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$ | Marais Quarter |
Eating a crêpe in Paris might seem clichéd, until you venture into this modern offshoot of a Breton crêperie. The plain, pale-wood decor is refreshing, but what really makes the difference are the ingredients—farmers' eggs, unpasteurized Gruyère, shiitake mushrooms, Valrhona chocolate, homemade caramel, and extraordinary butter from a Breton dairy farmer. You'll find all the classics among the galettes, but it's worth choosing something more adventurous like the cancalaise (traditionally smoked herring, potato, crème fraîche, and herring roe). You might also slurp a few Cancale oysters—a rarity in Paris—or try one of the 20 artisanal ciders on offer.
109 rue Vieille du Temple, Paris, Île-de-France, 75003, France
Known For
- Some of the best crêpes in Paris
- Adventurous ingredients
- Cancale oysters on the half shell
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Aug., Reservations essential
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$$$ | Eiffel Tower |
Don't let its veneer of a mere neighborhood café mislead you—this is one of the most sought-after tables in the 7e arrondissement and a great option after a visit to the Musée d'Orsay just a few steps away. Jean and Roxane Sévégnès have transformed it into a restaurant Parisians adore, focused on seasonal dishes with a southwest flair that mix traditional recipes, like tripe, tête de veau (veal brains), or that hard-to-find favorite vol au vent (truffled sweetbreads with chicken and spinach in puff pastry) with a contemporary touch. A list of well-chosen wines, including natural and organic choices, and gentle prices for the quality make this a good choice, whether you happen to be in the neighborhood or not. Be sure to reserve, especially at dinner.
83 rue de l'Université, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007, France
Known For
- Quality ingredients
- Gracious service
- Pleasant atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No lunch Mon.
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$ | Montmartre |
Set in a bright, modern space on a tiny street in the lower reaches of Montmartre, the popular Le BAL Café Otto caters to a diverse clientele who come for the great coffee, delicious homey food, lively crowd, and the art gallery/bookstore. Italian- and French-inspired cuisine (like spelt risotto with mushrooms, hazelnuts, and creamed spinach) during the week rests alongside a traditional weekend brunch menu featuring items like tender pancakes, fried eggs with ham and roasted tomatoes, and buttery scones with jam. On Sunday in spring and summer, brunch is truly an event, with artists, hipsters, expats, and young families enthusiastically enjoying all of the above. Note that the café closes at 10 pm on Wednesday and Thursday and 7 pm on Friday and Sunday, so perhaps look elsewhere for dinner.
6 impasse de la Défense, Paris, Île-de-France, 75018, France
Known For
- Great brunches and reliably good coffee
- Art gallery on the premises
- Outdoor terrace on a quiet passageway
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., No reservations taken for weekend brunch
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$$ | Latin Quarter |
This charming Quartier Latin bistro with woodwork and murals dating from 1925 is always packed and boisterous. A glance at the affordable menu makes it easy to understand why: dishes such as chestnut soup with spice bread, sea bass marinated in lime and coconut, and apple and quince tatin (upside-down tart) with gingerbread ice cream put a fresh twist on French classics. Service is reliably courteous. If you don't finish your bottle of wine, you can take it with you to savor the last drops.
25 rue Jussieu, Paris, Île-de-France, 75005, France
Known For
- Authentic Parisian bistro atmosphere
- Excellent value daily prix-fixe lunch menu
- You can take home your wine if you don't finish it
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
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$ | Montmartre |
Run by three friendly young women, the snug, breakfast-and-lunch-only Soul Kitchen unites a pleasantly homey decor and welcoming atmosphere with the kind of Anglo-French all-organic comfort food that soothes body and soul. Choose from Gruyère mac and cheese, chèvre and leek tarts, soul-warming soups, and a pastry counter laden with treats like homemade scones, cheesecake, tiramisu, and rich mousse au chocolat. The ladies also know their beverages: good, well-priced wines by the glass, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and some serious coffee.
33 rue Lamarck, Paris, Île-de-France, 75018, France
Known For
- Charming atmosphere
- Delicious coffee and fresh juices
- Range of homemade dishes and desserts made fresh daily
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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$$$ | République |
There are three good reasons to go to Astier: the generous cheese platter plunked on your table atop a help-yourself wicker tray, the exceptional wine cellar with bottles dating back to the 1970s, and the French bistro fare (even if portions seem to have diminished over the years). Dishes like marinated herring with warm potato salad, sausage with lentils, and baba au rhum are classics on the frequently changing set menu, which includes a selection of no less than 20 cheeses. The vintage 1950s wood-paneled dining room and traditional red-checked tablecloths attracts plenty of locals and remains a fairly sure bet in the area, especially because it's open every day.
