Paris is home to thousands of restaurants, from Michelin-starred temples of haute cuisine to tourist traps lining the Champs-Élysées. But where do Parisians actually eat?
The city’s best restaurants aren’t always the ones plastered across guidebooks. They’re the neighborhood bistros where regulars claim their favorite tables, the affordable bouillons packed with locals at lunch, and the neo-bistros run by chefs who trained in palace kitchens before striking out on their own.
This list takes you beyond the obvious to the Paris restaurants that Parisians themselves love, offering everything from classic steak-frites to inventive modern cuisine — these are all the places where you’ll get the full Paris tasting experience.
1. Bistrot Paul Bert
This lively neighborhood bistro in the 11th arrondissement is exactly what every visitor imagines when they dream of finding the best non-touristy Paris restaurants. Since its opening, Bistrot Paul Bert has become the gold standard for traditional French bistro cooking, with a daily changing chalkboard menu and a rustic atmosphere that feels genuine and welcoming. The red-painted facade, white lace curtains, and vintage tile floors create the perfect backdrop for exceptional food.
The steak au poivre with hand-cut frites is legendary, arriving perfectly cooked with a rich peppercorn sauce. The Paris-Brest dessert, a classic pastry filled with praline cream, is worth saving room for. Other standouts include the bone marrow, pâté de campagne, and whatever fish is fresh that day. The wine list focuses on small French producers, with knowledgeable staff happy to help guide your selection.
Expect to see more locals than tourists here, especially at lunch when the prix fixe menu offers incredible value.
Address: 18 Rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris
Phone: +33 1 43 72 24 01
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12:00 pm-2:00 pm, 7:30 pm-11:00 pm; Closed Sunday-Monday
2. L’Ami Jean
Chef Stéphane Jégo runs this boisterous Basque-inspired bistro near the Eiffel Tower like a joyful family gathering. The space is small, and tables are packed tightly together, creating an energetic atmosphere where strangers often end up chatting across tables. Jégo trained under legendary chef Yves Camdeborde and brings that same dedication to seasonal ingredients and bold flavors to every dish he prepares at L’Ami Jean.
The menu here changes regularly, but you can expect dishes like Parmesan soup with truffles, roasted guinea fowl with creamy mashed potatoes, and perfectly cooked fresh seafood. The famous rice pudding arrives family-style in a large wooden bowl, served with nougatine and caramel on the side for everyone to share. The Portions here are generous and meant for lingering over good wine and conversation.
This is one of the best affordable restaurants in Paris, but reservations are necessary as L’Ami Jean is always packed.
Address: 27 Rue Malar, 75007 Paris
Phone: +33 1 47 05 86 89
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12:00 pm-2:00 pm, 7:00 pm-11:00 pm; Closed Sunday-Monday
3. Frenchie
Chef Grégory Marchand opened Frenchie on a dead-end street in the 2nd arrondissement in 2009 and quickly transformed it into one of Paris’s most sought-after spots to make a reservation. After working with Jamie Oliver in London and at top New York kitchens, Marchand (nicknamed “Frenchie” by his English colleagues) brought a global perspective to French cuisine, earning a Michelin star for his creative, seasonal dishes.
The menu changes constantly based on what’s available from nearby suppliers at Terroirs d’Avenir. Expect beautiful presentations of market-driven dishes, like mushroom agnolotti with chanterelles and black garlic, Atlantic monkfish with green curry and coconut, or creative vegetable preparations that put produce front and center. The intimate space seats just 30 people, with an open kitchen where you can watch the team work.
