Places to Eat

At the end of a short slopy dead end, so close to the Place du Tertre, the beating earth of the touristy Montmartre, you’ll find this peacefull bar-restaurant with a nice terrace. They serve good cocktails (5,50 euros for one during the Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.), and nice plates of food, with a smile on top! (You always have to tick this one in France, because it’s not all the time in the menu!).

19 euros for appetizer and main dish or main dish and dessert. 24 euros for a 3 course meal.

Last minute update: change of name and owners, don’t know yet about the prices and quality of food, service and opening times, but more quiet than most of the otther places around.

The dining-room of the restaurant, located at the 6th floor, offers one of the most beautiful and romantic view of Paris, looking over Notre-Dame. This place opened in 1582 and the King Henri the Third discovered the fork when he had dinner there. Frederic Delair, its owner under the Third Republic, created the famous “canard au sang” or “Canard Tour d’Argent”, and decided that each duck would bear a number. In 2003, a million ducks had been served! In the meantime, André Terrail bought the restaurant in 1910 and the 6th floor was built in 1936. In 1947, Claude Terrail took over from his dad at the head of the family business. Since 2006, André the grand-son is at the head ot the prestigious restaurant. Prices from 80 euros (lunch menu) to 230 euros (“A la carte”). One star in the Michelin guide since 2006.

In a house surrounded by verdure, you take a seat in a Second Empire setting. The reception room at the ground floor has a nice view over the garden. The proper restaurant room is on the first floor and look at the back of the Petit Palais. Capacity around 40 persons. Some “salons” are also available.

The staff is really kind and not uptight. Chef: Christian Le Squer, creative food, three stars in the Michelin guide. Lunchtime menu at 89 euros (without wine); evening “à la carte” from 105 to 240 euros. Reservations about ten days in advance. Open from monday evening to friday evening. Closed on week-ends and Bank holidays, and 3 weeks in August.

Tel: 01.53.05.10.00 (or 01)

CLOSED FOR RENOVATION ALONG WITH THE HOTEL UNTIL THE END OF 2015.

This beautiful place is the restaurant of the Crillon Hotel. The creative food of the Chef Christophe Hache has been rewarded by a second star in the Michelin guide in 2011. The setting, which is the former ballroom of the Crillon dukes, is exceptional, and the service, discret and smooth.

From tuesday to friday, the lunch menu costs 88 euros, without drinks.

“A la carte”, around 250 euros drinks included. A brunch is served on sunday.

The chef, Frederic Anton, gained his third macaroon in the red guide in 2007. The place, built during the Belle Epoque time, has got splendid settings, with center lights, columns, marble fireplace, and French windows opening onto a terrace in flower. Going through the Bois de Boulogne can sometimes reserve a few surprises, but it’s worth the trip. By day as well as by night, it’s very romantic. Beware: the goblet of Champagne Don Perignon costs 50 euros!

This establishment, renowned among other things for its “opening roof”, was created by René Lasserre. The dining room at the first floor (elevator) is conceived in a Belle Epoque style, warm and flowery. A double room at the ground floor welcome groups only, from 8 until 55 persons. The chef, Jean-Louis Nomicos, offers a great traditional food rewarded by two stars in the Michelin guide.

This restaurant is mentioned numerous times in his books by the famous french writer Frédéric Dard, who was himself a faithful customer!

Prices from 75 (lunch time menu) to 185 euros (gastronomic menu. Except drinks). For lunchtime, open only on thursday and friday from 12.00 to 14.00 a.m., and for dinner from monday to saturday from 7.00 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

This peaceful ans secret place, in the shade of the trees and the walls of the old Les Récollets convent, is hiden a few steps from the busy and noisy Gare de l’Est. The beautiful building is now housing the Maison de l’Architecture and an international center for foreign researchers and artists. Therefore, the café is sometimes closed for special events linked with thoses activities.Last minute update: the name has changed as well as the owners, but the place is always worth it! You can have …

Even though the tables and chairs could easily and with no regret be changed for something looking less cheap, the place is great! The view over the roofs of Paris is superb, and you can rest after shopping in the Printemps Department Store (or in the other muiltiple shops of the area), in front of a drink or an affordable but good canteen type meal (self-service)!

