mes restaurants préférés  à Paris
(my favorite restaurants in Paris)

I have often heard that you cannot have a bad meal in Paris. Not true. Paris is like every city in that there always a few restaurants that do not use first rate products, the service is less than kind, or less time and attention was given to your meal then you had hoped. However, given the fact that product in France is superb, there is a high concentration of quality, talented chefs, and that good food is just a part of French culture, the odds are largely in your favor of a wonderful experience. I am sure of it.

There are 40,000 resturants in Paris. These are the ones I am fond of  organized by arrondissement.  They range from “haute cuisine” to tiny bistros (I even include a few oyster bars and where to find a falafel or gelatto) and serve yourself hang-outs. 

I encourage you to contact the restaurant or look at their website for prices, times, and menu specials. Remember that many places are closed in August as well as on Sunday. 

A “*” indicates the restaurant is new. 

bon appétit !

LM

 

“The discovery of a new dish does more for the
happiness of mankind than the discovery of a star.”

– Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
La Physiologie du Goût (Aphorism IX)

1er arrondissement

In addition to the following list, if you are craving Japanese food, this is the area you should be in.   Wander around rue Sainte-Anne and the surrounding streets, there are numerous Japanese restaurants and noodle houses all walking distance from one another.

Spring
6 rue Bailleul
75001 Paris
33 01 45 96 05 72
http://www.springparis.fr/

American chef/owner Daniel Rose’s new venue for his set three course menu with inventive combinations.  The new location, bright and open, is close to the Louvre.  A wine bar should be opening soon downstairs.

Hôtel Costes
239 rue Saint-Honoré
75001 Paris
33 01 42 44 50 25
www.hotelcostes.com

La tendance en plus, but still nice to have an aperitif and cigar on the patio especially in the winter with the red Christmas tree.

l’Écume Saint Honoré
6, rue du Marché Saint-Honoré
75001, Paris
33 01 42 61 93 87

Fish shop and a very casual oyster bar.

Le Fumoir
6, rue de l’Amiral de Coligny
75001, Paris
33 01 42 92 00 24
www.lefumoir.com

Casual place to gather with friends.

 

Kunitoraya II
5, rue Villedo
75001 Paris
33 01 47 03 07 74

 

Kinugawa*
9, rue du Mon-Thabor
75001 Paris
33 01 42 60 65 07

 

Pirouette*
5, rue Mondétour
75001 Paris
33 01 40 26 47 81

La Dame de Pic*
20, rue du Louvre
75001 Paris
33 01 42 60 40 40

2ème arrondissement

Drouant
16-18 place Gaillon
75002 Paris, France
33 01 42 65 15 16
www.drouant.com

Michelin-starred Antoine Westermann’s traditional French fare presented in a simple, honest way with the emphasis on the food.  Reasonably priced.  Superb wine list and service.  I adore this restaurant, the food, the art deco decor, and everyone who works here.

Frenchie
5 rue du nil
75002 Paris, France
33 01 40 39 96 19
www.frenchie-restaurant.com

Set 3-4 course menu.  Chef Grégory Marchand is very talented and creative with attention to detail.

Café Moderne
40, rue Notre Dame-des-Victories
75002, Paris
33 01 53 40 84 10
www.cafemoderne.fr

Chez Georges
1, rue du Mail (Bourse)
75002, Paris
33 01 42 60 07 11

Casual bistro with solid food.

Merci
111, Boulevarde Beaumarchais
77002 Paris
33 01 42 77 00 33
www.merci-merci.com

Bookstore, flower stand, housewares, clothes, and little snacks and coffee (or a glass of wine).  Opened by the former owners of Bonpoint , Merci is one of my favorite little  spots to buy gifts and sit to enjoy a coffee or tea.

3ème arrondissement

Chez L’Ami Louis
32, rue Vertbois
75003, Paris
33 01 48 87 77 48

Classic French bistro with amazing foie gras (and yes, the chicken is very good as well).

4ème arrondissement

Benoît
20, rue Saint-Martin
75004 Paris France
33 01 42 72 25 76
www.benoit-paris.com

Opened in 1912, it is now owned by Alain Ducasse (and Thierry de la Brosse).  This is classic French bistro, a little elevated, with excellent service to match its classic cuisine.  Benoit was my introduction to French cuisine many, many, many years ago.

Mon Vieil Ami
69, rue Saint-Louis-en-I’Ile
75004 Paris
33 01 40 46 01 35
www.mon-vieil-ami.com

Chef-owner Antoine Westermann’s quaint bistro with an emphasis on vegetables.  Delicious.

L’Excuse
14, rue Charles V
75004 Paris
33 01 42 77 98 97

Quaint little bistro with a charming atmosphere.

