Buttes Snack Bar

Hard to spot from the street, this wine bar takes up the former Café Capitale Belleville space with a rugged, concrete-heavy aesthetic that feels distinct from the typical 19th arrondissement café. The room is tight and centers entirely on an open kitchen, creating a setup where you are practically eating inside the prep station. It is not a venue for a quiet, private conversation – the music plays loud, the room gets crowded, and the energy stays high as plates move quickly across the counter. Founded by a trio with backgrounds at Bambino, Jones, and Double Dragon, the kitchen produces a rotating lineup of small plates that outpaces the casual "Snack Bar" name. Chef Clément Vezat’s menu relies on sharing, with dishes that might include mussels in harissa, herring with pickles, or gochujang chicken wings, all plated on retro Limoges porcelain. The wine program is the other half of the equation, offering a deep selection of natural bottles from regions like Alsace and the Czech Republic. The format is strictly *cave à manger*, meaning the wine list holds as much weight as the food. Reservations are often managed informally via Instagram, and once seated, the standard move is to order six or seven plates for the table and stay for the night.