Where to Dine for Special Occasions in Paris

Are you looking for memorable dining choices to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, retirement, or another special occasion while you're in Paris?  Or maybe you just want to enjoy a special dinner to commemorate your first or your last evening in the City of Light?

You'll find plenty of exciting options - the only hard part will be deciding which one. You could splurge on an elegant restaurant, book a table with a spectacular view, take a dinner cruise along the Seine, enjoy a gourmet dinner while touring the city on a specially-outfitted double-decker bus, or choose some other completely different experience that feels just right for the person or moment you're celebrating.

The best choice isn't necessarily the most expensive or unusual or social media-worthy one.  What's important is that the experience feels special to you, whether that means wonderful food, beautiful surroundings, a romantic atmosphere, iconic Paris views, or simply doing something you'll remember long after your trip.

I've been fortunate to be in Paris for a number of special occasions - New Year's Eve, my birthday, and with my husband a couple of years ago, our wedding anniversary - and I can tell you, there's no better city for a celebration!

In the Sunday edition of my free Paris Discoveries Newsletter, I answer reader questions about Paris travel, including where and how to celebrate milestone occasions while visiting Paris.

This article, part of the Paris Discoveries Q&A Archive, brings together those real reader questions and my answers based on my own experiences in Paris.

You'll find ideas for birthday dinners and other celebrations, along with practical suggestions about choosing and booking memorable dining experiences.

I've lightly edited, expanded, and updated my original answers, and added photos to make this a more complete Paris travel resource. 

Top photo:  Dining at Le Grand Colbert, a historical Parisian brasserie, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

Paris Discovery Guide is a reader-supported publication.  If you purchase through our links, PDG may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.  Merci for your support!

Where to Celebrate a Milestone Birthday in Paris

Mauri's Question:

My husband, a close friend, and I will be visiting Paris in mid-October. This will be our first visit to Paris, and we will be staying near the Arc de Triomphe.

I will also be celebrating a milestone birthday while in Paris and would like recommendations for a nice dinner on my birthday.

Susan's Answer: 

Hi Mauri,  

For your big birthday celebration, I recommend one of the Seine River dinner cruises - it's become my own favorite way to celebrate my birthday whenever I'm lucky enough to be in Paris on that day.  

My favorite cruise line by a slight edge is Bateaux Parisiens, but Bateaux Mouches is also excellent and it would be more convenient from your hotel because its port is on the Right Bank.

The food, Champagne, and wine are excellent on both boats, the views are spectacular, and watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at the end of the cruise is a magical "Happy Birthday!!!" touch.

For my own birthday, I splurge on a window table near the front of the boat - but really, everywhere else is fine too. If that particular position matters to you, choose a service level that specifically includes or prioritizes front/window seating, and book early enough that it hasn't sold out.

Have a wonderful birthday celebration, and a fantastic time in Paris!

Where to Have Thanksgiving Dinner in Paris

Mary's Question:

Seven of us will be in Paris during Thanksgiving week.  We are staying in the Saint-Germain area.  Where is a great restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner?

Susan's Suggestions: 

Hi Mary, You and your group will have more choices than you might expect in a country where Thanksgiving isn't a national holiday. While turkey (dinde) is typically not available in Paris markets until around Christmas (and even then, pre-ordering it from a butcher is the most reliable way to get it), a handful of restaurants manage to source it for American Thanksgiving-style meals on and around the 4th Thursday in November.

(Note for the newsletter's Canadian readers: Canadian Thanksgiving, which falls on the 2nd Monday in October, is not celebrated as far as I'm aware in Paris.)

Among the restaurants offering a festive American-style Thanksgiving feast featuring turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, veggies, and of course tasty pies, please note that reservations are required by all, and most will also require a deposit as this is a meal that's prepared for only the expected number of guests.

Here's a list of some Parisian restaurants that typically serve this traditional Thanksgiving meal at a variety of price points (€ - under €100; €€ - €100 - €199; €€€ - €200 and over) for you to check out.

Please note: 1) Some places may not post details for this year until closer to the date, 2) The cost may increase without my knowledge - so please confirm all important details, including the cancellation/deposit refund policy, before booking:

Breakfast in America (Marais, Latin Quarter, and Champs Élysées locations) - Traditional meal, served for dinner (two seatings) on Thanksgiving Day ). Cost: €

Treize au Jardin - (6th arr) - Serves classic Thanksgiving fare for lunch and dinner, with a couple of French touches such as amuse-bouches (typically 2-3 bite-sized appetizers) and a cup of champagne, on Thanksgiving Day, Friday, and Saturday. Cost: € (not yet confirmed for 2026)

Milagro - (7th arr) - This small bistronomic restaurant headed by an American chef/owner offers Thanksgiving dinner (including Southern-style sides such as cornbread stuffing and sweet potatoes) on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), Friday, and Saturday evenings plus Thanksgiving "Chez Vous" (carryout, also on all three days) - look for the Thanksgiving link on their menu starting in early fall. Cost: € (not yet confirmed for 2026)

Chocho - 10th arr - Headed by American-born Chef Thomas Chisholm of Top Chef fame, Chocho typically features bistronomic cuisine and offers a set-menu Thanksgiving dinner with 3 wine-pairing options (no wine, 3 glasses, 6 glasses). For information and to book, go to the booking menu and click on the date for Thanksgiving. Cost: €€

Hotel Vernet - 8th arr - The restaurant at this lovely 5-star hotel, known for its magnificent glass roof, typically serves a very nice Thanksgiving dinner.  No details are available for this year yet, so check their website closer to the big day.  Cost: €€ (estimate; dinner is not yet confirmed for 2026)

Verjus - 1st arrondissement, near Palais Royal Garden/Louvre - Special pre-set Thanksgiving-themed tasting menu (typically 7 courses) featuring heritage turkey; champagne and wine pairings are offered as an option for lunch and included for dinner.   For details including the booking calendar, go to their booking calendar and click on Thanksgiving Day or the day after; the details appear only after you click the Reserve button. Cost: €€ - €€€ (not yet confirmed for 2026)

A few 5-star Palace hotels also usually offer Thanksgiving dinner since they tend to get lots of American guests, but I can't find any details online for this year yet. If they are of interest, keep checking their websites, or probably even better, just call the hotels and ask if the dinners are happening this year.

Finally, I've heard that the American Church in Paris's 7th arrondissement hosts an "all are welcome" Thanksgiving dinner each year. I don't have details - but you might check their website closer to the date.

Wherever you decide to go, I wish you a wonderful meal with your group and a Happy Thanksgiving in Paris to all of you!

See More Questions & Answers about Where to Eat in Paris

Wondering about where to find more places to eat or types of cuisine for your Paris visit?  You'll find those Q&A archives here:

• Paris Restaurant Recommendations by Neighborhood & Location
• Where to Eat Traditional French Food in Paris
• Where to Eat in Paris: Practical Dining Tips & Advice

Paris Discoveries Q&A Archive - See Q&As on all topics

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