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I’ve been to Paris, France many times and one of the most frequent questions I get is “where are the best restaurants in Paris?” So I wrote a Paris food guide to help answer it, based own my own foodie experiences – and cosigned by my belly.
Given its vast gastronomic scene, “the best Paris restaurants” isn’t the easiest list to create. There’s so much to choose from! Lucky for you this guide gives unforgettable recommendations on where to eat in the city d’amour.
Things to Know About Dining in Paris
Make your Paris dining experience as smooth as possible with these tips.
Here are some things to note when planning where to eat in Paris:
Service: if you are American, wait service will be slower than you’re used to. A 15% service charge (“service compris“, like gratuity) will also already be included in your bill per French law. And credit card is mostly accepted everywhere.
Reservations: when I go to Paris I rarely make reservations because I don’t mind changing the plan. If you are tight on time, a large group, or firm on a location, please reserve in advance – especially during the summer. Try calling/WhatsApp or using the Fork app to do so.
Neighborhoods: If you need help understanding arrondissements when planning where to eat in Paris, here is a map. Paris centre is where 1, 2, 3, and 4e arrondissements are located, and then the arrondissement numbers spiral outward like a snail.
Each district and neighborhood has distinct personalities and it is worth visiting as many as possible! My favorites for strolling are 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 11e. This particular list of Paris restaurants includes many different arrondissements and I’ve marked them as numbered abbreviations like “# arr.” so that you have a general idea of the restaurant’s location.
Transport and accessibility: all the restaurants recommended below are easy to get to on foot or by metro for anyone staying in more central arrondissements. If you need wheelchair accommodation your best bets are buses because they have ramps (most metro stations do not have ramps nor elevators).
Best Breakfast + Lunch Spots in Paris
There are so many great restaurants in Paris for lunch, breakfast, and budget-friendly bites. FYI: “Petit-déjeuner” is French for breakfast, and “déjeuner” is the word for lunch.
Creperie Bretonne
Over on Rue du Montparnasse (14e arr.) there is a street dotted with delicious creperies (local faves and budget friendly too!) One of my favorites is Creperie Bretonne which cost us €27 for two people to have lunch.
There is plenty of outdoor seating, we didn’t need reservations, and the savory crepes, called “galettes”, are very filling. I ordered a traditional galette filled with œuf (egg), emmental (cheese), and jambon (ham).
Bistro Richelieu
If you’re looking for some French staples for a midday meal near the Louvre (1er arr.), Bistrot Richelieu is a great pick for lunch in Paris. I loved my crousti poulet (chicken sandwich) and my husband found his beef tartare delicious!
There is indoor and outdoor seating but it is a tight sidewalk spot on a small but busy road. For two people expect to pay about €60.
Chez Aline
Visit one of the best places for jambon-beurre lunch in the 11th arrondissement. Chez Aline is a tiny spot with a line out the door, and only about five seats, but most people get their sandwiches as takeaway.
We spent €13 for two sandwiches and somehow squeezed onto the tight bar stools to enjoy melt-in-your mouth ham in fresh baguettes.
Fric Frac
Try out a classic Croque Monsieur or Croque Madame at Fric Frac up in Montmartre (18e arr.) This came local recommended as a spot that delivers amazing portions and flavor, at a great price. They also were the perfect stopping point since we had the genius (exhausting) idea to walk up the entire hill to get to Basilique du Sacré-Cœur for sunset. We spent €20 for two people.
Cafe Charlot
If you want to be in the hip neighborhood of Le Marais (3e arr.) and truly feel the bustle of the city locals, get to Cafe Charlot for an afternoon of drinks and charcuterie. The service is laidback and welcoming, the decor embodies authentic French cafe style, and there is a full menu for dining if you need more.
We spent €43 here for two people and loved that it was right across from le Marche des Enfants Rouges (a famous food market). Fair warning: although delicious, I thought the charcuterie size was small for being more than half the bill.
Le Cassette
This was one of my favorite brunch spots in the 6e arr. because they have the perfect corner location for quintessential people-watching without the heavy tourist crowds.
With delicious dishes to match their robust floral cafe decor, you can channel your inner European relaxation mode and spend a few hours here. We spent €60 for eggs benedict and salmon avocado toast, paired with a cappuccino and fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Paris Baguette
It may be a chain, but Paris Baguette in Montparnasse wowed me every morning for breakfast and is totally worthy of making this list. One location was next to my hotel in the 6e/14e arrondissement and their breads and pastries were always perfection (and pretty affordable!)
