Classic French Restaurants
It is surprisingly hard to find good classic French restaurants in Paris these days. I know you think you’d step off the plane and into a mecca of fabulous traditional bistros left and right. There are lots of bistros, lots of cafes, and lots of restaurants. It’s just that most of them are a far cry from fabulous.
In fact, your average café, atmospheric as it may be, will likely be serving some sad, sorry food that will make you question what all the fuss is about. Which means that the place you choose is important.
Eating traditional French food in Paris is an absolute must for at least one of your meals. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re after the atmosphere, a budget friendly option, or a higher end experience that will linger in your memory for years to come.
So here’s your ultimate list of classic French bistros in Paris.
For Classic French Dishes of Beef Bourgignon & Duck Confit: Josephine Chez Dumonet
This is an old world bistro from the Belle Epoque. Think white tablecloths and waiters with black ties. Yes, it can feel a bit on the fancier side, but the place probably hasn’t changed in a hundred years.
The Beef Bourguignon is out of this world. It’s my personal favorite in the city and the best I’ve found so far (and the half portion is plenty). I took a friend here, and she now says this is what she wants for her last meal. Before death. So. I think that says something?
The duck leg confit is done perfectly – crisp on the outside and falling apart on the inside, served with potatoes fried in duck fat. Ah, la France. David Lebovitz calls their duck confit the best version in Paris, and I don’t think I’ve found a better version of it, either. (Killin’ it, Mr. Dumonet)
If a Grand Marnier soufflé sounds like your kind of dessert, then you’re in luck because it’s one of their specialties. Just know that you have to order it at the beginning of the meal.
Josephine Chez Dumonet is very well known amongst travelers, so there might be a lot of anglophones in there, which I know can throw off the fun of being in a French restaurant. That being said, the waiters will definitely speak English if you don’t parle the français.
You can find a more in depth post about Josephine Chez Dumonet here.
Address: 117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris, France
Hours: Mon-Fri 12:30-2:30PM, 7:30-10:30PM; Closed Sat/Sun
Phone: +33 1 45 48 52 40
Classic French Steak au Poivre, Sole Meunière, and more: Bistrot Paul Bert
Steak au Poivre
Three words. Steak au poivre.
The steak au poivre at Bistrot Paul Bert is a thick filet that comes beautifully seared and covered in a creamy sauce au poivre made from heavy cream, butter, cognac, and peppercorns. Enough sauce for you to dip that pile of crispy frites in. And to lick off the plate at the end, should you feel so inclined. This is a time-honoured French tradition. (Not really, please don’t do that. Use the fries.)
The steak is not a part of the standard 3 course “formule”. It stands alone on a separate little chalk board (take a look around the room like a mini scavenger hunt, and you’ll find it) with a price of 36€ or so.
That sign also says in French that the steak is “served blue, rare, or badly cooked”, meaning you could maybe get away with medium rare but they won’t go beyond that.
They say they don’t want to kill the animal twice, so if you like your steak medium or beyond, then perhaps go for the sole meunière instead.
But listen – If you have multiple people at the table, don’t order 4 steaks. Order a variety. There is much to savor.
Sole meunière
Sole meunière is a classic French dish well worth trying, and it’s actually the dish that made Julia Child fall head over heels for French cooking. A whole sole is cooked in a sauce of brown butter, lemon, and parsley, served piping hot. They make an excellent version here, so the steak au poivre and sole meunière are my top two suggested main dishes.
Service
The service is French here, which means you may have to perform miraculous feats to make eye contact with your server, who forgot you existed. Go in with minimal expectations for service and be pleasantly surprised by a lengthy French dinner. That’s what you’re here for, right?
I’ve always had good service, but I’ve had a couple different people report poor experiences. I find it to be the classic atmosphere one goes searching for – bustling and energetic (if you reserve for 8pm or later), with a certain merriment in the air.
Address: 18 rue Paul Bert, 75011
Hours: Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch & dinner (Closed Sun Mon)
Phone: 01 43 72 24 01
Website: Oh you thought they had a website? Pahaha. They *kind of* have a Facebook, with no photo for the profile pic.
How to make a reservation at Bistrot Paul Bert? They only answer the phone during a short window each day, and with time zones, that usually means one short window.
We have a reservation service. Email info@parisfoodaffair.com with “Restaurant Reservation” in the subject line, and I’ll send you more info.
Café des Musées
This traditional bistro in the Marais has existed since 1924. Their beef Bourguignon, slow cooked for 5 hours, was voted by Le Figaro as the best Beef Bourguignon in Paris. Café des Musées is laid back with a nice, old, charming Frenchified ambiance about it, making it a great choice when you’re in search of a bistro meal.
The “a la carte” printed menu has items like mushrooms stuffed with escargots and their highly praised Beef Bourguignon. You could also go with one of the lunch or dinner “formules” from a chalkboard menu of dishes that changes daily according to what’s in season.
