Our selection of the best Parisian bistros

© Vincent Nageotte pour les Pères siffleurs / Les fous de l'ile /  Melanie Denizot pour  Le Rennequin

Dining in a bouillon, sitting down in an Art Nouveau setting, feasting at a trucker's diner or socialising on formica… The canaille spirit and the titi parisien attitude have never been so on trend: eggs mayo, snails, steak-frites and chocolate mousse are ruling the roost, and atmospheric tables have become the most sought-after spots among trendy Parisians. Proof? Every great chef is getting in on the act! Cutlery in hand, napkin tucked in, we've tested the best Parisian bistros for you.

The vibe: recently taken over by a 25-year-old from Aveyron, this iconic address on the Île Saint-Louis has been given a new lease of life by a young, super-friendly team who guide and pamper you in a resolutely professional and easygoing spirit. We instantly love the décor — straight out of a Maigret episode — with its wooden and stainless-steel bar, chandeliers, wine-bottle-lined display cases, a railway-station-style glass roof and bottle-green banquettes. Bonus: we can already picture ourselves booking the little private room at the back for a raucous dinner with friends. Also worth noting: the cellar hosts tasting workshops in apéro mode (charcuterie board included, naturally) around its central table, perfect for discovering cool references or choosing the bottle to accompany your meal.

What to order: at Les Fous de L'Ile, everything is homemade — and made with love, thank you very much. Starting with the Burgundy snails in parsley-almond butter (€15 for 6), frog's legs with persillade (€17.50), foie gras terrine with chutney and gingerbread (€24) and the bone marrow for a guilty pleasure (€10.50). Then: a croque-monsieur or madame on sourdough with emmental and homemade fries (€17.50), a divine beef tartare with fries and salad (€24.50), a good entrecôte for the carnivore in you (€34) or a duck confit from Aveyron (€19). And for dessert: the house-special caramel custard (€10.50) and the chocolate or coffee liégeois sundae, made — obviously — with Berthillon ice cream from next door (€12.50).

Les Fous de L’Ile, 33 rue des Deux Ponts, Paris 4e. 01 43 25 76 67. Open every day continuously from 10am to midnight.

The vibe: welcome to Le Rennequin, the neighbourhood bistro where you come to find comfort. Tucked away on a quiet street in the 17th, far from the hustle of the main boulevards, it sets the tone from the outside with its lovely green façade and a few plants. Inside, three rooms, three atmospheres. The bar is lined with red banquettes, the floorboards creak underfoot, a more intimate room is decked in wood, and downstairs, the cellar — ideal for large groups — faces an open kitchen: perfect for those who love to see what's happening behind the scenes. Attentive service does the rest.

What to order: we start with the egg mayo with basil and croutons, a reliable classic done well (€6). Then come the crispy Burgundy snails in persillade (€10), served with a lamb's lettuce salad and a few gherkins that brighten everything up nicely, and the meat croquettes (€9), wonderfully tender and paired with a spiced mayo that hits the spot. It's hard to resist the hand-cut sausage with old-style mustard sauce and homemade mash (€19) — a crowd-pleaser every time — unless you go for the very solid rump steak fillet, rare as it should be (€23), topped with pepper sauce and accompanied by pommes dauphine, a rare treat that stands as the house speciality. For dessert, we loved the well-vanilla'd crème brûlée (€9) and the café gourmand (€10) with its crème brûlée, chocolate ice cream scoop and orange-hazelnut tuile.

Le Rennequin, 67 rue Rennequin, Paris 17e. Open Monday to Friday lunch and dinner, and Saturday evening.

© Melanie Denizot 

The vibe: nestled in the centre of a charming little village-like square in a quiet corner of the 15th arrondissement, the restaurant offers a unique menu that twists French cuisine with Japanese touches, courtesy of chef Shunsuke Takono. Push open the door and you get the perfect combo: the warm atmosphere of a Parisian bistro, ultra-cosy quilted armchair banquettes, stacks of art magazines and a cheerful red façade dressed up with a string of coloured bulbs. In short: a wildly Parisian address where you instantly feel at home.