Even when I tried the popular spots, it just didn’t come close to the freshness at Paris Baguette. For breakfast to-go we usually paid about €10 for two people and they have a few locations throughout the city. I recommend pain au chocolat, or torsade lardons et fromage (ham and cheese bread twists).
Best Restaurants in Paris for Dinner
Having dinner in Paris is one of my favorite things to do because you always end up taking a stroll on the seine before and/or after. Plus the food is delicious, of course!
Chez Fernand Christine
Chez Fernand Christine may be one of my favorite dinner restaurants in Paris and I lucked out getting in with no reservation (pro tip: opt for a late dinner once the evening rush is gone).
This Saint Germain (6e. arr.) restaurant truly feels like you are dining in old Paris here with the intimate setting, rustic decor, and traditional French menu. We had salted bone marrow, mushroom ravioli with foie gras sauce, and the star of the show: pork chop from Maison Montalet. With wine and dessert, this romantic dinner in Paris cost us €137.
Le Comptior General
If you are looking for a break from the butter, steak, and bread, enjoy pescatarian dishes with Caribbean flair at the hip Comptior General in Le Marais. Once again I had no reservations and am shocked we got into this hidden gem, especially during the famous Fête de la Musique festival with thousands of people outside, but we squeezed in!
Come here for dinner, drinks, or dance on salsa and bachata nights. We spent €63 for two people and got drinks, fish kebabs, grilled sardines, and a tomato dish.
Brasserie des Pres
At Cour du Commerce St. Andre in St. Germain (6e arr.) you can find the cutest hidden pedestrian street, lined with restaurants. Brasserie des Pres is nestled within it and definitely worth the long wait if you don’t have a reservation.
There are multiple floors and the food is immaculate. We ordered classic [French] onion soup, a beef filet, truffled saucisson (dry sausage), comté cheese slices, and wine, for €88 and we’d do it again!
La Crémaillère 1900
While up visiting Basilique du Sacré-Cœur for epic sunset views and strolling pretty streets like Rue de l’Abreuvoir, visit the collection of restaurants in Montmartre (18e arr.)
One of the more popular ones to try is La Crémaillère 1900 because of its large seating availability and scenic evening setting. We had wine, beef bourguignon, and duck leg confit for an evening of traditional French cuisine and spent €75 for two people.
Other Paris Restaurant Recommendations:
I didn’t get to personally go to the below Paris restaurants and eateries yet, but they’ve been on my list and frequently come highly recommended. They also represent Paris’ diverse cumminty and gasatronomic scene, which combine French cuisine but also global flavors.
- L’Almanach Montmartre in 18e arr. for French cuisine
- Boulangerie du Sentier in 2e arr. for fresh baguettes, baked goods, and pastries
- Urfa Durum in 10e arr. for budget-friendly Kurdish lunch
- Bistrot des Tournelles in 4e arr., recently named best bistro in Paris (try the Cordon bleu)
- Osè African Cuisine in 10e and 11e arr. for Afro street food
- Joséphine Chez Dumonet in 6e arr. for upscale French dinner in a vintage setting
- Zapi in 1er arr. for Italian cuisine with funky mid-century modern decor
- Bodega Potxolo for Spanish tapas in 11e arr.
- Le Récamier in 7e arr. for French cuisine and soufflés
- Big Black Cook in 2e arr. for Caribbean food
Which Foods to Try in Paris (checklist)
Wondering what quintessential French and Parisian dishes to eat at the restaurants? Make sure you try these foods during your vacation in Paris.
Now that you have a great starting point for which restaurants to try in Paris, I highly recommend you use the below list as your guiding light for which foods to order. Since it was my husband’s first time visiting, I downloaded the checklist to my phone during our trip so we could make sure he got the staples.
- Pain au chocolat
- Crêpes (or galettes if they’re savory)
- Cheeses at fromageries
- Croque monsieur/madame
- Jambon beurre
- Steak frites
- Steak tartare
- Escargot
- Foie gras
- Milles feuilles
- Le gôuter (madeleines, macarons, pastry puffs, tartines)
- Onion Soup
- Baguette tradition
If you want a pretty Paris food checklist illustration to keep or share with your travel crew, you can download this free one below and save it to your device!
Whether visiting in the summer or cooler months, Paris is a good vibe with good eats! I hope you found this guide useful and that you love eating your way through some of the best restaurants in Paris.
Let me know if you have any questions about planning your trip.
I offer travel planning services where you can pick my brain about planning your next trip, or I can help you book hotels with VIP perks as a certified travel agent.
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