Fall 2026: Restaurant Openings You Won't Want to Miss

Summer was definitely no time for a break for chefs. While most French people took advantage of the sunny weather to relax, others were hard at work preparing for what’s next. This fall sees several established chefs venturing into new territory, while young chefs are launching their first restaurants. From haute cuisine to neighborhood eateries, from luxury hotels to more intimate ventures, here’s an overview of the restaurants to keep an eye on.

Anne-Sophie Pic at the Fondation Cartier, Paris

This is one of the most anticipated openings of the new season in Paris. After closing La Dame de Pic, Anne-Sophie Pic is setting up shop in the new spaces at the Fondation Cartier on Place du Palais-Royal, in the building designed by Jean Nouvel. Her new restaurant, named Anne-Sophie Pic Paris, will open on September 18, featuring cuisine true to her “Imprégnation” philosophy but specially designed for this new setting. The project will be complemented by Utopic, a signature bar dedicated to mixology—developed in collaboration with Paz Levinson, among others—which will open on September 4.

Âme, Beaulieu

Following her time at Aponem, Amélie Darvas returns with a restaurant that reflects her personal style. Housed in a former blacksmith’s shop in Beaulieu, just outside Montpellier, Âme seats only twelve and opens directly onto the kitchen. Here, the chef champions a free-spirited and spontaneous style of cooking, largely inspired by produce from the on-site vegetable and herb garden. This marks a new, more intimate chapter in the career of a chef who embraces a particularly personal approach here. Open since July 16, 2026.

Osko, Paris

After working at Anne-Sophie Pic and at Pierre Hermé’s restaurants, Oscar Cornubert is striking out on his own with Osko, located in a former dry cleaner’s on Rue Oberkampf. For this first location, the chef is planning a dining room seating about 50 guests and an open kitchen, with a menu expected to blend French fundamentals with influences gathered during his travels. The wine cellar, which has been curated over the past several months with a particular focus on Burgundy, also promises to play a significant role. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2026.

La Maison des Cimes, Malbuisson

In the Haut-Doubs region, Matthias Marc and Hanna Marc are returning to their roots with La Maison des Cimes, on the shores of Lake Saint-Point. The former Atelier de Donat has been transformed into a destination combining a nine-room hotel with suites, a gourmet restaurant, and—coming soon—a wood-fired bistro. At La Table des Cimes, Matthias Marc draws inspiration from the Jura landscapes and local ingredients, with a cuisine heavily centered around cooking over an open fire. The first phase of the project opened on August 29; the Bistrot des Bûcherons will follow in November.

Le VIII, Pommard

In Burgundy, Château la Commaraine continues to expand with Le VIII, its fine-dining restaurant that opened this summer in Pommard. In the estate’s historic vaulted cellars, MOF Christophe Raoux oversees the project, while Chef Jérôme Rioux leads the kitchen. The restaurant blends French regional ingredients with a more contemporary approach, combining seasonal ingredients, Burgundian influences, and touches from around the world.

Tom Meyer at Madame Rêve, Paris

In Paris, Tom Meyer is making a comeback with a new restaurant at the Madame Rêve hotel. Now based at La Chèvre d’Or (4 toques) in Èze, the chef presents a contemporary French cuisine here that is expected to combine technical precision, seasonal ingredients, and nods to brasserie classics. The restaurant, which takes over the former Kitchen, is set in a space redesigned to reflect this new identity. The opening is scheduled for September 3, 2026.

Bouillon sur Seine, Boulogne-Billancourt

Bouillon is thinking big with Bouillon sur Seine, set to open on October 1 on Île Seguin. Here, the scale is on a whole new level: 1,100 m², seating for 570, and a spacious terrace overlooking the Seine. The project stays true to the genre’s fundamentals—home-style, hearty cuisine at affordable prices—but in an XXL setting designed to welcome both Bouillon regulars and curious diners drawn to this new waterfront spot.

Pénates, Paris

After helping shape the culinary direction of the Fuga group, Stéphanie Moquet is striking out on her own with Pénates, in the 11th arrondissement. Located in the courtyard of a former distillery, the restaurant aims to recreate the spirit of a Mediterranean home with a hidden garden, a bright veranda, and an open kitchen centered around a fire pit. In the kitchen, the chef will combine produce from the garden, robata-style cooking, and Japanese-inspired seasonings to create a vibrant, sun-kissed cuisine. Scheduled to open in September 2026.

Pavyllon Lyon, Lyon

In Lyon, Yannick Alléno is partnering with the Institut Lyfe to breathe new life into the former training restaurant L'Institut on Place Bellecour. Pavyllon Lyon will serve as both a dining venue and a true training restaurant, where students from the Institut Lyfe can gain hands-on experience in real-world settings, both in the kitchen and front of house. The concept embodies the spirit of the Pavyllon counters: contemporary fine dining visible from the dining room, with a special focus on passing on culinary knowledge. The opening is scheduled for September 8, 2026.