What to order: for starters, we can't resist the tarbais bean velouté with melt-in-the-mouth duck confit and truffle notes (€11), or the prawns with fried Padrón peppers (€12). For the main, we're torn between the generous Iberian pork rack with miso-glazed aubergine (€29) and the seared octopus — a total banger — served with a silky potato purée and Chinese cabbage (€32). And to finish on a high: the strawberry and rhubarb millefeuille with rose syrup (€12), a dessert as beautiful as it is delicious.

Les Pères Siffleurs, 15 rue Gerbert, Paris 15e. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 2pm and 7pm to 8pm.

© Johanna Alam

The place : A chic-as-can-be railway station restaurant created by Eric Frechon, the MOF and former three-star chef of Le Bristol, who once dreamed of restoring glory to this very French genre. Twelve years after opening, Lazare unveils a sophisticated new décor and a brand-new executive chef, while keeping the winning formula that made it iconic : all-day service from breakfast onward, and comforting bistro-style cuisine elevated with the touch of a grand chef. A magnet for business diners rushing between trains and families eager to feast in the vibrant atmosphere of a restaurant that feels like it’s speeding along at 300 km/h.

What to try : In the kitchen, Guillaume Chevalier – trained notably by  Glenn Viel – honors Eric Frechon’s menu and delivers the best of modern bistro cooking. Among the must-orders: céleri rémoulade with green apple and fresh coriander (€10), homemade duck foie gras with toasted brioche (€25), the classic “potage de santé” (€11), salmon petit salé with Puy lentils and Morteau sausage with a Xérès vinaigrette (€32), and of course the legendary “best sausage-and-mash in Paris” (€26). Don’t miss the indulgent “coquillettes for spoiled children,” a decadent mix of ham, Comté cheese and black truffle (€36).

Finish with crêpes Suzette with clementine zest (€14) or Golden apple fritters with blackcurrant compote (€13) : perfect before slipping straight into nap mode on your train ride. Our ultimate obsession: the €30 “traveler’s menu,” served in 30 minutes flat so you never miss your departure… and the €23 weekly dish, featuring pike quenelles with Nantua sauce on Mondays!

Le Lazare, Parvis de la Gare Saint-Lazare, rue Intérieure, Paris 8e. 01 44 90 80 80. Open Monday to Friday 7:30 am–11 pm, weekends 11:45 am–11 pm.

The place: Paris Society strikes again. Just a stone’s throw from Maxim’s, still on rue Royale, its little brother Minim’s has just opened. This quintessentially Parisian bistro, with a superb décor signed by Cordélia de Castellane, instantly transports you into a Belle Époque universe. Wooden paneling, Art Nouveau details, colorful carpet, olive-green velvet banquettes: proof of Dior Maison’s artistic director’s talent, the room looks as though it hasn’t moved an inch in over a century, and yet, everything is brand new! You’ll find fashion insiders on their lunch break (Place Vendôme is nearby), the chic locals of the neighborhood, and savvy tourists who’ve sniffed out the latest cool spot.

Must try: pâté en croûte (€24), œufs mayo (€8), sautéed mushrooms (€17), beef tartare (€27)… all the beloved classics of a good bistro, perfectly executed with impeccable service. Favorites include the frisée salad with bacon and poached eggs (€17), the Grenoble-style scallops (€39), and an ultra-tender hanger steak with shallots (€31), to pair with fries, green beans, or mashed potatoes. Top desserts: tarte Tatin with Isigny cream (€14) or a molten chocolate cake (€14).

Minim’s, 7 rue Royale, Paris 8e. 01 42 65 30 30. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

The place: a real country house in the heart of the 16th. Already beloved by Instagram’s trendiest fashion girls and the stylish West Paris crowd, Charles Laborde’s (Charly to friends) new spot has everything to charm: a crackling central fireplace, big tables for friends, church-sourced benches, château chandeliers… A true escape from the city, offering comfort and elegance with beautiful details like silverware and Gien porcelain. Bonus: a stunning wine cellar downstairs with 700 French references and a 1940s Banque de France iron door.

