'I love Paris in the springtime' goes the song but, if you can take the heat, August is a very good time to go, as many of the Parisians have gone on holiday and it is perfect for finding a restaurant in Paris where you can eat outside, it's what actor John Malkovitch does. September isn't bad either as the Parisians are back from their holidays with their batteries recharged and the tourists hopefully have dropped off a bit so you will find a good bistro or brasserie that won't be too crowded.

You don't have to go without the beach either as the Paris authorities have created a beach and swimming pool along the Seine, complete with palm trees.

There are so many places to eat in the capital city of the 'Haute Cuisine' country which range from the grand restaurants with 3 Michelin stars via the large brasseries, to the humble bistros, but do not be fooled; even the most humble eaterie will have great food because the Parisians are a discerning bunch of eaters. A tip to wise, if you are out and hungry, just look for the brasserie that has a crowd of locals and you can pretty much bet that the food is pretty good.

For those who take a more structured approach to their eating we have supplied a list of restaurants in Paris that encompasses all those categories, the one thing they all have in common is that you will find them interesting in both food and dcor. Sadly if you are vegetarian, like me, you will find a limited bill of fare but the omlettes are great. If you are vegan, you are in the wrong country.

Some of the Best Brasseries in Paris Parisians have always frequented the Brasseries

Lipp
Boulevard St Germain, 75006
Mtro: St-Germain-des-Prs
If you are on La Rive Gauche (The Left Bank) this is the place to see or to be seen.
It is huge, historic, and a foodies paradise.
33 01 45 48 72 93
Balzar
49 rue des coles, 75005
Mtro Cluny La Sorbonne
Parking : Ecole de mdecine, Soufflot
The unofficial canteen of the Sorbonne, even intellectuals need good food, as they have for decades,
John-Paul Satre for one decided that 'I am therefore I eat'.
Tel 33 01 43 54 13 67
Fax 33 0144 07 14 91
Au Boeuf Couronn
188 boulevard Jean-Jaurs, 75019
Porte de Pantin (mtro ligne5)
Opened in the 1930's, refurbished in the 1950's as the name suggests a great place to eat meat.
It has to be as it is the meeting place for animal traders and butchers.
Tel : 01 42 39 44 44
Fax : 01 42 39 17 30
Mollard
115 rue Saint-lazzare, 75008
01 43 87 50 22
Unlike Britain, eating around stations is not a depressing experience, here you will eat some of the finest sea food dishes in a beautiful art nouveau surrounding.
Boffinger
5-7 rue de la Bastille, 75004
01 42 72 87 82
Travel to Alsace without leaving Paris and enjoy a sumptuous Art Deco surrounding at this traditional brasserie. Although the menu is traditionally Alsace, there is an English translation.
Le Caf du Commerce
51 rue du Commerce, 75015
01 45 75 03 27
A definite summer eating place as it has an opening roof, who would have thought it was once the local for a now defunct auto industry whose favourites were the excellent meat dishes. traditio
Charlot- Roi des Coquillages
12 place Clichy, 75009
01 53 20 48 00
Another Art Deco palace, noted for its sea food dishes that do not stint on its portions. A lively scene where all your senses are catered for.
La Coupole
102 boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014
01 43 20 14 20
If you think this place is big you're right, when it opened in 1927 it was the largest in Paris, it's Montparness and still has original artwork on the walls. The food will not disappoint either.
Julien
16 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, 75010
Mtro Strasbourg Saint Denis (Ligne 8)
01 47 70 12 06
A listed historic brasserie that was once a traditional working mans caf, with Art Deco surroundings like this Macdonalds has a long way to go, as for the food, Mc D isn't even in the running.
Le Grand Colbert
4, rue Vivienne, Paris, 75002
01 42 86 87 88
You will be surprised to find that this is actually a reconstruction of an 1850's brasserie. That doesn't put off the regular clientele who flock here for the food, or to be seen. doesn't

Some of the Best Grand and Opulent Restaurants in Paris

Restaurant du Palais-Royal
110 Galerie Valois, 75001
01 40 20 00 27
The contemporary yet simply prepared French food lives up to the surroundings.

