7 romantic restaurants in Paris for the best date night

Paris is basically the epitome of romance. It would be a real shame to plan a trip to the City of Light and not also plan a romantic date night dinner. If you want, you can dine at a different romantic restaurant every day of the week and still not even scratch the surface of what's available. And just because it's Paris doesn't mean that every romantic restaurant has to cost an arm and a leg, although some certainly do.

There are so many romantic places to visit in Paris, and you can plan an entire romantic day for someone that you love. Pair your romantic dinner with a visit to the Louvre or one of the other inspiring and magnificent places that are scattered throughout the city. Besides visiting the best romantic restaurants in Paris, you can visit museums, beautiful landmarks, and more. There is something to do around every corner in Paris, and you can easily fill up every day with sightseeing and visits to places with delicious food.

From locations tucked into a quiet side street to dining inside the Eiffel Tower, there are so many ways that you can enjoy amazing food and ambiance at the restaurant of your choice in Paris. You will be treated to Belle époque experiences as well as more classic dining room spots, and there is never a shortage of great food options throughout the city.

If you are working on your date night plans, don't forget to have a plan for your excess shopping bags or luggage. Head to a Paris luggage locker before you pick up your date, and you'll be all set to impress. Plus, most Parisian restaurants in the city will frown on you bringing large suitcases and backpacks into their romantic restaurants.

Le Restaurant a L'Hotel

For a location that is full of old-world, Parisian charm, this lovely restaurant is perfect. This is one of the best romantic restaurants in Paris for history lovers, and you can even plan to stay at this historic hotel during your time in Paris. The hotel is well-known for being the place where Oscar Wilde spent the last years of his life, and you will feel transported back in time when you step inside the building.

The chef creates his own tasting menus that you can select from, or you can choose to be served curated courses offered with the perfect wine pairings. The atmosphere is charming, and the service is absolute perfection. This is one of the best places to head for a romantic dinner in Paris, and history buffs will feel like they can die happy here as they dine.

Our recommendation

The tasting menus are really special here, and you should consider this one of the must-try options at Le Restaurant. This is a gastronomic restaurant due to this offering, and you will find that the romantic restaurants in Paris are often more focused on traditional French cuisine. This is a surprising and creative menu that will help you make memories and share an experience you won't soon forget.

Location

13 rue des Beaux-Arts,
75006 Paris, France

Price level

$$$

Le Train Bleu

While it might not seem like one of the most romantic restaurants in Paris would be in a train station, this gorgeous location is inside the Gare de Lyon train station. The ceiling alone will make you feel special and pampered, and this lovely testament to Paris’ Belle Epoque stands the test of time. This location is actually a registered historic landmark, which is a bit like getting to eat a meal right next to the Mona Lisa.

Head here for delicious food that is classic and exactly what you might think of when planning a visit to the most romantic restaurants in Paris. You will have access to a great wine list as well, and there is a full bar if you are not a wine drinker. Make sure that you take the time to really enjoy your experience here, as there are few romantic restaurant locations in the city that are this beautiful.

Our recommendation

The most romantic restaurants in Paris offer delicious, classic French gastronomy, and this location is no different. Make sure to inquire about wine pairings with each course, and be sure as well that you call for a reservation. This is not a large space, and it can book up really fast. While the menu isn't exactly full of inventive cuisine, this is one of the best Paris restaurants for classic dishes that are made with care in a magnificent setting.

Location

Pl. Louis-Armand

75012 Paris, France

Price level

$$$

Le Tour d'Argent

This lovely dining room has been in operation since the 1500s. With views of the Seine, and a Michelin-starred restaurant rating, there is no better place to head for delicious dishes in a romantic setting. This is one of the perfect restaurants for those who want to enjoy fine china, foie gras, and all the French classics. While originally meant to be country dining in the heart of the city, the menu has diversified to offer many kinds of fusion dishes as well as classical French cuisine.

This is one of the best Paris restaurants to head to if you have plans to see the Eiffel Tower and some of the other sites in the central part of the city. A meal at this red-and-white checkered tablecloth restaurant is exactly how you picture more casual French dining, and it's the perfect way to end a sightseeing day. But keep in mind that just because it's not super-pretentious doesn't mean it's exactly affordable.

The food can make or break your French restaurant experience, and you will have no trouble at all finding the classic dish that you have been looking for on the menu here.