Must try: If you don’t eat meat, forget it. This is a temple to carnivores. Dive into the ham in parsley jelly (€13), veal sweetbread and foie gras pâté en croûte (€14), divine 24-month Comté cordon bleu (€22), the foie gras sausage-and-mash signature dish (€28), or the daily special — like a melting-soft chicken with morels. Dessert highlight: comforting rice pudding with caramel (€12). The wine list is huge, with bottles starting at €32.

L’Auberge des Crus, 13 rue Bosio, Paris 16e. 01 56 07 10 38. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. Closed weekends.

The place: sitting on the Seine with a full Eiffel Tower view, the brand-new Margaux is the latest from restaurateur Michel Puech, who brought in chef Paul-Alexandre Laumont (Biche) for refined French classics. A nostalgic return to tradition with a décor reminiscent of grandma’s dining room: buffet cabinet, white-tablecloth bistro tables, wooden walls, terracotta tiles, vintage photographs. Best table for two? At the entrance, by the windows overlooking the Iron Lady.

Must try: start with the huge, slightly intimidating bone marrow (€14), classic œufs mayo with truffle (€13), or herb mushrooms with poached egg (€18). For sharing: the 1.2-kg Normandy rib of beef (€140). Individual dishes: Royans ravioli gratin (truffle optional, €22), chicken with morels and Vin Jaune (€29), and a farmhouse-chicken cordon bleu (€26!). Desserts include chocolate mousse (€12), Bourbon vanilla crème brûlée (€12), and a gooey cookie with salted butter caramel and vanilla ice cream (€14).

Margaux, 10 avenue de New York, Paris 16e. 01 86 04 40 54. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 12–3 pm and from 7 pm.

© Marie Desprez

The place: tucked in rue Saint-Marc by the Bourse, this bistro bought by Alain Ducasse in 2002 is now run by the Dumant family (Aux Crus de Bourgogne, Les Marches). Everything inside remains unchanged: floral tiles, red banquettes, moldings, woodwork. Beautiful upstairs dining room and a private lounge for 8–10 guests. The kitchen is helmed by Lyon-born chef Victoria Boller, chosen by Ducasse himself.

Must try: the outrageous pike quenelle with crayfish in creamy Nantua sauce (€22) — straight to the podium! Perfect country terrine (€16). For mains: veal-tripe andouillette with baby potatoes (€32). Lighter option: seared scallops with glazed baby leeks and beurre blanc (€30). Save room for the floating island with pink pralines (€14) or Rolande’s crème caramel (€14).

Aux Lyonnais, 32 rue Saint-Marc, Paris 2e.  01 42 96 65 04. Open Tuesday–Saturday, lunch and dinner.

© Aux Lyonnais x The Travel Buds

The place: formerly Café Lignac, now entrusted to David Bottreau of Comptoir des Fables. While it begins a new chapter, it has kept its former charm and stunning counter. Chef Guillaume Dehecq (ex-George V, Fitzgerald, Ami Jean) offers indulgent, traditional bistronomy. Best seats: the table under the stairs, or the counter if you’re solo.

Must try: start the feast with sharing plates: œufs mimosa (€11), citrus salmon gravlax (€17). Highlights: half duck breast with honey-rosemary sauce and carrot mousse (€28), seafood choucroute (€27), croque-monsieur with fries (€16). For dessert: unforgettable brioche perdue with salted caramel ice cream (€11).

Le Bistrot des Fables, 139 rue Saint-Dominique, Paris 7e. +33 1 47 53 73 34. Open daily, continuous service from 12 pm to 11 pm.

The place: The Dumant family (Les Marches, Aux Bons Crus) has struck again! Right next door to their Crus de Bourgogne, Le Chardonnay rolls out a cheeky, old-school bistro menu in a lively Parisian troquet atmosphere. You can sit on the banquettes, high tables, or right at the bar, where glasses clink, cutlery drops, and people laugh heartily.

What to try: Yum ! start with leek vinaigrette (€12) or classic œufs mayo (€6), unless you prefer sharing the honey-roasted Saint-Marcellin, perfect for slathering on toasted bread (€10). The star dish is the Royal Cheese Bourgogne (€21), while croque lovers will swoon over the truffle croque (€21). Ultimate joy: duck breast with black cherries (€24), paired with homemade ratatouille (€5) or gratin dauphinois (€6).

