Canard Sauvage
Unpretentious bistro cooking with big flavors and small prices in the 10th arrondissement, from the team behind Les Pères Populaires.
Classic French
Bistrot Paul Bert
The Bistrot Paul Bert boasts one of the most charming dining rooms and patrons in town, appearing to first-time visitors like the Paris bistro of their dreams. Their menu is torn straight out of the classic bistro playbook, with options like steak frites, andouillette, soufflé and tarte Tatin. Compared to many other bistros, Paul Bert shines bright because of superb ingredient souring and careful cooking. Owner Bertrand Auboyneau is a real wine lover and supporter of vignerons, and his list is a joy to drink from.
Robert et Louise
Live-fire cooking and old Paris atmosphere define Robert et Louise in the Marais. Generous portions of grilled meats, blood sausage, and classic sides served around an open fireplace. Request ground floor seating to experience the wood-fired cooking. Open Sunday and Monday.
Le Petit Célestin
A bustling bistro along the Seine serving reliable French classics and select Italian-influenced dishes. The lively atmosphere and weekend availability near Notre-Dame make it valuable for travelers. Competent cooking in a genuinely convivial setting. Always packed — reservations essential.
Au Bourguignon du Marais
Tourist-friendly Marais bistro serving classic French comfort food every day of the week. Quality varies significantly across the menu—stick to the beef bourguignon and onion soup, skip the fish and desserts. Best for first-time Paris visitors needing a reliable Monday or Sunday option.
Juveniles
The casual neighborhood bistro we all dream about, complete with a charming host (Margaux) who remembers your previous visit, and her chef-husband Romain who makes beautiful bistro food in a tiny kitchen. The atmosphere is friendly and familial, despite the posh location near the Louvre. The wine cellar that began with Margaux’s father Tim Johnston remains one of the most delightful and well-priced in the city. The house-made terrine and rice pudding are recommended book-ends to your meal. JUVENILES 47… Read More »Juveniles
Le Baratin
Le Baratin is a Belleville bistro that we can no longer recommend because of the pervasive hostility from co-owner Pinouche Pinoteau
Amarante
In the age of Instagram, the plates and dining room at Amarante feel almost defiantly unadorned. Christophe Philippe has created a haven near Bastille for those who unapologetically love fatty food and offal and who share a disdain for vegetables. You won’t find any herbs, acidity or brightness on these plates. Both the food and the ambiance are decidedly heavy. Your gut-busting meal might finish with a simple scoop of chocolate mousse or a perfectly aged piece of Camembert-de-Normandie. The… Read More »Amarante
Le Maquis
Le Maquis is a small French restaurant located on the far side of Montmartre boasting small portions of impeccable, contemporary bistro fare and a small, all-natural wine list. A slight Italian leaning pervades the menu, which also includes more classic French dishes. Lunch is a steal at 16-euro for two courses and 18 for three.
Le Mazenay
Hidden Marais gem serving classic French cuisine with subtle Vietnamese accents. Chef Denis Groison’s starters shine, particularly the white asparagus tart. Owner Lan curates an exceptional Burgundy wine list. Neighborly atmosphere, loyal regulars, closed weekends. Expensive but worth it for quality ingredients.
Le Comptoir du Relais
Chef Yves Camdeborde opened Le Comptoir du Relais in 2004 and, for a period of about a decade, it was one of the hottest tables in Paris. After years of diminishing quality, however, it stopped being a destination and was eventually sold in 2022 to chef Bruno Doucet (La Régalade Saint-Honoré). We returned after Doucet took it over and found it unredeemed.
Benoit
Open since 1912, this picture-postcard Paris bistro serves elevated and expensive French classics.
La Bourse et La Vie
La Bourse et la Vie is one of our favorite Classic Bistros in Paris. It’s a place where you come to celebrate, to bring a date, and to devour one of the best steak-frites in Paris.
Bistrot des Tournelles
The Bistrot des Tournelles opened in 2022 and was named “Best Bistro of 2023” by Le Fooding. They’re not the only ones who raved – I know plenty of people who loved their experience here. I found it to be pretty good, but certainly not the best of the year. Classic desserts like crème brûlée, tarte Tatin and chocolate mousse were delicious. Salmon gravlax and oeufs mayo starters were “correct” and tasty. Two dishes were downright bad – the croque… Read More »Bistrot des Tournelles
The best bistros in Paris
Here are favorite bistros for classic French cooking in Paris.
Classic French Restaurants
Our favorites for classic French, all organized by arrondissement.
Chez Michel
Chez Michel has reinvented itself many times within the bistro tradition. Founder Thierry Breton has passed the reins to chef Masahiro Kawai, who carries the torch for traditional dishes like Kig Ha Farz while creating his own instant-classics, like this spin on bouillabaisse. The atmosphere is homey with wood timbered ceilings and the wine list remains impressive. Leave room for desserts like Paris-Brest and Poire Belle Hélène (who else makes that anymore?). CHEZ MICHEL 10 Rue de Belzunce, 75010 Open Monday-Friday… Read More »Chez Michel
Aux Bons Crus
Read an old travel guide to France, and you’ll likely find mention of les routiers. At these roadside restaurants catering to truckers, grub was classic, cheap, and good. And despite the absence of any highway running through the trendy 11th arrondissement, Aux Bons Crus evokes these restaurants of yore.
Bouillon Pigalle
Bouillon Pigalle offers cheap classic French food from noon to midnight, every single day.