Lassere
17 Avenue Franklin D Roosevelt, 75008
01 43 59 53 43
A great summer venue with its' opening roof, once the favourite haunt of famous surrealist Artist Salvador Dali who must have enjoyed the equally famous sole with asparagus cream.

Prunier
16, av Victor Hugo, 75016
01 44-17-35-85
Prunier was a once a household name, it is still a favourite with the in-crowd who enjoy their seafood and caviar served in an elegant Art Deco surrounding.

Htel Plaza Athne
25 avanue Montaigane, 75008
0153 67 65 00
This restaurant is the home of the Haut Cuisine renaissance and if money is no object you will get the finest food in the finest of surroundings of anywhere in the world.

Le Grand Vefour
17 rue de Beaujolais, 75001
01 42 96 56 27
A superb mix of classic and current dishes that appeals to the discerning diner.

La Mditernane
2 Place de l'Odon, 75006
01 43 26 02 30
Some come for its magnificent terrace, some for its stunning seafood, what ever it is, they do come.

Some of the Best Cool and Chic Restaurents in Paris

L'Ambroiserie
9 place des Vosges, 75004
01 42 78 51 45
The place to go when you tire of Haute Cuisine because the Haute here is of Everest proportions.

L'Apicius
20 rue d'Artois, 75008
01 43 80 19 66
A stones throw from Les Champs-Elysees, where else would you go to eat the finest calfs head in Paris whilst walking in film maker, Luc Bessons' garden.

L'Arpge
84 rue de Varenne, 75007
01 47 05 09 06
Possibly one for the well healed vegetarian, as master chef Passard features vegetables in his cuisine in a big way. The meat eaters will definitely not be disappointed either.

L'Astrance
4 rue Beethoven, 75016
01 40 50 84 40
A true foodies Mecca where chef Barbot dazzles and delights the palates of the Parisian beautiful people.

Guy Savoy
18 rue Troyon, 75017
01 43 80 40 61
3 Michelin stars and worth every one. Impeccably chosen ingredients cooked to perfection. Gourmands will think they have died and gone to heaven.

Tertasse Mirabeau
5 place de Barcelone, 75016
01 42 24 41 51
If you are getting bored by the old dcor then try this neuveau-bistro with its' modern design and great cuisine.

Some of the Best Affordable Bistros in Paris

Aux Lyonnais
32 rue Saint-Marc, 75002
01 42 96 65 04
Alain Ducasse-owned bistro, say no more.

Le Baratin
3 rue Jouye-Rouve, 75020
01 43 49 39 70
People come for the food, not the dcor, so should you.

Le Repaire de Cartouche
8 boulevard des Filles-du-Calvaire, 75011
01 47 00 25 86
Modern bistro cuisine with a hint of Normandy.

le Rgalade
49 avenue Jean-Moulin, 75014
01 45 68 58
Birth place of the modern bistro chic and still packing them in, get there early if you want a table.

Chardenoux
1,rue jules-Valls, 75011
01 43 71 49 52
Traditional home cooking for the workers for over a hundred years and still going strong. They must be doing something right, must be the food.

Le Vieux Bistrot
14 rue du Clotre Notre Dame, 75004
01 43 54 18 95
If you are feeling pious and hungry after a visit to Notre Dame you can do no better than to sample their menu of traditional home cooking.

Finally, after sampling the delights of the restaurants in Paris, or if you are hot and thirsty, with money to burn, go to one the most chic beautiques called Colette in rue St Honore. In the basement is a water bar that serves over a 100 different exclusive waters from around the world. Jack Daniel drinkers may wish to sample the Tennessee spring water, in its own, limited edition crystal bottle made by Swarovski. At around $65 for less than half a litre, lets hope you get to keep the bottle.