This is a cosy neighborhood bistrot owned by the welcoming Mr. Subhas with the help of the bubbly Aicha. On the menu is typical french fare with imagination and a solid wine list to match. Note that the ceiling moldings of 18th century boulangerie from which the restaurant was transformed. Definitely worth a stop over if looking for a non-touristy  place to grab a good lunch or dinner.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 42 52 30 36
Address: 51, rue du Mont Cenis, 75018
Metro: Lamarck-Caulaincourt, Jules Joffrin
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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A real gem in the Mabillon quarter of St Germain, La Petite Cour is mostly known for its ultra romantic terrace that is so inviting, so softly lit, so relaxing with the sound of the fountain that one could linger there all night. The menu is seasonal but always refined and quite inventive – try the cherry gazpacho or a foie gras donut! The service is correct, the clientele tends to be on the older side, probably due to the fact that the average check for dinner for two is around 120 euros. Don’t let that stop though, kids, you only live once!

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 42 39 69 81
Address: 8, Rue Mabillon, 75006
Metro: St Germain-des-Prés, Odéon
Lunch hours: everyday, except Saturday: Noon – 14h
Dinner hours: everyday 19h-23h
Average price: Lunch menu 28 euros; Dinner menu 38 euros; Main courses 20 – 50 euros;

It can be overwhelming to find a great place to grab lunch while shopping in Marais so definitely keep this address in mind. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is warm and inviting! On the menu are hearty salads and traditional dishes with fish, lamb to satisfy any hungry, tired patron. And do not be alarmed if the place is full to the brim – the waiters will do their best to seat you in a hurry and service is likely to be smooth and efficient.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 48 87 49 64
Address: 28, Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004
Metro: Hotel de Ville
Restaurant hours: Everyday 09h – 01h;
Average price: Main course: 15 Euros; Bottle of wine around 25 euros

Simplicity and quality are the main ingredients of success for this small restaurant ran by a passionate young owner. Updated traditional French recipes based around seafood and meat (try the 350 gram ribeye for example)  paired with well-selected wines and special attention to presentation and service set what seems to be another corner brasserie way above your expectations.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 48 06 51 92
Address: 92, Ave Ledru Rollin, 75011
Metro: Ledru Rollin
Restaurant hours: Lunch and Dinner, closed Sunday and Monday
Average price: Lunch menu 13 euros, around 25-30  euros at dinner

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

To eat well in Paris, truly well, one must be willing to go away from the main areas and visit the small ‘neighborhood’ restaurants that survive on their quality meals rather than the steady flow of one-time visitors. This bistro is the perfect example of this fact! The decor is classic warm and inviting. The wait staff, dressed in starched white aprons, are pleasant and efficient. The menu is based on ingredients ”du terroir”  and includes a set of daily specials like traditional blood sausage, hearty stews or whole fresh fish, and regular dishes like duck, steak, salmon tartar or classic french salads. Additionally, there is a fresh seafood menu, a large selection of wines and a cheese cave. An average meal with a starter and one glass of wine is 30 euros. It will be hard to save room for dessert but their fondant au chocolat is to die for. If you overeat, you can always take a rest before moving on in the small art-deco park just in front of the cafe, take some sun on the park bench and practice your own chantefables.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 46 36 81 76
Address: 93, Ave. Gambetta, 75020
Metro: Gambetta
Open: 11:45 – midnight, 7/7
Average price: 15 euros for main course

Ok, it is not the most incognito of places but for the simple “quality vs price” ratio and the authentic “turn of the 19th century” atmosphere, this brasserie cannot be overlooked. At Chartier one will find strangers – tourists and locals alike – seated at the same table, refined waiters excelling in arithmetics, and simple fresh (best of all) cheap classic french dishes. What other national monument serves a salad for 2.20 euros or steak and fries for 12 euros? Try to come before 20h to avoid the wait and dont enter with a migraine, the noise can be overwhelming.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 47 70 86 29
Address: 7, rue Du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009
Metro: Grands Boulevards
Opening Hours: 11h30 – 15h & 18h – 23h 7/7
Average Price: starters 3 euros; main courses 12 euros

Warm cosy and ultra classic French cuisine and Lyonnaise atmosphere, accordion included. Yes, they serve frog legs (31 euros) as well as Chateaubriand filet for one or two persons (33-62 euros), beuf a al ficelle ( 26 euros), tarte tatin (12 euros), Bertillon ice creams. Don’t go there with a small appetite! Reservations preferred.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 43 54 99 37
Address: 20, rue des Fossés-Saint Bernard, 75005
Metro: Jussieu, Cardinal Lemoine, Maubert Mutualité
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 12h30-14h15 & 19h30 – 23h
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