44 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, Paris, Île-de-France, 75011, France
Known For
- Same-day reservations possible
- Traditional atmosphere
- Excellent choice for authentic French cooking
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$ | Grands Boulevards |
So-named to call one of the Parisian soup restaurants popular among workers in the early 20th century, Bouillon Chartier is a part of the Gérard Joulie group of bistros and brasseries, which discreetly updated the menu without changing the fundamentals. People come here more for the bonhomie and the stunning 1896 interior than the cooking, which could be politely described as unambitious—then again, where else can you find a plate of foie gras for €7.50? This cavernous restaurant—the only original fin-de-siécle bouillon to remain true to its mission of serving cheap, sustaining food to the masses—enjoys a huge following, including one regular who has come for lunch nearly every day since 1946.
7 rue du Faubourg-Montmartre, Paris, Île-de-France, 75009, France
Known For
- Paris's last truly authentic bouillon
- 19th-century ambience
- Extensive menu with gentle prices
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$ | Montparnasse |
The exceptional Art Nouveau decor and inexpensive menu are strong magnets for diners who are willing to stand in line for a seat at this historic brasserie, all to enjoy a three-course meal for as little as €20. The food is average and service brisk, but it's worth a visit between traditional meal times when there is no line.
59 blvd du Montparnasse, Paris, Île-de-France, 75014, France
Known For
- Long lines
- Great decor
- Affordable prices
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$ | Grands Boulevards |
There's nothing quite like a good old-fashioned Paris brasserie ... except, perhaps, for a good old-fashioned Paris neobrasserie, a lively new genre that takes the best of the classic eatery—lively atmosphere, copious menu options, all-day hours, classic decor—and adds a 21st-century vibe, all at reasonable prices. At Dubillot, you'll find the French classics—oeufs mayonnaise, house-made country pâté, steak tartare, smoked trout, leg of lamb, crispy frites—along with well-priced wines by the bottle or glass. Everything is homemade, and the chef is dedicated to preserving France's gastronomic heritage by sourcing all meats and produce locally. This is tradition brought up to date at its finest—and it's a lot of fun to boot!
222 rue St-Denis, Paris, Île-de-France, 75002, France
Known For
- Brasserie classics with locally sourced ingredients
- Affordable wines
- Fun and lively ambience
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: none
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$ | Les Halles |
This most stalwart of Breton addresses in the French capital is known for its savory buckwheat galettes and sweet wheat-flour crêpes, best enjoyed with a glass of local Breton cider. The city boasts several outposts of this restaurant; this one quite near the Les Halles market area is known for its cozy vaulted cider cellar, with more than 40 ciders to sample.
14 rue des Petits Carreaux, Paris, Île-de-France, 75002, France
Known For
- Organic buckwheat galettes with fillings like truffled ham, Basque chorizo, and raw-milk raclette cheese
- Nonstop service throughout the day
- Outdoor tables overlooking a lively pedestrian shopping street
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$$ | Eiffel Tower |
Giant mirrors, red leatherette banquettes, vintage posters, and checker-tile floors add up to a '60s movie set of a Parisian bistro. But the menu of delicious comfort food—made with top-quality artisanal ingredients and the best produce from throughout France—is delightfully real. Wines and menus are exceedingly reasonable for this neighborhood, which is one reason it's filled with locals.
36 rue de Varenne, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007, France
Known For
- Reliably good
- Open all afternoon and until late
- Charm galore
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$ | Grands Boulevards |
Best known for the literary prizes awarded here since 1914, Drouant has shed its dusty image to become a forward-thinking restaurant. The playful menu revisits the French hors d'oeuvres tradition with starters that come as a series of four plates; diners can pick from themes such as French classics (like a deconstructed leek salad) or convincing minitakes on Thai and Moroccan dishes. Main courses similarly encourage grazing, with accompaniments in little cast-iron pots and white porcelain dishes. Even desserts take the form of several tasting plates. Pace yourself, since the portions are generous and the cost of a meal quickly adds up.
16–18 pl. Gaillon, Paris, Île-de-France, 75002, France
Known For
- France's most prestigious literary prize, the Prix Goncourt, awarded here
- Good for same-day reservations
- Elegant atmosphere
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$ | St-Germain-des-Prés |
With a cheerfully bright and tiny, wood-beamed dining room—there's more space in the loft-like upstairs—this spot is devoted to the egg in all its forms. Whether you like yours baked with smoked salmon, whisked into an omelet with truffle shavings, or beaten into fluffy pancakes, there will be something for you on the blackboard menu. It's perfect for a late breakfast or light lunch on weekdays (it opens at 10 am and closes in the late afternoon), though rather mobbed for weekend brunch (10 am to 6 pm).
