There is no shortage of great places to eat in Paris, but I narrowed down to 7 of the best restaurants in Paris I would eat at again.
We recently spent 10 nights in France including eight nights in Paris and two nights in Reims. Although eight nights might seem like a long stay in one city, we truly felt like we could have stayed longer. We ate at a mix of local spots and tourist favorites, but my favorite places were where the locals frequent. The menus are often only in French, but with a little Google translate it’s easy enough to order. There is no shortage of great places to eat in Paris, but I narrowed down the top places I would eat at again.
Prices per person, excluding alcohol:
€ = Less than 20 euros
€€ = 20 – 44 euros
€€€ = 45 – 74 euros
€€€€ = More than 75 euros
1. Bonne Aventure
59 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France
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The locals of Saint-Ouen will hate me for including this neighborhood gem on my list. I booked a reservation at Bonne Adventure for lunch the day we went to the Paris Flea Market. The menu changes regularly and is written only in French on a board they move around the room to show guests. Everything was delicious, but the braised leeks and clam risotto were my favorites.
The tiny, sweet clams are unique to France and I highly recommend ordering them if they are on the menu. When I go back to Paris, this will be one of my first stops for lunch. The price was also reasonable so we went big and ordered two appetizers, two entrees, two desserts, plus wine, which came to about 115€.
2. Avant Comptoir de la Mer
3 Carr de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris, France
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€ – €€
L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer is a small, but lively tapas spot in the 6th arrondissement located next to the original standing-room-only French tapas bar, L’Avant Comptoir de Terre. We picked de la Mer simply because we wanted seafood, but I don’t think you could go wrong with either. The menu hangs from the ceiling and is written in French, but thankfully includes pictures so it’s easy to figure out what you are ordering.
Highlights include a variety of small fish dishes, oysters, snails, and deviled eggs that when combined make a great meal. They also pile butter high on small plates for you to coat on crusty bread. My favorite dish was the tiny french clams which are mild in flavor and so tender. Behind the bar is a fridge full of French wines and I recommend letting the bartender select the best options for you based on your food choices. They don’t take reservations, so arrive early to try to snag one of the few seats at the bar.
3. Café Madame
25 Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris, France
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€ – €€
Although you can find a brasseries on almost every street corner in Paris, Café Madame holds a special place in my heart. We arrived at our hotel in Paris a few hours before check-in so we dropped off our luggage with the concierge and explored the neighborhood. Our first stop was lunch at Café Madame, a small brassiere a block away from our hotel that caters to locals.
It’s a neighborhood favorite that serves classic French brasserie food like tartines, tartare, steak frites and a selection of French cheeses. There is also a well-curated wine and cocktail list including a Saint Germain Spritz, which we went back for more than once. It gets very busy at lunch, so arrive early if you want to get a seat. It’s also a perfect place to just sit on the patio with a glass of champagne and watch Parisians float by.
4. Frenchies
5 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris, France
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A Paris classic and a regular on the best of Paris lists, Frenchie’s is worth a visit if you have the budget. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were given the option of the chef’s table or a regular table. We opted for the chef’s table so we could get a glimpse into the preparation that goes into their food.
We also splurged for the wine pairing which was a delightful way to taste a mix of wines perfectly paired by course. The restaurant is small and books up fast so make a reservation before you arrive in Paris if possible. If you don’t want to splurge on Frenchies or can’t snag a reservation, visit Frenchie Bar à Vins, a small wine bar across the street that features a variety of small plates from 10-25€.
5. Toyo
17 Rue Jules Chaplain, 75006 Paris, France
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We found Toyo while looking for restaurants on the Michelin Guide and made a reservation for our first dinner in Paris. Toyo was created by Toyomitsu Nakayama, the former private chef of fashion designer Kenzo. We chose to sit at the bar so we could watch the chef work, but they also have a small number of tables available.
The eight course meal featured fresh ingredients prepared with a mix of Japanese and French techniques. Maybe it was the jet-lag, but I wouldn’t say any dish in particular stood out as a favorite, although the Japanese curry was warm and comforting. Overall the experience, ambiance, and wine was exactly what we needed.
6. Chez Pipo
31 Av. de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France
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Chez Pippo is a charming little Italian restaurant near the Eiffel Tower. I was initially skeptical when we arrived because of all of the tourist shops nearby, but the food did not disappoint. Classic, perfectly prepared pastas, Italian wines, and traditional desserts make for an ideal comfort meal. If you want to see the Eiffel Tower at night, make a reservation at Chez Pippo for a late dinner afterwards.
7. Judy’s
18 Rue de Fleurus, 75006 Paris, France
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If you are looking for a light, nutrient-dense breakfast, stop by Judy’s near Jardin du Luxembourg. Judy’s serves delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes that are free of gluten and refined sugar. I had soft boiled eggs with gluten-free seed bread and homemade kimchi. The organic cold-pressed juice helped me feel recharged after a night of one too many glasses of champagne. It’s the perfect spot for a light breakfast or lunch before taking a walk in the garden.
I love it!