Oberkampf, Charonne and Roquette are home to the best bistros in Paris — authentic bistro cooking, fair prices, a neighbourhood feel.
The temple of Paris bistronomy. Septime for the tasting menu, Clamato right next door for small seafood plates. Booking 2 months ahead is essential.
No menu, no reservations. Rib steak with a secret sauce + unlimited fries. A Paris institution since 1959. A queue is guaranteed, but it's worth every minute.
Opened in 1845, frequented by Joyce, Hemingway and Verlaine. Classic French cooking in an unchanging Belle Époque setting. Paper tablecloths, the day's specials on a chalkboard, a friendly buzz.
The Paris bouillons — classic French cooking at low prices in sumptuous Art Nouveau settings. Snails, beef bourguignon, crème brûlée. Always full in the evening.
Run by two sisters, with creative, spot-on French-Asian cooking. One of the most loved restaurants in the 11th — definitely book. A short menu that changes with the market.
The oldest brasserie in Paris (1864). A listed Art Nouveau dome, seafood, Alsatian choucroute. Facing Place de la Bastille, service until midnight.
A huge Art Deco brasserie in Montparnasse since 1927. Seafood platters, sole meunière, dancing on Saturday nights. A Paris landmark to experience at least once.
Place de Clichy, open since 1892. Non-stop service from 8 am to 1 am, an exceptional seafood platter, pure Paris brasserie atmosphere.
| Niveau | Budget moyen | Iconic addresses | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ 1 Michelin star | 80–150 €/pers | Frenchie, Septime, Le Grand Pan | 1–4 semaines |
| ⭐⭐ 2 stars | 150–250 €/pers | Le Cinq, Taillevent, Kei | 1–2 mois |
| ⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars | 300–600 €/pers | Guy Savoy, Epicure, L'Arpège | 3–6 mois |
| 🍽️ Bistronomie haut de gamme | 60–100 €/pers | Clover Grill, Tomy & Co, Virtus | 2–4 semaines |
Grégory Marchand, trained under Jamie Oliver. The most influential gastro-bistro in Paris. Creative French-British cooking on Rue du Nil, the heart of the Paris food scene.
Alain Passard, 3 stars since 1996, revolutionised fine dining by putting vegetables centre stage. His own market gardens supply the vegetables directly. A truly one-of-a-kind experience.
In the Hôtel de la Monnaie, facing the Seine. Guy Savoy delivers one of the most accomplished fine-dining experiences in Paris. His artichoke and truffle soup is legendary.
34 Rue des Rosiers, in the Marais. The most famous falafel in Paris, perhaps the world. Crisp outside, soft inside, generous white sauce. A constant queue, but it moves fast.
A traditional baguette with Paris ham and salted butter. France's national sandwich, perfect for a quick, cheap lunch. Get it from a real craft bakery.
Belleville for cheap Vietnamese and Turkish food, the 13th arrondissement for the real Paris Chinatown — dim sum, pho and Peking duck at unbeatable prices.
The oldest covered market in Paris (1615), in the Marais. Japanese, Moroccan, Lebanese, Creole and Italian stalls under one roof. Perfect for a unique, colourful lunch.
Bob's in the Marais for fresh juices, salads and healthy bowls. Holybelly in the 10th for the best brunch in Paris — memorable pancakes, specialty coffee, a queue at the weekend.
The Parisians' secret — supermarket deli counters offer decent ready-made hot dishes for €4–7. Ideal for a meal on the Champ-de-Mars or along the riverbanks.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The two cafés where Sartre, Beauvoir and Picasso debated. Touristy and pricey (€6–8 a coffee), but worth it at least once. The terrace is a must.
The Paris specialty-coffee scene. Ten Belles on the Canal Saint-Martin for its perfect flat white. Belleville Brûlerie at La Villette for craft roasting and tastings.
The two go-to spots for Paris brunch. Holybelly (10th): legendary butterscotch pancakes. Café Lomi (18th): Nordic brunch inside the roastery, with a view from the mezzanine.
