"Takayuki Honjo's six-table French-Japanese counter on rue de Grenelle, one Michelin star since 2015 — reserve weeks ahead for an anniversary."
About Restaurant ES
There are six tables, each for two, in a single white room at 91 rue de Grenelle, deep in the 7th near the ministries of Palais-Bourbon. That is the whole restaurant. Takayuki Honjo opened ES in 2012 and has cooked a French repertoire through a Japanese lens ever since: precise, restrained, built on a handful of immaculate ingredients per plate rather than abundance. The fixed tasting menu is the only way to eat here, the pace is deliberate, and the silence in the room is part of the design.
The Kitchen
Takayuki Honjo trained at L'Astrance under Pascal Barbot and in Spain at Mugaritz before opening on his own, and the influence shows in the discipline of each course. The signature is le chou-fleur à la brioche — cauliflower roasted then grilled on one side like a tartine and finished with grated brioche — a dish that has anchored the menu for years. Pigeon, turbot and langoustine rotate with the seasons. Dinner is a tasting at €150 or €250 per person, with lunch from around €65, so this sits at the top of the Paris price field. ES earned its Michelin star in the 2015 guide and has held it since, and it appears on the World's 50 Best Discovery list. It reads as French-Japanese in the best sense; for the wider category see our best French restaurants worldwide guide and the Japanese dining hub.
The Room
The room is conversation-easy and quiet, lit low and even across white walls with no art to distract from the plates. Twelve seats across six two-tops means the spacing feels private even at full capacity, and the dress code is smart — most diners arrive in a jacket without being told to. Service is one or two people working the floor with near-silent precision. This is a room for two people who want to hear each other, not a group night out.
Best for an Anniversary
Book ES for an anniversary because the room seats only pairs, the lighting flatters, and the long fixed menu turns the evening into an event rather than a meal squeezed between other plans. The pace is slow on purpose, so plan a clear three hours. Ask for the menu's wine pairing if you want the night to build. For a louder celebration nearby try Au Bon Accueil; for another tasting room compare Alliance.
Not for
Not for a group night out — there are six two-person tables, the menu is a single fixed tasting, and the deliberate pace runs close to three hours.
Frequently Asked
Is Restaurant ES worth it?
Yes, for a special occasion when you want precision over abundance. Takayuki Honjo's French-Japanese tasting has held a Michelin star since 2015, and the twelve-seat room makes the evening feel private. At €150–250 a head it is firmly a treat rather than a regular booking, but the cooking earns the price for an anniversary or proposal.
How hard is it to book Restaurant ES?
Difficult, simply because there are only six tables. Book several weeks ahead through the restaurant's own site, and be flexible on date and time. Weekday lunch is the easiest seating to land and costs noticeably less than dinner. There is no large-party option, so this is a booking for two.
What is the dress code at Restaurant ES?
Smart. There is no posted jacket requirement, but the quiet, all-white room and the 7th-arrondissement clientele mean most guests dress up, and you will feel more comfortable doing the same. Think tailored rather than black-tie; the focus is the food, not the formality.
Is Restaurant ES good for a proposal?
Yes — it is one of the better proposal rooms in Paris precisely because it is tiny and quiet. Six two-person tables, low even lighting and a long tasting menu give you a private, unhurried evening. Mention the occasion when you book; the small team can pace the night and time a moment between courses.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Restaurant ES
Six tables only — book several weeks out. Weekday lunch is the easiest seating to secure.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address91 rue de Grenelle, 75007
NeighbourhoodPalais-Bourbon, 7th
CuisineFrench-Japanese
PriceDinner tasting €150 or €250; lunch from €65
Dress CodeSmart
Seating12 (six two-tops)
ReservationDirect / website
