If you’ve worked up an appetite while waiting in line to see the Monets and Manets, here’s a selection of our favorite places just a short stroll away from the Musée d’Orsay.
Walk-Ins Welcome
La Laiterie Sainte-Clotilde – A down-to-earth bistro in a high rent neighborhood. Last minute bookings usually okay. Closed Sunday.
Treize – Southern American hospitality, savory hand pies, salads and slices of layer cake from Laurel Sanderson (formerly at Sugarplum Cake shop). Closed Sunday and Monday.
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte – At Le Relais de L’Entrecôte, the choices are steak or steak, and the supply of golden fries is unending. Which is how the line to be seated will seem unless you go early. Included in our list of Five Great Steak Frites in Paris. Open every day.
Book a Few Days in Advance
Garance – Two Guillaumes (Guillaume Iskandar and Guillaume Muller) formerly of l’Arpège, have opened this much-praised modern bistro near the Esplanade des Invalides. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
La Ferme Saint-Simon – A long-established restaurant near the Musée d’Orsay, has been redesigned and updated – both in the kitchen and the dining room – with pleasing results. Open every day.
Les Climats – Worth a trip for the gorgeous terrace alone (at lunchtime only). The excellent all-Burgundy wine list doesn’t hurt either. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Restaurant ES – Simplicity reigns here, both in the stark whitewashed room and in the delicate flavors and beautiful presentations of the no-choice Japanese tasting menu. Chef Takayuki Honjo was formerly at L’Astrance, Noma, and and Mugaritz. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Le Cinq Mars – This perennially popular bistro serves classics like foie gras mi-cuit, steak tartare, and brandade de morue. Closed Sunday.
Gaya – Pierre Gagnaire’s thoroughly modern seafood spot. Closed Sunday.
Yen – A well-regarded soba specialist in the sixth. Closed Sunday.
Book Before You Book Your Plane Ticket
L’Atelier Saint-Germain de Joël Robuchon – The original L’Atelier, in what’s now a global empire. Known for a particular brand of relaxed fine dining, our contributors nonetheless voted it on to our list of Five Great Steak Frites in Paris. Note: Reservations are ONLY accepted for the first and last seatings of each service. Otherwise, it’s first-come-first-served. Open every day.