Open from monday to saturday from 9.35 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

It’s also better to know in advance that the toilets are at the fourth floor!

At the end of a short slopy dead end, so close to the Place du Tertre, the beating earth of the touristy Montmartre, you’ll find this peacefull bar-restaurant with a nice terrace. They serve good cocktails (5,50 euros for one during the Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.), and nice plates of food, with a smile on top! (You always have to tick this one in France, because it’s not all the time in the menu!).19 euros for appetizer and main dish or main dish and dessert. 24 euros for a 3 course …

This place is a Salon-de-Thé-Restaurant, meaning that you can go in the afternoon just for a mint tea and delicious arabic sweet pastries, or for a proper North African meal (couscous, tagine…). In that case, you’ll have to be patient, because it can be quite full, and the service quite slow…The inside is decorated with a tipically oriental warm and cosy taste, and the terrace is fresh and shady for the summer days (and heated in the colder days!).Restaurant open from 12.00 a.m. to 2.00 …

Just next to the busy Place de la Bastille, protected from the noise and the site of the cars, here is the Port de l’Arsenal, a yaching harbour, and the Café-restaurant with a pleasant view over it, Le Grand Bleu. The inside room has been recently renewed, and two terraces (the restaurant and the bar-café one) are waiting for you! You can have a lunch “formule” (appetizer and main dish, or main dish and dessert) for 14,50 euros, from monday to friday; and a glass of wine from …

This restaurant has a very pleasant terrace in the Palais Royal gardens, away from the noise of the city.

The salon-de-thé is available from 12 a.m. to 17.30 p.m. for a coffea, a cup of tea or other refreshment, and the restaurant prices are: appetizer from 12 euros; main meat or fish dish around 30 euros; and dessert around 10 euros.

A while ago (in 1880), the Empress Eugenie was really taken by this house, designed by a Swiss architect, so Napoleon III bought it for her, had it dismantled and moved where it stands now, in the middle of the Bois de Boulogne inferior lake. Today, three peaceful terraces are available, but it’s not possible to make a reservation. From the Metro station Porte Dauphine, you’ll have a nice walk through a part of the park, before taking the 1 minute engine boat thansfer! The building has been …

This “café” or cafeteria is sharing the esplanade between the monumental columns with the Tokyo Eat, the restaurant of the Palais de Tokyo (space dedicated to the “avant-garde” art).

It’s cheaper, simple but good, with a “plat du jour” (dish of the day) at 9,90 euros, and a coffea at 2,10 euros. You’ll enjoy the sun and a (little) view on the Seine and the Eiffeil Tower, after your visit of the Musée d’Art Moderne and a look in the book shop of the Museum.

This establishment, renowned among other things for its “opening roof”, was created by René Lasserre. The dining room at the first floor (elevator) is conceived in a Belle Epoque style, warm and flowery. A double room at the ground floor welcome groups only, from 8 until 55 persons. The chef, Jean-Louis Nomicos, offers a great traditional food rewarded by two stars in the Michelin guide.This restaurant is mentioned numerous times in his books by the famous french writer Frédéric Dard, who …

This perfect restaurant is located in the heart of the district of Saint Germain des Prés, a few steps from the Seine.. There is a really cosy atmosphere in this historic XVIIth century building, with exposed beams, Flemish paintings, candles and warm red carpet.Lunchtime menu:45 euros. Menu “Gourmet”: 100 euros. “A la carte”: from 120 euros (without drinks).Open every day but only in the evening on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. One star in the Michelin. Annual closure from 29/07 to 24/08 and …

Different rooms, called “salons”(lounge), are available. One of them is showing an impressive collection of figurines from the artist Robj, and you have an unrestricted outlook over the kitchen through a picture window.In the “salon Lalique”, you can admire drawings and wall lamps from the artist, as well as Gallé vases, in an “Arts Deco” atmosphere, under a great glass roof built in 1900.The speciality of the house is the truffle. You can taste a unique “truffle sandwich”, unless you prefer …

