18 Restaurants That Capture Everything You Love About Eating in Paris
Dining in Paris is as essential to the experience as seeing the Eiffel Tower or walking through the Louvre. Meals here are meant to be enjoyed slowly, often on a terrace, surrounded by good conversation.
Part of the fun of visiting Paris is finding those restaurants with great food in a charming atmosphere. To help you find your perfect Paris dining experience, I’ve compiled this list of some of my favorite spots for classic French fare that won’t disappoint.
1. Au Bon Accueil
Au Bon Accueil delivers both great food and one of the best Eiffel Tower views you’ll find at a neighborhood restaurant.
Our food was excellent across the board: the French onion soup was full of depth, the boeuf bourguignon practically fell apart on my fork, and the Iberico pork, though a bit fatty in spots, was still delicious.
Be sure to make a reservation for an outside table — the terrace has a straight-on view down Rue Montessuy to the Eiffel Tower, and it makes for an unforgettable dinner setting.
2. Le Train Bleu
Le Train Bleu is one of the most stunning restaurants in Paris, in a surprising location: inside the Gare de Lyon train station.
The dining room is a Belle Époque masterpiece, with gold-leafed ceilings, chandeliers, colorful frescoes, and intricate details everywhere you look that feel worlds away from the busy train platforms just outside.
I ordered the house specialty, the roast leg of lamb, which they carve tableside from a rolling cart. It’s served with roasted garlic and a savory sauce alongside creamy potato gratin – each bite together was incredible. Between the food and the atmosphere, this was easily a 10/10 experience.
3. Brasserie Rosie
Brasserie Rosie is a small, unassuming bistro on Rue de Faubourg Saint-Antoine in the 11th arrondissement, near Place de la Bastille, that serves some of the best food I’ve had in France.
I ordered the magret de canard (duck breast) and the onion soup — both were outstanding. The duck was perfectly cooked and seasoned, easily one of the best I’ve ever had. It came with a smooth carrot purée and a savory honey glaze that balanced everything beautifully.
The onion soup was a masterpiece, with a golden, crispy cheese top and a rich, onion-packed broth underneath. Absolute perfection from start to finish.
4. Au Pied de Cochon
Au Pied de Cochon (literally: “Pig’s Foot”) is a Paris institution in the 1st arrondissement, known for its pork dishes and seafood platters. I ordered the slow-cooked, tender pork loin with mashed potatoes (very good), but the real star of the meal were the cuisses de grenouille, or frog’s legs.
Despite being a French cliché, frog legs are actually extremely rare on menus, so I was excited to finally be able to try this dish. And quite honestly, they were incredible: lightly breaded, in a buttery lemon-parsley sauce, and they indeed tasted like chicken.
To end the meal, they brought out tiny pig-shaped meringues – a cute, whimsical nod to the restaurant’s name and the perfect finish to a delicious dinner.
5. Les Antiquaires
Just a few minutes from the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre, Les Antiquaires is a cozy, classic bistro that serves excellent French food despite its proximity to two major Paris attractions and the tourists that it attracts.
I ordered their specialty, the boeuf bourguignon, and it was phenomenal. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth, cooked in a rich, velvety sauce with potatoes, carrots, and a few mushrooms mixed in. Comforting, hearty, and perfectly done.
6. Breizh Café + Crêperie Brocéliande
If you’re in the mood for something a little lighter than bistro fare, Breizh Café and Crêperie Brocéliande are two of my favorite spots for galettes – savory buckwheat crêpes from Brittany.
They’re filled with all kinds of toppings like ham, cheeses, eggs, mushrooms, onions, sausage, or potatoes, and both restaurants also do great sweet crêpes if you want dessert.
I’ve eaten at both and like them equally. Crêperie Brocéliande is tucked in Montmartre near Sacré-Cœur, while Breizh Café has several locations around the city, including in the 6th arrondissement, on Rue Montorgueil, and near the Eiffel Tower, so it’s easy to stop by no matter where you’re exploring.
7. Chez Alain Miam Miam
Chez Alain Miam Miam is one of those viral Paris food spots that really lives up to the hype.
You build your own sandwich from a long list of toppings: fresh veggies like avocado, roasted onions, mushrooms, lettuce, and tomatoes; cheeses like cantal or comté; and meats like ham, pastrami, or smoked beef.
They press it all into a hot panini, and the result is crispy and melty, with an amazing blend of flavors.
The line gets long at lunchtime, so it’s best to go a little early or late. But trust me, it’s worth it. Easily one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in France.
