15 of the Best Unique Dining Experiences in Paris

Don’t know where to begin eating your way around Paris? Take the guesswork out of your Paris culinary exploration by joining a walking tour focusing on the best local eateries. You’ll sample cheese, wine, crepes, oysters, and more, including delicacies you wouldn’t know to ask for when traveling independently. Taking an introductory tour shortly after arriving will also help you identify some of the most unique dining spots in Paris you can bookmark to visit later.

Whether you’re on your honeymoon or just want to make the most of a sunny day, a pre-packed picnic for you to enjoy in a public park or on the banks of the River Seine adds a personal touch to your itinerary. Your picnic basket will contain a bottle of wine, a baguette, cheese and meats, fruit and salad ingredients, and some fresh flowers. This is one of the more whimsical Paris dining experiences you won’t want to miss.

Paris is a big city, so if you’re really interested in getting to know its culinary culture, it’s better to focus on specific neighborhoods rather than trying to “do” the whole place. The artistic, hilltop Montmartre neighborhood is a great place to sample Parisian delicacies on a food and wine walking tour. You’ll see many beautiful sights along the way, including the Basilica of Sacré Coeur and the famous (or infamous) Moulin Rouge.

You can learn a lot about a city by shopping at its traditional markets and chatting with the local vendors. On a food tour of Paris’ historic Le Marais district, you’ll visit the Marché des Enfants Rouges, a covered market dating back to the early 17th century, among other places. That’s older than the modern state of France itself, and there’s plenty of French tradition on display, but these days, you can find all kinds of food here, including Moroccan, Italian, and Lebanese fare.

End a day of sightseeing in Paris with a relaxing dinner cruise along the River Seine. This particular cruise offers live music and views of the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower as you tuck into a 4-course meal. Choose from a couple of different menus to suit your preferences, and know that kids’ meals are available, too. Whatever your preferences, a river cruise is a perfect way to tuck into classic French fare as you see the sights of Paris.

Take your Parisian culinary adventures to new depths in an 18th-century, former-royal wine cellar. Although most French wine is made out in the countryside, if you don’t have time to head to Burgundy or Bordeaux, a wine-tasting experience in the heart of the capital is ideal. Sample rich reds and refreshing whites during this tasting and educational experience. Three glasses of wine are included, so keep your afternoon plans flexible!

Let them eat … macarons. OK, that’s not quite what Marie Antoinette is reported to have said, but that was the sentiment. While you can always stop by one of Paris’ pâtisseries and pick out some macarons, it's even more fun to learn to make them yourself in a small-group macaron-making class with a pastry chef. Armed with these skills, you might just find you’re everyone’s new best friend when you return home.

The street-side crepe vendors in Paris make crepe-making look so easy. There’s a knack to making these French pancakes so thin and crispy, but you can learn the tricks of the trade during a cooking class on how to make crepes. And, of course, indulge in the fruits of your labor when you sit down to eat your creations in the creperie afterward, as the lesson is held at lunchtime.

Baguettes, croissants, pains au chocolat—it's no secret that Parisian bakers excel in carb-heavy, buttery delights. Start the day right with a morning baking class, where you'll learn to make these treats alongside an experienced Parisian baker. There’s something magical about seeing neatly curled raw croissants fluff up into crispy golden pillows (and something even more magical about tucking into a fresh pastry). Dunk your creations in a bowl of chocolat chaud afterward for a truly French breakfast.

This is hardly one of those hidden gem restaurants in Paris, as it’s located in the city's most iconic landmark. But did you know you can also dine in the Eiffel Tower? Lunch at Madame Brasserie means you’ll dine on the first floor—187 feet (57 meters) up—to gorgeous views of Paris and some of the tower’s structures. And, given that it's run by French molecular gastronomist Thierry Marx, you’re in for one of Paris’ top dining experiences.

Croissants, check. Macarons, crepes, and baguettes—check, check, and check. It seems the only essential ingredient missing so far is French cheese. Learn more about French fromage during a guided cheese and wine pairing activity in the Latin Quarter. Sample four cheeses from different regions of France and learn which French wines to match best with each cheese. After your tasting, be sure to leave time to explore the Latin Quarter, home to sites such as Notre Dame and Shakespeare and Company.

Paris’ Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood is famous for its chocolatiers, so get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth on a walking tour of the area. As well as chocolate, you’ll sample a variety of other sweet treats, including eclairs, truffles (the sweet variety, not the fungus), and macarons. You might want to add a biking tour of Paris to the itinerary to do even more sightseeing—or to burn off your sugar rush.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Moulin Rouge is a pop culture invention thanks to its larger-than-life depiction in Baz Luhrmann's film, but it’s actually a real cabaret theater in Paris’ Montmartre neighborhood that dates back to the 19th century. Enjoy a dazzling show at the historic theater, complete with a 3-course French dinner. With round-trip transfers from central Paris, you won’t need to worry about getting a taxi after, either.

When you’re ready to take your Paris culinary exploration beyond the city on a day trip, head to the Loire Valley, south of the capital. The region is famous for its beautiful châteaux and its wine, and you’ll combine the two on this castle and wine day tour. Visit the Château de Chambord and the Château de Chenonceau, take advantage of free time in the town of Blois to find some lunch, and sample local wines in one of the châteaux.

For fans of sparkling white wine, spending time in the Champagne region is surely a highlight of any trip to France. Head east of Paris on a day-long (or multi-day) tour of Champagne’s vineyards, family-run wineries, and big-name estates, such as Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot. Make a festive toast to the region's gorgeous scenery, and soak up that alcohol with a delicious lunch at one of the wineries, too.