Maxim’s Paris: A Look at the Legendary Restaurant on Rue Royale
Located at 3 rue Royale in the 8th arrondissement, just between Place de la Concorde and La Madeleine, Maxim’s has been an icon of the Paris dining scene since 1893.
It’s officially classified as a historical monument. And stepping inside, it’s easy to see why.
The restaurant had limited its operations around 2010, ceasing lunch services and primarily hosting private events, which led to a decline in its public dining presence.
After undergoing renovations, Maxim’s reopened its doors to the public on December 8, 2024, under the management of the Paris Society group.
Belle Époque Time Capsule
Maxim’s is a masterclass in Art Nouveau design. The space was fully reimagined in the early 1900s by architect Louis Marnez, and most of it remains intact today.
Polished wood walls, curved mirrors, floral motifs, stained glass ceilings, romantic lighting… Every detail, the molding, the furniture, even the silverware, feels handpicked from a more glamorous era.
There’s no minimalist chic here. It’s indulgent, theatrical, and beautifully over the top.
The Experience
This place was once the playground of Paris’ elite, aristocrats, film stars, politicians, and artists.
Greta Garbo, Marlène Dietrich, Brigitte Bardot, Aristotle Onassis, and countless others have passed through these doors.
Even Proust wrote about Maxim’s in À la recherche du temps perdu.
And while the golden age of celebrity excess has cooled, the energy remains. On certain nights, you still get a taste of that old-world glamour, especially during themed soirées, private galas, or music-filled dinners hosted in the main hall.
The crowd today includes international visitors, well-dressed Parisians, and culture lovers who come for the setting as much as the meal.
The Food
The menu sticks close to traditional French haute cuisine, with seasonal updates and elegant plating. Think truffle-laced scrambled eggs, lobster thermidor, duck foie gras, tournedos Rossini, and a timeless crêpe Suzette flambéed tableside.
Dishes are classic but carefully executed. Rich sauces, precise timing, and luxury ingredients are the norm.
There’s also a strong focus on wines and champagnes, with an extensive cellar to match the setting.
Prices reflect the prestige. Starters often begin around €40 – €50, mains hover between €60 and €90, and desserts run €20 – €30.
Add wine or cocktails, and you’re easily looking at €200+ for a full dinner for two.
Service and Ambiance
Service is formal, the staff are pros with sharp uniforms, perfect posture, attentive without being intrusive.
You won’t find casual chit-chat here, but you will be treated with quiet respect whether you’re a regular or a first-timer.
The atmosphere is hushed early in the evening, then builds as the night goes on. A soft piano, clinking glasses, and the glow of chandeliers.
Beyond the Main Restaurant
Under the Paris Society group, Maxim’s has taken its heritage and expanded it in creative directions.
Bistrot Minim’s (7 rue Royale) has a more relaxed take on the Maxim’s spirit. Less formal, more accessible, but still stylish. Bistro classics with a modern edge, in a polished brasserie setting.
Le Bateau Ivre, Le Vert Galant, and Le Saphir are Maxim’s dinner boats on the Seine. They carry the same Art Nouveau style (curved wood, soft lights, elegant tables) but set afloat, with views of Paris landmarks from the water.
Le Saphir features panoramic windows and gourmet dining. Le Vert Galant focuses on music and intimacy. Le Bateau Ivre adds champagne cruises in the summer and can be reserved for private events in the colder months.
Each one offers something different, but the Maxim’s DNA is unmistakable: attention to detail, elegant surroundings, and a sense of occasion.
Final Thoughts
Maxim’s is one of the rare places in Paris where the décor hasn’t been updated to follow trends, and that’s its strength.
It’s a restaurant for when you want to step away from the present and into something movie-like. Come for the architecture, the history, the service, or the food.