Bofinger
5-7, rue de la Bastille
75004 Paris
33 01 42 72 87 82
www.bofingerparis.com

Le Petit Bofinger
6, rue de la Bastille
75004 Paris, France
33 01 42 72 05 23 ‎

Lively brasserie close to the Bastille.  It is an inexpensive version of the original Bofinger.

L’As du Falafel
34, rue des Rosiers
75004 Paris
33 01 48 87 63 60

Take away falafels.  Similar to the “Pink” phenomena in Los Angeles, (L’As du Falafel always has a line).

Breizh Cafe
109, rue Vielle du Temple
75004 Paris
33 01 42 72 13 77
www.breizhcafe.com

Breton Bertrand Larcher’s latest crepery  (he owns others in Concale and Toyko).  Very fresh ingredients (using organic flour) enjoy these crepes with apple or pear cider.  Very casual. Good place to take children. You can buy cider, spices, and caramels in the shop next door.

Le Paul Bert
6, rue Paul Bert
75004 Paris
33 01 43 79 14 32

5ème arrondissement

Les Papilles
30, rue Gay-Lussac
33 01 43 25 20 79
75005 Paris
www.lespapilles.com

Les Papilles (which means taste buds) has a set menu with 3-4 courses.  Terrific wine selection.  This is one of my absolute new favorite places.  The owners, Bertrand Bluy (former rugby player) and Ulric Claude (known for his menus at chez Taillevent) are as wonderful as their food.

Ribouldingue
10, rue Saint Julien-le-Pauvrre
75005, Paris
33 01 46 33 98 80

Bistro in Latin quarter that specializes in offals.

6ème arrondissement

La Quincave
17 Rue Brea
75006 Paris

Excellent wine with casual simplicity in a cute area of the 6ème.  Great place to hang out with your friends and enjoy a little wine.

Le Comptoir du Relais
Hôtel Relais Saint-Germain
9, Carrefour de l’Odéon
75006 Paris
33 01 44 27 07 97

Chef Yves Camdeborde’s inventive take on bistro food. Delicious.

Bread and Roses
7, rue fleurus
75006 Paris
33 01 42 22 06 06
www.breadandroses.fr

This bakery with organic bread has some seating as well as a take-away counter where you can take food to Jardin du Luxembourg which is just a block away.

Le Cherche Midi
22, rue du Cherche-Midi
33 01 45 48 27 44
www.lecherchemidi.fr

Really good Italian food near Saint Sulpice.

Huîtrerie Régis
3, rue de Montfaucon
75006 paris
33 01 44 41 10 07
www.huiterieregis.com

Saint-Germain oyster bar.

L’Epi Dupin
11, rue Dupin
33 01 42 22 64 56
75006 Paris
www.epidupin.com

Charming bistro.

Les Bouquinistes
53, quai des Grands-Augustins
75006 Paris
33 01 43 25 45 94
www.lesbouinistes.com

Chef Guy Savoy’s  more casual bistro.  A little heavy on the English, but the food is solid.

Domaine de Lintillac
20, rue Rousselet
75007 Paris
33 01 45 66 88 23
www.lintillac-paris.com

Specializes in Southwestern French cuisine and basically everything duck.  There are four locations in Paris (2, 9 and 16 as well).  They also have an online store for their foie gras, pâtés, and other regional specialities.

Hélène Darroze
4, rue d’Assas
75006 Paris
33 01 42 22 00 11
www.helenedarroze.com

Young chef Hélène Darroze artisitically presents southwestern cuisine with a twist. There are two dining rooms the salon and the upstairs which is more casual and tapas style (the latter you do not need reservations and is great fun and a little fancy all at the same time). Both rooms are good for special occasions.

Emporio Armani Caffé
149, boulevard Saint-Germain (St-Germain-des-Prés)
75006 Paris
33 01 42 78 91 44
www.emporiocaffe.fr

Hard to believe but in the second floor of this retail clothing store is some good Italian food with service to match. Right in the heart of St-Germain-des-Prés.

Les Deux Magots
6, place Saint-Germain-des-Pres
75006, Paris
(33) 01 45 48 55 25

Classic bistro food and centrally located.  I love to meet friends here for a coffee or drink. I came here after running the Paris marathon because I was craving their steak and fries.

Café de Flore
172, boulevard Saint-Germain
75006, Paris
(33) 01 45 44 33 40
www.cafedeflore.fr

This place is a classic.  It is also a good place for a late night tea or early evening apéritif.

7ème arrondissement

Le Violon d’Ingres
135, rue Saint-Dominique
75007 Paris
33 01 45 55 15 05
www.leviolondingres.com

Christian Constant ‘s restaurant in a string of three.  The cassoulet and the vanilla caramel soufflé are my favorites.

