Dining for One in Paris

Try Rick Steves ideas over at his site

I've dined alone in Paris on a number of occasions and it has always been treated as completely normal. I would be surprised if there is anywhere in Paris where someone dining alone would be judged for it. I also do not speak more than a few words of French. But I make an honest effort and it always seems to be appreciated.

I can echo the experience of the World Famous. I've been to Paris 5 times alone and never got treated strangely for dining by myself. My first trip to Paris I hadn't spoken in French in 12 years. I was amazed how willing people were to cope with my combination french-english-hand puppets to try and converse. If you're really concerned about not speaking French, stick to the restos at the heart of Paris (ie near the Louvre). A lot of them have menus in French and English.

Check out the Michelin-starred http://www.restaurant-in-france.com/gourmet-guide/bristol-restaurant.php. Being a restaurant based in a http://www.lebristolparis.com/#/hotel-de-luxe-5-etoiles-paris, they're fairly international. The http://www.tripadvisor.ie/LocationPhotos-g187147-d719052-w3-Le_Bristol-Paris_Ile_de_France.html should be open this time of year and may be a nice place to sit while enjoying your meal. See if you can get your hotel to do the booking for you. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help. Bon appetit!

As long as you make a minimum effort (say "bonjour", etc...)you won't have a language problem, and "bonjour" pretty much is the limit of my French. Even when I was in a massive, crowded place where no one spoke english I've always gotten by and had fun.

Based on your post, I think you really can't go wrong with Michelin-starred restaurants based in large hotels. Two more to add: http://www.fourseasons.com/paris/dining/le_cinq/#video-paris-hotel-PAR_012 and http://www.ritzparis.com/jump_to.asp?id_target=1310&id_lang=2

David Lebovitz is a chef & food writer living in Paris. http://www.davidlebovitz.com/paris/.

I would totally post to CL and find someone that wants to dine with you - you don't come off as a creep and you can find expats in Paris via CL (or, whatever) that aren't creeps either: You gotta understand, Paris is flooded with people who have a passion for food and want to share that passion. Being able to sample a new restaurant that they've been pining for + meeting someone interesting (that's you!) PLUS potentially getting their share paid for would be a dream come true. Dining is also the #1 social activity in France (lunch, esp.) and you're missing a big part of it, if you do it alone. Take 3hrs, find a new friend and get some lunch at 3:00pm. It's wonderful.

Terres de truffes if you like mushrooms.