If you’re in La Defense outside of Paris and looking for the best restaurants then look no further. Our guide has the lowdown on the best restaurants to eat at in the heart of Paris’ business district.
La Defense, home to the Grande Arche is known as the financial area of the city. To many Parisians, La Defense is seen to be a bit of a dead area with not a great deal of good eating spots. However in recent years this has changed and there are now a lot great restaurants close to the main square and in walking distance.
Whether you’re staying in La Defense, visiting for work or around the town of Puteaux there is a lot of choice for lunch and dinner spots. Our list includes our favourite restaurants in no particular order.
La Defense Restaurants
This list includes restaurants that are within a 20 minute walk from the main La Defense metro/RER station.
Doppio Malto
Doppio Malto is a modern Italian restaurant located in the Westfield shopping centre and is only a few minutes walk from the Grand Arche. Meaning double malt in Italian, Doppio Malto started life in Italy and now has restaurants throughout Europe.
The focus is on quality, craft beer and Sardinian street food served in an open, contemporary restaurant space. If you’re a beer lover like me, it’s a great choice to try some of their house brewed craft beer to wash down some awesome Italian food. Their La Defense restaurant is huge and features a massive screen in the back with live sport. The kitchen in the back half open with a view on their incredible (and massive) indoor charcoal BBQ oven which results in some incredible grilled meat dishes.
The menu has some French influences like a very solid truffled beef tartare and covers off a lot of the Italian classics including Cacio e Pepe and Margherita pizza. I’d definitely recommend trying their grilled food – especially their spatchcocked and grilled chicken which is glazed with a mixture of honey and their stout IPA.
What to know before you visit
- You can reserve online
- Open every day until 11pm
- The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of the shopping centre and is very close to the main square of La Defense
- Try their beer tasting flight and get their BBQ grilled chicken!
Address: Centre Commercial Les 4 Temps – Niveau 3, 15 Parvis De La Défense, Pl. du Dôme, 92092 Puteaux
Tel: 01 49 00 10 42
Website: https://www.doppiomalto.com/fr/restaurants/paris-la-defense/
Le Timgad
Roughly a 17 minute walk away from the main La Defense station, towards the Courbevoie is Le Timgad. Specialising in home style Moroccan food, Le Timgad is an awesome choice if you’re after something different that traditional French cuisine.
The large dining space is warm and has a great blend of traditional & modern Moroccan interior design. During the summer months they also have a large covered terrace.
On the menu are a large array of different tajines and couscouses including an awesome Couscous royal with merguez sausage and grilled lamb chops.
What to know before you visit
- You can reserve online
- Open every day until 10:30pm
Address: 37 Rue de l’Alma, 92400 Courbevoie
Tel: 01 47 89 84 09
Website: https://www.letimgad.com
L’Escargot 1903
If you’re looking for a fine dining experience near La Defense then L’Escargot 1903 is a great option. Headed up by Chef Yannick Tranchant, L’Escargot offers refined, seasonal cuisine with very reasonable prices. During the summer months there’s a large outdoor terrace. The restaurant is around a 17 minute walk from the Grand Arche but I’d recommend taking a taxi as the walk there is very confusing!
The food at L’Escargot is modern French showcasing plenty of technique but avoiding pretentious clichés. Their current tasting menu is priced at a very reasonable €65. Expect well cooked protein accompanied by creative sauces and purées. Their wine menu is worth mentioning as well with their cave well stocked with excellent bottles.
What to know before you visit
- Closed on weekends
- Last table is at 9:30pm
Address: 94 Rue Sadi Carnot, 92800 Puteaux
Tel: 01 47 75 03 66
Website: http://www.lescargot1903.com/
Hanoi Ca Phe
Back in the Westfield shopping centre is a great Vietnamese restaurant. Hanoi Ca Phe currently have 2 restaurants in Paris (including one in Opéra) and one in La Defense. The Vietnamese cantine is a great spot if you’re in the mood for some great Asian cuisine.
Only a few minutes walk from the Grand Arche inside the shopping centre, you’ll find Hanoi Ca Phe. A quick service restaurant, their menu is diverse with curries, stir fry and the famous nems. Their Pad Thai comes has different options including a vegan version.
What to know before you visit
- Open every day until 11pm
- No need to reserve
- Vegan friendly
Address: Westfield Les 4 Temps, 92800 Puteaux
Tel: 01 47 44 92 97
Website: https://www.hanoi-caphe.com
Resunga
Resunga is a small family run Indian restaurant about a 10 minute walk from the La Defense metro station. With a focus on regional Indian and Nepalese dishes, the curries have a distinct British Indian Restaurant feel which is awesome. The restaurant itself is rather simple but the food is what you’re coming for.
Starters include the classics – tandoori chicken, onion pakoras and seekh kebabs. On the curry side there’s many different chicken, lamb and prawn options – madras, karahi and vindaloo. Their naan are worth a mention – good leopard spotting, crispy and fluffy inside.
What to know before you visit
- Closed on Sundays
Address: 51 Rue de la République, 92800 Puteaux
Tel: 09 82 21 71 39
Website: https://www.restaurantresunga.com