Les Cocottes (de Christian Constant)
135, rue Saint Dominique
75007 Paris
33 01 45 50 10 31

Communal tables and box wine.  “Les cocottes” is a term used for casserole dishes (big and small).  This is a causal place where you can sit at the bar or a table.  Most dishes, including desserts, are served in cocottes. Great for lunch or dinner.

Café Constant
139, rue Saint Dominque
75007 Paris
33 01 46 53 73 34
www.cafeconstant.com

Christain Constant’s solid bistro food in casual setting.   Good place to go if you missed usual lunch time and want a late, but tasty, sit down lunch. They had good breakfasts too.

Les Fables de La Fontaine
131, rue Saint-Dominque
75007 Paris
33 01 44 18 37 55
www.lesfablesdelafontaine.net

Seafood and Southwestern cuisine is the focus of  this bistro founded by Christain Constant (now run by protegees of his from Violin). The emphasis is on seafood and the food as well as the service is outstanding.

Hôtel Thoumieux
79, rue Saint Dominque
75007 Paris
33 01 47 05 49 75

Brasserie with atmosphere as swanky as Society or Hotel Costes with really good food.  Selection ranges from steak with shoestring fries to calamari carbonara.  Chef Jean-François Piège used to be with Thierry Costes as well as the Crillion

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
5, rue de Montalembert
75007 Paris
33 01 42 22 56 56
www.joel-robuchon.com

Another one of my new favorites.  The food is haute cuisine, but it is served at a table (akin to a sushi bar) that surrounds the open kitchen.  The seating arrangement naturally lends itself to knowing your dining neighbors. Everything I have eaten here from the seafood to the ris de veau has been excellent.  While there are other ateliers, this is the one all employees come to for their training.

Chez L’Ami Jean
27, rue Malar
95007 Paris
33 01 47 05 86 89
www.amijean.eu

Inventive basque bistro with amazing foie gras.

L’Affriole
17, rue Malar
75007 Paris
33 01 44 18 31 33

Tiny bistro.  Reasonable prices.

Les Ombres
Musée Quai Branly
27, quai Branly, Portail Debilly
75007 Paris
33 01 47 53 68 00
www.elior.com

You cannot miss this restaurant located at the Musée Branly.  The dining room is on the fifth floor and the all glass ceiling dining room gives you a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. Make reservations 2 weeks ahead.

il Vino (d’Enrico Bernardo)
13, boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg
75007 Paris
(33) 01 44 11 72 00

Delicious food in a quiet, beautiful atmosphere.  Monsieur Bernardo could not be more gracious or more knowledgable in wine (meilleur sommelier du monde). 

Le Clos des Gourmets
16, Avenue Rapp
75007 Paris
33 01 45 51 75 61

Brasserie le Bourbon
1, place du Palais Bourbon
75007 Paris
(33) 01 45 51 58 27

This is a typical, standard Parisian brasserie.  Business people come here for local as do the neighbors on the weekend. Casual.

Rollet Pradier
6, rue de Bourgogne
75007 Paris
(33) 01 45 51 78 36

There are 3 locations in this arrondisement.  The bread is delicious and their desserts are beautiful, perfect for that dinner party.  They have a full range of take-away items (for nearby parks) and catering services.

Vasavasa
gelateria sicilan
41, avenue de la Bourdonnais
75007 Paris
(33) 01 47 05 84 30

Only open a short time, this is the most amazing gelatto and sorbet (with combinations like rose grapefruit sorbet).  My favorite gelattos here are the fleur de lait and the chocolat sur del lag0, but it is really had to decide.

8ème arrondissement

Il Relais Plaza
21, avenue Montaigne
75008, Paris
(33) 01 53 67 66 65
www.plaza-athenee-paris.com

I would go just for the baba au rhum alone (but everything is good).

Ma Bourgogne
133, Boulevard Hassmann
75008 Paris
33 01 45 63 50 61
www.mabourgogne.com

Burgundy specialities.

Maison Blanche
15, Avenue Montaigne
75008 Paris
www.maison-blanche.fr

The Pourcel brothers excellent creations, beautifully executed.

Market
15, Avenue Matignon
75008 Paris
33 01 56 43 40 90

Laurent
41, avenue Gabriel
75008 Paris
33 01 42 25 00 39
www.le-laurent.com

Beautiful patio.  Amazing food with impeccable attention to detail and quality.

Dalloyau
101, rue Faubourg Saint Honoré
75008 Paris
33 01 42 99 90 00
www.dalloyau.fr

There are four locations in Paris.  Bakery and tearooms. Good stuff especially for a picnic.

9ème arrondissement

Cul de Poule
3 rue, des martyrs
75009 Paris
33 01 53 16 13 07

Cul de poule means “hen’s ass” (just to let you know).  This is the latest restaurant of four from American Yannig Samot.  In the Pignot area.  Very casual with cafeteria chairs. Fun.

