Paris is known as one of the world’s best food cities for good reason. It has over 400 restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide, and 20 of those have two or more stars. Of course, some require reservations six months in advance and you might have to sell a kidney to afford the bill. But many Paris restaurants offer three-course set menus for a reasonably low price, making it possible to eat well without breaking the bank. With so many incredible options, it can feel impossible to choose. Hopefully this list will help you decide where to eat in Paris. [Updated for 2024!]
- Les Canailles
- Bistrotters
- Le George at the Four Seasons
- Juveniles
- Le Hide
- L’Assiette
- Le Soufflรฉ
- Milagro
- Vins des Pyrรฉnรฉes
- Riviera Fuga
- Les Papilles
- Le Pantruche
- Breizh Cafe
- Terra Corsa
- Hardware Sociรฉtรฉ Paris
- Kafkaf
- Holybelly
- Zia
- Kozy Bosquet
- Brasserie Dubillot
Looking for fun activities to keep you busy between meals? Check out my Paris City Guide for ideas!
Les Canailles
Tucked in a former butcher’s shop, Les Canailles is a star of the Pigalle food scene. The restaurant’s name translates to “the scoundrels” and is a play on the space’s origins; plats canailles are typically made with offal. But there was nothing awful about my meal here!
The owners hail from France’s Brittany coast and the head chef is Japanese, so I figured seafood was the way to go. I started with a lovely, frothy soup, and then enjoyed the fish plat of the week. It turned out to be a tender piece of sea bass, the skin perfectly crisp, atop an array of vegetables and a luscious sweet potato puree. Both dishes paired perfectly with a citrusy Jean Reverdy Sancerre.
I went for the chocolate fondant for dessert and it was scrumptious. If a molten chocolate cake and a Beard Papa’s cream puff had a baby, this would be it. A crunchy cake filled with rich creamy chocolate and a perfect quenelle of vanilla bean ice cream. Heaven!
Bistrotters
This chic eatery has been delighting diners since opening its doors in 2012. Bistrotters specializes in modern French cuisine with an international flair. My meal began with a complimentary cup of an exquisite foie gras mousse that I wanted more of. This was followed with two plump Fin de Claire oysters swimming in a smoky Bloody Mary foam. The grapefruit notes of a Clarendelle Bordeaux blanc made a nice pairing.
My main course was surprising in that it reminded me of a classic Chinese dish called Dong Po Rou. The pork belly was well caramelized and so tender it practically melted. It was served with assorted root vegetables and a cider sauce with hints of soy and Chinese five-spice. The dish paired well with the robust fruity flavor of a Les Lanes Corbieres.
Le George at the Four Seasons
Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself, dining at Le George is an unforgettable experience. This Michelin starred restaurant is in the Four Seasons Hotel, but it is anything but fussy. There’s no dress code, and the waiters are attentive and friendly. I was able to snag a reservation about a week before my visit.
There are several tasting menus available, but you can also order a la carte. My meal began with a complimentary bowl of tiny crispy shrimp and Le George’s famous olive focaccia, served piping hot in a cast iron skillet. This bread is the reason I was too full for dessert.
Next came a delicate scallop crudo seasoned with lemon, horseradish, and caviar. My second course, a gorgeous candied tomato tart tatin with savory cacio e pepe ice cream, was outrageously good. I’d go back weekly just for that dish! This was followed by a bowl of luscious saffron risotto with ossobuco sauce. I’m still sad I didn’t try one of the delicious-sounding desserts, but was pleased with the free dark chocolate truffles the waiter surprised me with at the end.
Juveniles
This cozy family-run bistro and wine bar has been a fixture of the Paris food scene since 1987. Juveniles is known for its simple but satisfying plates featuring the best seasonal products. Expect a different menu every time you go.
I started with the white asparagus appetizer, since it was in season and is such a rare treat, but nearly everyone around me ordered the cauliflower soup and it smelled wonderful. My celebration of spring continued with the roast veal dish, which came with market-fresh veggies and a silky bearnaise sauce. Somehow, despite being surrounded by bottles, I forgot to make a note of the accompanying wines. Trust that they were well paired by the knowledgeable host.
The salted caramel rice pudding seemed to be the most popular dessert, but I ended on a more refreshing note with the orange crรฉmeux. It was topped with juicy tangerines and golden kiwi, which was new to me and much tastier than its green cousin.
