Best Casual Paris Restaurants
Apr 16th, 2009, 06:42 AM
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Best Casual Paris Restaurants
There are countless threads on Parisian Restaurants but none seem to cover exactly what I am looking for so I thought I would post. I have done fine dining in Paris, but I am not after that this time.
I don't care if the restaurants serve French(preferred slightly), Italian or whatever as long as the food is tasty. As far as atmosphere I am after the Brasserie casual style, no white table cloth fine dining types. Price isn't really the issue, but it seems like the best meals I have had recently on my travels are recommended by other travelers or locals and are in the mid-price range...like a little known gem.
I am staying in the 7th in an apartment. I would love to hear experiences that cover dinner and lunch. Thanks for any advice you can offer....
I don't care if the restaurants serve French(preferred slightly), Italian or whatever as long as the food is tasty. As far as atmosphere I am after the Brasserie casual style, no white table cloth fine dining types. Price isn't really the issue, but it seems like the best meals I have had recently on my travels are recommended by other travelers or locals and are in the mid-price range...like a little known gem.
I am staying in the 7th in an apartment. I would love to hear experiences that cover dinner and lunch. Thanks for any advice you can offer....
Apr 16th, 2009, 07:54 AM
#3
Try Chez Papa -- several locations throughout Paris. The nearest one to the 7th might be the one on rue de la Croix Nivert in the 15th. There's another one in the 14th along the wall of the Montparnasse cemetery.
www.chez-papa.info
www.chez-papa.info
Apr 16th, 2009, 09:36 AM
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From a recent trip the best casual restaurants are either wine bars or bistros a vin. For lunch you can sample a few glasses of wine and order a petit assiette of, for example, meat or one of cheese or, better yet a petit assiette mixe.
One which is fun for lunch is Le Baron Bouge...
http://paris-talk.blogspot.com/2008/...uge-paris.html
A second place is Au Vieux Comptoir. We did the same thing here, a few glasses of wine and something to eat, and it was so good that we went back for dinner.
http://www.au-vieux-comptoir.com/ (For lunch and possibly dinner, the lady in the photo will wait on you and is very helpful making suggestions and explaining about wine)
And a third is Melac. Again, lunch with several glass of wine and some cheese, and back for dinner...
http://www.melac.fr/
We did not want desert here and so finished with two glasses of a very sweet wine instead, an Anjou.
A nice source of information about such places is The Wine Bars of Paris.
Pjk
One which is fun for lunch is Le Baron Bouge...
http://paris-talk.blogspot.com/2008/...uge-paris.html
A second place is Au Vieux Comptoir. We did the same thing here, a few glasses of wine and something to eat, and it was so good that we went back for dinner.
http://www.au-vieux-comptoir.com/ (For lunch and possibly dinner, the lady in the photo will wait on you and is very helpful making suggestions and explaining about wine)
And a third is Melac. Again, lunch with several glass of wine and some cheese, and back for dinner...
http://www.melac.fr/
We did not want desert here and so finished with two glasses of a very sweet wine instead, an Anjou.
A nice source of information about such places is The Wine Bars of Paris.
Pjk
Apr 16th, 2009, 11:29 AM
#6
One of our favorites is www.AuBougnat.com
It's 2 blocks from Notre Dame and the food is terrific at a good price. We,ve probably eaten there 8-10 times and never been disappointed.
It's 2 blocks from Notre Dame and the food is terrific at a good price. We,ve probably eaten there 8-10 times and never been disappointed.
Apr 16th, 2009, 11:49 AM
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I had lunch at Les Cocottes yesterday and lunch at Cafe Constant today. Two of the 4 Constant places. I go to Constant restaurants ofte...good food, and certainly good prices.
There are so many, many to choose from..
Enjoy,
Joan
There are so many, many to choose from..
Enjoy,
Joan
Apr 17th, 2009, 10:37 AM
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About Chez Papa - Kerouac when you say there might be one along the wall of Montparnasse Cemetery, this must be the one at 6 Rue Gassendi/41 Rue Froidevaux (on PagesJaunes).
I have every intention of calling there before or after my Catacombes tour to see if I can finish a "Boyarde" Salad!!
You said most people can't. Maybe it will take the two of us!
For PlasticTraveler: Directions - Walk down Rue Daguerre as it's just as nice as Rue Cler with it's exposed produce, shellfish & cheeses. Then carry on through the pedestrian part until you crossover rue Boulard, then over rue Laland and finally you will arrive at rue Gassendi.
One can double back and go to the catacombes or carry on and take in the view on the top of Tour Montparnasse.
I have every intention of calling there before or after my Catacombes tour to see if I can finish a "Boyarde" Salad!!
You said most people can't. Maybe it will take the two of us!
For PlasticTraveler: Directions - Walk down Rue Daguerre as it's just as nice as Rue Cler with it's exposed produce, shellfish & cheeses. Then carry on through the pedestrian part until you crossover rue Boulard, then over rue Laland and finally you will arrive at rue Gassendi.
One can double back and go to the catacombes or carry on and take in the view on the top of Tour Montparnasse.
Apr 17th, 2009, 10:51 AM
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Christian Constant restaurants are very well thought of. Excellent bargains, for great food.
