Visitng Paris for 3 days. Need Suggestions for cool/chic Bistros/Cafes
 

Please suggest affordable but good bistros and cafes in Paris and which neighborhood they are located in. Thanks.

Ross,<BR>Ze Kitchen Galerie (new) on Rue des Grands Augustins in the 6th, 1/2 block from Seine, right next to Les Bookinistes (whose chef moved over to ZKG). Tres chic, hip, cooler than cool. Gets raves from none other than Patricia Wells.

Ross,<BR>My daughter lived in Paris for 3 years and married a Frenchman. They took me to LaFontaine de Mars - really good, a bit pricey but worth it - think near 15th arrond. I love Leo the Lion in the Rue Cler neighborhood - very typically French. Hope this helps!

I didn't think Fontaine de la Mars was hip or pricey, but I can tell you I could NOT get in for dinner and was bummed out because everyone raves about it. Same owners as Cafe de l'Alma, same neighborhood (Rue St. Dominique & Ave. Rapp)

I adore the 'Les Philosophes' corner bistro in the Marais... hip, not trendy, full of locals, great food and people watching from the terrace.<BR><BR>Wendy

I dined at LaFountaine de Mars in May, made the reservation the day before. While I enjoyed my meal, I don't think it was as wonderful as all the reviews I have read. I think it was about 60 Euros for 2, and that included a carafe of wine, but no dessert. I recommend LE BISTROT DE BRETEUIL at 3, Place de Breteuil. For about 60 Euros for 2 we had wine, an appertif, appetizer, main course and dessert. Definitely make reservations.

I have noticed that "chic" is very often inversely proportionate to "good" (but very much in line with "expensive") when it comes to French bistros. For instance, I would personally avoid anything owned by the Costes brothers (Cafe Marly, Hotel Costes, La Grande Armee...) and over-hyped places like L'Avenue or Market like the plague. But they are very chic. Cav-eat emptor!

La Closerie des Lillas is a classic and it is charming...

The new issue of Food & Wine mag. has a list and reviews of the new & hot places in Paris .

ttt

Cafe du Marche at the corner of Champs du Mar and Rue Cler in the 7th. Very good food, very good price and great people watching. Get there by 7:00 for a sidewalk table.

Cafe Balzac on Rue des Ecole in the Latin Quarter by the Sorbonne.<BR>Fabulous food such as Skate with Caper butter. Service was terrific even with 5 teens in tow.

tttttttt

Regarding Deb's reply above, I think she may be referring to Brasserie Balzar on Rue des Ecoles (#49 to be exact). That is a wonderful place and one of our favorites, and would fit the description of "cool/chic". <BR><BR>My profuse apologies, Deb, if there is in fact a Cafe Balzac on the same street! <BR><BR>Lisa

To the top for someone who was looking for this. <BR><BR>--D

With the exception of Philosophes and Ze Kitchen Galerie, I don't think any of the restaurants mentioned here would fall into the "chic/cool" category. How about Georges, in the Centre Pompidou? Isn't that supposed to be really *cool* ? I haven't been there, but I've read reviews of it and a trip report from someone who went and raved about it.

'Georges' is on of my favs, especially after a long stroll through the museum. We usually book a table before going through the exhibitions. <BR>Avoid the afternoon, if you don't like house music. It's expensive, but the view can't be beat.<BR>The terrace is a delight with nice weather. I don't want to start to rave about their 'moelleux' (luke warm chocolate cake). Ah, can't wait to be back in December.<BR><BR>My fav cafe is 'Le Vavin' on Rue Vavin/Rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs. A cool neighbourhood place.