8. La Jacobine
La Jacobine is located in the adorable Cour de Commerce Saint André, the most charming little passageway in the 6th arrondissement.
I’d recommend the coq au vin here, which was fantastic. Coq au vin is a traditional French dish of chicken braised in red wine until it just about falls off the bone, with potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms. I really liked the sauce it was served in – savory and with just a hint of wine.
And as someone always hunting for the best hot chocolate in Paris, I have to say theirs excellent: thick and full-bodied, but without being too heavy.
9. Le Petit Vendome
Just steps from Place Vendôme, Le Petit Vendôme is best known for its walk-up counter serving fresh sandwiches at lunchtime
However, their sit-down dinner service is just as good. The steak au poivre meal was perfection: tender filet, creamy pepper sauce, and fries lightly breaded and crispy, creating the most addicting texture.
If you’re in the mood for something a little lighter, they also do excellent charcuterie boards.
10. Le Chardonnay
Le Chardonnay is a bit of a hidden gem, tucked right next to the well-known Aux Crus de Bourgogne. I ordered the croque monsieur, the classic French ham and cheese sandwich topped with béchamel sauce.
You can find these all over Paris, often pre-made in bakery cases, but honestly, I usually only think they’re good when they’re fresh. Le Chardonnay’s version was phenomenal, made with truffle cream and finished with a perfectly crispy, broiled top.
11. Le Jardin Saint Germain
Le Jardin Saint Germain is a small, cozy spot in the 6th arrondissement that serves a small menu of classic French dishes done right. I came for the confit de canard (duck slow-cooked in its own fat), which had a great flavor and soft texture. Plan to make a reservation here, even on weeknights.
12. Angelina
Angelina is a café that feels so nostalgic to me – I first came here 20 years ago when I did a semester in Paris in college, and I’ve been coming back regularly ever since. It’s famous for its elegant Belle Époque dining room and lusciously thick hot chocolate that tastes like melted chocolate in a cup.
Beyond the sweets, Angelina also serves a full café menu, and everything I’ve tried has been excellent. Be aware that there can be a decent line at their main Rue de Rivoli location.
13. Bistro des Augustins
Bistro des Augustins is a cozy spot right along the Seine in Saint-Germain, specializing in hearty gratins, a dish popular in the Savoie region of the French Alps.
The gratins are made with thinly sliced potatoes baked with cream, cheese, and various toppings – I got one with bacon, herbs, garlic, and tomatoes, and it was pure comfort food.
14. Pink Mamma
Pink Mamma is a beautiful Italian restaurant in the Pigalle neighborhood, just south of Montmartre. The space spans several floors, and the staircase and top level feel like a picturesque greenhouse garden.
Everything looked fantastic, but I went with the house specialty: the truffle pasta, made with fresh mafalda noodles coated in a silky truffle and mascarpone sauce. I thought this was a delicious dish – creamy, balanced, and well-cooked.
Note that to sit on the top floor, you’ll need a reservation for right when service starts.
15. Ladurée
Most Ladurée locations are small pastry shops selling their famous macarons, but the one on at n. 75 on the Champs-Élysées is a full restaurant, and an experience worth having.
The dining room is stunning, with exquisite decor and a beautiful spiral staircase, and the food is excellent. And of course, definitely pick up a few macarons while you’re here (they’re some of my favorites in Paris).
16. Poulette
Poulette is a small, stylish restaurant just north of Châtelet with a beautiful tiled interior that feels both retro and fresh. The menu puts a modern twist on classic French dishes, all beautifully presented and delicious.
17. Le Relais de l’Entrecote
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte has a unique concept – they serve one dish: steak-frites. When you sit down, the only question you’ll be asked is how you want your steak cooked.
The meal starts with a small green salad topped with walnuts and a light vinaigrette, followed by a plate of steak covered in their famous green sauce and a generous serving of crispy fries.
Once you finish, they’ll bring you a second helping of everything: more steak, more fries, more sauce.
This restaurant has become very popular, but I do think it lives up to the hype – the green sauce really is fantastic. They don’t take reservations, so the line can get long, but if you go early or outside peak hours, it’s a great restaurant.
18. Les Saveurs de l’Orient
Les Saveurs de l’Orient is a cozy spot tucked inside the charming Passage des Panoramas, one of Paris’s historic covered arcades. The menu centers on Moroccan and North African dishes like couscous, tagine, shawarma, and skewers – all full of warm spices and slow-cooked flavor.
It’s a perfect place to stop when you’re craving something a little different from classic French fare.
