Hakuba

Paris, France

Paris isn’t short of upscale sushi spots, but the Cheval Blanc’s kaiseki counter takes it to a whole new level, steered by three extraordinary talents. Takuya Watanabe crafts the sushi, Arnaud Donckele masterminds the sauces, and desserts are dreamed up by Maxime Frédéric, aka The World's Best Pastry Chef 2025. To the left of the hotel’s soaring lobby, its dining room is calm and cocooning, with walnut walls, sliding rice-paper screens and a water-filled tsukubai (stone basin). Don’t worry if you’re seated at one of the smaller side counters; Watanabe moves between all three, rolling temaki and shaping nigiri with laser focus and precision. The menus change constantly, so the pleasure lies in the surprises: a tiny pea-pod as an opening snack, filled with trout and ume plums; a flawless cut of akami; or an exquisite rolled omelette, wrapped with anchovy slivers. Service is perfectly choreographed, paired-drink pours are generous, and you’ll likely be in a blissful daze by the time the petit-fours appear.

Key Information

• Tasting menu from $491
• Dinner: Tues – Sat
• 33 1 79 35 51 20
• Visit Hakuba's Website

Location

Cheval Blanc Paris, 8 Quai du Louvre, 1st arrondissement, Paris, 75001