Where to Dine Before or After a Show in Paris?

Enjoying a night of theater or opera in Paris is always delightful... until hunger strikes on your way home. Yes, but here's the thing: between shows that start too early and those that end too late, it's hard to figure out where to dine before or after! To reconcile cultural cravings with culinary desires, we've compiled a list of the best spots that open early and/or close late in theater districts. Our recommendation: remember to reserve and clearly specify your timing preferences to the staff!

 

Opera / Madeleine / Drouot

Iconic venues: Opéra Garnier, Olympia, Edouard VII, Michodière, Bouffes-Parisiens, Pépinière, Comédie-Française, Opéra Comique.

Top bars and restaurants:

  • Café de la Paix (5 Place de l’Opéra, Paris 9th) for a quick drink before the Opera: try the Tchaikovsky cocktail (vodka jasmine, ginger beer, ginger, lime, €25), oysters (€25), and mackerel rillettes with mustard (€29).
  • Harry’s Bar (5 Rue Daunou, Paris 2nd), Europe's oldest cocktail bar (since 1911) where the Bloody Mary was born (€15)! Tip? Arrive at 7 pm sharp and slip into the downstairs room to leisurely sip a long drink with a hot dog.
  • L’Entente (13 Rue Monsigny, Paris 2nd), a superb English-style brasserie where you can reserve until 10:45 pm to enjoy fish & chips (€24) or chicken & mushroom pie (€32).
 

Montparnasse

Iconic venues: Théâtre de la Gaîté Montparnasse, Bobino, Grand Point Virgule, Lucernaire.

Top restaurants:

  • Chez Bébert (71 Boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris 6th) for its legendary couscous (€25 with lamb, skewer, merguez, and chicken) or its tagine kefta with eggs and peas (€18) served until 11:30 pm or even midnight.
  • La Coupole  (102 Boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris 14th), one of Paris's most iconic restaurants for indulging in a seafood platter until midnight (starting at €28.50).
  • Tripletta Gaîté (1 Impasse de la Gaîté, Paris 14th): while the kitchen closes at 10:45 pm, it opens early! Grab a Prosciutto e Funghi pizza (€16) or a marinara (€9) to enjoy before the show, available for ordering on-site from 6:45 pm.

© Yann Deret

 

Strasbourg Saint-Denis

Iconic venues: Théâtre de la Renaissance, Porte-Saint-Martin, Comédia, La Scala, Théâtre Antoine, Splendid, Jamel Comedy Club.

Top bars and restaurants:

  • L’Hôtel Providence (90 Rue René Boulanger, Paris 10th), ideally located close to all theaters. Order silky lemon linguine with pine nuts, oregano, and Parmesan (€17) to accompany a Campari Spritz before continuing the evening at the piano bar.
  • Bouillon Julien (16 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, Paris 10th) for a classic French meal until midnight: deviled eggs (€4.30), sausage with mashed potatoes (€11.90), and whipped cream cabbage (€3.60).
  • The Hoxton (30-32 Rue du Sentier, Paris 2nd) for its paved courtyard, sweet potato fries (€10), and signature cocktails like Péché Mignon (Perrier-Jouët, St Germain, pear, jasmine tea, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, €22).
 

Place de Clichy / Blanche / Trinité

Iconic venues: Européen, Théâtre de l’Oeuvre, Comédie de Paris, Mogador, Théâtre de Paris, La Bruyère, Saint-Georges, Fontaine.

Top bars and restaurants:

  • L’Eldorado (18 Rue des Dames, Paris 17th), our favorite Batignolles hotel offering a restaurant and bar open until 10:30 pm in the garden or salon, depending on the mood. Clam vol-au-vent, roasted Mont d'Or for two (€26), and well-crafted cocktails (€15) will surely satisfy late-night cravings.
  • Les Comédiens (1 Rue de la Trinité, Paris 9th), a haunt for nearby artists (and the Macron couple!) serving until 11:30 pm/midnight: shepherd's pie (€25), black pudding with apples (€26), and fine bottles. Make sure to reserve!
  • Mistinguett (16 Rue de Clichy, Paris 9th), where you can enjoy a signature cocktail at the Casino de Paris upstairs in a crazy Belle Époque setting. Our favorite potion: the Copa Cabana Palace 1923 (tequila, pear liqueur, verjus, rhubarb bitters, €14).