Ladurée for its macarons and its Belle Époque tea room. Angelina on Rue de Rivoli for the thickest hot chocolate in Paris — an institution since 1903. Long queues but a memorable experience.
Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, Thursday and Sunday mornings. The largest open-air market in Paris — aged cheeses, craft charcuterie, seasonal fruit and veg, flowers, olives.
Every morning except Monday. The liveliest and most affordable market in Paris. World spices, olives, cheeses, an adjoining flea market. The perfect place to put together a picnic.
Boulevard Raspail, Sunday morning. The go-to organic market in Paris — local producers, raw-milk cheeses, heirloom vegetables, sourdough breads, artisan oils. The Saint-Germain hipster crowd turns out in force.
3 Rue de Bretagne, the oldest covered market in Paris (1615). Moroccan, Japanese, Lebanese and Creole food stalls under a beautiful old hall. A must for weekend lunch.
Belleville and the 13th have the best Vietnamese restaurants outside Vietnam. Dong Huong for legendary pho and bun bo hue — a queue at the weekend, a tiny bill.
The real Paris Chinatown around Les Olympiades. Dim sum at the weekend, Peking duck, ginger crab, noodle soup. Tang Frères for Asian groceries.
Rue Sainte-Anne (2nd) for authentic Japanese food run by Japanese cooks. The Lebanese districts around Montparnasse for quality mezze and shawarma at reasonable prices.
In the Batignolles, the fine-dining Mexican restaurant of Paris. Creative Mexico-inspired cooking with French produce. One of the most original restaurants in the capital.
3 Michelin stars and a pioneer of plant-based fine dining. Passard grows his own vegetables in three market gardens across France. Every dish is a work of art celebrating the vegetable at its purest.
Hank Burger, the most popular vegan burger in Paris (Marais). Wild & The Moon for cold-pressed juices, bowls and raw breakfasts — several locations across Paris.
Season (8th) for gourmet salads and fresh juices in a luxurious setting. Café Pinson in the Marais for friendly, gluten-free vegetarian cooking.
Rue Yves Toudic (10th), Christophe Vasseur. Legendary kouign-amann, pistachio-chocolate escargot pastry, pain des amis. The most influential bakery in Paris, in a listed Belle Époque setting.
Several locations across Paris. Competition-grade traditional baguettes, sourdough breads, flawless pastries. One of the most consistent and affordable bakeries in the capital.
Pierre Hermé — the "Picasso of patisserie". His Ispahan macarons (rose-raspberry-lychee) are legendary. Ladurée for the Paris institution and its cosy tea rooms.
The most-followed pastry chef on Instagram in the world. His trompe-l'œil fruit are edible works of art. A long queue but a unique experience. Boutique near the Opéra in Paris.
Never seat yourself — wait to be seated or let staff know you've arrived. Always start with « Bonjour » before any request. That's rule number one.
Bread is served free and always free in restaurants. Tap water is free: ask for « une carafe d'eau ». Never ask for bottled water unless you want to pay.
You don't order everything at once. The order is sacred: starter → main → dessert. The waiter takes your order in stages. Don't rush — taking your time is a French value.
Service (15%) is always included in the bill in France. Tipping isn't mandatory but is appreciated — €1–3 in cash for good service is enough. Leave nothing if the service was poor.
Restaurants open at noon for lunch et 7–7:30 pm for dinner. The kitchen often closes at 10–10:30 pm. Don't turn up at 2:30 pm hoping for lunch — you'll be politely turned away.
Snapping your fingers, whistling or shouting "garçon!" — never. A glance and a raised hand are enough. Ne parlez pas fort on the phone. Don't ask for a doggy bag at a fine-dining restaurant.
Le serveur parisien will never bring the bill unprompted — it's a sign of respect, not neglect. Say “L'addition, s'il vous plaît” or make a writing gesture.
Ask the sommelier or waiter for advice — it's their job and they love to help. Wine by the glass is often a good way to explore. The house carafe (table wine) is honest and economical.