Choosing a restaurant in Paris can give you a real headache, as there are so many different types of cuisine to choose from, and you will be really spoilt for choice deciding where to eat.

But there is something to suit everyones palate, so why not try something a little different, like Japanese food in France, or you could opt for numerous other International varieties of cuisine from Mexican, American, Turkish, Italian, Brazilian like the very popular Brasil Tropical that also has a cabaret show, Spanish, Indian, and many more to excite your taste buds!

The finest way of eating in Paris is at a Haute Cuisine restaurant, but you need a good bank balance, as this type of meal has elaborate preparations and presentations of the delicacies in small portions and can be found at some of the best hotels and plush restaurants.

However, most Paris restaurants have a ‘Menu du Jour’ and this normally means the most reasonably priced meals or set meals, with the food prepared from what is available locally and always changing through the seasons, it is the freshest produce available.

The French loves their sauces and there are many different sorts, and some are regarded as specialities at certain restaurants where they will accompany most food, so if you get a chance, consider trying some of these.

Having breakfast out is more than likely to be at a Patisserie or cafe in Paris where you can get croissants, bread, numerous varieties of cheese and cold meats, plus pastries that are usually accompanied by a cup of strong black coffee, but if you prefer white coffee, then ask for café au lait, so that you get milk with it.

Whilst experiencing this fabulous city, you will come across numerous cafes and bistros in Paris that have indoor and outdoor dining, but if you decide to eat on the terrace, there is often an additional charge added to your bill.

Most of the shops in France close for at least two hours of a lunch time, which is when most of the French have their main meal, but there are now lots of restaurants providing a Brunch type service, so it is great time to re-fuel before continuing your sightseeing.

If you need to have a snack in the afternoon prior to an evening meal, where most restaurants only start serving from 7.30pm onwards, you would need to go to a Brasserie as they are usually open all day and serve the same food, whatever the time.

Having a glass of wine with your meal is like a French tradition and is almost expected in most places, but bear in mind that a table wine in France is not normally a cheap and hopefully cheerful option, like it is in the UK, and you can often purchase more reasonably priced wines from the menu, yet there are also always vintage wines available, so if you know what you like then go for it, ad we are sure that you will experience quality, whatever your wine choice.

But thinking about this, normally wine is paired with your meal, so when dining at a plush restaurant it is customary to order a different wine to accompany each different dish served, so as to truly enjoy the cuisine and not take away from any of the exquisite tastes.

There are so many different options for a Paris restaurant and a couple of these even have museums such as the Musee du Vin. Here you learn about wine making, its history and different wines, plus do some wine tasting, then you can even enjoy a fabulous meal with the wine and come away feeling a little more knowledgeable.

But if you are still not sure about where to go for your next evening eating out in Paris, then it may be an idea to pick up Le Carnet Gourmand, which is a free guide to restaurants in Paris that are registered with the Tourism office and has a list of around 200 with the type of cuisine, average costs, and other information such as access for the disabled. To obtain a copy you would need to go to the Office de Tourisme, but this restaurant guide can also be found in numerous Paris hotels and at the restaurants that are listed.

Yet there is one last point we would like to make and that is the fact that Parisians tend to dress up for an evening meal and many restaurants require a jacket or even dinner attire, so we would recommend that you check what the dress code is when booking, or you may be refused entry!

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It is a traditional bar that was opened in 1934 and is located near the Rodrigo de Freitas Lake which is the best place in Rio from which you can admire the sunset. It was built and decorated in the traditional art deco style, with tables both inside and outside. It is a very busy bar although the waiters are somewhat bad tempered. As far as the food is concerned, you will find a mix of Brazilian and German foods, top notch steaks and other tasty foods like a signature sausage along with a potato salad, all with a fresh and cold beer.

Plataforma – Address: Rua Adalberto Ferreira, 32, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Plataforma is a large steak house which gathers mulatas, samba and glitter in one single place. The meat is wonderful, especially the “picanha”. For a side dish, we recommend the Brazilian cheese balls which are simply put, delicious. As far as the atmosphere is concerned, it is quite cheerful and informal.

Confeitara Colombo – Address: Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

You will find simple yet efficient service and a lovely atmosphere. It opens for launch time with a fixed buffet or a la carte but also serves small and delicious savories and snacks but don’t forget about the sweets. This place is charming in a unusual Belle Epoque style.

La Louisiane – Address: Estrada da Barra da Tijuca, 1636, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This is the place to be if you are into American food. All of the meals are prepared from authentic and original Creole and Cajun recipes that came from Louisiana, New Orleans, United States of America. The dishes are a unique mix of French, Spanish, African flavors like the Cajun shrimp, Creole fish, jambalaya and others as well. For dessert, we totally recommend the pecan pie with vanilla ice-cream and for wine; you may take your pick from all of the French wines they have. The décor itself is a tribute to the American location, the origin of this restaurant. It features light-painted walls where many of posters with New Orleans can be admired. Flowers and plants are abundant here and the jazz music in the background creates a relaxing atmosphere.

Museum – Address: Rua do Catete, 153, Catete, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Located right in the mezzanine of the Museu da Republica it offers a beautiful view of the museum garden. The restaurant features a varied menu with lighter meals for those that are on a strict diet. The funghi fillet with potatoes and mushroom sauce is a reasonable option for people watching their weight. If you are audacious by nature, you should eat the Brazilian risotto with banana, saffron and shrimps. For dessert, they have exotic mango pie with strawberry sauce.

Outback – Address: Avenida das Américas, 6101, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Outback is a part of a very important American food chain of restaurants. Very popular among tourists, here you can eat “Aussie” style grilled steaks with onions. The Outback has an interesting look, similar with an Australian steak house from the 1950s.

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