One night, I sat at the bar overlooking the open kitchen, and all the dishes from the daily menu looked fantastic. On separate occasions, I’ve had both the beef Bourguignon and a lighter dish of roasted cod with vegetables, which was perfectly cooked. This is an easy go-to for a mix of classic French options and fresher, lighter French market cooking.
Address: 49 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France
Hours:
| Mon-Fri | 12–10:30PM |
| Saturday | 10AM–11PM |
| Sunday | 10AM–11PM |
Reservations: lecafedesmusees.fr, lafourchette.com
Phone: +33 1 42 72 96 17
Chez Janou
This cute Provençal restaurant is the kind of place where you won’t walk away raving about the best food you’ve ever eaten, but its charming, super French atmosphere will stay with you long after you’ve forgotten what you ordered.
Chez Janou focuses on specialties from Provence in Southern France. When you walk in facing the bar, you’ll see a massive selection of pastis, a popular anise-flavored drink in the south of France (not my personal favorite, but if you like licorice, knock yourself out). This is your chance to try frogs’ legs. Honestly, it does taste like chicken.
I highly suggest ordering the chocolate mousse for dessert, which will come in a ridiculously large serve-yourself bowl that you’ll be tempted to take with you out the door and home with you forever.
Address: 2 Rue Roger Verlomme, 75003 Paris, France
Hours:
| Mon-Fri | 12–3PM, 7PM–12AM |
| Sat/Sun | 12PM–12AM |
Phone: +33 1 42 72 28 41
Les Philosophes
Les Philosophes is the kind of place you want to beeline to for your first lunch in Paris. There’s something about its terrace spilling out into the Marais and its classic French options on the menu that give you the “I’m in Paris” feel that you crave upon landing.
I’m talking French onion soup, escargots, duck leg confit, Beef Bourguignon, and classic desserts.
Or for light-ish lunch, a salad covered in cured ham or duck gizzards can just hit the spot with a glass of rosé in the summer.
I suppose it also helps that the servers are dressed in the way you hope that French servers still dress – black pants, long sleeve white shirt, a tie, and a black server’s apron. To me, it’s iconic. Service can be hit or miss, so temper your expectations, but it’s a great lunch spot.
Address: 28 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris, France
Hours: Mon-Sun 9AM-2AM
Phone: +33 1 48 87 49 64
Chez Georges (rue de Mail)
Are these the worst photos on earth because the lighting is dim and romantic? Yes. Let us continue.
I first came to Chez Georges because it’s one of the classic institutions, yes, but primarily because it was frequented by the late great Julia Child. It checks the boxes for what you hope to find – a restaurant worn with age that was likely last updated when it opened for business. It has that charming look of a bygone era.
The tables are so close together that they have to pull out the table so that you can get in, and you will be rubbing elbows with your neighbors. At night it’s dimly lit, as if by candlelight. You can find all the classics here – foie gras, escargots, bone marrow, steak au poivre.
You can’t go wrong with their salad of frisée aux lardons as a starter – The bitterness of the lettuce pairs perfectly with the rich saltiness of the bacon and egg and the tangy bright acidity of the dressing. I’m also pretty sure they pour some bacon fat over it?
For dessert, you can find a classic millefeuille pastry, a divine tarte tartin, or a set of profiteroles that will make your eyes roll.
Dinner with wine will probably be 80-100€ per person. The first course is around 15€, main dishes are between 26-48€ each, and desserts are around 12€. They have a beautiful and pricey wine list, but they also have several reasonable house wines.
There’s more than one Chez Georges in Paris, so just make sure to reserve at the right one. Here, there is no tilt towards acknowledging that time has advanced beyond its glory days, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you want.
Address: 1 Rue du Mail, 75002 Paris
| Hours:Monday-Friday | 12–2:30PM, 7–11PM |
| Closed Sat/Sun |
Reservations (lunch only online): lafourchette.com
Phone: 01 42 60 07 11
Au Pied de Cochon
An institution. Au Pied de Cochon is located in the area of Paris referred to as Les Halles, which was the name of the main market where all of Paris used to buy their produce, meat, fish, dairy and other goods.
The farmers and workers labored in the middle of the night to set up for the market, and so this restaurant was one of the few places that stayed open 24 hours to serve the working crowd in the wee of the night.
To this day, they stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round – an absolute rarity in Paris. They have excellent French onion soup, alongside other classics on the menu. If you’re feeling brave, order the pied de cochon, which is 100% a deep fried pig’s hoof served on your plate, which I kind of love. Hat tilt to the French and their love for all parts of the animal.