Le Hide
For a restaurant in a prime location near the Arc de Triomphe, Le Hide is surprisingly unpretentious. Japanese chef Hide Kobayashi puts his unique spin on classic French cooking with mouthwatering results. The prix-fixe menu, which you can mix and match to your preference, is an absolute steal! I also happily devoured the free bread and herbed cheese.
Le Hide claims to have the best pan-fried foie gras in Paris, so naturally I had to start with that. It came on a pile of crisp green beans for a pleasant texture contrast. I haven’t tried enough versions to know if it’s the best, but it was unctuous and creamy and extremely satisfying.
I had a tough time decided between several enticing main courses. My waitress recommended the seared scallops, and I’m very glad she did! The succulent scallops were complemented by a butternut squash puree, peas, fresh herbs, and an umami soy sauce vinaigrette. A small dish of mashed potatoes came on the side. My meal paired well with the citrus notes of a Mรฉrieau Sauvignon Blanc. As a solo diner, I appreciated that it was possible to order a half bottle of several different wines.
L’Assiette
If you are wondering where to eat near the Paris Catacombs, L’Assiette is an excellent choice. Open for both lunch and dinner, this homey restaurant serves up some of the best cassoulet in Paris. A dish from the Languedoc region of France, (check out my guide to Toulouse,) cassoulet is a thick stew of white beans and assorted meats, often pork and duck. This is country fare, filling and comforting, presented in a trรจs chic Parisian setting.
I kicked off my meal with another classic L’Assiette dish, the potted snails with golden croutons. The six escargot come in individual pots, filled to the brim with melted herb butter and topped with a crisp bread disk. The pots are scalding and you’re given a special tool to hold them while scooping out each bite. I was pleasantly surprised to find minced tomatoes under the croutons for a nice burst of freshness.
Le Soufflรฉ
Open since 1961, Le Soufflรฉ is the place to go if you want dependable soufflรฉs in Paris. And the set menu is a really great value. I started with escargot, the buttery snails coming with a savory soufflรฉ stuffed with cheese, spinach, garlic, and herbs. I wasn’t sure I could handle soufflรฉs for every course, so opted for seared scallops as the main. The accompanying beurre blanc sauce was so yummy I mopped it up with the accompanying shoestring fries.
Dessert was the piรจce de rรฉsistance. I skipped over the traditional versions with chocolate and Grand Marnier in favor of the apple and Calvados soufflรฉ. The pleasantly surprised waiter told me I’d made an excellent choice. How right he was! The towering soufflรฉ was packed full of jammy apples, and came with a bottle of apple brandy that I poured over the top. I can see why this place has been in business so long.
Milagro
Wondering where to eat near the Eiffel Tower that’s not an overpriced tourist trap or superficial Instagram fad? Look no further than Milagro! At this sleek bistro Chef Justin Kent combines his native New Mexican flavors with classical French techniques and market-fresh ingredients.
I started with the grilled leeks with melted gorgonzola trout roe. Up next, a juicy duck breast served with smokey beets and a carrot puree. I ended with the chocolate dessert, a rich dark ganache with whipped mascarpone, toasted almonds, and a drizzle of fruity olive oil.
Riviera Fuga
For a more unique dining experience, try Riviera Fuga. This sleek restaurant is inside a barge that’s moored on the south bank of the Seine, near Pont Alexander III. Thanks to its exciting Japanese-Italian fusion cuisine, Riviera Fuga has been an instant hit since opening in summer 2023.
I asked my waiter for the most popular dishes, and he suggested the beef tartar cannoli and the catch of the day. In the first dish, crispy cannoli shells are stuffed with beef tartar flavored with Japanese plum paste (ume koshe) and shitake mushrooms.
The fish turned out to be a perfectly seared cod fillet with candied leeks and a leek-wasabi sabayon. It was sensational, as was my negroni cocktail. For dessert, miso mascarpone topped with whiskey gel, coffee praline, and a chocolate wafer. Riviera Fuga’s innovative take on tiramisu.
Vins des Pyrรฉnรฉes
Open since 1905 and still in its original location, Vins des Pyrรฉnรฉes is a Paris institution. This is the place to go if you are looking for traditional French food. The foie gras appetizer is dependably good, its richness offset with sea salt, balsamic vinegar, and caramelized onion jam. For something more modern, try the crunchy duck confit croquettes with herbed yogurt.
