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$$$ | Champs-Élysées |
This beautiful historic bistro highlights the extraordinary synergy that can happen when French technique meets Korean flavors. Classics like pigeon or beef come alive with pickled daikon radish, tamarind, or Korean spice blends. You'll still find dishes firmly anchored in the French repertoire, like trout with trout caviar and whipped anchovy butter with lovage, or a caramel and quince dacquoise for dessert. This is a restaurant Parisians in the know will cross town for, and that's saying a lot.
10 rue Gustave Flaubert, Paris, Île-de-France, 75017, France
Known For
- Sublime flavor pairings
- Unusually good wine list
- Lovely decor
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$$$ | Eiffel Tower |
Don't let its veneer of a mere neighborhood café mislead you—this is one of the most sought-after tables in the 7e arrondissement and a great option after a visit to the Musée d'Orsay just a few steps away. Jean and Roxane Sévégnès have transformed it into a restaurant Parisians adore, focused on seasonal dishes with a southwest flair that mix traditional recipes, like tripe, tête de veau (veal brains), or that hard-to-find favorite vol au vent (truffled sweetbreads with chicken and spinach in puff pastry) with a contemporary touch. A list of well-chosen wines, including natural and organic choices, and gentle prices for the quality make this a good choice, whether you happen to be in the neighborhood or not. Be sure to reserve, especially at dinner.
83 rue de l'Université, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007, France
Known For
- Quality ingredients
- Gracious service
- Pleasant atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No lunch Mon.
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$$$ | Grands Boulevards |
Lodged in one of Paris's most picturesque historic passages, the Italian Caffè Stern—a listed monument updated by designer Philippe Starck—is loaded with the sort of antique charm that makes a cup of coffee and dessert feel like a romantic moment in time. Full meals are a more elegant—and expensive—affair, though teatime (3 pm–6 pm, €26) and the prix-fixe lunch make for a more manageable splurge.
47 Passage des Panoramas, Paris, Île-de-France, 75002, France
Known For
- Superb historic setting in the Passage des Panoramas
- Gorgeous decor
- Top-notch food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$$ | Louvre |
A favorite with the French and expats alike, this neighborhood bistro blends great dining with an inspired wine list and a handy location a stone's throw from the Louvre. Exquisite French ingredients are given an inspired, often slightly lighter, makeover by Chef Romain Roudeau, although hearty house-made terrines and foie gras as well as slow-cooked meat and game are frequently featured on the eclectic menu.
47 rue de Richelieu, Paris, Île-de-France, 75001, France
Known For
- Great cheese selection from Neal's Yard and neighboring Madame Hisada
- Phenomenal wine selection on-site and takeaway
- Small space, so best to reserve in advance
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
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$$$ | St-Germain-des-Prés |
A perennial favorite, this lively, unpretentious bistro is prized by expats and locals for its friendly atmosphere, consistently good food, solid wine list, and English-speaking staff. Dishes like pork belly with crushed potatoes or swordfish with fresh vegetables always hit the spot, especially when followed by decadent chocolate ganache infused with candied bergamot or poached peaches with white wine and sorbet.
69 rue de Seine, Paris, Île-de-France, 75006, France
Known For
- Convivial atmosphere
- Excellent selection of natural wines
- Good-value menu that changes daily
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Closed Sun.
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$$$ | Montparnasse |
This world-renowned, cavernous spot with Art Deco murals practically defines the term brasserie. It's been popular since Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir were regulars, and today it attracts a mix of bourgeois families, tourists, and lone diners treating themselves to a dozen oysters. Recent additions to the classic brasserie menu are a tart of caramelized apple and pan-fried foie gras, beef fillet flambéed with cognac, and profiteroles made with Valrhona chocolate.
102 bd. du Montparnasse, Paris, Île-de-France, 75014, France
Known For
- Classic brasserie menu
- Lively atmosphere
- Historic setting
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$$$ | Louvre |
After taking over the original La Régalade, chef Bruno Doucet kept some of what made the old restaurant so popular (country terrines, reasonably priced wines, convivial atmosphere), but he also had a few tricks under his toque, notably creating a successful haute-cuisine-meets-comfort-food destination. With a good quality-to-price ratio, this chic bistro has evolved into a staple of the neighborhood.
