KenScale: 8.75/10 Visits: June 2025 [Note: After some deliberations, I have decided to upgrade all restaurants receiving 8.5 or 8.75 KenScale to five Yelp stars from four.] Last month, my wife Jun and I had a short but eventful trip to France, shuttling between Paris and the Champagne region. It was our first time in Paris since 2022, and I was very excited to try a few new restaurants in the city that had long been on my list. Our first day in Paris, though, wasn't going quite according to plan due to heavy traffic in the summer season. It took us almost an hour and half to get to our hotel in Le Marais from the CDG airport, and almost an hour each way to get to the David Hockney special exhibition at Fondation Louis Vuitton from the hotel. By the time we got back to the hotel, we were very exhausted. The traffic jam wouldn't relent in the evening, and we arrived 45 minutes late to our first restaurant. Fortunately, the host at Le Clarence was very gracious about our tardiness, and more importantly, the dinner at the restaurant more than made up for our travail with an outstanding meal. Located inside a hotel owned by the Prince of Luxembourg (who also owns the prestigious Chateau Haut-Brion of Bordeaux), Le Clarence, helmed by chef Christophe Pelé, delivers luxurious French dining but without fresh, modern perspectives. The tasting menu on our visit (we tried the five-course option at €280 per person) was focused on seafood but the high level of execution and precise cooking was evident throughout our dinner. The raw langoustine that came in the beginning was a wonderful delicacy, accompanied by watermelon sauce and hibiscus powder, while the mackerel (with an unexpected pairing of blueberry) quickly won over Jun even though the fish is not one of her favorite. After a challenging day, the pleasantly aromatic broth of telline clam with dill, Sichuan peppercorn and dried raspberry felt like a much-needed relief. Even though the tasting menu nominally consisted of five courses, we were pampered with all kinds of side dishes accompanying each course, and some of these side dishes really stood out on their own as well, like a refreshing snack of fennel and green apple juice with cuttlefish, as well as tomato with pistachio cream that I enjoyed very much. Another favorite dish of mine was a lovely surf and turf combination of turbot and veal sweetbread beneath spinach; the textural synergy between the fish and sweetbread was quite outstanding. The dish was followed by other playful side dishes of clam (with cauliflower and sumac inside the shell), zucchini flower with sardine on top and poached oyster in refreshing tomato gazpacho. Jun thought the o toro dish with XO sauce could've slightly moderated on seasoning, but I savored every bite of the expertly cooked tuna. For the meat dish, Le Clarence brought out pigeon; in another fun surf and turf theme, the pigeon meat came with clams and white beans in the main course that was also accompanied by wonderful side dishes of pigeon leg and black fig ham as well a bowl of green bean, feta cheese and pigeon filet. The texture of the pigeon in all of these dishes were spot-on, and I didn't feel like I missed much with not eating other sumptuous meat such as beef or pork. The desserts were also executed with the same level of attention to detail and precision. The strawberry and strawberry sorbet was a perfect summer dessert (it happened to be strawberry season in France and this was not the first time we encountered a strawberry dessert during our trip), and the fior di latte ice cream with cherries was also delightful without being overly sweet. Just like the savory dishes, we were spoiled with other small dessert snacks, like the apricot tartlet and macaron flavored with almond, vanilla and nougatine. I booked a reservation way in advance even before finalizing our trip itinerary, so it was hard to tell how challenging booking a table here was. I would still try to book in advance given that the dining room is not that big and there is only one dinner shift at 7:30 p.m. The opulent dining room that makes you feel like dining inside a palace is another big plus to the dining experience at the restaurant, as is the professional service from the handsomely dressed staff who make sure that the diners are well taken care of. The wine list, not surprisingly, is top tier at Le Clarence, including a huge vertical of Haut-Brion. I was very tempted to try a wine pairing but ended up choosing a fabulous bottle of Coteaux Champenois red bottle (yes, Champagne is not just about sparkling wine) that complemented our meal very well. Le Clarence is an outstanding restaurant that should be on the wish list of any food lover while visiting Paris, even more so if you want to experience a haute cuisine dinner that does not feel dated or stuffy. I would certainly be happy to come back next time Jun and I are in Paris. read more

