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Paris

The Best Paris Bistros

Looking for the best bistros in Paris? This is your ultimate insider's guide.

World of Mouth team | Nov 13, 2023

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

There's no restaurant category that captures the essence of eating in Paris better than the bistro. This relaxed, local, and quintessentially Parisian type of restaurant comes in both traditional and modernized versions. What defines a bistro in Paris is the casual, seasonal, and local connection on the menu, be it a rustic slice of country terrine, a bubbling hot, cheese-oozing French onion soup, or a contemporary dish of raw fish or seafood. The wine list is affordable and mostly French, often with a presence of smaller producers and natural wines.

Whether you're a local or a visitor, Paris has a wide range of great bistros in all categories that are sure to make your visit memorable. Our list includes both classic bistros like Bistrot Paul Bert and newer favorites like Brutos, but every one of these Paris bistros is worth a visit. All our picks in the article are based on recommendations from World of Mouth experts, including chef Bruno Verjus, food writer Wendy Lyn, and Sachin Obaid. Keep reading as we highlight the best Paris bistros to visit while in the city.

Bistrot Paul Bert

Bistrot Paul Bert is a Parisian bistrot known for its rustic classic dishes. This establishment is recognized for its traditional French cooking, with a small menu that frequently changes, offering dishes like peppered steak, eggs with black truffle shavings, and homemade frites. The ingredients are locally sourced, with fruits and vegetables grown on their Normandy farm, seafood from Brittany, and wines brought directly by the winegrowers, ensuring a fresh and authentic taste.

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Parcelles

Parcelles is a modern Parisian bistro known for its elevated comfort food, offering a well-thought-out menu and a strong wine selection. The bistro provides a relaxed atmosphere where food is prepared to make you smile from the inside. Notably, Parcelles also features a wine shop across the street, where customers can purchase more of their enjoyed wines after their meal.

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Le Bon Georges

Le Bon Georges is a classic Parisian bistro, renowned for its ever-changing menu that reflects the freshness and seasonality of ingredients. The restaurant provides a warm and relaxed atmosphere, complemented by a knowledgeable staff that can guide you through their extensive wine list and menu. Dishes such as the duck Pâté En Croûte, foie gras, and green asparagus with herb vinaigrette come highly recommended for a true taste of French cuisine.

Recommended by

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Le Baratin

Le Baratin is a traditional bistro serving authentic French cuisine, masterminded by Chef Raquel Carena. Known for its signature dishes such as cervelle and ris de veau, the restaurant offers a genuine, no-frills dining experience. Alongside its food, Le Baratin boasts an impressive selection of natural wines, with patrons often encouraged to make off-list choices for a delightful surprise.

Recommended by

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Bistrot Des Tournelles

Bistrot Des Tournelles brings an old-fashioned charm to the dining scene with its classic dishes and natural wines curated by Édouart Vermynck. The restaurant is known for its warm, nostalgic ambiance, complete with retro fittings like a marble bar, century-old mirrors, and art deco chandeliers. With a traditional a la carte menu featuring timeless favorites like eggs mayo, croque-monsieur Comté, and house-made grilled Andouillette, Bistrot Des Tournelles offers a comforting and familiar dining experience.

Recommended by

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BRUTOS

Brutos is a restaurant where meat-lovers can enjoy a variety of dishes, all grilled over an open flame. The menu boasts a selection of aged beef steaks, succulent whole chickens, and the legendary beef bone marrow, served with pureed potatoes. The restaurant also offers a range of starters, including hand-minced Adana lamb skewers and pasteis, a take on Brazilian street food, complemented by a carefully curated natural wine list.

Recommended by

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Recommended by

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Le Grand Bain

Le Grand Bain is a popular bistro, situated near the vibrant Canal Saint Martin. The restaurant offers a buzzing atmosphere with a menu full of delicious food, as noted by diners. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, between 7pm to 11:30pm, Le Grand Bain also offers a second service starting at 9:30 pm without the need for reservations.

