Bistros are a great way to discover fresh, simple and classic French recipes in a local atmosphere.
You’re looking for traditional food in Paris ? Bistros in France are usually small sort of restaurants more on the casual side. In two words : casual and small. This also means that you will be sitting very close to your neighbours. It’s the perfect way to experience the French “art de vivre” by looking at the Parisians having a lively conversation. Bistros are not a quiet place.
If you’ve read Patricia Well’s bistro cooking recipe book, you will recognize some traditional French meals like French onion soup, terrine, pot au feu, steak frites, and coq au vin or beef bourguignon. These dishes will be made with seasonal products and be served depending on the season meaning that you might not find a beef bourguignon in july because it’s too hot for this.
Prices are usually affordable. There is a short menu with several options but also the “dish of the day” that changes every day that is perfect to eat in Paris on a budget.
Here are several good addresses of bistros to enjoy Paris like a local.
Chez Georges
One of Julia’s Child favorite addresses in Paris : beef tartare, escargots, duck magret, crème caramel, profiteroles, mille feuilles
1 rue du Mail, 75002
Closed on weekends
L’esprit de famille
Everything is homemade like at home : rabbit with mustard sauce or steack.
10 Bd Morland, 75004 Paris
Closed on the weekends, for dinner they open early and close early
L’assiette
Located close to the Catacombes, this bitro serves classical french dishes : rillettes, lentilles from France, cassoulet, incredible crème caramel
181 Rue du Château, 75014 Paris
Closed mondays, Tuesdays
Bistrot Paul Bert
Steack with sarawak pepper sauce, crêpes Suzette, baba au rhum. Booking is recommanded.
Lunch formula.
18 rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris
Café Max
An institution in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Located close to the Eiffel tower, this bistrot offers traditional cuisine with the best products from french regions. On the pricey side but you get foie gras, Normandy grass fed beef, veal blanquette, pot au feu with marrow bone, rhum baba, crème caramel, homemade chocolate mousse.
7 Avenue de la Motte-Picquet, 75007 Paris
Closed on weekends
Bélisaire
Bistrot with a twist on the modern side
Lunch formula under 40€
2 Rue Marmontel, 75015 Paris
Le Bizetro
Typical bistrot ambiance, duck magret, free range chicken, sausage with lentils, veal blanquette, matured meat on the bone, clafoutis, chocolate mousse.
6 rue Georges Bizet, 75116 Paris
Closed on weekends
Au Bon Coin
Behind Montmartre, simple and traditional food : foie gras, escargots, rillettes, duck confit, tripoux (tripes), fruit tart, chocolate mousse, clafoutis, crème caramel
Small prices
Every day
49 Rue des Cloys, 75018 Paris
Café de la Nouvelle Mairie
Classical french cuisine in the latin quarter close to the Pantheon : leeks with vinaigrette, aspargus, rosbeef mayonnaise, quiche, clafoutis
19 Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris
Monday to friday
Les Arlots
This tiny bistrot is close to the gare du Nord if you happen to have lunch before getting your Eurostar train to London or on your arrival in Paris.
We call it market cuisine. Try the sausage and mashed potatoes !
136 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris
Closed sundays and mondays
Au Bascou
Located in the upper Marais, you could try lièvre à la royale (rabbit), millefeuille
38 Rue Réaumur, 75003 Paris
Closed on weekends
Chez Nenesse
I doubt you could find more old style traditional french bistro than this place. You will get quenelles, escargots, leaks vinaigrette, homemade french fries on thursdays, duck magret, chocolate mousse.
Small prices for lunch.
Small place. Ask your hotel to make a reservation.
17, rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris
Closed on weekends
Aux Lyonnais
This restaurant located close to the Opera house belongs to the famous chef Alain Ducasse. They serve traditional food from Lyon.
32 Rue Saint-Marc, 75002 Paris
Closed mondays and tuesdays and sunday evenings
Bistrot Victoires
Beef tartare, duck confit, escargots, profiteroles, crème brulée. Close to The Louvre.
6 Rue de la Vrillière, 75001 Paris
Every day
Joséphine Chez Dumonet
You can get beef bourguignon, a soufflé, duck confit, pigeon, eggs with truffles, tournedos rossini, millefeuille. On the pricy side.
117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris
Closed on weekends
Bistrot Paul Chene
Traditional french food close to the Eiffel tower. Reservation is recommanded.
123 Rue Lauriston, 75116 Paris
Closed on sundays
Le Servan
This restaurant is located close to L’Atelier des Lumières and serves french food with an asian twist.
32 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris
Closed on Sundays
Le P’tit troquet
Located close to the Eiffel tower, this restaurant has a nice atmosphere and decor. Quite many tourists, good prices.
Foie gras, beef bourguignon, creme brulée
28 Rue de l’Exposition, 75007 Paris
Closed on Sundays
L’Ami Louis
Probably the most famous bistro in Paris.
Escargots, foie gras, duck confit. It’s an experience but very, very expensive.
32 Rue du Vertbois, 75003 Paris
Closed on mondays
Chez Marcel
French bistro with traditional french food like coq au vin.
Closed on weekends.
7 Rue Stanislas, 75006 Paris
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