123 rue St-Honoré, Paris, Île-de-France, 75001, France
Known For
- Contemporary iterations of French bistro classics like escargots or beef bourguignon
- Comfort-food desserts like rice pudding or soufflé
- Good-value prix-fixe menu for lunch and dinner
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
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$$$ | Champs-Élysées |
With 100-plus locations worldwide, the largest branch of the Ladurée tea salon empire is worth the splurge, thanks to the sumptuous pastries, which steal the show. In addition to more than a dozen flavors of macarons, it has assorted cakes, ice cream, pastries, and beautifully boxed treats ideal for gift-giving. Reserve a table in the elegant wood-paneled rooms upstairs or the glassed-in storefront, or grab a bite in the secluded Art Nouveau bar in the back. Though pricey, the menu promises generous salads and flavorful plats du jour.
75 av. des Champs-Élysées, Paris, Île-de-France, 75008, France
Known For
- Pricey lunch menu
- Beautiful and elegant decor
- World-famous macarons
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$$$ | Charonne |
The Paul Bert delivers everything you could want from a traditional Paris bistro (faded 1930s decor, thick steak with real frites, and good value), so it's no wonder its two dining rooms fill every night with a cosmopolitan crowd. The impressively stocked wine cellar helps, as does the heaping cheese cart, the laid-back yet efficient staff, and hearty dishes such as monkfish with white beans and duck with pears. The prix-fixe lunch menu is only €22, or you can order à la carte.
18 rue Paul Bert, Paris, Île-de-France, 75011, France
Known For
- Excellent, and abundant, cheese trolley
- Delicious dessert soufflés
- Sidewalk seating in summer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
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$$$ | Eiffel Tower |
This quaint, casual bistro a few blocks from the Musée d'Orsay is open seven days a week and serves its own scrumptious versions of the deeply satisfying French classics like a country terrine, brandade de morue (a garlicky, salty cod and mashed potato dish) and blanquette de veau (a delicious, creamy veal dish). Desserts are also traditionally French, and the giant dollop of chocolate mousse is to die for.
51 rue de Verneuil, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007, France
Known For
- Top-notch, market-fresh dishes
- Reasonable prices, especially for wines by the glass
- Friendly atmosphere
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$$$ | Canal St-Martin |
Across from a pretty square on the border of two up-and-coming neighborhoods, this light-drenched spot is one of Paris's standout gastro-bistros. By adhering to a tried-and-true formula—meticulously sourced produce, natural wines, and an open kitchen—the dishes here are small wonders of texture and flavor. This is a great choice for diners eager to experience what the Paris dining scene is all about in a hip, off-the-beaten-path locale.
34 rue Sainte-Marthe, Paris, Île-de-France, 75010, France
Known For
- Daily changing, market-fresh gastronomic menu
- Hip, laid-back atmosphere
- Veggie-centric dishes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sun.–Fri., Reservations essential
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$$$ | Champs-Élysées |
Hide Kobayashi, known as "Koba," is one of several Japanese chefs in Paris who trained with some of the biggest names in French cuisine before opening their own restaurants. Not surprisingly, this great-value bistro near the Arc de Triomphe became instantly popular with locals as well as visiting Japanese and Americans who follow the food scene. Generosity is the key to the cooking here, which steers clear of haute-cuisine flourishes; both the monkfish fricassee with anchovy-rich tapenade and a classic veal kidney in mustard sauce, for instance, come with a heap of mashed potatoes. For dessert, try the stunning île flottante (floating island), made with oven-baked meringue. Wines by the glass start at €8—unheard-of in this area.
10 rue du Général Lanzerac, Paris, Île-de-France, 75008, France
Known For
- Chic, unpretentious dining room
- Stellar prices for this pricey neighborhood
- One of Paris's best prix-fixe menus
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., 2 wks in May, and 2 wks in Aug. No lunch, Reservations essential
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$$$ | Marais Quarter |
One of the city's best-kept secrets, this gem of bistro has been a fixture since 1936, and the new owners have retained the old-world vibe that's ever harder to come by in Paris, especially in the Marais. Cozy and full of charm—with beamed ceilings, stone walls, and a timeless decor—the atmosphere perfectly highlights chef Julien Chevallier's deliciously down-to-earth and seasonally inspired meats, fish, and charcuterie. A masterful wine list featuring natural wines rounds out the experience. Book a terrace table in summer. Stock up on gourmet items to bring home with you at the épicerie next door.