We chose Le Clarence during a recent trip to Paris to celebrate our anniversary - part of a week-long celebration - and in many ways, the evening felt worthy of the occasion. The service was truly excellent: attentive without ever hovering, polished but warm. The setting is beautiful, with a series of intimate rooms that make the experience feel personal and special rather than grandiose. The wine pairing deserves particular praise. It was filled with creative, thoughtful selections from around the world that complemented the dishes beautifully and were a highlight of the meal. The menu itself was inventive and clever... and perhaps this is where things went sideways (and why my rating is a generous 2 stars). Both my husband and I ended up with food poisoning later that night. I'll spare everyone the graphic details, but the following 24 hours were extremely unpleasant, and our long-anticipated day trip to Champagne was completely derailed. In hindsight, our best guess is that the culprit was a pair of "shellfish shooters" served in lukewarm broth - a dish that now lives on in our memories for all the wrong reasons. Of course, this was a single visit, and it's entirely possible we were just very unlucky. Still, given the outcome, it's not an experience that will be repeated. Le Clarence clearly does many things beautifully, but for us, this was one dinner we won't be revisiting. read more

Le Clarence was a marvel from the first greeting to the final petits fours. The service walked that rare line between regal and warm, the kind that makes you feel a little like Louis XIV for an afternoon while never losing the human touch. We mentioned our anniversary and, unprompted, a special strawberry cake arrived at the end, delicately sweet rather than sugary, a perfect coda to a long, celebratory lunch. The room itself heightens the spell. You move through salon-like spaces that feel more like a private residence than a restaurant, each course staged with quiet ceremony. Lunch lasted about four hours, yet the pacing never dragged. Plates and satellite bites kept arriving, each distinct in technique and personality, and we stayed engaged the entire time. It is a marathon, though, which the table next to us illustrated when one diner briefly nodded off, an understandable response to so much richness and comfort. The cooking was quintessentially French and executed at a level that makes the style feel renewed rather than nostalgic. One course in particular showcased pigeon both in prime cuts and in its organs, each element cooked to precise textures and glazed so that minerality read as depth rather than harshness. It was a masterclass in using abats to extend the flavor story of a dish. Bread service bordered on the theatrical. An apparently endless rotation arrived throughout the meal, culminating in a breadstick longer than my outstretched arms, absurd in scale and yet perfectly crisp, airy, and seasoned. Course after course leaned into clarity, balance, and exactness. Sauces had line and sheen. Garnishes felt integrative rather than decorative. Nothing was there to shout; everything was there to make the main idea ring. Drinks and pairings matched the tone. Wines were chosen to illuminate rather than dominate, and the team's explanations were concise, confident, and helpful without sliding into lecture. That balance mirrored the kitchen's ethos: high concept rooted in Parisian tradition, technique forward, and relentlessly on point. Photos will tell part of the story, but what lingers is the feeling of abundance shaped by discipline. Le Clarence delivers an almost inexhaustible procession of flawlessly executed plates that still read as cuisine rather than stunt. For me it was a definitive five-star experience. read more

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I typically don't fully enjoy the elaborate multi course dining experience, as I feel it becomes drawn out and boring a few courses in. Le Clarence found ways to keep me surprised, delighted and entertained/ engaged with my meal. That's a rare ability that speaks loudly to how much if recommended this place to anyone able to enjoy! read more

