The 9 most romantic restaurants in Paris

Find fancy ceiling mouldings, plush armchairs, lustrous crystal chandeliers and classical paintings at Le Clarence, an old-school Parisian mansion serving up radical, free-spirited and fascinating dishes in a seriously romantic setting. Oh, and definitely ask to check out their amazing vaulted wine cellar, stacked with thousands of bottles: it’s as much a feast for the eyes as the restaurant is for the belly.

A cute little pocket-sized restaurant with 18 seats, adorned in pine green, black leather, where young chef Bruno Laporte serves up a five-course menu with an Asian twist and hearty portions. Dive into Chenepan's well-crafted plates, from Thai broth mussels to binchotan-grilled duck breast, with flavours that are just the right amount of rebellious. In other words, it's a perfect spot to take your date.

The 19th-century passage des Panoramas contains an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants - among them this wildly popular wine bar opened by the former owners of La Crèmerie in St-Germain. The menu is limited to superb-quality cheese and charcuterie plates, plus a couple of hot dishes, from pork cheeks stewed in red wine to braised lamb, and a few comforting desserts. Many of the intense-tasting wines are biodynamic, and despite the ever-so-slightly hectic atmosphere, you are very welcome to linger over an extra glass or two. 

The red neon flooding the street and the interior with a warm neighbourhood light here might suggest a shady, lively place. But no. Augustin Marchand, wearing an apron, offers a cosy cellar for wise hedonists. The handful of travertine tables can accommodate about a dozen people amidst jazz tunes, surrounded by heaps of bottles, exposed beams, and plates of locally-sourced delicacies from south of the watershed line.

Dilia is the closest you’ll get to an authentic Italian village without leaving the Périphérique. This is refined Italian cuisine served generously – every lunch offers a set menu, made with super-fresh ingredients and always featuring a pasta dish. All washed down with a rosé from southern Rome and we're pretty much sold. This is romance, people. 

With a chic workshop atmosphere of raw wood, glass walls and concrete floors, and a friendly but not overly familiar service, this Michelin-starred spot by Bertrand Grébaut and Théophile Pourriat remains a reliable choice to ensure you don't run out of sensory delights on your date. Often booked weeks in advance, indulge in delicate vegetable dishes, great wines and more. Septime has it all going for it.

Grey sea bream from Saint-Guénolé, pink French apples, white beans and sage butter… the menu here reads like a love letter to its produce. Each dish arrives with an explanation by the waiter, including the provenance of each ingredient – down to the fishmonger or breeder’s names. Rustic and elegant, the décor is simple and classy, the cooking is daring, and come evening, this spot is seriously romantic.