The truffle gouda croque monsieur is the house specialty, but I went with the plat du jour. My buttery cod fillet had a light breadcrumb-and-mustard crust, and was served atop braised cabbage. Dessert is an obvious choice – the brioche perdu with butter caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Les Papilles
Primarily a wine shop and delicatessen, Les Papilles offers a set menu for lunch and dinner. Your meal will include soup, a braised meat dish, panna cotta, and cheese. They call this winning formula the “return from the market” and the dishes change with the seasons.
On the day of my visit, the soup was a creamy cauliflower poured tableside over a bowl of sauteed vegetables, fried herbs, crisp croutons, and cubes of soft cheese. The meat dish was a rich beef stew served in a pot with fresh veggies, potatoes, and herbs. A silky sweet caramel panna cotta was followed by salty Fourme d’Ambert blue cheese with red wine stewed plums.
Le Pantruche
Le Pantruche is an old slang term for Paris, and you’ll certainly feel like you’ve stepped back in time at this retro bistro. My meal was as old school as the atmosphere. Foie gras to start and a Grand Marnier soufflรฉ with salted butter caramel sauce to finish. Good as they both were, the main course was the star of the show. The succulent lamb was fork tender and served with wonderfully cheesy potatoes and a spinach puree. This was successfully paired with a full-bodied Minevois from southern France.
Breizh Cafe
No trip to Paris would be complete without crepes, and I savored mine Breton-style at Breizh Cafe. These crepes, also known as galettes, are made from organic buckwheat flower and usually accompanied with a bowl of apple cider. Mine featured a sunny-side up egg, smoked duck breast, and white asparagus, which was in season. I ended on a sweet note with a traditional wheat crepe topped with pear slices, whipped cream, and 70% dark Valrhona chocolate. It was so delicious I seriously considered ordering a second!
Terra Corsa
Terra Corsa is a gourmet deli and wine bar specializing in products from Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean. I ordered the full charcuterie plate to try a wide selection of cured meats and cheeses. You know, in the name in research. It came bread and some delightful fig jam. My favorite cheese had a wonderfully aromatic herb crust and I regret not buying a wheel to take home.
Where to Eat in Paris for Brunch
Hardware Sociรฉtรฉ Paris
If you are looking for one of the best brunch spots in Paris, head directly to the Hardware Sociรฉtรฉ. Originally hailing from the laneways of Melbourne, this hip eatery sets a new standard for breakfast fare. Everything on the menu sounded so good I had a hard time deciding what to order. Then the waitress walked by with this gorgeous plate of pancakes and my mind was made up.
A stack of tender buckwheat blinis come topped with gin-cured salmon, caviar, and two perfect poached eggs. Cucumber labneh and beet jelly round out the flavors. The serving size seemed overly generous at first glance, but my plate was clean when the table was cleared. I plan to go back and eat my way through the entire menu.
Kafkaf
Tucked away in the hip 11th arrondissement, Kafkaf promises to transport you through the flavors of Marrakech. And while I didn’t get a North African vibe at all, I still enjoyed my California-inspired brunch. The eggs benedict featured a tender homemade English muffin topped with melted cheddar cheese, avocado, poached eggs, and a red pepper hollandaise. It includes your choice of protein and I picked smoked salmon. Most of the tables around me had giant stacks of fluffy American-style pancakes loaded with fruit and nuts. I skipped that in favor of one of Kafkaf’s famous cookies.
Holybelly
Another great choice for brunch in Paris in Holybelly. You can go full English with scrambled eggs, mushrooms, and baked beans in tomato sauce. Or maybe you’re in the mood for American-style pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, and eggs sunny-side up. Either way, you are sure to leave happy and full.
Holybelly is so popular, there’s often a substantial wait on weekends. At the time of my visit, it was possible to scan a QR code outside the door to join a virtual queue. I really appreciated this system, which gave me the freedom to wander around the neighborhood while waiting for my table.
Zia
Owned by the same chef as Milagro, mentioned above, Zia is an excellent choice for brunch near the Eiffel Tower. The cafe is known for its Dutch baby pancakes, served piping hot in a cast iron skillet. I ordered the seasonal special, so mine was topped with roast butternut squash, red onion, Parmesan cheese, and a fried egg. Another popular dish is the Tex-Mex breakfast burrito. The place is tiny, so expect a queue on weekends.
Kozy Bosquet
Another cafe near the Eiffel Tower worth waiting in line for is Kozy Bosquet. Their avocado toast with poached egg and pomegranate seeds is a light and healthful option for when you may have overindulged the night before. But my favorite thing here is the coffee. This was probably the best cappuccino I had in Paris! Once I had my first sip I understood why there was such a steady stream of people stopping by for to-go cups.
