Since 1918, brasserie Le Vaudeville has been spreading the Parisian tradition across from the Bourse, with seafood platters, French classics and Art Deco decor, in an elegant, lively atmosphere. [Read more]
Craving fresh fish or seafood? Follow the guide to the best seafood restaurants in Paris for a seafood feast! [Read more]
Looking for a good place to enjoy oysters in Paris? We'll take you on a tour of the capital's oyster bars and restaurants. [Read more]
The best delicatessens in Paris, our best addresses
Delicatessens are the ideal place to find quality products, carefully selected by the owners. Discover the best delicatessen addresses in Paris, to find good things to take home. [Read more]
The best cheese dairies in Paris, our best addresses
Cheese aficionados, discover the best cheese shops in Paris! [Read more]
The best bakeries in Paris, our top picks for where to buy baguettes, bread, and pastries
In Paris, the perfect bakery is about more than just a good baguette! Natural sourdough, ancient grains, organic or gluten-free products, artisanal pastries... It's a daily quest for lovers of truly good bread. Here are the best places in Paris and the Ile-de-France region! [Read more]
The best international delicatessens in Paris, our top picks that will take you on a journey
Japanese, English, Italian, African and Greek specialties are all on offer at the world's delicatessens in Paris. [Read more]
Where to eat traditional French pastries in Paris? Our top picks
Looking for typical French pastries in Paris? Here are our top spots where you can enjoy macarons, Paris-Brest, crêpes, millefeuilles, and other traditional pastries! [Read more]
Forêt noire, fraisier, Opéra, Saint-Honoré: where to buy a retro pastry or cake in Paris?
Saint-Honoré, forêt noire, baba au rhum, fraisier, Opéra... These long-forgotten retro French cakes are making a comeback, and in Paris and the Ile-de-France region, they're seducing with their authenticity and old-fashioned charm. Here are the best places to buy them! [Read more]
The best chocolate shops in Paris, our top addresses for buying delicious chocolates
Head to the best chocolate shops in Paris to stock up on chocolate treats! [Read more]
The best confectioners and candy stores in Paris, our top addresses for buying candy
Want to devour a handful of artisanal sweets? From marshmallows to caramel, calissons to fruity treats, head to Paris's confectioners to stock up on sweets and candies! [Read more]
Ice cream shops where you can enjoy delicious artisanal ice cream in Paris, our favorite places by theme
Why not take advantage of the warmer weather to discover what Paris's ice cream parlors have in store for us? Here are the best ice creams and sorbets in the capital! [Read more]
The best wine cellars in Paris, our favorite wine merchants
Looking for a good bottle of wine? Find what you're looking for in Paris' wine cellars. The wine merchants are there to give you the best advice. This way to good, well-stocked addresses! [Read more]
Parisian distilleries, our top picks
Gin, whiskey, vodka, liqueurs... Paris is home to several artisanal distilleries worth discovering. Tours, tastings, creation workshops, and on-site sales give visitors a fresh take on the craft behind these spirits. [Read more]
And to learn to cook for yourself:
Discover cooking and pastry classes just around the corner with this great selection of sweet and savory culinary workshops in Paris and the Ile-de-France region. [Read more]
Where to eat foie gras in Paris? Our best addresses
Where to eat a good pâté en croûte in a restaurant in Paris? Our good addresses
Where can you eat a slice of Oreiller de la Belle Aurore in Paris? The history of this fabulous pâté en croûte
Where to eat good roast chicken in Paris? Our favorite rotisseries
Where to eat caviar in Paris? Our best addresses
Fish and seafood restaurants in Paris, our best addresses
Where to eat oysters in Paris? Our best addresses
Cooking and pastry classes in Paris and Ile-de-France, workshops by arrondissement
