Side Trips from Paris Restaurants

The Ile-de-France's fanciest restaurants can be just as pricey as their Parisian counterparts. Close to the Channel for fresh fish, lush Normandy for beef and dairy products, and the rich agricultural regions of Picardy and the Beauce, Ile-de-France chefs have all the ingredients they could wish for, and shop for the freshest produce early each morning at the huge food market at Rungis, 18 km (10 miles) south of the capital. Traditional "local delicacies"—lamb stew, pâté de Pantin (pastry filled with meat), or pig's trotters—tend to be obsolete, though creamy Brie, made locally in Meaux and Coulommiers, remains queen of the cheese board.

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  • 1. Au Père Lapin

    $$$

    A culinary institution since 1861, this warm and welcoming retreat in the heights of Suresnes has served generations of Parisians and locals who flock here for a reliably delicious meal. With a crackling fire in winter and a flower-bedecked terrace in summer, you'll enjoy gastronomic versions of French classics in every season along with fantastic views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Chef Guillaume Delage, who's plied his craft in some of France's greatest kitchens, specializes in seasonal dishes with extravagant touches, like the lièvre à la royale (wild rabbit stuffed with foie gras and simmered in red wine), a staple on the menu since 1861. Desserts are equally delicious and an encyclopedic wine list delights aficionados and amateurs alike. Though the restaurant is worth a trip on its own, being a three-minute walk from the American Cemetery makes it the perfect spot before or after a visit.

    10 rue du Calvaire, Île-de-France, 92150, France
    01–45–06–72–89

    Known For

    • Top-quality classic French cuisine
    • Tremendous views
    • Historic recipe of wild rabbit stuffed with foie gras and simmered in red wine

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.
  • 2. Les Ferlempins

    $$$

    Don't be fooled by the casual interior: this popular "gastrobistro," helmed by two brothers passionate about food and wine, is where local foodies go for a special lunch or evening out. Products fresh from Compiègne's wonderful farmers' market are transformed into only a few sophisticated dishes each day that change with the season and are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious. Near the Oise River and a quick walk from the château, this is a great place for a two- or three-course lunch, but linger over dinner to fully enjoy this marvelous cuisine.

    13 cours Guynemer, Compiègne, Hauts-de-France, 60200, France
    03–44–83–53–31

    Known For

    • Ethically sourced products
    • English-speaking owners who love to talk about their food
    • Excellent wine pairings

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner Thurs.
  • 3. Ore

    $$$ | Quartier Saint-Louis

    There's no doubt that dining in the world's most famous palace at a restaurant conceived by the world's most famous chef is an experience worth having. Although Alain Ducasse is not actually cooking here, you can enjoy a gourmet version of breakfast, lunch, or teatime in splendid surroundings with views of the palace from the first-floor restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows. For the best value, go for the fixed-price menus. A six-course teatime (3:30 to 5:30 pm), with both savory and sweet offerings, is a particularly pleasant option. The restaurant also hosts several exclusive candlelit dinners after palace closing hours throughout the year. Be sure to reserve ahead of time online or by phone. Several of Ore's fixed-price menus include the price of admission to Versailles, allowing you to skip the long lines.

    Pl. d'Armes Château de Versailles, Versailles, Île-de-France, 78000, France
    01–30–84–12–96

    Known For

    • On-site Versailles dining (with some prix-fixe menus that include admission)
    • Elegant surroundings and linen-clad tables
    • Serene atmosphere away from the crowds (just be sure to reserve in advance)

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner
  • 4. Auberge du Louvetier

    $$$

    With a roaring fire in winter and an outdoor terrace in summer, this quaint, country-style restaurant specializes in the fruits of the sea. Traditional dishes—like brioche-enrobed escargot with Roquefort sauce, plump seafood sausage, a hearty soupe de poisson (fish soup), and a heaping seafood platter—are served in a wood-beamed dining room.

    19 rue de l'Etang de la Tour, Rambouillet, Île-de-France, 78120, France
    01–34–85–61–00

    Known For

    • Charming setting
    • Homemade French specialties
    • Friendly service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Sat. No dinner Sun.
  • 5. Auberge Ravoux

    $$$

    For total van Gogh immersion, have lunch—or dinner on Friday and Saturday—in the restaurant he patronized regularly more than 100 years ago, in the building where he actually died. A three-course prix-fixe menu is available, and saddle of lamb and homemade terrine are among Loran Gattufo's specialties. What makes eating here special, though, is the genius loci, complete with glasswork, lace curtains, and wall blandishments carefully modeled on the original designs. Table No. 5, the "table des habitués," is where Van Gogh used to sit. A magnificently illustrated book, Van Gogh's Table, by culinary historian Alexandra Leaf and art historian Fred Leeman, recalls Vincent's stay at the auberge and describes in loving detail the dishes served here at the time.

    52 rue Général-de-Gaulle, Auvers-sur-Oise, Île-de-France, 95430, France
    01–30–36–60–63

    Known For

    • Good traditional, regional dishes
    • Historic backstory
    • Rustic authenticity

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Tues., and Nov.–Mar. No dinner, Reservations essential
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  • 6. Le Relais de Barbizon

    $$$

    French country specialties and fish are served at this rustic restaurant—one of Barbizon's very best—with a big open fire and a large terrace shaded by lime and chestnut trees. The three-course weekday menu is a good value, but wine here is expensive and cannot be ordered by the pichet (pitcher). Reservations are essential on weekends and highly recommended in summer.

    2 av. Charles de Gaulle, Barbizon, Île-de-France, 77630, France
    01–60–66–40–28

    Known For

    • Lovely leafy terrace
    • Local favorite
    • Top-quality French classic dishes

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues., Wed., part of Aug., and part of Dec.

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