The oldest restaurant in Paris serving traditional French cuisine. The beauty is in the ambiance, building, and historic artifacts (Napoleon, Ben Franklin, and more). Can attract a tourist crowd.
Creative cantine where fermented potato flatbread and Vietnamese-style stuffed cabbage anchor a weekly menu of small plates. The all-day spot moves from morning coffee to an evening service of shared plates and natural wines.
Stylish Marais coffee shop serving all-day brunch plates like Turkish eggs and black avocado toast. The homemade pastries are the real draw – expect a weekend queue for the cinnamon rolls and Basque cheesecake.
Cozy neighborhood bistro serving seasonal French dishes in a small, book-lined room. The pavé de boeuf is a staple, but the "pour les indécis" sampler lets tables share multiple desserts.
Specialty roaster inside a protected 1920s building, where original Art Deco details meet a futuristic, glowing orange interior. Single-origin espresso and fresh pistachio babka are served at the satin-finish steel bar.
Functioning furniture showroom where the 1950s-inspired interior is completely redesigned every six months. It doubles as a specialty coffee shop, pouring Coutume beans and serving pastries near Canal Saint-Martin.
Cozy, old-fashioned bistro serving generous plates of market-based French classics. The two intimate dining rooms fill up quickly – book ahead for a table.
Stylish brasserie on Boulevard Raspail with a chic Art Deco dining room and sidewalk terrace. The menu reworks French classics – the chef’s œufs en meurette is a world champion.
Postage-stamp-sized oyster bar with whitewashed walls and a singular focus on Marennes-Oléron oysters. The menu is strictly shellfish, bread, and wine; the handful of tables are first-come, first-served.
Bustling Latin Quarter bistro serving generous plates of traditional French cooking – think 7-hour lamb and duck confit. The small, intimate room is always packed and noisy with a mostly local crowd.
Old-school Parisian bistro occupying a medieval house with a bright mosaic facade. A classic zinc bar anchors the 1930s interior, where blackboard menus list seasonal French staples like steak frites and escargots.
Eclectic neighborhood canteen filled with thrifted sofas and mismatched school chairs. It’s a quiet workspace by day before the lights dim for cheap beer, charcuterie, and live jazz.