The service was impeccable, the ambience was gorgeous and old worldly. The food however left something to be desired. There was an over emphasis on seafood, with little else other than one course of quail. I would normaly not complain if the seafood was well picked, however the flavors were not balanced well, often with a very bitter or fishy taste, but worse some had no flavor at all. For a Michlein rated restaurant I was unimpressed, in fact disappointed is more accurate. We were even charged $65 for a bottle of sparkling tea that my son didn't like after the first sip and asked for a different drink, a price tag that was not transparent and at most restaurants regardless of Michlein stars or not would have been removed from the bill. A forgettable meal, with an unfortunately high price tag of over $1000 for 2. If it was worth the price I would have no issue, regrettably it was not. read more

Really close to the arc de Triomphe metro station. Came for lunch and they take you upstairs when the reservation time was ready. We got seated at a table and they all spoke English. We chose the 4 course tasting menu. There were lots of dishes before, during and after the main courses. The food was good and the environment was nice. It was decorated in a very traditional way. The service was good with the exception that we had to reuse the cutlery for each dish and as such the flavours are cross- contaminated. That was a bit of a turnoff. For such a fine dining restaurant, it is expected that you get new cutlery for each dish. The food was good but not extraordinary. The best thing was the Cruffin which was excellent and the best croissant we had in Paris. It was for a milestone birthday so they brought out dessert with a candle. Glad we had the experience to try a 2 Michelin star restaurant read more

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Service and ambiance were perfect. Charming staff and amazing setting. They had explained upfront the chef likes to "surprise" the guests with his choices...so unlike many tasting menus there is no menu presented when you sit down...and no options to select a or b. (Which could possibly work out great if you happened to love exactly everything the chef wants to plate up) For me, however, I'm not a huge fan of pigeon...nor of sweetbreads, which were 2 of the 5 surprises. read more

My favorite dining experience during our week long trip to Paris. Le Clarence was beautiful and provided such great service. The food was meticulously prepared and so delicious. Some of the highlights were the nodoguro,, foie gras, wagyu with caviar and the white truffle pasta. Thinking of it is making me drool. The cheese cart near the end was a bit overwhelming trying to choose which flavors we wanted while we were so full. The desserts also seemed like a start of another tasting course. Fortunately, like the rest of the meal, everything was very yummy and satisfied our sweet tooth. At the end of the meal, we were surprised with the most memorable dish of the night, the grand marnier souffle topped with shavings of black truffle. OMG! I'll just leave it at that. Definitely worth a trip if you can secure reservations to this devine restaurant! read more

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Helpfulness a disaster without merit The restaurant was aware we took a 60 minute cab drive to eat. Food very good 1150 dollars later they said could not get a cab.for us knowing we were visitors to paris. The best they came up with at midnight was take metrorail down the street. so if you are A visitor or do not own a car this is definitely not the restaurant to go to. Note it was a rainy night and they knew i used a cane. My wife and i felt like dogs thrown outside read more

Fun dining experience, beautiful setting, exquisite rooms and a ton of food. The meal can be long, it's a typical French style, but overall was a very strong menu and experience. They could speed up the ending a bit (tons of desserts followed by a lot of sitting, we had to flag down multiple captains to close out our check and it was a 4+ hour long meal on a weekday). The food was very good, favorite bites were the uni custard, king crab pasta, and some of the opening bites. They offer takes on traditional French dishes as well as some more modern presentations and bites which is very nice. Good techniques and execution, great flavors and presentation. The brioche was some of the best bread I've ever eaten, I regret not asking for additional servings. Overall a very nice experience and would return if I had time - would ask them upfront to keep up the pace though so I don't fall asleep at the table after midnight. read more

