Paris Restaurants

  1. À la Cloche d'Or

    Once owned by the family of actress Jeanne Moreau, the 'Golden Bell' has vaudeville charm with its photos of stars, a roaring open fire in winter, and a wonderful house special of steak tartare.

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  2. Angélina

    Situated under the cloisters, this glorious 1903 belle époque tearoom is renowned for its wonderful African hot chocolate, served with a pot of whipped cream. If you're travelling with kids, accommodating staff make them welcome here. If you're travelling toute seule (on your own), pick up a book from Gagliani, France's first English-language bookstore, at neighbouring 224 rue de Rivoli.

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  3. Au Grand Appétit

    The 'Big Appetite' offers light fare such as miso soup and cereals as well as strength-building dishes for big eaters. The menu is on a big blackboard and features delicious vegetarian dishes served with cereals, raw and cooked veges and seaweed. The ingredients are 100% organic and cooked in filtered water. An excellent organic and macrobiotic shop is attached.

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  4. Au Pied de Cochon

    The former halles (markets; described by French novelist Emile Zola as the 'belly of Paris') may have shifted out of the centre nearly half a century ago, but this enduring brasserie specialising in pig's trotters still opens around the clock, just as it did when marketeers started and ended their day here. Trotters aside, there are hearty breakfasts and onion soup.

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  5. Au Rocher de Cancale

    Rue Montorgueil was the oyster market of the old halles , and this timber-lined restaurant opened in 1846 is its legacy. Virtually unchanged since the days of the markets, there's a choice of three plats du jour plus two chef's suggestions, alongside oysters from Cancale, Brittany's foremost oyster port. Everything here, including the wine, is great value.

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  7. Aux Négociants

    The Montmartre known and loved by Charles Aznavour is alive and well at this jovial, locally patronised wine bar serving rib-sticking classics such as bœuf bourguignon.

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  8. Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville

    This caféteria , on the 5th floor of the Hôtel de Ville department store, is a kid-friendly (and wallet-friendly) choice, offering a carvery and desserts such as parfaits. There's also eye-level views of the statues adorning the Hôtel de Ville's roofline.

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  9. Blue Elephant

    The Blue Elephant is Paris' most famous upmarket Thai restaurant and part of an international chain, with a dozen branches in cities round the world from Brussels to Beirut. Although it has become a little too successful for its own good, the indoor tropical rainforest and well-prepared spicy dishes are still worth the somewhat inflated prices.

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  10. Brasserie Bofinger

    To experience brasserie dining in all its Art Nouveau splendour, there's no better place in town than here. The historic Bofinger's food is first-rate, its service genuine, and a seat under its glass cupola sublime. Past diners span from Mikhail Gorbachev to Madonna, but it's the little snippets of Parisian life you see around you as you dine that make the experience unforgettable.

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  11. Brasserie de l'Ile St-Louis

    Renowned for Alsatian cuisine, with various dishes doused in riesling, you might just as easily be in a winstub on Strasbourg's Grand Île a few kilometres from the German border - were it not for the views of Notre Dame from the terrace. Even if you're not dining, it's a spectacular setting for a drink.

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  13. Café Branly

    Drink in the views of the Eiffel Tower while sipping an espresso or wine on the terrace of the Musée du Quai Branly's café, amid reflecting pools and gardens. Lunches, such as a tartine Parisienne of Parisian ham, Emmental cheese, fresh tomatoes and mustard-butter, offer a light alternative (for your wallet, too) to dining in style upstairs at Les Ombres.

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  14. Café Marly

    The glittering views of IM Pei's glass pyramid, and of the French movers, shakers and stars who frequent this cafe, make drinking and/or dining here a classic Parisian experience. The perfect spot to refresh the senses during a day at the Louvre.

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  15. Charlot, Roi des Coquillages

    These Art Deco premises enjoy a regal reputation among Parisians for their trademark seafood platters, but Charlot also does delicious grilled sardines, and bouillabaisse to make any Marseillais homesick. Lunch menus are terrific value.

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  16. Chez Léna et Mimille

    This intimate but very elegant restaurant has one of the most fabulous terraces in Paris, overlooking a little park with a fountain and comical equestrian statue. And the food is excellent; classic mains with a twist include navarin d'agneau (a kind of lamb stew) and ravioles de romans au beurre basilique (ravioli with basil butter).

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  17. Chez Marianne

    There's often a wait for a table at Chez Marianne's black-and-white-tiled restaurant space, but the phenomenal mix-and-match platters, with choices including olives, hummus, eggplant and much more, are worth every minute. Otherwise you can pack a picnic from the deli to take to the Place des Vosges, or pick up felafel sandwiches from the takeaway window.

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  19. Chez Marie

    Decoupaged with old theatre and advertising posters, this little place away from the tourist crowds isn't the venue for a blow-out gourmet meal, but if you're after simple French standards, such as thigh of duck or well-cooked fish, served by kindly staff, it's a treat.

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  20. Chez Nicos

    The blackboard outside crêpe artist Nicos' unassuming little shop chalks up an overwhelming variety of fillings, but ask by name for his 'La Crêpe du Chef', which is stuffed with aubergines, feta, mozzarella, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. There's a handful of tables inside; otherwise head to a nearby park.

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  21. Chez Toinette

    Game such as partridge, doe and roebuck are among the simply but superbly prepared dishes chalked on the blackboard of this vaunted bistro, along with the house speciality, duck fillet with sage and honey.

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  22. Comptoir de la Gastronomie

    Here since 1894, this gorgeous Art Nouveau establishment has an elegant dining room where dishes are constructed around delicacies such as foie gras, truffles and caviar. The adjoining épicerie (specialist grocer) stocks a scrumptious array of gourmet goods to take home.

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  23. Crêperie Bretonne

    Authentic down to its crisp-at-the-edges buckwheat galettes and perfectly buttered sweet crêpes (with salted butter, of course), this place is filled with emotive photos of Brittany, and, joy of joys, serves brut Val de Rance cider. Yec'hed mat (that's Breton for cheers)!

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  25. Georges

    Encased in aluminium sheeting with modular arctic-white seats, the Pompidou Centre's hyper-industrial dining room has stunning views over Paris' rooftops, especially from its terrace. But a cautionary tale from a non-French-speaking friend: 'The menu's words don't necessarily mean anything - my main course translated to "the Crying Tiger". It was divine, but I still have absolutely no idea what it was.'

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  26. Godjo

    Although its name means 'humble farmer's house', the woven wall-hangings, carved timber artefacts and paintings at this Ethiopian restaurant make eating here something like dining in an art gallery (but a buzzy, informal one). It's a great option for vegetarians, with a slew of meatless dishes to choose from.

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  27. L'Ambassade d'Auvergne

    The 'Auvergne Embassy' is the place to head for if you're feeling famished. This 100-year-old restaurant offers traditional regional dishes such as salade tiééde de lentilles vertes du Puy (warm salad of green Puy lentils), a great lead-up to the house speciality: saucisse d'Auvergne à l'aligot (Auvergne sausage served with a potato and cheese purée).

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  28. L'As de Felafel

    The famous fried chickpea balls here are flawlessly textured, but the platters are too heavy on the lettuce and too light on everything else, and beer, plonked down unopened in the can, is outrageously overpriced. Go for the felafel sandwiches and you can't go wrong, but to savour a sit-down meal, go down the road to Chez Marianne.

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  29. L'Atelier de Joël Robouchon

    The legendary Robouchon serves inspired cuisine at long black-lacquered bars rather than separate tables, reflecting the increasing numbers of Parisians dining alone who still want to eat very well. Bar Signature is also here.

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