Maxim’s
French · Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris
Restaurant in Paris, France
Book with PearlThe Read
Belle Époque Classical
Chef
Silvano Sollai
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Maxim's is worth booking for classic Paris atmosphere, especially for weekend lunch or a dressed-up occasion where the room matters as much as the French cooking. Choose it over a wine bar when you want ceremony; choose Epicure or Le Taillevent if the meal itself needs to be the main luxury statement.
About Maxim’s
Book Maxim's if the brief is French dining in Paris rather than a trend-led meal. The essentials are direct: French cuisine, chef/owner Silvano Sollai, smart-casual dress, dinner service daily, lunch service on Saturday and Sunday.
The decision is about fit. Maxim's is a Paris restaurant serving French cuisine under Silvano Sollai, with evening hours through the week and weekend lunch availability.
Choose the weekend lunch when timing matters as much as the cooking
Lunch is available on Saturday and Sunday from 12–2:30 PM. That makes Maxim's useful for diners who want a French meal in Paris earlier in the day rather than committing to dinner. Dinner is available every night, with service listed from 7–11 PM on Monday through Wednesday and Sunday, 7–11:30 PM on Thursday through Saturday.
That distinction matters because Paris has different options for different plans. If the priority is another Paris restaurant, Epicure is a natural comparison. If the group wants a different kind of stop, Willi's Wine Bar may be a better contrast. Maxim's is best considered on its own terms: French cuisine in Paris, smart-casual dress, weekend lunch, nightly dinner.
The right booking is occasion-first, not trend-first
Use Maxim's when the group wants French dining in Paris with a clear schedule and a smart-casual dress code. The Opinionated About Dining Classical in Europe ranking lists Maxim's at #149 for 2025, which gives it classical-dining recognition, but the case for booking should still be based on whether the hours and cuisine fit your plan.
Solo diners can make it work if the timing suits them, especially because the restaurant serves dinner daily and lunch on weekends. For a larger Paris dining plan, compare it with other Paris restaurants such as Laurent, Le Grand Véfour, or Le Taillevent, or use our full Paris restaurants guide and our full Paris hotels guide to build the rest of the trip.
Planning details
- Location
- 3 Rue Royale, 75008 Paris, France
- Website
- restaurant-maxims.com
- Phone
- +33 1 42 65 27 94
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Maxim's presents itself as a living piece of Parisian history: an Art Nouveau dining room whose Belle Époque ironwork, mirrored panels, deep banquettes and painted ceilings anchor every meal. The restaurant privileges continuity over culinary trend-chasing, so the room and its decor are as much the point as the food. That architectural weight shapes expectations — guests arrive ready for classical French technique executed within an opulent, gilded environment. The overall effect is formal and historically resonant, a place that reads as an extension of late‑19th‑century Parisian style rather than a vehicle for modernist reinvention.
Best For
Maxim's is best for formal dinners and milestone evenings when the setting matters as much as the meal. The house sits squarely in the grand-dining tradition of Paris, making it a natural choice for special occasions, celebrations and intimate date nights that call for a gilded room and classical service. Because the kitchen answers the room with time-honored preparations rather than cutting-edge experimentation, guests seeking a ceremonial, tradition-forward dinner experience will find Maxim's especially appropriate.
Ordering Tips
When dining at Maxim's, follow the house's cues and lean into its classics. The menu rewards selections that showcase classical French technique — the signature filet de sole Maxim's is a clear example — and finishing with the iconic crêpes Suzette honors the restaurant's dessert tradition. Expect dishes arranged within the Escoffier-influenced grammar described in the room's editorial framing; order with an eye toward refined, sauce-forward preparations that complement the formal, Belle Époque setting.
Venue details
Ambiance
Elegant 1900s period setting with beautiful Art Nouveau decor, buzzy atmosphere from closely spaced tables, and live music, though some note it feels cramped and dated.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Formal
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- filet de sole Maxim's
- crêpes Suzette
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to book if this is not the right fit
Book Epicure instead if the meal needs to be a major luxury splurge with a clearer high-end price signal. Choose Willi's Wine Bar if the group wants French food with less formality, better flexibility, a stronger wine-bar feel.
Restaurant context
How Maxim's compares in Paris
Choose Maxim's when the priority is old-Paris atmosphere with French cooking and an easier planning profile. Epicure is the stronger splurge if budget is less of a concern and the meal needs to feel like the main event; Le Taillevent is the better fit for a more formal luxury French dinner with a higher price signal.
Laurent and Le Grand Véfour are closer comparisons for diners deciding between classic Paris rooms. Pick Laurent if the setting is the first filter, Le Grand Véfour if the group wants another historic French reference point. Maxim's is the more direct choice when the brief is a recognizable Paris occasion rather than a deep culinary pilgrimage.
For value and flexibility, Willi's Wine Bar is the better backup: less ceremony, easier for casual plans, a smarter choice for solo dining or a wine-led evening. Maxim's makes more sense for two or more people, dressed-up plans, visitors who want the room to carry part of the memory.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Maxim’s guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Maxim’s
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxim’s | Paris | French | 2025 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #149 | ; |
| Laurent | Paris | French | 2025 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #409We're Smart World Top Restaurants 2025 | ; |
| Epicure | Paris | French | 2026 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #13Michelin Guide France & Monaco 20262026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #24We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 The Best Chef Two Knives2025 Michelin 3 Stars | €€€€ |
| Le Grand Véfour | Paris | French | 2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2025 Relais Chateaux Award2023 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #134 | ; |
| Willi’s Wine Bar | Paris | French | Star Wine Lists 20262026 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended2024 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #3112023 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended | ; |
| Le Taillevent | Paris | French | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #12026 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #622026 Relais Chateaux RestaurantsMichelin Guide France & Monaco 20262026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #422025 Wine Spectator Grand Award | $$$$ |
How Maxim's Paris compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch or dinner better at Maxim's?
Lunch is available on Saturday and Sunday from 12–2:30 PM, so it is the better fit if you want a daytime meal. Dinner is available daily, running 7–11 PM on Monday through Wednesday and Sunday, 7–11:30 PM on Thursday through Saturday.
Is Maxim's good for a special occasion?
It can be a good fit for a special meal in Paris if you want French cuisine, smart-casual dress, OAD Classical in Europe recognition: #149 in 2025. Choose the booking time based on the schedule, with weekend lunch and nightly dinner both available.
Is Maxim's good for solo dining?
It can work for solo dining if the hours and French cuisine suit your plan. The schedule includes dinner every night and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Does Maxim's handle dietary restrictions?
What should I wear to Maxim's?
The dress code is smart casual. Dress neatly for a French restaurant in Paris.
