Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
A Paris landmark thanks to Marcel Carné’s 1930s film, this canal-side brasserie on the Quai de Jemmapes serves a mix of French classics like steak tartare and duck confit with seasonal specials. It’s a pleasant spot for a leisurely lunch or dinner, especially if you can snag a window seat to watch life along the Canal Saint-Martin drift by.
For a dinner that hits classic Paris without feeling staged, head to Chez Fernand Christine. Just off Odéon, its three vaulted rooms — exposed beams, red-brick walls, and checkered tablecloths — feel like stepping back into old Paris, low ceilings and a cosy buzz included. The menu ploughs through traditional French territory — bouillons, boeuf bourguignon and tarte tatin for a sweet finish. The wine list is hard to ignore — around 1,300 bottles, enough to spoil even casual wine drinkers for choice.
Le Bistrot du Peintre has been holding court on avenue Ledru-Rollin since 1902, its curving woodwork, etched glass, and tiled floors a textbook example of Parisian Art Nouveau. The century-old bistro still serves up traditional French fare — duck confit, steak-frites, and seasonal specials — alongside a wine list that mixes well-known estates with small, independent producers. Renovated in 2012 without losing an ounce of its old-world charm, it’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the appetite.
Le Voltaire is, perhaps, amongst the best places in the 7th arrondissement to come for a quintessentially Parisian brasserie experience. Classic French cuisine with dishes polished to perfection, woven bent-wood chairs outside, and a chic ambience with that elusive je-ne-sais-quoi factor.
No tables here — just the counter, a blackboard of small plates hanging overhead, and a crowd leaning in with glasses of wine. Opened by Chef Yves Camdeborde in 2009, it’s all about land-based bites: duck foie gras skewers, oxtail croquettes with red wine and horseradish, Corsican charcuterie. Everything’s made to graze on with natural wines poured straight from the cabinet. The place is loud in a good way, the bartenders know their stuff, and it’s easy to end up staying longer than planned.
Pizzeria Popolare is a welcoming, authentic Italian spot in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement. The dining room is bright and full of chatter, with long communal tables, bottle-lined walls, and twinkling lights overhead. It’s made for a good time, whether you’re in a pair or part of a group of fifteen. The menu sticks to classic Neapolitan pizzas, loaded with top-quality ingredients: San Marzano tomatoes from Paolo Ruggiero, buffalo mozzarella from Salvatore Corso delivered fresh three times a week. Burrata, fresh pasta, and generous desserts like tiramisu round out the offerings. Many locals and visitors swear it’s one of the best pizzas in Paris, and it’s easy to see why once you bite into that pillowy crust and fresh mozzarella. Arrive early or be prepared to wait — the pizza alone makes it worth it.
If you’re after a classic bistro meal after a visit to the Musée d’Orsay, Les Antiquaires is a solid choice. The space has serious old-school charm—leather banquettes, vintage mirrors, a hefty wooden bar—like someone pressed pause on 1920s Paris. The menu sticks to familiar French hits: the boeuf bourguignon and onion soup get regular praise, and desserts like brioche toast or crème brûlée rarely disappoint. It’s lively rather than quiet, with a mix of museum-goers and locals, and a timeless atmosphere worth the noise.
Created by two brothers passionate about health, the environment, and animal rights, Le Potager de Charlotte is an intimate spot offering plant-based, gourmet cuisine made from fresh, local, seasonal, and organic produce. From the presentation to the flavours, you can really see the time and thought they have put into each dish. Le Potager de Charlotte is the kind of restaurant where you don't have to be vegan to fully enjoy the food, so make sure to pay a visit and book ahead.
Le Petit Châtelet is a classic Parisian bistro nestled just across from Notre-Dame Cathedral. Its cosy atmosphere, complete with a wood-burning fireplace, offers a warm respite from the bustling city. The restaurant features traditional French dishes such as chargrilled meats, crème brûlée, and regional specialities, all served in generous portions. The outdoor seating provides a charming spot for people-watching along the Seine.
Epicure is tucked inside Le Bristol Paris, overlooking a quiet courtyard garden. Chef Arnaud Faye’s menu is all about letting the ingredients shine — vegetables in season take the lead, while seafood and meats are treated with the same precision and care. The wine list is extensive, designed to complement the dishes rather than steal the show. Booking ahead is a must, and the experience is less about ticking off Michelin stars and more about savouring the artistry of modern French cuisine.
Although Japanese prevails in this aptly named Parisian neighbourhood between the 1st and 2nd arrondissements, there’s plenty of Asian food to choose from — everything from Korean bibimbap to bowls of steamy Vietnamese pho pepper the area, enjoying popularity among both locals and visitors.
Perched above the Seine in a Philippe Starck-designed glass dome, KONG offers a striking view of Parisian rooftops and the Pont Neuf. While the fusion cuisine is inventive, it's the atmosphere that stands out — especially during evening hours when the space transforms into a lively lounge with DJs and cocktails.
Pierre Gagnaire is a Michelin three-star restaurant just off the Champs-Élysées, located within the Hôtel Balzac. It’s renowned for its innovative approach to modern French cuisine, blending traditional techniques with contemporary flair. The menu is a journey through inventive French gastronomy, with tasting menus and à la carte options that push the boundaries of flavour. Reservations are essential, often required well in advance, especially for dinner.
Tucked away in the 6th arrondissement, Allard has been a staple of Parisian dining since 1932. Inside, floral wallpaper, red velvet banquettes, and vintage woodwork give it proper old-school bistro character. The menu sticks to classic French dishes, and sitting here feels like stepping back into another era of Paris.
If you’re craving Middle Eastern fare, Rue des Rosiers in the 4th arrondissement is the place to be. On and around this street, you will find many establishments serving delicious Middle-Eastern and Yiddish/Eastern European specialities. L'As du Fallafel, in particular, is known for making the most famous falafel sandwich in Paris. It’s a no-frills, little eatery serving besides falafels, shawarma and kebabs, plus Israeli wines.
Hamburgers might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about dining in Paris, but Roomies will make you rethink that. Here, you can customise your own burger with their homemade sauces and fresh ingredients. The friendly staff will gladly guide you through the process in good English. At just a 10-minute walk from Notre Dame, it is well worth a visit.
La Maison de Verlaine occupies the poet’s former home and still feels like a step back in time. The small, family-run spot serves classic French dishes—escargots, duck breast, tarte tatin—and has a handful of outdoor tables where you can soak up the quiet street life.
Just a stone’s throw from the legendary Moulin Rouge, Rouge Bis is a popular brasserie offering a delicious glimpse into traditional French cuisine, with dishes such as onion soup, duck confit, beef bourguignon, and escargots. The interior has a lively bistro feel, and if you grab a seat near the window, you get a glimpse of Montmartre life and the cabaret just outside.
This cosy counter-style outpost from Chef Adeline Grattard feels like a calm hideaway tucked amid the buzz of Les Halles. Instead of a full restaurant service, it's a stand-up boutique where you can grab her signature bao buns or congee served alongside carefully matched Asian teas — her husband, Chi Wah Chan, curates the pairings. It carries the quiet precision of Yam’Tcha’s Michelin-starred menu, just in snack form.
A reliable spot for Moroccan food on the Left Bank, Founti Agadir serves up couscous, tajines, and pastilla with straightforward, honest flavours. The dining room is simple and relaxed, and it’s popular with both locals and visitors looking for a hearty North African meal.