13 rue Chapon, Paris, Île-de-France, 75003, France
Known For
- Excellent selection of natural wines
- Charming old-world feel
- Lovely terrace seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Required
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$$$ | Charonne |
With amazing food and a convivial, unpretentious atmosphere, Septime has become one of the hottest tables in town. Seasonal ingredients, inventive pairings, and excellent natural wines bring in diners ready for exciting and sophisticated dishes like creamy gnochetti in an orange-rind-flecked Gouda sauce sprinkled with coriander flowers.
80 rue de Charonne, Paris, Île-de-France, 75011, France
Known For
- Exceptional Parisian bistro
- One Michelin star
- Reservations needed far in advance
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends, Reservations essential
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$$$ | Louvre |
Jean-François Piège has breathed new life into A l'Epi d'Or, harking back to the '20s, when Paris was filled with delightful classic bistros. The allure of the old-fashioned zinc bar, tiled floor, and dark wood tables invites you in; the mastery of authentic French cuisine—such as duck confit with potatoes, house-made sausage, or veal blanquette—begs you to stay.
25 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Paris, Île-de-France, 75001, France
Known For
- Simple and straightforward prix-fixe menu with a handful of à la carte options
- Daily comfort-food specials
- Homey, traditional dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends
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$$$ | Eiffel Tower |
This "best craftsman of France" revives the gastronomic art of French charcuterie in dishes like dreamy foie gras and succulent slabs of country terrine enrobed in a golden buttery crust. The small-but-choice menu also highlights specialties from the sea: shellfish soufflé or delicate fish quenelles (a specialty of Lyon, France's charcuterie capital).
46 Av. de la Bourdonnais, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007, France
Known For
- High-quality meats
- Shop on premises
- Smallish menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$$ | République |
There are three good reasons to go to Astier: the generous cheese platter plunked on your table atop a help-yourself wicker tray, the exceptional wine cellar with bottles dating back to the 1970s, and the French bistro fare (even if portions seem to have diminished over the years). Dishes like marinated herring with warm potato salad, sausage with lentils, and baba au rhum are classics on the frequently changing set menu, which includes a selection of no less than 20 cheeses. The vintage 1950s wood-paneled dining room and traditional red-checked tablecloths attracts plenty of locals and remains a fairly sure bet in the area, especially because it's open every day.
44 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, Paris, Île-de-France, 75011, France
Known For
- Same-day reservations possible
- Traditional atmosphere
- Excellent choice for authentic French cooking
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$ | St-Germain-des-Prés |
If it's steak you're craving, put your faith in Jean-Luc Roulière, a fifth-generation butcher who opened this long, narrow bistro near St-Sulpice church. Partner Franck Pinturier is from the Auvergne region, which is also known for its melt-in-the-mouth meat, so start with a marinated octopus salad or a rich marrow bone before indulging in a generous slab of Limousin or Salers beef, excellent veal kidney, or, for the meat-shy, sea bream with fresh vegetables.
24 rue des Canettes, Paris, Île-de-France, 75005, France
Known For
- Friendly service
- Superb price-to-quality ratio
- All things meat
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Aug.
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$$$ | Eiffel Tower |
To see what well-heeled Parisians eat these days, book a table at this chic little bistro run by Jacques Lacipière as soon as you get to town. The contemporary dining room is unusually comfortable, and the sidewalk tables have an Eiffel Tower view, but it's the excellent, well-priced cuisine du marché that has made this spot a hit. The sophisticated fare sometimes features Salers beef and green asparagus, roasted lobster with mushroom risotto, and game in season. House-made desserts could include citrus terrine with passion-fruit sorbet or caramelized apple mille-feuille with hazelnut ice cream. The €39 prix-fixe menu for lunch or dinner, featuring dishes with distinct haute-cuisine touches, is one of the city's great bargains.
14 rue de Monttessuy, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007, France
Known For
- Good value three-course menus
- Excellent price-to-quality ratio
- Scintillating views of the Eiffel Tower from the charming sidewalk terrace
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends and 3 wks in Aug., Reservations essential
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$$$ | Eiffel Tower |
Parisian gastronomic extravagance has largely disappeared in favor of leaner fare. But that is not so at this beloved stalwart, where you can revel in such Gallic classics as towering soufflés, buttery frogs' legs, or a hearty steak smothered in sauce béarnaise. A favorite among politicians and locals, who feel the fare is well worth the tweak to the pocketbook (and the waistline).
16 av. de la Motte-Picquet, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007, France
Known For
- Classics done right
- Traditional Parisian charm
- Cozy spot
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sat.