Book well in advance or arrive at opening if you’re hoping for a cancellation. If you can’t get in, the Frenchie Bar à Vins across the street serves small plates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Address: 5 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris
Phone: +33 1 40 39 96 19
Hours: Thursday-Friday 12:00 pm-2:00 pm, Monday-Friday 6:30 pm-10:00 pm; Closed weekends
4. Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards
This stunning 1896 restaurant is one of the best affordable restaurants in Paris. Bouillon Chartier serves over 1,500 meals daily to a mix of savvy Parisians and tourists who’ve discovered that the €10-15 meals are the real deal. The quality of the food here comes from working with consistent suppliers and traditional recipes executed thousands of times. The Art Nouveau dining room features mirrors, brass fixtures, and waiters in black vests scribbling orders on paper tablecloths just as they have for over a century, adding to the spot’s elegant ambiance.
The menu offers classic French comfort food at prices that seem impossible in central Paris. Most would recommend starting with the leek vinaigrette or a dozen escargots in garlic butter, followed by duck confit, steak-frites, or blanquette de veau (veal stew), and finishing with île flottante or chocolate profiteroles.
Yes, there’s usually a line, but it moves quickly, and the organized system ensures everyone gets seated. Visit during off-peak hours (arrive at 11:30am for lunch or 6pm for dinner) to minimize waits.
Address: 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris
Phone: +33 1 47 70 86 29
Hours: Daily 11:30 am-12:00 am
5. Chez Georges
Hidden near the Bourse in the 2nd arrondissement, Chez Georges has been serving classic French bistro food since 1964. This is the kind of place where fashion industry insiders from nearby Place Vendôme lunch alongside neighborhood regulars who’ve been coming for decades. The zinc bar, checked tablecloths, and vintage posters create an atmosphere that has remained unchanged for 60 years, giving it a chic-retro vibe.
The menu is a masterclass in traditional bistro cooking done right. The grilled entrecôte with marrow butter is exceptional, as is the sole meunière prepared tableside. Start with œufs mayo (hard-boiled eggs with homemade mayonnaise) or pâté en croûte, and don’t skip the profiteroles for dessert. The wine list also features solid French bottles at fair prices.
Expect the service here to be professional and efficient, as in the old-school Parisian style. The outdoor terrace with its iconic checkered tablecloths is also one of the most photographed in Paris, so be sure to have your camera ready.
Address: 1 Rue du Mail, 75002 Paris
Phone: +33 1 42 60 07 11
Hours: Monday-Friday 12:00 pm-2:00 pm, 7:00 pm-10:30 pm; Closed weekends
6. Le Servan
Sisters Tatiana and Katia Levha run the modern bistro Le Servan in the 11th arrondissement, where French technique meets Asian and international influences. The casual, welcoming space draws neighborhood locals and food-savvy visitors for cooking that’s both creative and deeply satisfying. The constantly changing menu reflects what’s in season and what inspires the chefs.
Expect dishes like razor clams with yuzu, pork with miso and ginger, or duck with plum sauce that show off the sisters’ ability to balance flavors. The vegetable preparations shine, with seasonal produce treated with the same care as proteins. The wine list focuses on natural wines and small producers. Lunch offers excellent value with a prix fixe menu, while dinner brings more elaborate dishes.
The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, with friendly service that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. Reservations are recommended for this Parisian restaurant that’s not only easy on the wallet but punches well above its weight.
Address: 32 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris
Phone: +33 1 55 28 51 82
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12:00 pm-2:00 pm, 7:00 pm-10:30 pm; Closed Sunday-Monday
7. Parcelles
This cozy Marais bistro brings a modern sensibility to French classics while maintaining the warmth of a neighborhood gathering spot. The stylishly retro space features exposed brick, vintage furniture, and an open kitchen where you can watch dishes being prepared. Chef Jean-Jacques Bernat trained in top Paris restaurants before opening Parcelles as his own personal project.
The menu here also changes frequently based on market availability, but the veal sweetbreads are a signature dish worth ordering whenever available. Other highlights include creative pasta preparations, beautifully cooked fish, and vegetable dishes that showcase seasonal produce.
The restaurant also has its own épicerie, selling house-made charcuterie, spices, and specialty ingredients that appear on the menu.