Our recommendation

The main course that everyone talks about here is the whole roasted chicken. This dish is known all around Paris as one of the best choices off the menu at this historic dining room. The staff are very helpful here and can advise you about the best dishes to try for your specific preferences as well.

Location

19 Quai de la Tournelle

75005 Paris, France

Price level

$$$$

La Bauhinia

There are few restaurants in Paris as beautiful as this one. You will dine under a magnificent glass dome in a setting that feels like it has been preserved and spared from the changing times. The menu is Asian fusion mixed with French classics, and chef Christophe Moret is a true genius at his craft. This location also offers an excellent brunch, which can be the perfect way to add more than one of these amazing restaurants to your date night plans. Who says that you can only enjoy one really exciting and special meal on a date night?

Our recommendation

The brunch really is the star of the show at La Bauhinia, and the pastry chef is one of the best in Paris. You will also find that the vegan and vegetarian dishes here are pretty much the best in the city, so if you want to seek out this kind of fare, this is the place to go. Be sure to call ahead for a reservation, as this spot books up fast every day of the week.

Location

Shangri-La Paris,
10, avenue d'Iéna,
Paris 75116, France

Price level

$$$$

Jules Verne

Have you ever dreamed of dining inside the Eiffel Tower? If so, you can visit Jules Verne and do just that. Located on the second floor of the tower, this beautiful space invites you inside for incredible views, delicious food, and absolutely perfect service. This is one of the most well-known restaurants in Paris, and there are few things as memorable as dining in a landmark like the Eiffel Tower.

The menu here is full of new flavors and old classics, and you will be able to select from a la carte dining or a recommended course of dishes that have been curated by the skilled chef. Dine on incredible food while looking out over the Paris rooftops, and create a date night memory that will last for years.

Our recommendation

There are various dining rooms inside this location, so be sure to look at the views that you will be offered from each spot. Some of them even show the inner workings of the tower. You will need to be specific about where you want to sit if you have a preference, so call ahead to try and reserve the ideal spot. Since this is such an iconic establishment, make your reservation as far in advance as you can.

Location

Avenue Gustave Eiffel, Tour Eiffel, Second Floor

75007 Paris

Price level

$$$$

La Grande Cascade

La Grande Cascade is the right restaurant for truly chic and haute cuisine dining. The plating here is incredible, and the food is to die for. You will be seated at a quiet and cozy table and treated to some of the best service in the city. Enjoy wine pairings with each course, or order champagne and add bubbles to your meal. This restaurant is pretty and classically fancy, so you and your date might feel a bit like royalty when you dine here.

While spendy, this location offers so much elegance and such amazing food that it is worth every euro that you spend on your meal. The restaurant is right in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, which offers you the chance to explore one of the most romantic parts of the city before or after your meal.

Our recommendation

There isn't one bad thing on the menu here. You can enjoy seafood, classic French dishes, and fusion dining as well. Consider allowing yourself to be placed in the hands of the chef and served a curated set of courses that will come out with beautiful plating and amazing flavors.

Location

Longchamp Alley – Bois do Boulonge

75016 Paris

Price level

$$$$

Le Petit Prince de Paris

For a slightly more affordable option, consider taking your date to Le Petit Prince de Paris near the Pantheon. This authentic French restaurant oozes romance with its dim lighting, warm colors, and fine crystal. This spot has a bistro look about it from the inside, but the interior is always warm and welcoming. If the weather is suitable, there is an outdoor patio where you can dine while watching the city go by.

The desserts and decadent and not-to-be-missed here. And while the menu isn't exactly the most unique, it has all the French favorites you'd expect from a romantic restaurant in Paris.

Our recommendation

Treat your date to the shareable caviar platter for two to start. Then, because that won't be super filling, go for the formula menu, which includes either a main dish and starter or main dish and dessert for €34.

Location

12 Rue de Lanneau, 75005 Paris

Price level

$$

Conclusion

As this list has shown you, there are plenty of options in Paris for a romantic date night. While that's not exactly surprising, in Paris, even a meal at one of the city's best street food spots can be romantic. Street food is also a good way to balance the prices of some of the fancier romantic restaurants in Paris. And when you don't want the date to end, head to one of the rooftop bars in Paris after your romantic meal, whether it's at a restaurant or street food vendor. Watch the lights come on as you sip a cocktail, and you'll wish that the night would last forever.