The Real Paris Restaurant Guide: Who to Trust in 2025

Looking for the most trusted Paris restaurant guide in 2025? With the internet drowning in AI-written listicles and tourist-driven hype, it’s never been more important to seek out human-curated lists created by people who actually live and eat here.

As a chef living in Paris, I constantly get asked where I eat, who I trust, and how I cut through the noise. This isn’t a roundup of trendy spots—it’s a guide to the voices I actually read, respect, and rely on.

Forget the fluff-filled lists and fake foodie influencers who wouldn’t know a jus from a Jägerbomb. If you want to eat like a local—not get rinsed €60 for reheated duck confit—start here. These critics and guides have eaten the bad crème brûlées so you don’t have to.

Best Food Critics to Follow for Paris Restaurant Advice

These French-language critics reflect the food culture that locals are actually living—not the curated clichés made for tourists. Thanks to automatic translation, their work is more accessible than ever to English-speaking travelers. These are the people I read, as a working chef in Paris. It’s personal, not perfect—but it’s a more honest lens on what’s happening in real kitchens and dining rooms across the city.

François-Régis Gaudry

• Popular French food journalist and presenter with mass appeal.
• Why Follow: Offers a bridge between fine dining and home cooking.
• Where to Follow: Instagram @frgaudry
• Affiliated Media: France Inter, Paris Première

Philippe Toinard

• Journalist known for his culinary trendspotting.
• Why Follow: Stays ahead of the curve on new openings.
• Where to Follow: Twitter @PhilippeToinard, Instagram @philippetoinard
• Affiliated Media: A Nous Paris

François Simon

• Legendary former food critic for Le Figaro known for his anonymous reviews and poetic, almost cinematic prose. Allegedly the inspiration for Anton Ego in Ratatouille.
• Why Follow: His writing is sensual, biting, and deeply personal. He doesn’t just review restaurants—he tells stories about eating. A must-read for those who love food with philosophy.
• Where to Follow: Instagram @francoissimon_officiel, simonsays.fr
• Affiliated Media: Formerly Le Figaro, now independent via his blog Simon Says

Périco Légasse

• Defender of French terroir and opponent of industrial cuisine.
• Why Follow: Passionate, polemical, and always worth reading.
• Where to Follow: Twitter @legasse
• Affiliated Media: Marianne

Alexander Lobrano

• Old-school food writer with serious chops. His reviews were thoughtful and informed, written with the palate of someone who’s tasted everything.
• Why Follow: His past reviews offer historical context and perspective, though nothing new has been published since 2023.
• Where to Follow: alexanderlobrano.com
• Affiliated Media: Gourmet, Saveur, The New York Times

Wendy Lyn (The Paris Kitchen)

• Industry insider with real-time intel and deep restaurant connections.
• Why Follow: Knows what’s coming before it hits the radar.
• Where to Follow: Instagram @parisismykitchen, thepariskitchen.com
• Affiliated Media: Frequent guest on international food panels & shows

David Lebovitz

• American pastry chef turned Paris insider with decades of experience and a knack for storytelling.
• Why Follow: Offers an expat chef’s view on eating, cooking, and living in Paris—equal parts useful, nostalgic, and honest.
• Where to Follow: Instagram @davidlebovitz, davidlebovitz.com
• Affiliated Media: Independent blog, author of The Sweet Life in Paris and multiple cookbooks

Lindsey Tramuta (Lost in Cheeseland)

• Journalist and cultural observer bringing nuance to Paris food coverage.
• Why Follow: Smart, literary takes on where Paris is going—not just what’s trending.
• Where to Follow: Instagram @lostncheeseland
• Affiliated Media: The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler

Parisianavores (Elodie)

• Local blog sharing affordable, everyday eats from a true Parisian.
• Why Follow: Real insight into neighborhood dining and casual French food culture.
• Where to Follow: Instagram @parisianavores, parisianavores.paris
• Affiliated Media: Independent blog

Top Paris Restaurant Guides You Can Actually Trust in 2025

Thinking of skipping the guidebook? Don’t.

Investing in a Paris restaurant guide—especially one curated by trusted experts—is one of the smartest decisions a foodie traveler can make. These books go beyond trends and tourist traps, offering vetted, chef-approved recommendations that help you actually eat like a local. A good guide isn’t just a list; it’s a compass that helps you find true culinary experiences in a city filled with mediocrity disguised as charm. If you care about food, it’s worth the few extra euros.