Recommended by

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Bouillon Pigalle

Bouillon Pigalle is a large, always bustling restaurant known for its affordable, traditional French comfort food. Located near famous landmarks like the Moulin Rouge and Sacré Coeur, it offers a modern take on 19th-century Parisian dining, with a menu that features classic dishes from various regions of France. With 300 seats, including 100 on the balcony, this restaurant serves a wide array of dishes from noon to midnight, appealing to a diverse clientele of locals and tourists alike.

Recommended by

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L’Ami Jean

L’Ami Jean is a lively, rustic bistro run by Chef Stéphane Jego, who brings his personality to every dish. The food is the main attraction here, with options to order à la carte or opt for the tasting menu. Don't miss out on their signature dessert, the family-style rice pudding served with nougatine and caramel.

Recommended by

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View recommendation

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Recommended by

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Chez Georges

Chez Georges has been a staple in the culinary scene since 1964, offering generous portions of classic bistro fare. Their menu highlights include delectable dishes like rillettes, ratatouille, harengs à l’huile, salade de museau, turbot beurre blanc, riz de veau aux morilles, profiteroles and baba au rhum. Known as an ultimate Parisian institution, Chez Georges continues to serve its patrons with timeless recipes.

Recommended by

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Buvette Paris

Buvette Paris is a cozy bistro offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it a suitable spot for any meal or just a glass of wine. It is located near Pigalle and Montmartre, but situated on a quiet street, providing a respite from the usual tourist crowds. The bistro is part of a global chain with branches in New York, London, Tokyo, and Mexico City, and is known for its friendly service and soulful environment.

Recommended by

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Café les Deux Gares

Café les Deux Gares is an all-day café-restaurant between Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord, known for its Parisian bistrot decor, natural wine list, and large sun-drenched terrace. The menu, crafted by Chef Jonathan Schweizer and Frédéric Lesire, offers delicious set and a la carte options, with the crispy ris de veau being a favorite among industry insiders. Perfect for travelers, its location near two major train stations makes it an ideal spot for a meal or a drink.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

Looking for more restaurant recommendations to

Paris

? Download the World of Mouth app for free and discover expert recommendations to over 2,000 destinations, curated by top chefs, food writers and sommeliers. From street food to fine dining and well known institutions to hidden gems, World of Mouth is your ultimate insider's guide to the world's best restaurants.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

There's no restaurant category that captures the essence of eating in Paris better than the bistro. This relaxed, local, and quintessentially Parisian type of restaurant comes in both traditional and modernized versions. What defines a bistro in Paris is the casual, seasonal, and local connection on the menu, be it a rustic slice of country terrine, a bubbling hot, cheese-oozing French onion soup, or a contemporary dish of raw fish or seafood. The wine list is affordable and mostly French, often with a presence of smaller producers and natural wines.

Whether you're a local or a visitor, Paris has a wide range of great bistros in all categories that are sure to make your visit memorable. Our list includes both classic bistros like Bistrot Paul Bert and newer favorites like Brutos, but every one of these Paris bistros is worth a visit. All our picks in the article are based on recommendations from World of Mouth experts, including chef Bruno Verjus, food writer Wendy Lyn, and Sachin Obaid. Keep reading as we highlight the best Paris bistros to visit while in the city.

Bistrot Paul Bert

Bistrot Paul Bert is a Parisian bistrot known for its rustic classic dishes. This establishment is recognized for its traditional French cooking, with a small menu that frequently changes, offering dishes like peppered steak, eggs with black truffle shavings, and homemade frites. The ingredients are locally sourced, with fruits and vegetables grown on their Normandy farm, seafood from Brittany, and wines brought directly by the winegrowers, ensuring a fresh and authentic taste.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation
02

Parcelles

Parcelles is a modern Parisian bistro known for its elevated comfort food, offering a well-thought-out menu and a strong wine selection. The bistro provides a relaxed atmosphere where food is prepared to make you smile from the inside. Notably, Parcelles also features a wine shop across the street, where customers can purchase more of their enjoyed wines after their meal.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

CTA-2

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation
05

Le Bon Georges

Le Bon Georges is a classic Parisian bistro, renowned for its ever-changing menu that reflects the freshness and seasonality of ingredients. The restaurant provides a warm and relaxed atmosphere, complemented by a knowledgeable staff that can guide you through their extensive wine list and menu. Dishes such as the duck Pâté En Croûte, foie gras, and green asparagus with herb vinaigrette come highly recommended for a true taste of French cuisine.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