Le Chardonnay  3 rue Bachaumont, Paris 2e, O.pen Tuesday to Saturday, lunch and dinner

The place: Finally, a cool spot around Place de Clichy for a proper feast after a show in one of the nearby theaters. Set inside a tiny Art Nouveau former brothel, all wood and mosaics, this pocket-sized bistro surprises with its miniature dining room lined with tables facing a majestic bar. Here, chef Charleyne Valet crafts creative, colorful plates with a playful Parisian spirit.

What to try: Pumpkin seed tarama with homemade seed crackers (€9.50), smoked herring tortellini with chard and dashi broth (€23.50). For dessert: a Breton sablé with chipotle, poached peaches, mascarpone cream & parsley pesto (€10.50), or a chocolate fondant with confit fennel (€9).

Le Cyrano ,3 rue Biot, Paris 17e, Open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 2 am, Saturday–Sunday 10 am to 2 am.

The place: With a new chef, Irwin Durand (formerly at Michelin-starred Le Chiberta), under the benevolent guidance of culinary king Guy Savoy, Le Petit Rétro gets a fresh spin. This 1904 institution in the 16th charms with its protected tilework, turquoise banquettes, and massive bar. A perfect spot for lovers of well-simmered bourgeois classics.

What to try: Traditional onion soup gratinée with AOP Comté (€18), langoustine ravioli (€22), or an excellent traditional veal blanquette with pilaf rice (€27). For dessert: an airy dark chocolate soufflé (€14) or the ultra-satisfying profiterole with warm chocolate and vanilla ice cream (€14).

Le Petit Rétro 5 rue Mesnil, Paris 16e, Open daily from 12–2:30 pm and 7:30–10:30 pm.

The place: an old bouchon lyonnais established since 1945, just after the war, facing the lovely promenade Pereire, Chez Fred has just undergone a slight facelift with a new owner, Laurent Hullo (ex-Monsieur Bleu, Kinugawa), a new chef, Benjamin Lavenne (ex-Procope, Le Georges), and a clean-up of the walls. The titi atmosphere remains with old Maigret-compatible posters, old New Year menus from 1895, and still that almost mythical wooden bar and the requisite red benches. Closed on Sundays!

To try: homemade foie gras de canard (€24) and the chef's terrine (€12), the very mild tartare de Charolais (€24) or the beef fillet with sauce au poivre or béarnaise (€44) and their bowl of perfectly crunchy fries, to wash down with a glass of Côtes du Rhône (€8). For dessert, we completely share the tarte fine aux pommes with vanilla ice cream, crispy and taking up the whole plate (€14) or the baba au rhum with whipped cream to share (€14 per person).

Chez Fred 190 bis boulevard Pereire, Paris 17th, ouvert du lundi au vendredi de 12h à 14h et de 19h à 2

The place: from Neuilly to Saint-Germain, all of fashionable Paris is still searching for the secret ingredient of the divine sauce at L’Entrecôte, a historic monument of addictive meat without fuss, where passing Americans, CEOs from the CAC, and actors jostle at the door. Let’s just say that after a year of deprivation, a visit to this historic meat monument in Marbeuf or Saint-Germain-des-Prés to rediscover its atmosphere should be prescribed...

To try: as usual, a unique menu with a walnut salad as a starter, followed by super tender faux filet + a divine, slightly green magical sauce + perfectly crunchy fries, paired with organic wines from Château de Saurs, all served in two rounds by small ladies in aprons. Authentic is chic! (Menu at €29).

Le Relais de l'Entrecôte 20 rue Saint-Benoît, Paris 6th, open every day from 12pm to 2.30pm and from 6.45pm to 11pm
© Instagram / Le Relais de l’Entrecôte

Instagram/ @elorouge

The place: attention institution! In the heart of the historic area of the down-to-earth, bistros, and suppers, Georges stands as a resistance against the trendy and outdated vibes of Etienne Marcel. Its clientele (the teams from all the fashion houses in the neighborhood) explodes all the local glamour quotas and attracts celebrities passing through like flies. Note: Chez Georges has a terrace, always featuring its unmistakable checkered tablecloths that make it the cutest and most picturesque table in Paris.