Brasserie Dubillot
This colorful bistro might be best known for its homemade pรขtรฉ and grilled sausages, but Brasserie Dubillot is also a fun place for weekend brunch. I ordered the egg muffin with spinach, a wonderfully messy sandwich stuffed with cheddar cheese, a fried egg, and pickles. It paired extremely well with a zesty bloody mary cocktail. My only regret is not having one of the beautiful pastries for dessert.
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Wow! If we ever wind up in Paris again, I’m going to use this as my dining guide. I suspected during our visit that we might have been more “wowed” by the food if we had not stuck to such a strict budget, and I think this post proves that point perfectly. Even though you didn’t go to the super high-end places or go bankrupt eating your way through Paris, clearly it was well worth it to loosen the purse strings (and your waistbands!) and spend an extra 15 – 20 euro more per meal.
It’s definitely a challenge to balance eating well with a strict budget in Europe. It was manageable for us in Paris because we knew going in that we wanted to splurge a little, but Oslo was a whole other story. Wow, that place is pricey! It made Paris seem like Thailand in comparison. We’re still in sticker shock!
Speaking of waistlines, can you believe that I actually LOST two pounds in Paris?! I chalk it up to the miles and miles we walked everyday, plus simple breakfasts of cappuccinos and croissants. Now I just need to figure out how to recreate this every day for life ๐
I’m glad you enjoyed everything! You’re lucky you inherited your Dad’s metabolism. If you had mine you would weigh 200 pounds LOL! I know if Ann is reading this, she is so envious ๐
Poor Ann ๐
Hi Heather,
Silent reader/fan of yours here!
Did you have to make a reservation for breizh cafe?
If yes, was it through email or they could speak English through the phone?
Thank you.
Hi Yii Ming, it’s nice to hear from you! We went to Breizh Cafe and did not have a reservation, but we did get the last free table. The people who arrived after us were told they’d have to come back in an hour. This was in March, so I think reservations would be a good idea in busier months. Our waiter was actually British and everyone else who worked there spoke English. In fact, we didn’t have trouble speaking English at any of the places we went to. This was another pleasant surprise! ๐
Hi Heather,
Thank you for the tip, hopefully we’ll manage to snag a seat at Breizh cafe too ๐
Cheers.
Oh my god! It was painful to read this article on an empty stomach, ha! Everything looked fabulous and I am sure that the taste was even better. And I love the fact that the places themselves look great too for a complete experience.
Sorry, haha! And yes, the food tasted even better than it looked! ๐
looks so delicious!
It definitely was! ๐
A delightful culinary excursion through truly some of the greatest food in the world. “Butter chief among them” – YES!
Everything is better with butter ๐
That all looks amazing, but I am such a sucker for a fancy charcuterie board that that photo had me wanting to go to Paris more than any of the others! Bon Appetit ๐
As soon as we got that free plate of sausage with our wine, I knew we’d go back for the full shebang. And it was definitely worth it! ๐
Wow, looks like you ate really well! Thanks for the recommendations!
Food is always a top priority of my travels, especially in Paris! ๐
Great post, Heather! I’m travelling to Paris this summer so I really appreciate all the foodie recommendations. I can’t wait to eat my way around the city – everything looks so delicious!
Thanks, Audrey! I hope you have a delicious time in Paris! I’ll be eagerly looking forward to your own food recommendations to try out my return visit ๐
I spent Valentine’s Day in Paris so there was a lot of macarons and chocolate involved. Love love love French cuisine. My roommate is French so it’s lovely to have a nice dinner together from time to time!
Mmmmm macarons and chocolate. I definitely didn’t eat enough of them while I was there! Will just have to go back ๐
Man, French food is the stuff of dreams … hope it hasn’t ruined food at home for you now that the bar has been set so high!
Haha, that’s a valid concern! We actually traveled to Oslo a few weeks later and the food there definitely wasn’t as good as in Paris. That was a tough act to follow! ๐
I haven’t always had the most amazing time whenever I go to Paris, but I can not deny that the food I eat there is amazing! I haven’t been to these places you mention though, so next time, I’ll have to ๐ Great pictures!
Thanks, Lily! I hope you thoroughly enjoy your next trip to Paris ๐
This all looks fantastic! I lived almost around the corner from Breizh Cafe for three years and I swear they make the best galettes and crepes in the city!
I would be in serious trouble if I lived near Breizh Cafe!! ๐