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I was lucky to land a lunch reservation in a Friday. I booked about a month in advanced. For 110 euros, you get a "3 course meal" which actually ends up being about 21 small plates/bites. We'll worth the money. There wasn't a dish that I didn't like. Sure some didn't have the wow factor that others had, but everything was good and the stand out dishes were phenomenal! Our top three would be the eggplant, caviar, and escargot. The service was attentive and friendly and it didn't feel so uptight. The setting was gorgeous!! See my picture of my hubbie sitting in our dining room. So why minus one star? We're used to European restaurants charging and arm and a leg for still water, which is why we usually ask for tap water. I think my husband might have been a little embarrassed to ask for tap water at an establishment like this, so he opted for still. Well, I wasn't surprised to see that still water was 10 euros when the bill came. That's our fault for ordering it. But what I am upset about is that they open a second bottle of still water without even asking if we wanted it or not (we did NOT want it as we were so full already from all the food). And then they charged us for it. So yes. We spent a whopping 20 euros on water that's basically 20% the cost of one person's meal. Otherwise it was a great meal. read more

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For our second planned meal of our two-week visit to Paris, my wife and I had dinner with my cousin at Le Clarence. We arrived at the restaurant 15 minutes early and were met by the host outside. Once again, I was relieved that she (and the rest of the staff) very kindly spoke English with us. When she tried to show us into the restaurant, she discovered that a co-worker had exited behind her and locked her out. April Fool! We all shared a good laugh as she left us to make her way around the back and let us in through the front door. Since we were a little bit early and the rest of the staff was still having its pre-service meeting, we were invited to wait in the restaurant's "living room" upstairs. I've never been happier to wait for my table. The room is spectacular. After only a short wait, we were offered a glass of Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé champagne, which is one of our favorites. And shortly after that, we were offered some "snacks"; a selection of cheese puffs and then bulots (whelks), which were more than the simple, undressed variety that you usually receive with a plateau de fruits de mer. When our table was ready, we were led down to another beautiful room with fabric-covered walls and a very high ceiling. Although there were several other tables, I only remember one other being occupied and it really felt as if we had the whole room to ourselves. We all decided to order the Le Clarence Menu in 5 Sequences. We also continued our new tradition of having champagne with every meal. When we mentioned the Duval-Leroy champagne that we had previously enjoyed to the sommelier, he enthusiastically recommended Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne Brut Grand Cru. Coincidentally, he had recently visited the Duval-Leroy champagne house and told us all about it. The "5 sequences" consisted of many more than five dishes. Each sequence was one to four separate dishes. I will post photos of some of them, but they were all beautifully composed and presented, and were, without exception, quite delicious. We ended up lingering over our meal for the better part of five hours. Yes, FIVE HOURS! But it was truly one of the best, most enjoyable meals that I have ever experienced and we really didn't want it to end. We even visited the kitchen, where we watched a dish being prepared for us and got to enjoy it at the counter. We met Chef Christophe Pelé, who doesn't speak English but could not have been more friendly and gracious. I wasn't surprised, because every other member of the restaurant staff was equally friendly and gracious. If you gather your friends and family to have a meal at Le Clarence, you will enjoy the best meal of your life. read more

Le Clarence - The living room. - French Near Me - Paris, 75

This was exactly what I dreamed of when I thought of a Michelin star restaurant. The food was simply beautiful and also extremely delicious. The service was impeccable, and not at all stuffy or pretentious. My mother-in-law and I took my nine-year-old daughter who is well behaved, yet I was quite concerned about bringing her to this type of restaurant. They made her feel welcome and she felt like a princess eating in a castle. There are so many amazing places to eat in Paris that I don't know that I would go back to many, even if they were great, but this would be an exception! See you next time and thank you read more

My wife and I went here to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. The food and service were excellent, but we were offered no advice or assistance getting back to our hotel on the verge of a huge thunderstorm, in a place where you can't hail a taxi or call an Uber. When we tried to go back inside for shelter and help, once the skies opened up, the doors were locked and there was no way to communicate with anyone inside. We ended up getting drenched finding a non-flooded metro station a quarter mile away. Sadly, it brought a miserably inelegant end to an anniversary experience for which I had planned for months and paid more than 1000 euros! read more