Address: 6 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris, France
Hours: Open Daily, 24 hours
Reservations: pieddecochon.com, lafourchette.com
Phone: +33 1 40 13 77 00
Powered by GetYourGuideRobert et Louise
This makes for an ideal dinner if you’re in Paris in the fall or winter. It can be good any time of year, but it’s particularly good in the colder months because they specialize in wood-grilled meats. The interior is dark and cozy, like an old rustic 100 year old cabin of sorts, and it just has a certain charm about it.
If you want something light for lunch, you can get a starter and a mushroom omelet with salad. Otherwise, definitely go for the meat options, since that’s their specialty. Look for the red checkered window curtains in this tiny spot off a popular street in the Marais.
Address: 64 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris 3e arrondissement, France
Hours:
| Mon-Fri | 6:45–11PM |
| Saturday | 12–3:30PM, 6:45–11PM |
| Sunday | 12–11PM |
Phone: +33 1 42 78 55 89
Menu: robertetlouise.com
Benoit
If your version of a French bistro is more high-end and high-class (and you’re willing to pay for it), then Benoit can really be the definitive Paris bistro experience. Alain Ducasse now operates the bistro, and they make beautiful food from the best produce.
You won’t necessarily find classic French dishes like Beef Bourguignon, but you’ll find classic French cooking techniques applied to whatever produce is freshest at the moment, which is the essence of French cooking philosophy.
They have a unique specialty, tiger veal from Corsica, which is a Corsican breed of cattle whose hide resembles that of a tiger’s. It’s tender and divine, served with a savory jus and bright tender vegetables. And don’t get me started on the cheese board.
Whether for lunch or dinner, Benoit will most certainly give you the French bistro fix you’re looking for, and could very well be the place you return to on every visit.
Address: 20 Rue Saint-Martin, 75001 Paris, France
Hours:
| Mon-Thurs | 12–2PM, 7:30–10PM |
| Fri/Sat/Sun | 12–2PM, 7–10PM |
Phone: +33 1 58 00 22 05
Chez Allard
Like Benoit, Chez Allard is run by Alain Ducasse, and it’s a small and romantic little restaurant with wooden tables. They are famous for their roasted duck with olives (for 2), and they also have the great classic, sole meunière, on the menu, alongside other classics.
It’s on the pricey side, but if that doesn’t concern you, then Chez Allard will be memorable for all three things that make a beautiful dining experience: food, atmosphere, and service.
Address: 41 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006 Paris, France
Hours:
| Mon-Sun | 12–2PM, 7–10PM |
Phone: +33 1 58 00 23 42
Le Comptoir du Relais
Le Comptoir is my go-to bistro spot when I’m in the mood for a good lunch. I love sitting outside and staring at the perfectly Parisian buildings around Odeon. Their classic bistro food is well prepared and super fresh.
Note: They are open daily, but weeknight dinners (Mon-Fri nights) are a set gastronomic menu, and tables are reserved primarily for the attached hotel guests.
Otherwise, it’s a great last minute option if you don’t have your meals all planned out ahead of time because they don’t accept reservations at lunch or for Sat/Sun night dinners.
I recommend getting anything that has been slow roasted (like their beef cheek with vegetables) for fall-apart tender meat.
This is also where I go to get my vegetable fix when I need something healthy because they have a few menu items focused entirely on impeccably fresh and bright seasonable vegetables.
Address: 9 Carrefour de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris, France
Hours: Daily 12-11pm
Les Cocottes
The nice thing about Les Cocottes? You don’t have to make a reservation (because they don’t accept them), and they are open every day of the week. Most other restaurants are closed two days a week. It’s nice to know you can always have a standby option for lunch or dinner.
A “cocotte” is a dutch oven, and almost everything here is served in an individual mini dutch oven. Think slow cooked beef with carrots and potatoes or a filet of cod with fresh spring vegetables.
You won’t find classic French dishes here, per se, but you’ll find classic French bistro cooking. The potatoes stuffed with pied de cochon (pork) are mouth watering.
For dessert, I recommend the chocolate tart, and weirdly enough, the waffle with whipped cream and salted caramel. Clearly it’s all about the salted caramel. With this dessert, and in life.
The staff all speak English and are really friendly. Get there on the early side if you don’t want to wait for a table.
Address: 135 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris, France
Hours: Daily, 12-11pm
Phone: +33 1 45 50 10 28
Classic French Bistros in Paris
Welp. I think that does it. Though I’m not saying this is the list of every last classic French restaurant in Paris, I AM saying that I think this is a pretty reliable list you can use to narrow down your decision. Should you choose from one of these options, I think you’ll be pretty happy.
Everyone visiting Paris has to eat at a classic French restaurant at least once during their trip, so pick the one that sounds best to you, and slowly, deliberately, enjoy a lengthy meal steeped in years of French tradition. And butter.
Powered by GetYourGuide
Discover more from Paris Food Affair
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Looking for a couple of options for coq au vin in Paris. Do you have any recommendations. Thanks Rene