When I first heard about Les Grands Buffets in the south of France, I was curious—was this extravagant buffet more of a tourist attraction, or did it truly resonate with the French? A bit of research quickly revealed the answer: not only is this restaurant immensely popular with locals, but it’s also in such high demand that reservations need to be made months in advance. For our group of 20, we booked eight months ahead to ensure our spot.
Adding to its uniqueness is the unlikely location. The restaurant shares an entrance with a community pool, ice rink, and bowling alley so it’s hard to imagine the opulence and feasting that is going on inside the building walls. Four seatings per hour are offered at 15 minute intervals. For managing this many guests they welcome those with reservations into two lines: one for the upcoming seating and the other for the next offered seating time 15 minutes later. All others were asked to wait outside until their slot opened up. Entry starts with a walk through a sanitizing archway, a quick and surprising prelude to the dining adventure that awaits inside.
True to its name, Les Grands Buffets offers a grand, all-you-can-eat experience, brimming with beautifully presented French cuisine. Buffet dining is relatively uncommon—and even frowned upon—in France, making the restaurant’s concept a bold move. Yet, the owners succeeded by reintroducing diners to the timeless recipes of Auguste Escoffier.
Escoffier, a legendary French chef of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, revolutionized traditional French cooking and is widely regarded as the father of modern haute cuisine. His iconic cookbook, Le Guide Culinaire, remains a cornerstone of classical French gastronomy, featuring thousands of meticulously crafted recipes and kitchen techniques that still shape professional kitchens today.
The restaurant is divided into five distinct dining areas, each evoking a different aspect of French cultural and culinary heritage. The Salon Doré Jean de La Fontaine shimmers with gold leaf and crystal chandeliers, while the Tente d’Apparat Jean-Baptiste Nolin conjures the grandeur of 17th-century banquets. More contemporary flair appears in the Salle à Manger Ann Carrington, showcasing modern art alongside traditional elegance. Outdoors, the Garden Terrace offers a serene, sculpted retreat, and two intimate private rooms cater to smaller groups.
Our party of 20 had to split into two groups due to the reservation limit of 19 per booking. Half were seated in the Salon Doré, the others in the Tente d’Apparat, each with its own charm. Service was swift and attentive, with drink orders and an impressive, affordably priced wine list offered immediately.
Now on to the food – Les Grands Buffets is a lavish homage to French culinary tradition, offering over 300 classic French dishes of which more than 150 trace their origins to Escoffier’s culinary legacy. Nine types of foie gras are carved to order, lobsters are poached fresh, and an entire room is dedicated solely to cheese—according to the Guiness Book of World Records the largest cheese selection on a restaurant buffet in the world, with over 110 varieties on display. You can also enjoy unlimited oysters, caviar, roasted meats, escargot, and duck à l’orange, all beautifully prepared and replenished constantly.
Most dishes are self-serve, though attentive staff are on hand to assist with specialties like foie gras and expertly carved meats. One standout station is the rôtisserie, where you can order from a selection of dishes inspired by Escoffier —think lobster, scallops, rabbit, duck magret, and veal liver, all prepared to order.
Choosing where to begin in a place like this is wonderfully overwhelming. I started by walking through to get the lay of the land—thankfully, a provided map made it easier to strategize. With far more options than anyone could possibly sample in one visit, it’s wise to narrow your focus before diving in.
Desserts are the grand finale in this culinary spectacle, and Les Grands Buffets treats them with the same drama and elegance as the rest of the menu. Imagine chefs preparing flaming crêpes Suzette right before your eyes, the orange liqueur igniting in a burst of flame as the delicate crêpes are finished to perfection. Turn around and you’ll discover a dedicated ice cream boutique, where you can build your own creation from an array of flavors and toppings. And then there’s the buffet itself—an endless parade of over 50 sweet temptations, from glossy fruit tarts and airy mousses to decadent chocolate pastries and delicate macarons. All of it surrounds a flowing chocolate fountain that feels like the centerpiece of a dream. Whether you crave the classics or something a little more whimsical, it’s pure paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth—and almost impossible to resist going back for seconds.
