Paris in the Winter: Need tips for cozy restaurants/bars
 

I am going to Paris in Feb with my husband and another couple who are very close friends of ours for 5 nights. We are in our early 30s, no kids, love food/wine/art and a good time.

Any ideas for cozy cafes, bars/pubs, restaurants, etc. to duck into if the weather is cold and rainy while we are there? Maybe a great place with a fireplace? We are staying in the St. Germain area, but open to good spots in any neighborhood.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Betts----This is a second hand recommendation, as a friend of mine visited this little cafe recently and just told me about it.

La Fourmi Aile is in the Latin Quarter, and it has a fireplace. My friend said it was a very cozy place, lined with bookshelves and that the food was good. I'm not sure if they have a website or not.

I love the area! We enjoyed Le Danton and les editeurs in the area. We also enjoy Marco Polo that is right there (for Italian). Not sure about fire places but upstairs at les editeurs is nice.

Many also enjoy Cafe Procope. You might condider the restaurant at Un Dimanche a Paris....at least go by there for macarons, desserts and all things chocolate. Both on the Cours du Commerce Saint Andre passageway and I love it!

All of these are right by the Odeon metro stop.

Also, for the best beef cheeks (and lobster bisque if they have it), try to get in Le Comptoir next door to Le Danton. Very small but terrific food! It's a hot place and may be hard to get in but we always find a way to sneak in somehow.

If you are over in the 7th, try Les Cocottes or Cafe Constant. Also, Reed is so charming and a small place where you can watch Catherine Reed cook. The risotto is to die for...no fireplace but my favorite new place in Paris.

Le Coupe Chou in the Latin Quarter has a fireplace. It is located near the Contrescarpe but I can't remember the street name-not on Mouffetard.

Le Coupe Chou is on rue Lanneau in the 5th.

L'Ilot Vache is fun and might qualify as cozy (the last time I was there was in the summer, so I wasn't thinking cozy at the time). It's at 35 rue St. Louis en l'Ile. It's an easy walk from St. Germain. Enjoy!

For a casual place with good food try Auberge De La Reine Blanche on the Il Saint Louis. Also, I love the Brasserie Il Saint Louis in winter. The food is just okay but the atmosphere in the winter is great for a drink and the cassoulet is good. It would be a nice spot for lunch after going to Notre Dame or walking the il saint Louis.

Went to paris for a week in February two years ago and loved it. It was very cold....i brought thermal underwear ( cuddleduds and silk long underwear and was so glad that I did!. With that on I didnt have to layer too much and was comfortable walking around all day.

also check out Chez Janou in the Marais. Very livey, fun spot and cozy!

Read my Paris trip report for several cozy recommendations. The trip was in November so we were always looking for something cozy and warm.

Cosy and welcoming, with a nice fireplace, but a range of reviews -

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restau...de_France.html

[FWIW enjoyed the ambience and service, but had a better steak at the nearby Hippopotamus chain]

We were in Paris for 6 weeks last winter - here is our restaurant roundup - all cosy and recommended

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nt-roundup.cfm

Procope provided us with the worst meal, service, and memory of a special birthday dinner--and with a big bill. And yes, we ate right under Ben's bust. It's a legend in its own mind, with servers to match. JMO

Thanks everyone for your responses. This is very helpful!

I think you can do well with the recommendations on Ile St Louis. Ilot Vache, Reine Blanche, Brasserie de l'Ile are all I have been to.

I believe ilot has the vaulted cellar.

restaurant-ilotvache.com

On Left Bank, Rotisserie du Beaujolais and Chez Rene are good choices too.