The 1st arrondissement is super close to the Louvre. Granite opened back in September 2021 and scored a Michelin star in just six months. It's part of the Eclore group. Chef Yoshitaka Takayanagi runs the place now after taking over in 2024. He learned his stuff at Le Meurice working under both Alléno and Ducasse. Before Granite he spent time at Scène Thélème and Agapé.

Key highlights:

- Michelin-starred spot blending French food with Japanese vibes. - Open kitchen, clean and simple inside. - Right by the Louvre and metro in central Paris.

PROFILE

Granite's open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. No weekend hours. Chef Yoshitaka Takayanagi sticks to French food. He lets the ingredients do the talking. They're big on being eco-friendly. Most stuff comes from local suppliers. Wine gets stored in old cellars under the building. The wine list has bottles from producers who care about the environment.

AMBIENCE

French architect Michel Amar did the interior design. The main room has lots of natural light and this cool wooden art piece. The open kitchen takes up most of the ground floor. There's only a few tables along the wall so you can watch them cook. The chairs are this nice pewter blue velvet against white walls and wood. It feels bright and almost beachy. Downstairs has stone arches and dimmer lights. That area feels way more intimate than upstairs.

MUST-TRY

The tsukuné made with Bresse poultry and foie gras is what the chef is known for. It's got black garlic and pickled mustard seeds. Pan-seared scallops come with veggie sushi made from Koshihikari rice. They top it with yuzu beurre blanc and parsley oil. The Challans duck gets roasted with spices from Nepal and honey. Salsify gets cooked in a bunch of ways. Fresh truffle slices go on top every time.

FOOD

Lunch menus kick off at three courses. Dinner can go as high as seven. Each dish is cooked with care and plated nice. For starters you might get Gillardeau oyster wrapped in fried kadaïf with ponzu jelly. The crab comes shredded with kimchi and grapefruit. Baerii caviar from Kasnodar gets paired with chawanmushi and fresh peas. The mushroom plate has aged Comté cheese and yellow wine sauce. Red mullet has crispy skin and butternut mash. French classics meet Japanese tricks here.

SERVICE

The staff is professional but not stuffy at all. They give you plenty of time between dishes to just hang out and talk. Servers break down each dish when it hits the table. The sommelier finds wines that fit your budget. The wait staff hang around the kitchen, so food shows up hot. No one's rushing you out. The front of house crew is respectful from the second you walk in. Some people say they try to be casual but still come off professional.

PRICING

Lunch prix-fixe starts at 58 euros. The five course dinner is 75 euros. Seven course tasting menu runs 95 euros. You can add wine pairings but some folks say the wine list gets pricey. Dinner with wine for two people usually ends up around 200 to 300 euros. They take credit cards. For a Michelin star place the prices aren't crazy. Most people think it's pretty fair for what you get.

SUMMARY

Granite serves French food with Japanese precision near the Louvre. The open kitchen and clean look keep it modern but cozy. Chef Takayanagi goes for seasonal ingredients and doesn't overcomplicate things. Every dish mixes classic moves with fresh ideas. The staff keeps things tight but not stiff. Solid wine choices and eco-friendly sourcing add to the vibe. You'll want to book early—it's a small spot that gets packed. Perfect for celebrating or if you're into food.

FAQs

Does Granite work with dietary restrictions?

The kitchen can swap stuff out if you got allergies or food limits. Just let them know when you book so they’re ready.

How far is Granite from the Louvre?

It's on Rue Bailleul which is really close to the Louvre. You can walk there in about five minutes from the museum entrance.

What's the dress code at Granite?

They don't have a strict dress code. Smart casual works fine for lunch or dinner.