Hôtel Amour
8 rue Navarin
Paris, 75009
33 01 48 78 31 80

Down to earth casual bistro food (some better than others) but the prices are reasonable prices and there is a nice patio.  It reminds me of the Sunset Marquis in Los Angeles with respect to the vibe and the patrons. Owners also own Le Baron.

10ème arrondissement

La Tête dans les Olives
2, rue Sainte Marthe
75010 paris
www.latetedanslesolives.com

“The head in the olives”.  Teeny tiny treasure (there are 10 tables).

11ème arrondissement

Le Bistrot Chez Paul
18, rue Paul Bert
75011 Paris
33 01 43 72 24 01
www.chezpaul.com

Le Chateaubriand
129, Avenue Parmentier
75011 Paris
www.lechateaubriand.fr

Inaki Aizpitarte’s haute cuisine in a bistro setting. A Paris must try.

13ème arrondissement

If you are looking for Chinese food, this is where you go.  Chinatown is here and Le Quartier Chinois is close to Tang Frères giant Asian retail.

14ème arrondissement

La Régalade
49, avenue Jean Moulin
75014, Paris
(33) 01 45 45 68 58

Solid brassiere food and decent prices.

15ème arrondissement

Le Troquet
21, rue François Bonvin
75015 Paris
33 01 45 66 89 00

I adore chef Etchebest’s simple food at this bistro.  Quaint and delicious.

La Cave de L’Os Moelle
181, rue de Lourmel
75015
(33) 01 45 57 28 28

Not fancy at all, just good food, good wine, and fun.  You pick a wine from the shelves, cut your own bread (it is on the side-table with an assortment of things to go with it), your table has an assortment of mayonnaise, grated vegetables, pâtés, rilettes, and other starters, you  get a pre-determined plat du jour (or two or three), and your serve yourself from the communal cheese board and dessert sslections.  Sounds like work,but fun is to be had and the people are lovely.

16ème arrondissement

La Bauhinia
(Shangri-la hotel)
10, Avenue de Íena
75116 Paris
33 01 53 67 19 91

L’Astrance
4, rue Beethoven
75016 Paris
(33) 01 40 50 84 40

Elegant and delicious. Nothing else to say.

Le Pré Catelan
Bois de Bologne
route de suresnes
75016 Paris
33 01 44 14 41 14

Haute cuisine in a beautiful setting by my favorite park. Closed in August.

Les Princes
6 Place de Docteur Michaux
75016, Paris
(33) 01 46 51 05 88

Not really centrally located, but it is near Bois de Bologne, it is easy to get to by metro. There is an amzing covered patio and the food is good (and generous).

Le Flandrin
80, avenue Henri Martin
75016 Paris
(33) 01 45 04 34 69

Solid brassiere food with wonderful patio in quiet part of Paris.

Stella
133, avenue Victor Hugo
95016 Paris
(33) 01 56 90 56 00

Classic brasserie. Good seafood.

18ème arrondissement

La Famille
41, rue des Trois-Frères
95018 Paris
(33) 01 42 52 11 12

Montmatre tiny colorful restaurant run by Yannig Samot. Late night spot good for drinks

Chéri Bibi
15, rue André-del-Sarte
(33) 01 42 54 88 96

Bistro cooking by Yannig Samot
(also owns La Famille and Le Réfectoire).

Sale e Pepe
30, rue rue Ramay
75018 Paris
(33) 01 46 06 08 01

When you are craving Italian.  Sicilian owner Samuele Micalizzi is hands on to make you a thin crust pizza.

Tags: benoit, Brasserie le Bourbon, Bread and Roses, cafe constant, cafe de flore, chef recommendations, Chez L’Ami Jean, Dalloyau, deux magots, Domaine de Lintillac, drouant, Emporio Armani, favorite bistros, favorite haute cuisine, favorite paris brasserie, favorite Paris restaurants, favourite bistros, haute cuisine, Hélène Darroze, Hôtel Amour, hotel thoumieux, Huîtrerie Régis, Il Relais Plaza, il vino, La Cave de L'Os Moelle, La Famille, La Régalade, La Tête dans les Olives, Laurent, Le Bistrot Chez Paul, Le Chateaubriand, Le Cherche Midi, Le Flandrin, Le Pré Catelan, Le Troquet, Le Violon d’Ingres, Les Bouquinistes, Les Cocottes de Christian Constant, Les Deux MagotsCaffé, Les Fables de La Fontaine, Les Ombres, Les Princes, L’Affriole, L’Astrance, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, L’Epi Dupin, Ma Bourgogne, Maison Blanche, paris bistros, paris restaurants, Rollet Pradier, Sale e Pepe, Stella, vasavasa, violin d'angres

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