You will find people who say they didn't like some of the finest of restaurants. You have to know who the person is that is giving you this information....
The crowds for the Constants probably speak for themselves...get there by 7:30 if you want to get in most any evening....
Enjoy....
You will find people who say they didn't like some of the finest of restaurants. You have to know who the person is that is giving you this information....
The crowds for the Constants probably speak for themselves...get there by 7:30 if you want to get in most any evening....
Enjoy....
Apr 17th, 2009, 11:01 AM
#11
On recent visits I have enjoyed the following, all casual with terrific food:
Cafe Constant was terrific when I was there for lunch, with a reasonably priced menu. No reservations. Surprised to hear about mixed reviews on the food.
Le Pre Verre, 8 rue Thenard in the 5th arrondissement. Very reasonable lunch menu, and also reasonable for dinner. Asian influences, but French.
Cafe Baz Art, 36 blvd Henri IV in the 4th arrondissement near Bastille. Delicious and reasonable menu at lunch when I was there.
Au Vieux Chene, 7 rue du Dahomey, in the 11th arrondissement. Casual ambience, wonderful food.
Bistrot du Peintre, 116 avenue Ledru Rollin, in the 11th arrondissement. Lively, good food.
Le Petit Prince de Paris, 12 rue Lanneau in the 5th arrondissement.
Cafe Constant was terrific when I was there for lunch, with a reasonably priced menu. No reservations. Surprised to hear about mixed reviews on the food.
Le Pre Verre, 8 rue Thenard in the 5th arrondissement. Very reasonable lunch menu, and also reasonable for dinner. Asian influences, but French.
Cafe Baz Art, 36 blvd Henri IV in the 4th arrondissement near Bastille. Delicious and reasonable menu at lunch when I was there.
Au Vieux Chene, 7 rue du Dahomey, in the 11th arrondissement. Casual ambience, wonderful food.
Bistrot du Peintre, 116 avenue Ledru Rollin, in the 11th arrondissement. Lively, good food.
Le Petit Prince de Paris, 12 rue Lanneau in the 5th arrondissement.
Apr 17th, 2009, 11:09 AM
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Nikki - Yes definitely Bistrot du Peintre - initially recommended to me by a fodorite who no longer seems to appear on this board by the name od Dave-in-Paris.
I have been eternally grateful but was disappointed last year not to be able to dine there as they were remodelling.
This May I'm headed to their doorstep once more!
Dave described Bistrot de Peintre's food as "a pleasant atmosphere and very good food, like mom's if mom were a very good French cook!"
Their Tarte Tatin was divine.
I have been eternally grateful but was disappointed last year not to be able to dine there as they were remodelling.
This May I'm headed to their doorstep once more!
Dave described Bistrot de Peintre's food as "a pleasant atmosphere and very good food, like mom's if mom were a very good French cook!"
Their Tarte Tatin was divine.
Apr 18th, 2009, 04:44 PM
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Joan and all, we are now here.
We ate tonight at LesCocottes for dinner tonight at were very happy with everything. First off, the food was terrific at a great price. Second, the atmosphere was casual but still Parisian and somewhat upscale(in just the right amount). The wait staff was excellent also. When you first get in, and need some immersion they were really great working with us on our French but spoke good Anglais as well.
We did pop into Cafe Constant to read the menu and look around and you were right.....they had just started to fill up around 7:30 or so. I think we might try them tomorrow for lunch. These are all good spots and I am quickly finding that the advice here is wonderfully reliable. I will make sure to give back with posts about eating while we are here
We ate tonight at LesCocottes for dinner tonight at were very happy with everything. First off, the food was terrific at a great price. Second, the atmosphere was casual but still Parisian and somewhat upscale(in just the right amount). The wait staff was excellent also. When you first get in, and need some immersion they were really great working with us on our French but spoke good Anglais as well.
We did pop into Cafe Constant to read the menu and look around and you were right.....they had just started to fill up around 7:30 or so. I think we might try them tomorrow for lunch. These are all good spots and I am quickly finding that the advice here is wonderfully reliable. I will make sure to give back with posts about eating while we are here
Apr 18th, 2009, 06:26 PM
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One place we always make a point of going to is La Cave de l'Os a Moëlle in the 15th. It is very casual, and they serve excellent food, family-style, so you sit with others and eat whatever is on the menu that evening. It is wonderful and each time we make friends that we keep in touch with!
http://www.foodtourist.com/ftguide/Content/I2302.htm
http://www.foodtourist.com/ftguide/Content/I2302.htm
Apr 18th, 2009, 09:12 PM
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Plastic,
Only Constant open on Sunday is Fables de la Fontaine..fabulous starred seafood restaurant.
Davoli on r. Cler has wonderful things...only open til about 1:00. I am going over this morning to pick up some things. I just hope my eyes are not bigger than my stomach as I don't need leftovers..leaving in morning for a touch of Provence for 3 nights.
Enjoy...
Joan
Only Constant open on Sunday is Fables de la Fontaine..fabulous starred seafood restaurant.
Davoli on r. Cler has wonderful things...only open til about 1:00. I am going over this morning to pick up some things. I just hope my eyes are not bigger than my stomach as I don't need leftovers..leaving in morning for a touch of Provence for 3 nights.
Enjoy...
Joan