© Leo Kharfan

 

Champs-Elysées

Iconic venues: Théâtre du Rond Point, Marigny, Comédie des Champs-Elysées.

Top bars and restaurants:

  • Laurent (41 Avenue Gabriel, Paris 8th), not for Mathieu Pacaud's table but for its lovely cozy bar, open until 2 am. On the menu: a perfect Negroni (€22) or a Laurent Spritz with peach liqueur (€22).
  • Manko (15 Avenue Montaigne, Paris 8th): the Peruvian restaurant becomes a hub of Parisian nightlife with DJ sets and beautiful people until 2 am. Try the exquisite Chifa tiradito for hunger (€26) and a Pisco Sour for thirst (€21).
  • Club Marigny  (10bis Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8th), the restaurant of the eponymous theater welcoming spectators before and after each performance in a wildly elegant setting where it's common to spot stars enjoying a hot chocolate tart (€12).
 

Châtelet - Les Halles

Legendary Venues: Theatre du Châtelet, Theatre de la Ville, Point-Virgule, Madame Sarfati's Comedy Club.

Top Bars and Restaurants:

  • Chez Madame Sarfati (49 Rue Berger, Paris 1st): Besides its comedy club, Chez Madame Sarfati offers a delightful menu of finger foods and cocktails starting from 6 PM, with the kitchen closing at 11:30 PM (crispy chicken €12, beef bao €13).
  • Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond (24 Rue de la Grande Truanderie, Paris 1st): A century-old bistro where you can enjoy deviled eggs (€1.90) and truffle macaroni (€7.50) until midnight in a breathtaking Belle Époque setting.
  • Au Pied de Cochon (6 Rue Coquillière, Paris 1st): A Halles institution open all night, perfect for a post-show feast (platter €29.50, oysters €8.40).
 

Bastille

Legendary Venues: Opéra Bastille, Théâtre de la Bastille.

Top Bars and Restaurants:

  • Rosie (53 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, Paris 11th): An affordable brasserie ideal for pre-show dinner starting from 7 PM. Try their duck foie gras (€12), pig cromesquis (€10), or ham-truffle pasta (€19).
  • Le Grand Bleu (67 Boulevard de la Bastille, Paris 12th): Overlooking the Quai de l’Arsenal, this place offers continuous service from 5 PM to 2 AM (pizzas between €13 and €17).
  • Bluebird (12 Rue Saint-Bernard, Paris 11th): Enjoy the 50s California vibe while sipping their wonderful cocktails until late (2 AM on weekdays and 3 AM on weekends). Our favorite: the addictive Gin Tonic with citrus and spice notes (€11).

@bluebird

 

Villette

Legendary Venues: Philharmonie, Théâtre de la Villette.

Top Bars and Restaurants:

  • L’Envol (221 Avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris 19th): Dine from 6 PM onwards with a panoramic view of Philharmonie de Paris. Try their mushroom chestnut gnocchi (€23) or gravlax trout (€19), and for dessert, hazelnut praline filled pebble (€10).
  • Boom Boom Villette (30 Avenue Corentin Cariou, Paris 19th): The largest food court in Paris open from 9 AM to 1 AM, offering a variety of cuisines from around the world.
  • Café de la musique (213 Avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris 19th): Open until 2 AM with live music on weekends, perfect for extending your Philharmonie concerts. Try their fish & chips (€19) or french brioche with salted caramel ice cream (€9).

@lephotographedudimanche / @37 Studio

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