For a splurge lunch, the 90 Euro degustation menu served at the two Michelin star Le Clarence, may be the best deal in Paris. Located in an over the top, opulent nineteenth century townhouse, Le Clarence is the epitome of old school, "white glove" dining. I wouldn't want to dine like this often, but once a year, it is a treat. The formality begins at the entrance, when diners are led upstairs the winding staircase to one of the dining rooms. This is Napoleonic, in every sense of the word. Table linens, heavy cutlery, and sparkling crystal complete the picture. An army of servers are at your beck and call, dressed up and formally trained. You will never know their name. Le Clarence is not part of the "Hello my name is Cindi, and I'm your server today" school of thought. Chef Christophe Pele, no relation to the Brazilian footballer, reinvents classical French cooking in an innovative, but well, classic manner. The dishes keep coming during the set menu lunch, most are incredible. There are a couple of misses, depending on your tastes. Yet, I applaud the creativity. Chefs must take chances. Food is very personal. Unfortunately, we fell into a Parisian trap at La Clarence. The set menu is 90 Euros, but we had wine, cocktails, a truffle supplement, and that caused the bill to raise to an uncomfortable stratosphere. Thus, be pre-warned, and order smartly. Le Clarence can be an unforgettable experience. read more

Tres magnifique experience. The service is exceptional and the food was delicious (although very filling, there is no way I'd survive the 4 course). I made reservations for lunch about 6 months prior to our visit to Paris, and there were no dinner times available. Which is actually a blessing in disguise! It turns out when you attend lunch, expect to be done by dinner time. Yes this is a whole fanciful experience not a fast casual meal. So come very hungry and prepared to dine for 4 hours. The building alone is spectacular inside and out. Everything from the table setting to the little stool they bring for your purse, is exquisite. There is no menu, they ask if you want the 3 course or the 4 course chef offering. They ask if you have any allergies or any food aversions, my advice (given you aren't allergic to anything) is to try it all. They do a wonderful job of pleasing your palette. We started with some champagne our waiter suggested & it was beyond delicious. Next they come around and showed us fresh truffles in a fancy wooden box, and offer it for your seafood, meat or both. If you have some added to your meat, also be prepared to spend an extra 90€ for it. The seafood was fantastic. I especially loved these little tiny clams they gave us in a chili broth. The scallop on a waffle was out of this world. I really enjoyed our meal and had fun trying all the delicious inventive eats they brought to us. It was like eating art. Bravo Le Clarence. read more

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Even though we had 1 small issue, I'm still giving 5 stars. Even though it's not the BEST meal I've ever had, this Michelin 2-star still was top notch. From the minute you are buzzed into this palatial mansion, you are treated like royalty. There are always people waiting on you - waiter, host, sommelier, server. Unreal. Dining rooms are elegant and our table had a view of the kitchen with 8-10 chefs. They offer a 3, 5 or 7 course tasting. After debating between the 3 or 5, and reading other Yelpers, we decided on the 3-course, which was a good decision. As other Yelpers have pointed out, the 5 course can take 4-5 hours. Our 3-course clocked in at 2.5 hours, which was perfect. And worth noting that it's not really 3 courses. After the amuse bouche(s?), each of the 3 courses contained 4-5 small dishes, each brought out separately, with explanations in English. So in all, we probably had 16-17 dishes! I lost count. Near the end, we contemplated adding the cheese cart which looked amazing, but opted out and glad we did. We were stuffed to the gills. All of the dishes were expertly crafted, artistic and delicious. Our only issue was the pacing for courses 1 & 2. We actually had to tell them to slow down as, at one point, we each had 3-4 plates on our table and we wanted to savor the flavors, rather than eat everything quickly. When the host/Maître d' asked us near the end of the 2nd course if everything was OK, we let him know about this, he apologized profusely and we tried to let him know we weren't upset, just trying to give constructive criticism ('cause he asked!). Not sure if he took it well or just smiled and hated us, but we couldn't not say something. Anyway, all of that said, I still give them 5 stars. They even let us go back to the kitchen and watch it in action for 2-3 minutes. Overall, a memorable dining experience. Highly recommend. (maybe book 3-4 weeks out, minimum, FYI) read more

