One a little back street near Republique you will find one of the top secret addresses in Paris for gastronomic Lebanese cuisine.  The owners warmly greet every entering customer and are ready to answer any questions one may have about the dishes. The menu consists of mezzehes (warm and cold small dishes to be shared together) as well as main individual courses. Apart from the typical hummus and the baba ganouch, there are more exotic choices like the heavenly tender lemon lamb livers. The decor is refined, even if a little outdated. Reservations are highly recommended.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 42 08 09 08
Address: 6, rue Pierre Chausson, 75010
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent, Republique
Opening hours: lunch and dinner every day
Average price: lunch: 10-20 euros/person; dinner: 30-40 euros/person

On a cold  or rainy evening you want to comfort your soul and stomach…then go to this tiny new tavern. With its soft lighting, low ceilings, friendly relaxed atmosphere, Les Enfants Perdus are the children of the gentleman farmer. The team at work is young and laidback despite the starched uniforms. The kitchen timely churns out meticulously prepared and in most cases, revisited, french dishes on a menu that changes from season to season.

The brunch atmosphere is great, but better to call before you head out to reserve a table.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)01 81 29 48 26
Address: 9, Rue des Récollets , 75010
Metro: Gare de l’Est, Chateau d’Eau
Opening hours: 7/7: 12h – 14h30 & 20h-23h; Friday -Saturday: 20h-midnight; Sunday brunch: 12h-16h
Average price: dinner 30-40 euros per person; bottle of wine 27 euros
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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
Website

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

Bobo and Proud!

“Would I like this in my home?” This is what Bénédicte Chevallier asks about every items she displays in her boutique. And the pastel-hued treasures she collects create an ‘English Rose’ universe of tiny angel wings, hearts and freshened up furniture pieces from the century past.

This is a wonderful place to get unique house warming or baby shower gifts, even with just 10 euros in your pocket. And do not be surprised if you stumble in and see wine being offered. This is also a spot to buy and taste exotic wines in Paris.

Finally, “Atelier” is for the painting workshops for kids Bénédicte hosts and “Pablo” is for one of her beautiful two boys.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 47 70 21 29
Address: 34, rue d’Hauteville, 75010
Metro: Bonne Nouvelle
Store hours: Monday-Saturday   10:00-19:00
Website: http://www.latelierdepablo.com

This is a small family restaurant that has been the secret neighborhood eatery for more than 10 years. There are no reservations so either you put your name on the list and go have a cocktail at Prune de Nuit just near by (don’t worry, they WILL call you once the tables free up) or order a deliciously scrumptious “bobun special”, “curry des legumes” or “soup au beuf” all bustling with flavor to go eat by the canal. The service is friendly with ‘no frills’ attached…AND you get to express your artistic side by filling out the order yourself. Later you can go and see if you made the the cut on their site! So, enjoy and remember…

…Le Cambodge Loves You…

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 44 84 37 70
Address: 10, Ave Richerand, 75010
Metro: Belleville
Restaurant hours: Monday-Saturday   noon-14:30 & 20:00-23:30
Average price: 1 starter + 1 main course + 1 beer =20 euros
Website: www.lecambodge.fr

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

NYC has Lower East side, SF has the Tenderloin, London has Camden. For Paris, the gritty hip neighborhood is slowly but surely becoming the 10th arrondissement. And testament to that is the addition of LA FIDELITE Brasserie. In the small unassuming street by the same name, in the building previously housing LES ZINGOTS, a beautifully renovated brasserie opens up and surprises you with its clean white glow. Designed by the ubiquitous Parisian artist, Andre, the room is full of alcoves for privacy, brimming with beautiful people. The menu evolves but always stays in the ‘brasserie’ field. Try the morel starter and save room or share ‘pain perdu’ at the end! Reservations are recommended from Wednesday on.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 47 70 19 34
Address: 12, rue de la Fidélité, 75010
Metro: Gare de l’Est
Restaurant hours: Lunch 12h -15h, Dinner 20h-23h30; Closed Sunday & Monday
Average price: 1 starter + 1 main course + 1 glass of wine =40 euros
Website: http://www.lafidelite.com

A staple of Canal St Martin.

Presentation

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

Dining on the set of Marcel Carné’ s legendary film noir.

Presentation

This restaurant epitomizes the cool intelligent chic of today’s Paris. To get there, one is better off riding a bicycle or walking to fully take in and appreciate the surrounding Canal St. Martin before passing through the rich red velvet curtains of Hotel du Nord. The zinc bar, mosaic floor, leather seating and dim lighting create a relaxing 1930s speakeasy atmosphere. The menu evolves from season to season but one can be assured to find refined fresh meat, fish and vegetarian dishes for all appetites. There is special attention paid to the wine list and a cocktail bar but being in such a ‘French’ place it is hard to imagine drinking anything else than a glass of Bordeaux.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 40 40 78 78
Address: 102, Quai de Jemmapes, 75010
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent, Goncourt, Republique
Restaurant hours: Lunch noon-15h, Dinner 20h -midnight 7/7j
Cafe hours: 9h-1h30 7/7j
Average price: 1 starter + 1 main course + 1 glass of wine =35 euros

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