Taste Japan from the comfort of Hakuba at Cheval Blanc Paris Hôtel
New restaurant Hakuba offers an authentic omakase experience orchestrated by chef Takuya Watanabe and pastry chef Maxime Frédéric

When Cheval Blanc Paris Hôtel opened in 2021, the ground floor space that now houses Hakuba was better known as Limbar, a relaxed restaurant slash salon de thé which focused on the creations of pastry chef Maxime Frédéric. Although the space took design cues from Africa, it has now been seamlessly reinterpreted as Hakuba, an omakase restaurant headed up by chef Takuya Watanabe, Arnaud Donckele of Cheval Blanc’s three-Michelin starred Plénitude, and Frédéric overseeing the desserts.
Hakuba at Cheval Blanc Paris Hôtel
Interior of Hakuba at Cheval Blanc Paris Hôtel
The dark-grained walnut walls, which have been retained from Limbar, are well suited to Hakuba’s minimalist Japanese style and have been left in place to remind guests of a Japanese forest. Another natural touch is the Tsukubai stone and bamboo fountain, which travelled from Japan to sit at the restaurant entrance and set the calming mood with a soft stream of water.
The original walnut wood bar counter is still in place, finished with a bronze edging by artist Ingrid Donat. The bronze shelving behind has also been designed by Donat and while before it stacked fresh rustic loaves, it’s now home to a collection of Japanese antiques such as large decorative pieces of stone and ceramic vases, all handpicked by Cheval Blanc Paris designer, Peter Marino.
Interior of Hakuba at Cheval Blanc Paris Hôtel
Following the Japanese sushi bar style, another counter has been added facing away from the original to focus guests’ attention on the chefs in front of them and to allow the team to move seamlessly behind. The walls of rice paper panels have been made bespoke for the restaurant and slide open in the traditional Japanese manner to reveal a third, private dining space set around a curved wooden table.
Interior of Hakuba at Cheval Blanc Paris Hôtel
As art de la table is held in as high regard in Japan as it is in France, each service is thoughtfully presented down to the finest details: even the lighting above each counter has been designed to follow the plates to highlight each dish as it arrives.
The team tapped into Japanese savoir-faire to source glassware directly from Kyoto and most earthy ceramic plates and bowls from the south of Japan. One particularly special piece, though, is a glazed white sculpture of a lotus flower, created by French ceramist Virginie Boudsocq in collaboration with Frédéric to elegantly present his delicate mochi desserts.
Matcha cheesecake
Hakuba is located at Cheval Blanc Paris Hôtel, 8 Quai du Louvre, Paris, chevalblanc.com
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Originally from Leeds, Nicola Leigh Stewart lived in London and Madrid before moving to Paris, where she writes about travel and food for the likes of Conde Nast Traveler, The Telegraph, The Times, Design Anthology UK, and Robb Report. She has also co-authored Lonely Planet guidebooks on Paris and France and teaches travel writing at the American University of Paris.
-
All-In is the Paris-based label making full-force fashion for main character dressing
Part of our monthly Uprising series, Wallpaper* meets Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø of All-In, the LVMH Prize-nominated label which bases its collections on a riotous cast of characters – real and imagined
By Orla Brennan
-
Maserati joins forces with Giorgetti for a turbo-charged relationship
Announcing their marriage during Milan Design Week, the brands unveiled a collection, a car and a long term commitment
By Hugo Macdonald
-
Through an innovative new training program, Poltrona Frau aims to safeguard Italian craft
The heritage furniture manufacturer is training a new generation of leather artisans
By Cristina Kiran Piotti
-
The warmth and comfort of Paris restaurant Margaux: ‘It’s like feasting at grandma’s’
Located on the 16th arrondissement, Margaux dishes up timeless French classics in a setting that feels like home
By Sofia de la Cruz
-
Saint Laurent unveils Sushi Park Paris: the Los Angeles omakase’s new outpost
A beloved Californian restaurant finds a second home at the Saint Laurent Rive Droite flagship, merging the worlds of haute couture and high-end gastronomy
By Sofia de la Cruz
-
All aboard the world’s most luxurious train journeys
Stay on track with our pick of the most luxurious train journeys around the world, whether in 1920s-style opulence or contemporary chic
By Tianna Williams
-
Shop hyperlocal gifts, from Harlem to Hawaii, at R Finds’ global online store
Wallpaper* goes shopping with R Finds, Renaissance Hotels’ digital marketplace, which connects travellers – and armchair travellers – with local makers and stores, one gift at a time
By Simon Mills
-
This Italian Bistrot in Paris offers all-year-round ‘felicità’
A diminutive of the Italian word for family, Miglia is a cosy trattoria radiating warmth, friendliness, and traditional flavours
By Sofia de la Cruz
-
First look at Maison 3, an eclectic new Parisian bar for sleepless nights
Maison 3 is an enigmatic space with a sensual atmosphere brought to life by the French studio Les Beaux Jours Architectures
By Fabienne Dupuis
-
The world’s best new hotels that we’re loving without reservation
Explore the best new openings in the world, from Orient Express’ La Dolce Vita train and first-ever hotel to Capella’s debut in Taipei
By Nicola Leigh Stewart
-
Dine at Paris’s historic Maison Baccarat, reimagined by chef Alain Ducasse
The newly opened Ducasse Baccarat restaurant – at the crystal house’s Paris mansion – offers not just a culinary experience but a cultural encounter
By Minako Norimatsu