We are leaving tomorrow night for France and will be in Paris for four days/three nights. We have reservations for one of those nights at Atelier Maitre Albert, but I'd love to have some suggestions for the other two. Last time we were in Paris we stayed on the Ile St-Louis and ate there almost every night (Maitre Albert was the exception.) So recommendations on either island, as well as those in the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th would be greatly appreciated. No Tour d'Argent-type places. Just great French food with some atmosphere. Merci!

Our favorite is Au Petit Marguery, an old-Paris bistro in the 13th. The food is traditional and excellent, and the atmosphere always feels almost like a party: everyone is having a good time.

We also go back to the Bistro de Breteuil, on the Place of the same name; ask for a table on the terrace. The fixed-price menu runs about 38 Euros for an apéritif, a 3-course dinner (with many choices for each course), a bottle of wine, and after-dinner coffee. The restaurant has a mostly French clientele.

I love Le Vieux Bistro near Notre Dame:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/fa94c/

and the restaurant at Hotel les Degres de Notre Dame:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/101582/

You might consider Chez Denise, too..that is on my list for a return visit next fall.

Hi K,

In the 6th we like

Le Petite Zinc

Brasserie Lipp

Vagenende

Vesuvio (pizza and Italian food)

La Mediteranee

We always try to eat at Le Tastevin on the Ile St. Louis each visit. It's got ambience and unpretentious service and food. http://www.letastevin-paris.com/Page2.html

We did not like the food as much and especially the owner's attitude at Le Vieux Bistro.

In the 5th arrondissement:

Le Petit Prince de Paris, 12 rue de Lanneau, 01 43 54 77 26

Le Pre Verre, 8 rue Thenard, 01 43 54 59 47

Are you looking for cutting edge "nouvelle bistro," or just good, old-fashioned bistro food? Any price limitations? Have you taken a look at Patricia Wells suggestions in her books or on her website? Although her book on Paris. "The Food Lover's Guide to Paris," is not new, she is one of the most reliable writers in English on he subject of food and eating in Paris and throughout France.

Both! I will look into Patricia Wells's website.

Francophile: We ate at Le Tastevin the last time we were in Paris and also enjoyed it!

kateny17, I'm glad you enjoyed eating at Le Tastevin too. Have you eaten at Mon Viel Ami on Ile St. Louis yet? If not, it's totally different from Le Tastevin. We didn't care for the food.

Chez Fernand on rue Christine, Mezza Luna on rue de Seine.. Italian but good!..Petit St Benoiot on rue St Benoit, Espadon Bleu on rue de Grands Augustin

bookmarking

I second Nikki's recommendation of Le Pre Verre (their fixed-price lunch is an especially good value).

Another good choice in the 5th is Le Reminet, at 3, rue des Grands Degres.

Chez Fernand is a great restaurant. We went to their second location at 13 rue Guisarde in the 6th district. The food is simple but very good and the service is unpretentious.