11 rue Bernard Palissy, Paris, Île-de-France, 75006, France
Known For
- Great breakfast and brunch spot
- Special-order coffee
- Cheerful, child-friendly atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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Proving that an organic, vegetarian, lactose- and sugar-free menu can, indeed, be delicious, Judy was founded with the conviction that our well-being is directly connected to what we eat and how we live. The cheerful, inviting space comes with a sunny sidewalk terrace where seats are coveted by locals. If they’re taken, grab some takeout at the attached shop on Rue de Fleurus and walk one short block to the Luxembourg Gardens for an outdoor picnic.
18 rue d’Assas, Paris, Île-de-France, France
Known For
- Fresh veggie bowls
- Delicous fresh-pressed organic juices
- Vegan and gluten-free options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Marais Quarter |
For one of the cheapest, tastiest meals in Paris, look no further than the fantastic falafel stands on the pedestrian Rue de Rosiers, where L'As (the Ace) is widely considered the best of the bunch, with lunchtime lines that extend down the street. A falafel sandwich costs €6 to go or €8 in the dining room, and it's heaping with grilled eggplant, cabbage, hummus, tahini, and hot sauce. The shawarma (grilled, skewered meat) sandwich, made with chicken or lamb, is also one of the finest in town. Although takeout is popular, it can be fun (and not as messy) to eat off a plastic plate in one of the two frenzied dining rooms. Fresh lemonade is the falafel's best match.
34 rue des Rosiers, Paris, Île-de-France, 75004, France
Known For
- The best, freshest, and biggest falafel sandwich in town
- Fast takeout or seated service at lunch
- Shawarma sandwiches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sat. No dinner Fri.
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$$ | Eiffel Tower |
Come for the early sitting at this little bistro specializing in classic French fare and you'll often discover the dining room filled with more than a few tourists (the waiters speak English perfectly). The reasonably priced (€60) five-course tasting menu may account for the restaurant's popularity—there are two seatings each night. The service can be brusque, with waiters plunking even the higher-priced bottles of wine on the table without waiting for the customer to swill and slurp. Still, these problems seem to be minor judging by the ever-crowded tables. The restaurant's popular wine bar (La Cave de l'Os à Moelle), just across the street, serves a popular, prix-fixe menu for €31.
3 rue Vasco de Gama, Paris, Île-de-France, 75015, France
Known For
- Large portions at good prices
- Classic Parisian "blackboard" menu
- Well-priced wines and Champagne by the glass
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
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$ | Île Saint-Louis |
Sip tea (or lusciously thick hot chocolate) and sample tasty cakes at this atmospheric salon.
24 rue St-Louis-en-l'Ile, Paris, Île-de-France, 75004, France
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Wed.–Fri.
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$ | Montparnasse |
With lacy curtains, beamed ceilings, and carved wood walls, this might be the closest you'll get to an authentic Breton crêperie without heading to the coast. Tuck into a hearty buckwheat galette, perfectly crisped on the edges and filled with, perhaps, a classic combo of country ham, egg, cheese, and mushrooms, accompanied by a pitcher of refreshing dry Breton cider. For dessert, the traditional crêpe filled with crème de marron (chestnut) or the sublime caramel au beurre salé (salted caramel) is not to be missed. With a two-course lunch formule for €14, this is a great place for a quick, satisfying, and thoroughly French meal. Extra bonus: the kids will love it.
67 rue du Montparnasse, Paris, Île-de-France, 75014, France
Known For
- Authentic Breton crêpes
- Quick and efficient service
- Perfect for families
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Aug., and 2 wks in Jan. No lunch Tues.
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$$ | St-Germain-des-Prés |
Portraits of cows adorn the stone walls of this no-nonsense bistro near the Luxembourg Gardens, hinting at the kitchen's penchant for meaty cooking (Ferrandaise is a breed of cattle). Still, there's something for every taste on the market-inspired menu, which changes monthly and lists at least one fish, one poultry, and one vegetarian main. The dining room buzzes with locals who appreciate the friendly service and good-value three-course prix fixe (€22 at lunch, €37 at dinner).
8 rue de Vaugirard, Paris, Île-de-France, 75006, France
Known For
- Excellent prices
- Daily blackboard menu
- à la carte options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and 3 wks in Aug. No lunch Mon.
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$$$ | Louvre |
With its globe lamps and molded ceilings, this neighborhood institution feels elegant yet not overpolished, attracting a wonderfully Parisian mix of elderly lone diners, business lunchers, tourists, couples, and the post-theater crowd, all of whom come for the enormous seafood platters, duck foie gras with Sauternes jelly, steak tartare, and roasted chicken rendered famous by Diane Keaton in Something's Gotta Give. Open every day, Le Grand Colbert is also a pleasant destination for a quick bite between 3 pm and 6 pm, when most everything else is closed.
2 rue Vivienne, Paris, Île-de-France, 75002, France
Known For
- Towering seafood platters
- Standout historic decor and ambience
- Delightful roast chicken