My philosophy is simple: whatever happens at Les Grands Buffets dessert stations, stays at the dessert stations! And guess where I spent most of my time? Hovering over the chocolate selections.
It’s absolutely an experience I’d recommend at least once, especially for anyone who loves food or wants to connect more deeply with French culture. Dining here is more than just a meal—it’s a delicious step back in time, offering a taste of the dishes that legendary chef Auguste Escoffier helped define. From rich sauces to beautifully prepared meats and seafood, the menu is a celebration of classic French cuisine at its finest.
What really stands out, though, is the philosophy behind it all. The owner’s mission to make these once-exclusive culinary treasures available to everyone—and at a surprisingly reasonable price—is something truly special. It’s a rare chance to enjoy the elegance and tradition of fine French dining in a way that’s both approachable and memorable.
And if words aren’t enough, just scroll through the photos (and video of the endless desserts)—let them be the true testament to an unforgettable culinary experience.
Rondpoint de la Liberté, Narbonne
Reservations must be made online after creating an account and cannot be modified
62.90€ per person at lunch and dinner
A Night to Savor: Dining at One-Michelin-Starred Comice Restaurant in Paris
After the grand spectacle and endless indulgence of Les Grands Buffets in Narbonne—where the experience celebrates abundance and tradition—Comice offered a beautifully different kind of dining. Instead of impressing with sheer variety, Comice delights with quiet elegance, thoughtful restraint, and personal touches.
Led by Canadian husband-and-wife team Chef Noam Gedalof and Sommelier Etheliya Hananova, Comice masterfully blends refined French technique with seasonal ingredients, all delivered in a way that feels both sophisticated and refreshingly unpretentious. What impressed me most was the artistry behind each dish—the seamless way diverse, complementary flavors were woven together to tell a story on the plate.
Comice offers a seasonal four-course Discovery Menu or a five-course Signature Menu. We went with the Discovery Menu and classic wine pairing, which unfolded like a beautifully paced story—each dish building on the one before it, subtle and satisfying:
Amuse-Bouche
Chanterelle Mushroom Velouté
A warm, silky, earthy soup that’s bursting with deep flavors—such a comforting way to start.
First Course
Sea Bass Carpaccio with Sweet Pea, Buttermilk Vinaigrette, Lemon & RadishLight and fresh, this dish was all about clean, bright flavors. The vinaigrette’s acidity balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the peas and the delicate sea bass.
Main Course
Organic Corsican Veal with Asparagus, Morels, Handmade Potato Gnocchi, Ramp Leaf Purée, Vin Jaune Sauce & Jus
This was the real star—a rich, layered plate that combined seasonal veggies with tender, melt-in-your-mouth veal and a luscious wine sauce. The handmade gnocchi added a nice rustic touch to tie it all together.
Dessert (Shared)
Chocolate Soufflé with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
A classic done right—light, warm, and deeply chocolatey, paired with the most delicate vanilla ice cream. Sharing it felt like the perfect way to end the meal.
Comice restaurant is known for their version of this classic dessert and it didn’t disappoint this chocoholic. On Comice’s website you can click to see a behind-the-scenes glimpse into making the souflé with food writer David Lebovitz.
Etheliya’s wine pairings were spot-on and really lifted each course. Her picks were thoughtful and often surprising, with just enough background to appreciate the pairing without getting too technical. She’s got a real talent for making wine feel like part of the story.
Dining at Comice is not about showy theatrics, but about quiet sophistication, where every detail is thoughtfully considered to create a truly memorable experience. The evening we visited, a staff member in training meant we received particularly attentive service, adding an extra touch of care. In a city renowned for its opulent haute cuisine, Comice stands out by striking the perfect balance between understated elegance and genuine hospitality.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and craving a truly memorable meal away from the usual tourist paths, Comice is well worth seeking out.
31 Avenue de Versailles, 16th arrondissement
Reservations can be made up to three months in advance
