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

What used to be a 19th century railway, taking trains from St Maur to present day Bastille Opera, became the only elevated park in the world, designed by architechts Jacques Vergely and Philippe Mathieux in 1993.

4,5 kms long, this two-level promenade snakes through the urban jungle of the 12th arrondissement from Bastille to Bois de Vincennes seemingly unnoticed but one just needs to climb a flight of stairs at the Viaduc des Arts (itself renovated into fine art galleries, crafts and antique shops) and suddenly an enchanting path of topiaries, flowers and trees appears.

Along the way you will find benches, water fountains, separate cycling and pedestrian paths, a park and playground, as well as several cafes and restaurants.

Open: 8h weekdays & 9h on the weekends
Closes: January: 17h30
Fabruary: 18h
March: 19h
15 April – 15 May: 21h
15 May – 31August: 21h30
September: 20h30

M: Bastille

Free WiFi Access

The  chesterfield English leather sofas, black and white tile flooring, rich red walls, velvet curtains, brass bars, very low lighting and allusions to gentleman clubs take you out of time and into the roaring 20’s… albeit minus the  smoking. If you are looking for a comfortable dinner you may be disappointed – lighting is much too low, but if you are coming to have proper cocktails in a proper lounge with a small appetizer on the side, it is an address to keep. On a sunny afternoon  ask for a table upstairs in the fumoir.  Try for a quiet corner table if you’re on a date.  The menu consists of updated Asian dishes. The service can be a little haughty but pay no attention. Reservations are preferred.

PS. Until recently this establishment was called China Club and downstairs jazz concerts still happen several times a week.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 43 46 08 09
Address: 50, Rue de Charenton, 75012
M: Bastille
Average Price: Cocktails 12 euros; Main course 15 euros
Opening Hours: Everyday 18h-02h; Brunch Saturday and Sunday at noon

This is the quintessential Bastille resto. Open for more than a century now, renovated in 2007, the service is jovial, the crowd is unassuming. Great wine list, most menu items are hardy. Many can’t help but think that the food was better before the renovations but amongst the three restos at that intersection, Le Bistro du Peintre is the one to go for first.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 47 00 34 39
Address: 116, Avenue Ledru-Rollin, 75011
M: Ledru Rollin, Voltaire
Opening hours: 7h-02h; Sundays 9h-01h
Average Price: Average 3 course meal 30 euros

Paris Hanoi is one of Paris staples for vietnamese cuisine. Lines form as soon as the doors open because this tiny family restaurant does not take reservations but does offer fairly fast service. Atmosphere inside is relaxed, familial and extremely cosy. The smells from the kitchen take over and suddenly one wants to order everything on the menu. When in doubt, start with spring rolls and then take the beef bobun – the magic mix of fresh veggies, marinated meat, and noodles will not disappoint.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 47 00 47 59
Address: 74, Rue de Charonne, 75011
M: Charonne, Ledru-Rollin
Opening hours: Lunch: noon-14h30. Dinner: 20h-22h30. Closed Sunday
Average price: main course 11 euros

33 1 43 38 29 29
114, boulevard Richard Lenoir 75011
http://www.saintlouisbastille.com
94 to 142 euros
M: Oberkampf
27 rooms
Traditional

33 1 43 70 04 04
9, rue de Reuilly Paris 75012
http://www.lequartierhotelbf.com
120 to 150 euros
M: Faidherbe Chaligny; Reuilly Diderot
61 rooms; free breakfast; free internet
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