To try: the grilled entrecôte à la moelle (€33), the beautiful Sole "Georges" grilled or Meunière (€46), and the profiteroles au chocolat (€12).

Chez Georges 1 rue du Mail, Paris 2nd open from Monday to Friday from noon to 2pm and from 7pm to 10:30pm

The place: the whole of Paris gathers behind the wonderfully retro facade of this legendary address on rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, just a stone's throw from Louboutin. There’s a frenzy in the air and a stylish crowd to inaugurate their fifth location. Elodie and Jean-François Piège have once again made a strong impression. After their trendy rehabilitation of La Poule au Pot, a century-old brasserie in Les Halles, À l’Épi d’Or has made a unanimous impact. An atmospheric spot that is delightfully girl power with Mariola in the kitchen, Margot managing the dining room and the regulars, including the gang of friends like Aurélie Saada (Brigitte), Caroline de Maigret, and Cécile Cassel, aka Hollysiz...

To try: we love to let ourselves be guided by the weekly menu at very reasonable prices: starter-main or main-dessert for €37. The full deal is €46. Otherwise, we recommend the foie mousse to spread on toasted Poilâne bread until full (€14), a green salad with a truly memorable dressing (€10), an unforgettable croque-madame (€18), or a steak tartare served with homemade fries for dipping in mayo (€26), to be paired with a glass of Côte du Rhône (€13) or Chablis (€19). For desserts, it depends on the day: chocolate cake, banana marmalade, and lime on Mondays, or a cream puff “like a Paris-Brest” on Fridays…

À l’Épi d’Or 25 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Paris 1st, open Monday to Friday from noon to 2:30 pm and from 7 to 11 pm

The place: located in the 10th arrondissement, this is the bistro of the hotel designed by Adrien Gloaguen, the hotel entrepreneur behind Touriste (Bienvenue, Beaurepaire, Panache, that's him). In addition to the chef's table service, the place functions as a neighborhood and train station address, starting at 7h for a comforting coffee-croissant and running non-stop all day with good sandwiches, right up to late-night thirsts around a drink and a plate of cured sausage until midnight.

To try: the sensational Jonathan Schweizer, who already turned heads at Sauvage in the 6th with his brilliant take on bistro cuisine, showcases the same talent here and rolls out a simple yet undeniably sexy menu, all paired with some of the most name-dropped natural wines. On the chalkboard, the starter-main-dessert menu changes daily (€28). For example, yesterday it was croustillante tête de cochon, fenouil, condiment poire, ail, and menthe (€16), truite en gravlax, lait fermenté, poire, and bergamote (€17), and échine de cochon de Lacausne with betterave, carottes, and courges (€27). For dessert, glace caramel with condiment châtaigne, pamplemousse, crème crue montée, and feta glacée (€13).

Les Deux Gares 1 rue des Deux-Gares, Paris 10th, open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight
© Instagram / Café Les Deux gares

The place: at the little brother of La Tour d’Argent, exceptional products from the legendary starred restaurant that inspired Ratatouille are served in a more “accessible” version. Located at the foot of the parent restaurant, this vintage bistro features checked tablecloths, old-fashioned waiters, and poireaux vinaigrette, making it all quite charming. Not to mention the unique Parisian terrace perched on a bridge, extending from the dining room over the Seine. Incredible.

To try: the house specialty is rotisserie meats! Yum… Starting with the famous demi-poulet fermier Label rouge, chicken juice, garlic in its skin, and mashed potatoes (€32), rognons de veau with mustard sauce and potato gratin (€29), or the filet de bœuf with pepper sauce and homemade fries (€39).

La Rôtisserie d'Argent 19 quai de la Tournelle, Paris 5th, open every day from noon to 2:15pm and from 7pm to 10:30pm

Also discover Gargouille, a sunny bistro in the heart of Pigalle and the new iodized table of the food power couple David and Stéphanie Le Quellec