CLOSED FOR RENOVATION ALONG WITH THE HOTEL UNTIL THE END OF 2015.This beautiful place is the restaurant of the Crillon Hotel. The creative food of the Chef Christophe Hache has been rewarded by a second star in the Michelin guide in 2011. The setting, which is the former ballroom of the Crillon dukes, is exceptional, and the service, discret and smooth.From tuesday to friday, the lunch menu costs 88 euros, without drinks.”A la carte”, around 250 euros drinks included. A brunch is served on …

In a house surrounded by verdure, you take a seat in a Second Empire setting. The reception room at the ground floor has a nice view over the garden. The proper restaurant room is on the first floor and look at the back of the Petit Palais. Capacity around 40 persons. Some “salons” are also available.The staff is really kind and not uptight. Chef: Christian Le Squer, creative food, three stars in the Michelin guide. Lunchtime menu at 89 euros (without wine); evening “à la carte” from 105 to …

The famous and luxurious hotel Le Bristol has two gastronomic restaurants, L’Epicure and Le Jardin Français, both supervised by the Chef Eric Fréchon, who was rewarded with a third macaroon in the Michelin Guide in March 2009.

In the nice season, the outdoor tables are very enjoyable.

Open every day. Prices from 90 euros for a lunch time menu to 200 euros “à la carte”, except drinks.

Tel: 01.53.43.43.40

The chef, Frederic Anton, gained his third macaroon in the red guide in 2007. The place, built during the Belle Epoque time, has got splendid settings, with center lights, columns, marble fireplace, and French windows opening onto a terrace in flower. Going through the Bois de Boulogne can sometimes reserve a few surprises, but it’s worth the trip. By day as well as by night, it’s very romantic. Beware: the goblet of Champagne Don Perignon costs 50 euros!

Located under the arcades of the magnificent Place des Vosges, this restaurant is a classic, for the setting, but also for the menu. You need to make your reservation 2 months in advance. The chefs, Bernard et Mathieu Pacaud, have won three stars in the Michelin. An idea of the prices: starter 30 euros, main dish 110 euros, dessert 40 euros. Just add a bit of wine and you get a memorable experience! Save three hours for a romantic dinner and why not trying the lobster with rosmarin and the …

The dining-room of the restaurant, located at the 6th floor, offers one of the most beautiful and romantic view of Paris, looking over Notre-Dame. This place opened in 1582 and the King Henri the Third discovered the fork when he had dinner there. Frederic Delair, its owner under the Third Republic, created the famous “canard au sang” or “Canard Tour d’Argent”, and decided that each duck would bear a number. In 2003, a million ducks had been served! In the meantime, André Terrail bought the …

Appart from the fresh baguette with butter and jam spread on it, the king of the french breakfast in the croissant, which can be found plain, or cooked with butter (croissant au beurre). You can dip it in your coffee, your hot chocolate, or cut it in half and put butter and jam on it. Delicious!

The pain au chocolat is the favorite of the kids after school, and of all the gourmets!

But it’s also eaten for breakfast (sunday treat!), or any time in the day!

This large flat pastry contains cream and raisins. You won’t be hungry any more after this delight!

This one is more an more popular. It’s got the same pastry and cream as the pain aux raisins, but with chocolate nuggets instead of raisins, and a different shape.

The brioche is a classic! With its typical shape, like a little character, it has a specific taste as well, and is one of the less calorific one. You can choose between the plain one and the one with chunks of crunchy sugar on top!

The palmier (“palm tree”) is large, flat and crunchy. You can also buy it from the supermarkets, in boxes of 12, but smaller and industrially made of course.

Sweet, fruty, melting with a few crunchy sugar bits on top, hum, delicious!

In most of french bakeries, you’ll find those little and aerian chouquettes, made from a “pâte à chou” just sweetened with sugar crunchy bits. Delicious at tea time too!

