Restaurant openings not to be missed in 2025

2025 promises to be a year rich in culinary discoveries across France. From Paris, the capital of gastronomic trends, to the unique charm of Mont-Saint-Michel, to the effervescence of Lyon, new restaurants will be pushing back the boundaries of creativity and daring in the kitchen. Whether you're a fan of haute gastronomy, innovative concepts or simply curious about new flavors, these six openings promise to captivate palates and leave a lasting impression.

Romain Meder's first restaurant in Paris

After making his mark by collaborating with Alain Ducasse on the Naturalité concept at the Plaza Athénée, followed by his country escapade at the Domaine de Primard, chef Romain Meder is about to make his big return to the Paris scene. He has just taken over the reins of the Garance restaurant, located at 35 rue Saint-Dominique, in the VIIᵉ arrondissement. This return to the banks of the Seine is excellent news for food lovers, who are eagerly awaiting this reinvention of an iconic culinary address.

For this new venture, Romain Meder 's first restaurant under his own name, the chef has entrusted the renovation of the venue to architect Rebecca Levy-Sitbon, known for her work on the Datil restaurant. Expected to open in the first quarter, it promises an intimate experience, with just 25 covers and a private table with its own entrance.

• Where? 35 rue Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris
• When? Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025

A new challenge for Jean Imbert at Mont-Saint-Michel

Jean Imbert inaugurates a new stage in his career with the unveiling, on January 16, 2025, of a restaurant in the heart of the legendary Mont-Saint-Michel. The project takes place in a historic building perched on the cliff, offering a setting both intimate and steeped in history. With its small front garden and authentic atmosphere, the restaurant is the perfect setting for a meeting between tradition and contemporary gastronomy.

While the chef is still keeping the name of this exceptional address a secret, he has shared the broad outlines of his inspiration on his social networks. Drawing on emblematic collaborations, such as that with Mauviel 1830, Jean Imbert intends to showcase French craftsmanship and exalt local produce in this exceptional venue. This opening only reinforces the reputation of a chef who, from his victory in Top Chef to his success at the Plaza Athénée, embodies an ambitious French gastronomy deeply rooted in heritage.

• Where to eat? Logis Sainte-Catherine, 50170 Le Mont-Saint-Michel
• When? Scheduled to open on January 16, 2025

Nicolas Le Tirrand: a breath of fresh air in Larmor-Plage

In spring 2025, Nicolas Le Tirrand is set to take a new turn in his career by joining Hôtel Les Mouettes in Larmor-Plage as Executive Chef and Associate. Working alongside owner Gérard Le Faouder and associate director Frédéric Avignon, he aims to make this seaside establishment one of the must-visit restaurants in Brittany. In March, a seasonal bistro will open its doors, offering cuisine that celebrates local produce and authentic Breton flavours. True to his uncluttered approach and respect for the terroir, the chef will offer a warm, refined experience rooted in the region's culinary identity.

But that's just the beginning: major renovations are planned for the end of 2025, culminating in 2026 with the opening of a gourmet restaurant focusing on the riches of the sea. This ambitious project, a true tribute to the ocean and Brittany, also marks a return to his roots for Nicolas Le Tirrand. More than 20 years after his debut in Larmor-Plage, the chef returns to this inspiring setting between beach and nature, driven by the desire to offer a cuisine that sublimates the essence of this unique territory.

• Where to eat? Hôtel Les Mouettes, rue de Rennes, 56260 Larmor-Plage
• When? Scheduled to open in spring 2025

Irwin Durand opens his first restaurant in Paris

This spring, Irwin Durand will unveil Irwin, his very first table located in the VIIIᵉ arrondissement of Paris. This personal project, a tribute to his great-grandmother Irma, will offer contemporary French cuisine centered on terroir and the essence of the product, with cooking inspired by the origin of ingredients, such as beef fat or seaweed.

Imagined as a theater where the plate is the star, the venue, designed by architect Jérôme-Olivier Delb, will blend elegance and intimacy, with warm alcoves and a careful play of light. Accompanied by Camille Larquemin and a loyal team, Irwin will also offer a personalized service, planning to contact customers before their visit to tailor the experience to their desires. This first address promises to be an ode to the chef's creativity and hospitality.

• Where to go? Irwin, 22 rue Cambacérès, 75008 Paris
• When? Opening planned for spring 2025

Danny Khezzar opens his first restaurant in Rueil-Malmaison

Revealed as a Top Chef finalist and already acclaimed for his talent in Switzerland, Danny Khezzar is about to open his very first restaurant in Rueil-Malmaison. Perched 14 meters high in a spectacular glass and mirror building, this unusual bistro, under the aegis of Bistrots Pas Parisiens, perfectly embodies the daring and creative universe of the young 28-year-old chef. True to his vision of accessible gastronomy, he will be offering an innovative menu at less than 40 euros, providing an experience as generous as it is original.

The warm, theatrical setting reflects Danny's artistic personality, where food and music meet. At the heart of the decor, a lacquered piano sits proudly, promising convivial evenings punctuated by covers of the great French chanson classics. Before the opening, one mystery remains: the name of the restaurant. Always close to his public, Danny launched a participatory contest on Instagram, inviting Internet users to help choose the name of this suspended culinary showcase.

• Where? 1 allée Julien Duvivier, 92500 Rueil-Malmaison
• When? Opening date unknown

Yannick Alléno settles in Ecully with Pavyllon

Scheduled to open in late 2025, Pavyllon, Yannick Alléno's new restaurant, promises to redefine the codes of gastronomy in Lyon. Located on the legendary Place Bellecour, this establishment will replace the former "L'Institut" restaurant and become a place of culinary transmission and innovation in collaboration with the Lyfe Institute. Combining know-how and modernity, Pavyllon will not only be a gastronomic address, but also a veritable restaurant school, where future generations of professionals can learn cutting-edge techniques in cooking, pastry-making, management and service.

Yannick Alléno, a chef renowned for his innovative approaches, continues here his commitment to transmission and education. This project is part of a strengthened collaboration with Institut Lyfe, which is a major player in hotel and restaurant training on an international scale. With this opening, the chef combines French excellence and pedagogy, while breathing new life into Lyon's gastronomic scene.

• Where to find us Pavillon, Institut Lyfe, 1 chemin de Calabert, 69130 Ecully
• When will it open? Scheduled to open in late 2025