Paris is my favorite city. I can look forward to an omelet at Café de Flore weeks in advance, or a look (yes, just looking) at Colette or a promenade along the Seine. If you ever have the luck to be in Paris on your birthday, here are a few nice addresses for a festive dinner.

La Coupole is a large brasserie where, if you're lucky, you can sing three times during dinner for someone celebrating their birthday there. So it might just be that you're enjoying a bite steak tartare, when all the lights in the room go out. The entire black brigade comes in singing, walking straight through the place with a firework-spitting cake. Right to the table of the birthday person or - I have really experienced it myself - the birthday girl. It may sound like an interruption of your cozy dinner, but it is actually spectacular. For such a festive birthday with ‘happy birthday waiters’ you really need to reserve quite a bit in advance.

The Eiffel Tower. Impressive every time, whether you see it from afar or stand right underneath it. It may sound a bit touristy, dining at the Eiffel Tower. But really. It's amazing. On the second floor is restaurant Jules Verne. The view is breathtaking and the service is, as real French people can do, perfect. But especially that view. That view is the most festive of all. With whom you are and what you eat. Order a glass of champagne, nibble (that's allowed) on a delicious French bread roll and go for scallops. Or lobster. Just save up for such a dinner.

Grazie is an uber hip pizzeria where you can really eat the best pizzas in the city. Perfect crust. Not too thin and not too thick, and you can choose from super healthy toppings. So still somewhat responsible too. And oh well, what does it matter, it’s your birthday. You absolutely have to reserve here, because very cool Paris is in this restaurant. This pizzeria is located in the concept store Merci. One of my favorite shops in Paris. After dinner, or just before, you can also have a gin and tonic or another delicious cocktail at the busy bar.