Euro Summer: Where to Eat in Paris?
Where should I eat in Paris?
My July Favorites: Paris Restaurants I Can't Stop Thinking About
Every month, I discover a few restaurants that completely surprise me. Whether it's an unforgettable dish, incredible hospitality, or a menu I can't stop recommending to friends, these are the places that earned a spot on my July favorites list.
This month I took the list to Paris, and three spots stood out for completely different reasons: riverside seafood at Poni, comfort food perfection at Mam From Hanoi, and classic French bistro cooking at Thoumieux.
If you're planning your next Paris reservation, start here.
Poni
Seafood-forward, French-Asian
Poni was easily one of my best meals of the trip. Every dish felt thoughtful, layered, and completely different from the last, without ever losing balance.
Must Order
Pavé de Saumon, Façon Tom Yam (10/10) ⭐ Salmon steak served Tom Yum style, in a shellfish broth that's tomato-based, citrusy, and lightly spiced, finished with black curry powder, basmati rice, and shiitake mushrooms. I would’ve never thought to pair Salmon, tomato & edamame together; I was surprised by how it perfectly came together. This was, hands down, the best dish of the month at such an unassuming restaurant.
Bavette (9/10) ⭐ Flank steak served over a pasta "risotto" with confit shallot, garlic cream, button mushrooms, parmesan, and baby spinach, finished with arugula. The steak was flavorful, if a touch chewy, and the risotto was rich and creamy, maybe a little too buttery, but the arugula cut through it perfectly.
Mam From Hanoi
Sentier, Northern Vietnamese
Mam From Hanoi is a Bib Gourmand pick, Michelin's designation for great quality at a great price, and it's easy to see why. It's a cute, local spot in Sentier run by a Hanoi-born couple, best known for their pork nems and phở.
Must Order
TÁI CHÍN (9.7/10) ⭐ Traditional Hanoi-style beef, made with tender slow-cooked Irish Black Angus rib and thinly sliced Irish Black Angus flank steak. Pure comfort food. Not too salty but still packed with flavor, with a hint of cinnamon, cardamom, and star anise. The spicing was excellent and the meat was tender, if a bit fatty (the lamb especially).
Thoumieux
Classic French Bistro
Thoumieux delivered some of my favorite savory bites of the month, alongside a couple of misses. However, thus is exactly why I love trying a bit of everything on the menu.
Must Order
Suprême de Poulet Rôti / Roast Chicken Breast (9/10) ⭐ Delicious sauce and excellent flavor all around. Simple, but done right.
Côtelettes d'Agneau Grillées au Thym / Grilled Lamb Chops with Thyme (8/10) Very delicious and well cooked, though sitting in a bit too much sauce. The meat was flavorful and tender, with good quality throughout.
Tartare de Thon et Avocat / Raw Tuna & Avocado Tartare (8.5/10) A great tartare, just a touch too much avocado.
Espresso Martini (10/10) ⭐ No notes. Excellent!
Skip: the Artichoke Carpaccio with Truffle Vinaigrette (5/10) — bland and not much flavor.
Also Worth Trying
Gigi (live music, balcony views of the Eiffel Tower, singer duet and DJ) — the Beef Carpaccio (9/10) was light, flavorful, and not chewy at all. The Rigatoni al Pomodoro (7/10) was solid and al dente, if a little one-note.
Coco — the Ravioles de Langoustines in shellfish sauce (8.5/10) had an amazing lobster sauce and was a standout starter, even if slightly rough around the edges. The Beef Fillet (7/10) had great texture but was a bit smothered in sauce.
Paingrie — the Pain au Chocolat (10/10) was delicate and buttery, and the chocolate cookies (8.5/10) were perfectly ooey-gooey. A must for a Paris morning.
Hotel Costes — a reliably chic spot for pasta, chicken, and fries when you want something easy and elevated at once.
Victoria — worth a visit for the gnocchi, though the burrata could have used more oil and salt.
Bars & Nightlife
Bar Les Ambassadeurs at Hôtel de Crillon — set inside the Duc de Crillon's former private residence overlooking Place de la Concorde, this bar blends 18th-century grandeur with crystal chandeliers, painted ceilings, and live music starting nightly at 8pm. Cocktails start at 5pm, with the best seats for watching Paris light up at dusk.
Baronne — a 19th-century Rothschild mansion in the 8th arrondissement with a 4,000 m² garden, marble bar, and lavish salons. Chic for a business lunch by day, and a full-on soul-funk, champagne-fueled scene by night. Dine among the greenery or sip cocktails under the stars in the garden.
Final Thoughts
If I had to narrow it down to my absolute favorite dishes this month, these would be my top five:
🥇 Pavé de Saumon – Poni
🥈 Espresso Martini – Thoumieux
🥉 TÁI CHÍN – Mam From Hanoi
⭐ Suprême de Poulet Rôti – Thoumieux
⭐ Beef Carpaccio – Gigi
Paris never runs out of ways to surprise me, and discovering places like these is exactly why I love what I do.
Have a restaurant you think should make next month's favorites? Send me a message on Instagram. I'm always looking for my next reservation.
