Jenny

We are going to stay in Hotel Grand Leveque on Rue Cler of the 7th err in Paris in April. Can anybody recommend some good cafes for breakfast and refreching and nice restaurants for dinners?

Gissell

Hi Jenny!
Is this your first time in Paris?... Rue Cler is a very colourfull street market.
I've heard that Cafe du Marche has good food -I've never been there- ... But you surely can't miss the Creperie..Those crepes are awesome!. I was in Paris last October with my family and we went to Rue Cler, buy cheese, bread, crepes, fruit, wine, etc... walk to Champ de Mars and make a pic-nic ... one of our best experiences, and food.
When you return from your trip, please let me know how's Hotel Leveque, I'd like to stay there in my next trip.
Bon voyage!

Wendy

I like La Serre on R. Exposition (?) which is just blocks away from R. Cler. Very small family run restaurant, fantastic Pot au Feu, inexpensive!

mike

Jenny: LeLoin for dinner at the end of Champs Mar. Ask the Hotel. It is one of Rick Steves picks. I always eat the breakfast in the hotel because breakfast in Europe is only so so anyway. My wife is a sprite and bakery person for breakfast so I end up eating twice. Rue Cler has so much around it you'll find the choices overwhelming. Cafe du Marche is a great lunch and late night stop. We just got back from Paris with two other couples and had lunch in the Effiel Tower. The food was good and the price about 30.00 a person with a drink. Try the Irish pub on St. Dominique. Good place for a drink. It doesn't open until about 1800 hrs. Have a great time.

Sherry

We ate at the Cafe du March for lunch and it was very good. They have plats du jour and if I remember correctly my husband had lovely roast chicken with potatoes and a wonderful sauce kind of like a delicate gravy. I had a large salad with I think chicken in it. They were only about $7.oo each. It can get very crowded. We ate outside. Have a wonderful trip.

trying

A couple additional thoughts: Auberge de Champs du Mars, near the Rue Cler, is nice, as is the Croq de Sol (or something like that) at the end of the same street (at the fountain, I believe on St. Dominique). O'Brien's Pub (mentioned earlier) is a nice refuge if you tire of trying to sign or speak French. Near the Pub is an Italian restaurant we have enjoyed immensely, called Pirandello (sp?). Kind of hokey, but some of the best service we had in Paris.

Jim P

You will be a short walk from Le Sancerre, Le Petit Nicois(seafood), L'Auberge Bressane, Bistrot Le P'tit Troquet and Le Bistrot du 7eme(best value). All are good and priced right for the neighborhood. Enjoy!

Betsy

Oh Sherry, you made me smile. I've had the roast chicken at the Cafe du Marche. Yum. Great neighborhood cafe, with a nice mix of Parisians and tourists. My husband and I had breakfast there each morning standing at the bar with our cafes creme and croissants, feeling oh so French. Love the place.

Ronda

Wendy, when did you eat at La Serre? In one of Rick Steves Paris videos he does a big to do on La Serre and Rue Cler but when we were there in June of 2000 it had changed owners and was awful. You talk about RUDE. We had our daughters with us and were so disappointed that their first dining experience in Paris was there.

A better choice is La Fontaine De Mars at the end of the same street, Rue De L'Expo, where it meets with Rue St. Dominique.

Everyone is right - Cafe du Marche is great.

Jenny

Wow, got so many choices. Can't wait to try out. Thank you all!

Alan

After staying on Rue Cler several times, and trying many of the restaurants, I agree that Cafe du Marche is my favorite eating place in
that area. For early lunch or late
breakfast try the mushroom omelet
with salade vert.

Melissa

I tried to get into La Fontaine de Mars on Rue St. Dominique and could not get in!! Go early if you want to eat there. They also own a chic cafe nearby called Cafe Pont l'Alma, but it's much more expensive and (I think) good but not as good. It's more of a place to go to show that you're too sexy!

Anyway, I ended up at Sancerre on Avenue Rapp. That was VERY cheap, casual, and so down to earth! They do not speak English, but it's OK.

s.fowler

Sancerre is very charming and inexpensive -- a family-run wine bar with a limited menu and great wines.

La Fontaine de Mars is a restaurant for which you should make reservations, even if only earlier the same day. Downstairs is a bustling bistro type room. Upstairs is quieter and more elgant -- in the summer their terrace is great for lunch

Thomieux, also on Rue St. Dominique is a classic French bistro. I prefer La F de M, but many like T. also.

And I'll be there in 12 days

where was I?

Best meal I had in Paris was on Rue Cler... unfortunately I can't remember the name of the restaurant!! (Have to wonder if it was Cafe du Marche?)

Anyway this place faced Rue Cler about in the middle, and wrapped around the corner down another narrow street, awnings with both indoor and outdoor seating, mix of tourist & locals. GREAT food, waitstaff, atmosphere, reasonably prices.

Another shop that looked very appealing, we bought only wine, but also offered prepared foods to go. (maybe with a Mediterranean flair?). Looked perfect if you wanted to have a picnic dinner in your hotel room one evening.

Sorry to be so vague, but we only passed thru that neighborhood one afternoon. I would definitely try to stay around there next time!

StCirq

I think Mike may be referring to Leo le Lion, and trying to help means Le Croque au Sel. Both are great cheap places.

I've given the Auberge Bressane two tries on my last two trips, and I'm ready to take it off my list. The first time, I made a lunch reervation for " midi point," because I had a plane to catch later in the afternoon. The man who took my rservation insisted that I should arrive at " midi pile," which I did. The wait staff were mid-way through their own lunch, and didn't even seat us until after 12:30. I had to leave before my dessert arrived. In April, I tried again, and though the dinner service wa brisk, my lamb dish was so salty I couldn't eat it.
I love La Fontaine de Mars. The Cafe du Marche is always good. The Bistro de Papa on the avenue Bosquet is good for moules frites. And Punjab is a very good Indian restaurant on the ave. de Tourville just before the Place Ecole Militaire

will

I agree I think he refers to Leo the Lion just one street east of Rue Cler. We enjoyed it very much for dinner; good food and very friendly staff. We were the only non-French the night we were there and everyone was very friendly. However, I have read that it has new owners so it may have changed.

I also strongly second the Irish pub mentioned above. It is very nice, mostly English speakers or local French people that also are speaking English. Good beer and good food, footie on the telly. Really enjoyed the pub.

curt

I agree with all comments about Leo the Lion and O'Briens pub. Both are quite good.

Gissel, having stayed at Leveque I can tell you it is very good. If you can get in on your next trip go for it.

Jim

To S. Fowler,
We will also be there in 12 days,eating at the La Fontaine de Mars.
I'll be wearing my Fodor's pin

Bev

Another vote for Auberge de Bressonne...16 Motte Piquet. We are always on time: a little early actually! and have had lovely meals there. The chicken with morels and white asparagus are fabulous with the pommes frites...order the individual souflee's when you get there..they take 45 minutes....grand marnier and chocolate as I recall.I have however not had the lamb! Enjoy your trip....

jj

to s.fowler & Jim - I'll be there in 13 days! I will give some of these restaurants and cafes a try!