Here too, the decor is impressive, with its 41 paintings on the walls and ceilings! It was on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of 1900 that the PLM train company built that place. It was inaugurated in 1901. In 1972, Malraux saved it from destruction by getting it added to the National Register of Historical Monuments.”A la carte”: Starters from 23 euros (foie gras, snails, etc), main dishes from 27 euros and desserts from 16 euros. Or different menus from 60 to 102 euros.The service …

In 1865, M. and Mrs Mollard arrived from the region of Savoie with their horse and cart in this excentered area, and they opened a bistrot. Twenty years later, they made enough money to built the chic and classy establishment which is going to have a great success until today, apart from the 14-18 war period.The architect, E. Niermans, was also the  designer of the Moulin Rouge cabaret, the hotel Negresco in Nice and the Hotel de Paris in Monte-Carlo. On the walls, you can admire great italian …

In 1864, the Alsacian Bofinger was the first one in Paris to serve the draught beers. In 1919 he was able to open the Bofinger brasserie, with its magnificient glass dome.Today, the specialities of the Chef Georges Belondrade are still, of course, the meat or seafood sauerkraut (choucroute), but also other french dishes like onion soup, snails, etc…It’s worhth going for the beautiful surrounding, but the service and food are average. My choucroute had the smallest sausage I’d ever seen and …

This typical parisian “Bouillon”, open since 1896 and listed in the Historical Monuments since 1989, offers a really noisy atmosphere. Since there is no reservation possible, you might have to queue and wait for a table. But don’t worry, the army of waiters will quickly remind the lasy customers to clear the table when the plate is empty!The food (egg mayonnaise, saucisson, andouillette, and all sorts of typical french dishes) is good and cheap, between 15 and 30 euros for a complete meal …

After the war, Clément, one of the Blanc brothers, bought this place (in the heart of the Halles, the biggest market of Paris) destined to be a butcher shop, and turned it into a brasserie. His sister, the famous Madame Ott, took good care of the restaurant for quite a long time.You can order the classic onion soup, and a seafood platter, but, as French say:”Dans le cochon, tout est bon!” (meaning “Everything is good in the pig!”), you can also choose the renowned pig’s feet or any other pig’s …

Opened by the Auvergnat Léonard Lipp in 1880, the brasserie was first called “Les Bords du Rhin”. Later, it became the meeting point for politicians (Malraux) and writers (Emingway, Camus). Still today, you can see there a lot of artists and journalists.It’s listed in the Historical Monuments for its wooden front, painted ceilings by Charly Garrey and ceramics walls by Léon Fargues.A meal will cost you between 50 and 90 euros, and you’ll have the choice between sauerkraut and seafood of …

In 1932, Robert Jenny brought his know-how and regional specialities to the Parisians.

Today, this brasserie continues the grand tradition of Alsace’s culture and generous gastronomy. The chef honours the sauerkraut in all its forms and offers a wide range of seafood in a warm and cosy atmosphere.

Open every day until 01.00 A.M.

Built in 1927 by architects Barillet and Le Bouc, La Coupole was a privileged witness of the parisian “Années Folles”. Today, it’s a part of the Flo Brasseries Group, including Bofinger.

French food with speciality of fresh seafood.

Menus fro 29,90 euros (week menu) to 59 euros.

Open every day from 12.00 P.M. until 1.00 A.M. (Friday and saturday until 1.30 A.M.)

Breakfast served from 8.30 A.M. until 10.30 A.M.

It doesn’t look like a typical brasserie, but more like a classic restaurant. It was in fact the first “Café” of Paris, founded in 1686 by the Italian Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli. Characters of the French Revolution like Danton and Robespierre met here.  However, the place, decorated with portraits and fleur-de-lis (the royal emblem) is really nice and the food very good.Sea food platters from 29,90 euros. Snails, foie gras, pâté en croûte, onion soup, etc.Kids menu: 11 euros.Open from …

Five minutes from the Champs-Elysées, and listed for more than 20 years in the Historical Monuments Inventory, it offers one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau decor of the capital, and a good french food.The problem is that they are snobbish, and acted as if they were a gastronomic restaurant (which they’re not, they just have the chance to work in a beautiful place), where all the others brasseries welcomed me very naturally and kindly! Well, I’m not going back, so you’ll have to find out by …