Le Baratin

Le Baratin is a traditional bistro serving authentic French cuisine, masterminded by Chef Raquel Carena. Known for its signature dishes such as cervelle and ris de veau, the restaurant offers a genuine, no-frills dining experience. Alongside its food, Le Baratin boasts an impressive selection of natural wines, with patrons often encouraged to make off-list choices for a delightful surprise.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

Bistrot Des Tournelles

Bistrot Des Tournelles brings an old-fashioned charm to the dining scene with its classic dishes and natural wines curated by Édouart Vermynck. The restaurant is known for its warm, nostalgic ambiance, complete with retro fittings like a marble bar, century-old mirrors, and art deco chandeliers. With a traditional a la carte menu featuring timeless favorites like eggs mayo, croque-monsieur Comté, and house-made grilled Andouillette, Bistrot Des Tournelles offers a comforting and familiar dining experience.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

BRUTOS

Brutos is a restaurant where meat-lovers can enjoy a variety of dishes, all grilled over an open flame. The menu boasts a selection of aged beef steaks, succulent whole chickens, and the legendary beef bone marrow, served with pureed potatoes. The restaurant also offers a range of starters, including hand-minced Adana lamb skewers and pasteis, a take on Brazilian street food, complemented by a carefully curated natural wine list.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

CTA-3

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

Le Grand Bain

Le Grand Bain is a popular bistro, situated near the vibrant Canal Saint Martin. The restaurant offers a buzzing atmosphere with a menu full of delicious food, as noted by diners. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, between 7pm to 11:30pm, Le Grand Bain also offers a second service starting at 9:30 pm without the need for reservations.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

Bouillon Pigalle

Bouillon Pigalle is a large, always bustling restaurant known for its affordable, traditional French comfort food. Located near famous landmarks like the Moulin Rouge and Sacré Coeur, it offers a modern take on 19th-century Parisian dining, with a menu that features classic dishes from various regions of France. With 300 seats, including 100 on the balcony, this restaurant serves a wide array of dishes from noon to midnight, appealing to a diverse clientele of locals and tourists alike.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

L’Ami Jean

L’Ami Jean is a lively, rustic bistro run by Chef Stéphane Jego, who brings his personality to every dish. The food is the main attraction here, with options to order à la carte or opt for the tasting menu. Don't miss out on their signature dessert, the family-style rice pudding served with nougatine and caramel.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

CTA

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

Chez Georges

Chez Georges has been a staple in the culinary scene since 1964, offering generous portions of classic bistro fare. Their menu highlights include delectable dishes like rillettes, ratatouille, harengs à l’huile, salade de museau, turbot beurre blanc, riz de veau aux morilles, profiteroles and baba au rhum. Known as an ultimate Parisian institution, Chez Georges continues to serve its patrons with timeless recipes.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

Buvette Paris

Buvette Paris is a cozy bistro offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it a suitable spot for any meal or just a glass of wine. It is located near Pigalle and Montmartre, but situated on a quiet street, providing a respite from the usual tourist crowds. The bistro is part of a global chain with branches in New York, London, Tokyo, and Mexico City, and is known for its friendly service and soulful environment.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

Café les Deux Gares

Café les Deux Gares is an all-day café-restaurant between Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord, known for its Parisian bistrot decor, natural wine list, and large sun-drenched terrace. The menu, crafted by Chef Jonathan Schweizer and Frédéric Lesire, offers delicious set and a la carte options, with the crispy ris de veau being a favorite among industry insiders. Perfect for travelers, its location near two major train stations makes it an ideal spot for a meal or a drink.

Recommended by

Round photo icons on a pile.
View recommendation

Looking for more restaurant recommendations to

Paris

? Download the World of Mouth app for free and discover expert recommendations to over

2,200

destinations, curated by top chefs, food writers and sommeliers. From street food to fine dining and well known institutions to hidden gems, World of Mouth is your ultimate insider's guide to the world's best restaurants.

Read more

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