Lily Wang, the Chinese restaurant making a comeback in Paris’ 7th arrondissement

We checked out what the renaissance of Lily Wang looks like, a discreet address that’s firmly planted in the Paris dining scene. This Chinese restaurant in the 7th arrondissement, perched at the corner of Avenue Duquesne and Avenue de Breteuil, just steps from the Invalides, will in 2026 pass into the hands of three French entrepreneurs: Xavier Niel, Pierre-Antoine Capton and Laurent de Gourcuff, founder of Paris Society. Each owns a third. More than a simple takeover, the new owners speak of a renaissance, with a larger terrace and a spacious bar open in the evenings.

For the record, the place is named after a 1950s Shanghai cabaret dancer. Since opening in the early 2010s, it has cultivated a distinctive reputation: a private table on the Left Bank, frequented by ministers, executives, bankers, and TV personalities. It’s not a spot you go to be seen. The fact that Mediawan’s headquarters, led by Pierre-Antoine Capton, sits right opposite helps explain, in part, the buyers’ attachment to this address.

What happens to the Jacques Garcia–designed decor?

Good news for regulars: the soul of the place remains intact. The original décor envisioned by Jacques Garcia—with velvet, silks, deep banquettes and an alcove-like atmosphere—has been preserved, then refined by architect Johanna Amatoury. Her touch is deliberately discreet.

On the premises, the décor is refined and immersive, wrapping guests without overdoing it. In summer, the glass walls open to the outdoors, blurring the line between dining room and street.

The most noticeable change is the new central bar, conceived as the heart of the restaurant, and a smoother flow between spaces. The terrace now presents itself as a garden tucked under the shade of trees, with a view of the Dôme des Invalides. A pleasant surprise on hot days: beneath the trees the air stays cool and a natural breeze circulates, making outdoor lunches far more comfortable than elsewhere. In a neighborhood where generous terraces are few, this is a real summer plus for Paris.

What’s on the menu at Lily Wang?

In the kitchen, chef Jian Lang Wang shares his name with the restaurant, a witty coincidence. His menu offers a distinctly Parisian take on Asian cuisine, with seasonings bolder than the usual for the genre.

On the menu, the crowd-pleasers get a modern spin: sesame-glazed tuna tataki, Cantonese-steamed sea bream, “crying tiger” marinated beef, silky Chinese eggplant, crispy duck with hoisin, and a stylish lineup of dim sum (shrimp har gow, siu mai, gyoza). The new bar extends the experience with cocktails inspired by Asia.

• To be read
• What’s on this week, October 26 to November 1, 2026, in Paris and Île-de-France

We tried it, and we kick off with the shared dim sum assortment, followed by a bright, wasabi-kicked tuna tartare, then the Vietnamese shrimp spring rolls, a menu staple. Three starters that set the tone: bold flavors, but never overwhelmed by sauce.

As for the mains, we’re drawn to the sole au caramel served with sticky rice wrapped in its leaf, and to the canard croustillant façon crispy duck with hoisin sauce—a surefire favorite of the house.

We wrap up with mango sticky rice, a simple, well-crafted dessert to cap off a pretty hearty meal.

Budget-wise, €28 gets you the six‑dim sum assortment, €19–€30 for starters, about €32–€42 for fish and meat mains, and €8–€10 for sides. It’s the kind of pricing you’d expect at a chic 7th‑arrondissement spot—best booked for a special occasion.

How to get there and who this address is for

The restaurant sits at 40 Avenue Duquesne, in the 7th arrondissement, with the Saint-François-Xavier station just steps away. It welcomes guests from Monday to Sunday, 12:00–14:30 and 19:00–22:30. Reservations are made on the Lily Wang official site, highly recommended for a terrace booking in the evening.

Our take: this spot is for those seeking an elegant Asian dining table for a two-person dinner, a quiet business lunch, or a long summer evening on the terrace—one of the few places in the neighborhood where you can breathe when the heat sets in. It’s not the Chinatown canteen, nor a bargain lunch spot. If you prefer a relaxed vibe and lighter bills, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

Looking to compare options before you book? We also recommend our picks of the best Chinese restaurants in Paris and our guide to Chinese restaurants with outdoor seating in Paris—two solid avenues to keep exploring.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.