Great meal, we were in Paris celebrating our babymoon and it was such a memorable experience. Great service, cooking, beautiful tables. One of my favorite tasting menus I have ever done. read more

Luxurious and sophisticated décor, multistory stunningly ornate restaurant, relaxed atmosphere, attentive service, top quality food. We picked their smallest offered lunch menu, however we still ended up with at least 20 incredible food items. Make sure to visit the third-floor lounge - it's a delight for the eyes. read more

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After a week in Paris, I thought I am Michelin out but tonight at Le Clarence I am for it again. First, the mansion looked stunning, the service was impeccable. I ordered a bottle of the La Chapelle de Mission 2010 which was drinking nicely. The bottle was highly rated but on the wine list it was surprising reasonably priced (about 200 euro, which is the suggested retail price of the bottle, score!). Opt for the 3 courses. Amuse bouches were all point on - the chilled clam dish was refreshing. The first course was a seared scallops covered with a more than generous portion of caviar. The second course was a veal sweet bread in a perfect puff pastry. Amazing amazing amazing! Super creative with the texture of the sweet bread melted into the puff pastry and the contrasting texture of the beet root... hmmmm.... My main was a rack of lamb that was perfectly cooked as well. All the desserts were delish. We asked to go up to the bar cocktail lounge level to finish off our beautiful wine. 5 Stars experience. My three top restaurants in Paris would be: Le Barritan (no michelin Stars) Le Clarence (2 Michelin Stars) L'Aprege (3 Michelin Stars) Grand Cocuer read more

Pure class! Very well balanced and amazing dishes! Beautiful ambience. Fantastic service. Top of the top restaurant.

Classic Paris restaurant. 2* Michelin. Special place. Come hungry! The wine, the setting and the food were memorable.

Back on March 10th my wife and I celebrated our tenth anniversary in Paris, and I looked at all the top three Michelin star restaurants in Paris, before deciding on Le Clarence based on the descriptions I'd heard about the overall experience. And what an experience it was...starting with the entry up a flight of stairs to the salon for champagne and an amuse bouche. Gorgeous room that sets the tone for the evening. It is here that you are asked about your palatte, what flavors you prefer, and then using that information Chef Pele creates a one of a kind menu based on what he has found fresh that day. There are no set menus, no signature dishes that have been around for years and years, it all has a wonderful feeling of modernity set in a classical atmosphere. The feeling that your meal tonight will be unique, designed just for you. We chose the five course meal, which included poached Normandy oysters Kadaif style, a scallop dish served two ways (roasted and raw), a spectacular John Dory with squid ink, and milk lamb with anchovy and black truffle. Indescribably delicious! Then comes a beautiful cheese cart where we each made three choices, and finally, the cascade of five desserts. We began with a bottle of white (a 2000 Haut-Brion) and then our lovely sommelier paired a glass of red with the lamb, and selected another pairing for the desserts. Of course they have many different price points on their extensive wine list, but they kept the glasses they chose for us at the same price point as the bottle we ordered, which we found to be thoughtful and considerate service. And all the selections were just perfect. With impeccably attentive, yet friendly service, Le Clarence manages to be old school and cutting edge at the same time, a rarity in the high end world of Paris restaurants. We have been lucky enough to have enjoyed dining in three star Michelin restaurants around the world, and the Le Clarence experience was equal to or in some cases, surpassed those previous dining experiences. This is a restaurant enjoying a swift rise considering how long they have been operating, and it is only a matter of time until Chef Pele and the entire staff receives that third star. We will never forget our evening at Le Clarence, and we cannot recommend it enough. We wish the best of luck to all associated with this amazing restaurant. read more