This little restaurant tucked away in the heart of St Germain holds title of the best Latin American restaurants in Paris. It is full of noise and laughter and singing and the sun shines inside, even on the rainiest of nights. It is a great place to go with friends, share a couple of cheese dips and guacamole bowls to start, then follow by a chicken quesadilla or a burrito. Add a few one-liter margarita pitchers for 10 euros and you still will not come out paying more than 30 euros per person. If you can, save room for the creme caramel at the end. Call ahead to make sure you have a table.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 43 54 41 56
Address: 31, rue St Jacques, 75005
Metro: Cluny-La Sorbonne
Opening hours: noon-midnight every day
Average price: lunch: 8 euros/person; dinner: 15-30 euros/person

Love it or hate it, Chez Jeannette is now a staple of Faubourg St Denis, so why not stop by if you have some shopping to do at Chez Jules epicerie or you’re just arriving from Gare du Nord or you’re visiting the old gates into Paris. This newly renovated bar/bistrot, which serves often as a backgrounds for photo shoots during interviews of Parisian actors and musicians, is great for a quick inexpensive lunch (try their salads!) and at night the hip locals spill over to the sidewalk chatting, flirting, drinking and smoking…so Paris!

Practical Information

Address: 47, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis , 75010
Metro: Strasbourg St Denis
Opening hours: 8:00- 23:00 7/7j
Average price: 8 euros for lunch; 2 euros for a beer
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It can be said that this bar is a victim of its own success but I prefer to just stick with the success part. It can also be said that the crowd is bobo-barf  but I will just call them hot! Andy WAHLOO does happy hour, it serves food ( North African tapas ) has a dj ( playing dance table elctropop ) there is a huge terrace ( the courtyard of a hotel particulier that it is housed in ) and its fun. What else do you need?

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 42 71 20 38
Address: 69, Rue des Gravilliers, 75003
Metro: Arts et Metiers
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 16h-02h00
Average price: 12 euros mojito

Another ‘canal’ staple, this cafe/bar is always full and for a reason. Its art nouveau decor, super nice staff and simple homey seafood dishes make is a great place to grab lunch or dinner with friends and then stay for a few more drinks. The crowd is young arty bo bo.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 42 39 69 81
Address: 55 bis, Quai de Valmy, 75010
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent
Restaurant hours: Everyday 08h – 02h;
Average price: Main 12 euros

It can be difficult to find a nice authentic cafe that is not a chain directly in Place de Republique, but Les Parigots which not that long ago replaced the Cafe des Syndicats lives up to its mission and its name.

Steps away from the hustle and bustle of the politically-charged square and Paris’s largest metro station, its long terrace invites you for a glass of wine and a plate of charcuterie. For those with a hungry stomach, there is a typical French brasserie menu as well. Inside the atmosphere is chatty,  especially at night.  A big plus is the pleasant attitude of the wait staff.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 42 00 22 26
Address: 5, rue du Chateau d’eau, 75010
Metro: Republique
Restaurant hours: lunch and dinner, bar everyday until 1 am
Average price: average meal is 13 euros, Drinks 6 euros

© photo Julie Cartier-Cohen

A popular cafe, bar, restaurant between Belleville and Menilmontant with a beautifully restored interior of moulding and tile. Great place to get some work done on your own before your friends join you for an originally fashioned burger and a beer. If you have no other plans, stick around for mix sessions every Friday and Saturday nights. Sundays are dedicated to brunch and live music starting at 18h.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 01 49 29 95 59
Address: 93, Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011
Metro: Couronnes, Ménilmontant
Cafe hours: Everyday 8 am – 2 am, from 9 am on weekends
Restaurant hours: Everyday noon-midnight; Brunch from noon-17h on Sundays and holidays
Average price: Cocktails 6 euros, small beer 2 euros, brunch 18 euros
Website: http://www.myspace.com/lecannibalecafe

Everyone knows Place Sainte Marthe as the place for a great party during the annual Fete de la Musique, but with its quaint atmosphere, this tiny square is a peaceful refuge any day of the year, when one wants to stretch out on a terrace and enjoy a quiet drink and a hearty meal. This particular bistro’s ambiance is nice enough for a romantic date  and the menu consists of traditional french dishes like grilled meat, duck, foie gras or creme brûlée for dessert. No real need to make reservations.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 44 84 36 96
Address: 32, rue Saint Marthe, 75010
Metro: Belleville
Restaurant hours:17h – 02h, 7/7j
Average price: 1 starter + 1 main course + 1 glass of wine =25 euros
Website: www.lesaintemarthe.com

It is hard to describe but somehow this place is always SUNNY.  Great for first dates, small celebratory meals with friends and family. The menu has traditional hardy dishes for the guys and lighter dishes for the ladies. Great for aperitifs (try absinthe and champagne for example) and deserts, too. It’s better to reserve on busier nights!

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 43 72 31 24
Address: 108, Rue de la Roquette, 75011
Metro: Voltaire, Charonne
Restaurant hours: Monday-Sunday 8:00-02:00
Average price: 1 starter + 1 main course + 1 glass of wine =25 euros

A staple of Canal St Martin.

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It is a tiny place with just four or five barstools and three or four tables but that doesn’t matter, all action is outside along the banks of the canal. When the sun is out, this area is one of the key spots where Parisians gather and LE JEMAPES becomes their watering hole. A small collection of Belgian beers is on tap, with a pint from five to seven euros that they will happily serve in a plastic cup if you want to go directly to join your friends already squating on the low benches by the water. And do not be fooled by its tiny kitchen, LE JEMMAPES offers to tame your hunger with handsome portions of steaks, grilled scallops, or octopus ink rissotto for 12 to 18 euros.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 40 40 02 35
Address: 82, Quai de Jemmapes, 75010
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent, Goncourt, Republique
Cafe hours: Monday – Friday 16h-2h, Saturday – Sunday 11h – 2h
Average price: 1/2 pint 2,80 to 4 euros, pint 5 to 7,50 euros

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They understand the true meaning of cocktail.

France is known for its wines but when it comes to cocktails…yes,  in a fine martini glass iced before use… yes, with proper ingredients properly shaken…yes, not watered down by one lone ice cube floating desperately to stay alive…this gourmand nation seems to be still learning how to properly pronounce the word.

Several Paris establishments, though, are quickly mastering the art of cocktails and the ‘Experimental’ easily competes for the top spot.

Bartenders are true maestros here, professional in their demeanor and execution. On the menu are classics with a twist. Try a “blend of torn lemongrass stock, organic elderflower and lemon juice freshly squezed along with a premim vodka; better with a london dry gin” as recommended by Romee, one of the owners.  Once you have your martini in hand, you can proceed to mingle with a rather hip international crowd and groove to the guest dj. The boudoir rustic chic decor completes the ambiance. If it becomes too crowded, the centrally located, Montorgueil district, has many other bars to have fun in, just stick to a mojito or a beer.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 45 08 88 09
Address: 37, rue Saint Sauveur, 75002
Metro: Sentier, Reaumur-Sebastopol
Open: Monday-Saturday 18h-02h/04h
Average cocktail: 11 euros

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