Le Fooding / Alexandre Cammas

• A pioneering modern guide to French dining with edge, attitude, and anti-establishment flair. Founded by Alexandre Cammas.
• Why Follow: Funky, creative, and very French. Perfect for discovering offbeat places with style and soul.
• Where to Follow: lefooding.com
• Affiliated Media: Le Fooding

Pudlo Guides

• A long-standing restaurant guide offering in-depth listings and reviews from across France, with a particular focus on Paris.
• Why Follow: Consistent, curated selections built from years of trusted recommendations, including historical reviews and lesser-known gems.
• Where to Follow: Twitter @gillespudlo, gillespudlowski.com
• Affiliated Media: Pudlo Restaurant Guides (formerly Le Point)

Michelin Guide

• The most globally recognized restaurant guide, famous for its anonymous inspections and star system.
• Why Follow: Offers a benchmark of consistency and service standards, especially for high-end dining.
• Where to Follow: guide.michelin.com
• Affiliated Media: Michelin Guide

Guide Lebey

• A longstanding French restaurant and bar guide known for its professional editorial reviews and classic Parisian coverage.
• Why Follow: Ideal for discovering elegant, traditional spots and reliable recommendations from a respected source in the French dining world.
• Where to Follow: lebey.com
• Affiliated Media: Guide Lebey (Le Figaro Group)

Other Helpful Voices on Eating and Exploring Paris

The Earful Tower (Oliver Gee)

• Quirky, charming expat-led podcast and blog on life, culture, and food in Paris.
• Why Follow: Entertaining and thoughtful with a great mix of humor and insider perspective.
• Where to Follow: theearfultower.com
• Affiliated Media: Independent podcast/blog

Jay Swanson

• American writer and YouTuber living in Paris, focused on authentic life and travel tips.
• Why Follow: No BS advice for people visiting or moving to Paris, with the occasional pastry rant.
• Where to Follow: YouTube @JaySwanson, jayswanson.me
• Affiliated Media: Independent

Sortir à Paris

• A Paris-focused event and lifestyle guide with wide coverage.
• Why Follow: Useful for events and things to do, but take their restaurant picks with a grain of salt.
• Where to Follow: sortiraparis.com
• Affiliated Media: Media group / lifestyle publisher

Estérelle Payany

• Cookbook author and seasoned food journalist.
• Why Follow: Highlights vegetarian cooking and spotlights female chefs.
• Where to Follow: Instagram @esterelle
• Affiliated Media: Télérama, Elle, Le Parisien, Marmiton

What is the Best Restaurant Guide for Paris?

If you’re looking for a reliable restaurant guide for Paris, skip the tourist traps and influencer hype. The best guides are written by professional food critics and local experts.

Best Restaurant Guides for Paris (2025):

• Le Fooding – Trendy, independent guide with a creative edge
• Pudlo Guides – In-depth French listings from a veteran critic
• Michelin Guide – Iconic star system, best for fine dining
• Guide Lebey – Classic, elegant Parisian restaurant reviews
• Eat Like The French – Local chef picks, human-curated insights

Who Not to Trust When Planning Where to Eat in Paris

Avoid anyone who:

• Rates restaurants based on “vibes” alone
• Films more than they taste
• Says “the best in Paris” but hasn’t lived here
• Can’t tell you if the bread was fresh, the sauce was broken, or the dish came from Metro

There’s a difference between a food lover and a food critic. You deserve the latter when planning a trip this delicious. And that’s why a human-curated Paris restaurant guide like this one matters.

Got a favourite Paris food critic or guide I missed? Drop me a comment or email. And if you’re a real one—I’ll buy you a croissant.

More to Read from Eat Like The French

• How to Find a Great Restaurant in Paris
• Paris Restaurant Tips for Tourists in 2025: A Step-by-Step Dining Guide
• How to Find Real Local Food in Paris
• Local Chef’s Google Map Food Guide to Paris
• Related Substack post: Why We Still Need Real Restaurant Critics

Chef Tris

Food Tour Guide

From the bustling streets of Paris to the heat of a professional kitchen, my life has always revolved around food. A Brit who moved to France at 16, I trained as a chef in a Parisian palace kitchen at 18 and have spent decades cooking, eating, and living like the French.

By day, I run kitchens and events, but Eat Like The French is my side hustle—a way to share my passion for French food through writing and food tours. After a detour into tech recruitment, I returned to what I love most: cooking and storytelling—one dish, one tour, and one bite at a time.