Le Cheval D’or

Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Belleville, Le Cheval d’Or glows behind its lacquer-red façade. Inside, raw plaster walls and warm wood set the stage for a menu that feels both rooted and surprising—French precision meeting Chinese soul. This is where lobster croque madame comes with a flicker of chili oil, foie gras hides in delicate wontons, and duck à l’orange is rolled into crêpes you assemble at the table. It’s inventive without trying too hard, the kind of cooking that keeps you leaning in for the next bite.

The room hums with the energy of a neighborhood spot that locals guard like a secret. Couples trade plates at the bar, wine glasses catching the glow from the open kitchen. You might start with scallop dumplings in beurre blanc, end with a Paris-Brest reimagined in red bean cream, and leave wondering why more restaurants don’t mix flavors with this much ease. Le Cheval d’Or isn’t just dinner—it’s a little pocket of Paris where cultures intertwine, the pace slows, and every dish has a story to tell.