The 20 Best Restaurants in Paris

Au Pied de Cochon is a legendary Parisian brasserie specializing in traditional French cuisine, particularly pork dishes, with an elegant multi-floor interior and attentive service. Must-tries include the French onion soup (consistently praised as exceptional), andouillette DUVAL, escargot, steaks, and profiteroles. Fair warning: the andouillette is aggressively salty and an acquired taste—not for everyone.

Le Train Bleu is a legendary Belle Époque restaurant inside Gare de Lyon, famous for its palatial dining room with gold decor, painted ceilings, and chandeliers that feel like stepping into another era. The atmosphere and service are consistently praised as exceptional, making it ideal for special occasions. Be aware that portion sizes are small relative to the high price point, and the restaurant lacks air conditioning, which can be uncomfortable in warm weather.

A classic Alsatian brasserie near Bastille Opera with Belle Époque décor and a warm, buzzing atmosphere. Order the Choucroute Bofinger, roasted duck, foie gras, or oysters—the rum baba and profiteroles are excellent too. Expect high Parisian prices (around €110 for two with wine) and occasionally stiff service, though most reviewers praise the staff.

Le Procope is Paris's oldest café-restaurant (since 1686), housed in a historic space where Napoleon, Voltaire, and Benjamin Franklin once dined. The classic French dishes—braised beef cheek, Coq au Vin, escargot, sole meunière—are generally excellent, though execution can be uneven and some dishes may underwhelm relative to high expectations. Service quality varies, and it's genuinely touristy, so manage expectations accordingly.

Authentic French bistro in the Latin Quarter serving classic dishes like duck confit, French onion soup, and rooster in red wine with impeccable, warm service. The food is carefully prepared at reasonable prices and the staff handles the busy room well. Book ahead—it's small and popular, so walk-ins may face a wait.

Alain Ducasse's lovingly restored Lyonnais bouchon is one of the most beautiful bistro rooms in Paris, with original Belle Époque décor and a menu of classic Lyonnais dishes executed with precision. The quenelle de brochet and tête de veau are benchmarks of the genre. It's more formal than a true bouchon but the cooking justifies the slight premium.

A cavernous 1896 workers' canteen serving classic French dishes at almost comically low prices under a landmark Belle Époque ceiling. A friend sends you for the spectacle and the value, not gourmet precision. No reservations, expect a queue and a shared table, and food is simple. Still, a genuine Paris experience.

Gregory Marchand's flagship restaurant on Rue du Nil helped define the Paris neo-bistro movement and remains a benchmark for Anglo-French cooking with serious technique. The short, focused menu changes regularly and leans on excellent produce from nearby suppliers on the same street. It's small and perpetually booked, but the adjacent Frenchie Bar à Vins offers walk-in snacks and natural wines.

A beloved Parisian bistro serving classic French cuisine at remarkably reasonable prices—think caramelized pork, escargot, and truffle dishes that reviewers rave about. The starters and desserts (especially crème brûlée) are standouts, though some find mains less impressive. It gets genuinely busy and loud with tables packed tightly together, so arrive early or book ahead.

A storied French bistro in Saint Germain claiming to be Paris's oldest continuously operating restaurant, with classic dishes like Dover sole, duck with foie gras, and veal executed with real skill. The service is warm and genuinely attentive even to non-French speakers. One real note: tables are packed very close together, which some find charming and others find cramped.

Kuma is a tiny Japanese curry specialist in the Marais with just 8 seats, serving deeply flavorful, authentic curry rice that reviewers consistently praise as the best in Paris. The food comes fast and the service is friendly, but expect a wait outside since the restaurant fills up quickly—go solo or with one other person, and consider takeout if you're in a group.

A cozy, intimate French bistro in the Marais serving refined traditional cuisine with modern touches. Order the duck confit, escargot, or tartare—reviewers consistently rave about these dishes and the attentive, knowledgeable staff. The small, home-like dining room fills up regularly, so expect a wait or book ahead.

A tiny, intimate steakhouse in Montmartre with genuine French hospitality and impeccable execution—order the steak for two, foie gras, or French onion soup, followed by crème brûlée. The one real caveat: you must email ahead to reserve a table, ideally two weeks in advance, as this 46-seat gem fills up quickly.

A beloved traditional French bistro in the Marais serving classic dishes like beef bourguignon and French onion soup with consistently excellent service. The food is rich and deeply flavored—reviewers rave about the beef stew, onion soup, and crème brûlée—and staff go out of their way to welcome walk-ins even when busy. One note: the onion soup, while generally praised, occasionally underwhelms compared to other dishes.

A cheerful Provençal bistro tucked on a quiet Marais corner, famous for its bottomless help-yourself chocolate mousse and a wall of 80-plus pastis. A friend sends you here for a fun, generous, well-priced meal in a pretty setting, not haute cuisine. It's popular and tables are tight, so book.

A tiny, counter-only restaurant run by Japanese chef Katsuaki Okiyama, serving a short, brilliant lunch menu that represents exceptional value for the quality on offer. Dinner is more elaborate and equally impressive. The space seats barely a dozen people, so reservations are essential and the atmosphere is intimate to the point of communal.

A beloved small-plates wine bar and restaurant that punches well above its price point, Au Passage draws a loyal local crowd with its rotating chalkboard menu of shareable dishes and outstanding natural wine selection. The vibe is convivial and unpretentious — sit at the bar or squeeze into a table and let the staff guide you. It can get very loud and the space is tight, but that's part of the charm.

A storied haute cuisine restaurant in the Palais Royal gardens with classical ambiance and impeccable food and service. Chef Guy Martin leads the kitchen with refined dishes that justify the premium pricing, though some sides like a €14 green salad may feel overpriced. Tables are quite close together for a fine dining establishment, so expect an intimate rather than spacious setting.

A bustling brasserie in the 10th arrondissement with classic French cooking, beautiful Belle Époque interiors, and a lively bar counter where you can watch the kitchen work. The French onion soup, steak, and crème brûlée are standouts, and the staff is genuinely welcoming. Book ahead—it fills up quickly, especially evenings, and walk-ins may face long waits.

A classic old-school French bistro in central Paris serving impeccable traditional dishes like sole meunière, pâvé du mail filet with mustard sauce, and mille-feuille in a charming, tightly-packed dining room. The service is attentive and the cooking is top-notch, but note that they don't accept online reservations—you'll need to call or visit in person to book.