There’s a carefully curated wine list that emphasizes natural wines and small producers, and the service is attentive and knowledgeable, happy to explain dishes and make recommendations.
Address: 92 Rue de la Folie-Méricourt, 75011 Paris
Phone: +33 1 43 48 56 45
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12:30 pm-2:00 pm, 7:30 pm-10:00 pm; Closed Sunday-Monday
8. Café des Anges
Café des Anges is a neo-bistro in the trendy Oberkampf neighborhood that attracts the area’s bobos (bourgeois bohemians) with its relaxed atmosphere and diverse menu that goes beyond traditional French fare. The worn wooden furniture and checked tablecloths nod to classic bistros, but the menu shows more adventurous leanings with Asian-inspired dishes alongside French staples.
The Bobo Salad is a house favorite, as are the generous portions of well-prepared comfort food. The menu offers something for everyone, including solid vegetarian and vegan options that go beyond the typical Parisian afterthought. Unlike many Paris restaurants, Café des Anges stays open until 2am seven days a week, making it perfect for late-night dining.
You can usually walk in and grab a table, even without a reservation, although weekends tend to get busy. The idyllic terrace is perfect for warm-weather dining. The relaxed vibe and fair prices make this a neighborhood spot where you’ll want to linger.
Address: 66 Rue de la Folie-Méricourt, 75011 Paris
Phone: +33 1 48 06 55 98
Hours: Daily 9 am-2 am
9. Bouillon Pigalle
This large, lively bouillon in the Pigalle district is easily one of the best Paris restaurants as it continues the tradition of affordable French comfort food for the masses. Unlike tourist-trap restaurants in the area, Bouillon Pigalle is filled with locals seeking hearty, well-executed classics at prices that make daily dining affordable.
The menu features all the bouillon classics: French onion soup, leeks vinaigrette, roast chicken with frites, beef bourguignon, and duck confit. Starters begin at €2, mains around €10, and desserts from €3, making it possible to enjoy a full three-course meal for under €20. The quality is surprisingly good for the price, with generous portions and straightforward preparations. The space is always nearly full, creating that welcoming, convivial energy that defines Paris’s best affordable restaurants.
Service is efficient and friendly, with waiters who’ve perfected the art of turning tables without making anyone feel rushed. The bustling, energetic atmosphere and continuous service from midday until late also make it easy to fit into any schedule.
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Address: 22 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris
Phone: +33 1 42 59 69 31
Hours: Daily 12:00 pm-12:00 am
10. Le Bon Georges
Le Bon Georges is a modern bistro in the 9th arrondissement, near the Opéra, that brings fresh energy to French classics, focusing on high-quality ingredients sourced daily. Chef Benoît Duval-Arnould creates menus that change constantly based on what’s available from Lorraine beef producers and local vegetable suppliers. The location makes it especially convenient for pre-theater dining or exploring the lively neighborhood.
The cooking is reliably excellent, with dishes that honor tradition while showing a light, modern touch. Expect perfectly cooked meats, fresh fish preparations, and vegetables treated with respect. The wine list is extensive and reasonably priced, with helpful staff ready to guide selections.
The restaurant fills with a mix of locals and visitors who’ve done their research, creating a lively but not rowdy atmosphere. While the crowd skews international during peak tourist season, the restaurant maintains its commitment to seasonal French cooking at reasonable prices. Book ahead for dinner, especially on weekends, when neighborhood locals pack the dining room.
Address: 45 Rue Saint-Georges, 75009 Paris
Phone: +33 1 48 78 40 30
Hours: Monday-Friday 12:00 pm-2:00 pm, 7:00 pm-10:30 pm; Closed weekends
Get Ready to Experience the Best Restaurants in Paris
Whether you’re seeking the comfort of perfectly executed steak-frites and profiteroles or the excitement of creative seasonal cooking, these spots deliver authentic experiences that capture what makes Paris’s food scene special. You’ll hear French at neighboring tables, see regulars greeted by name, and taste cooking that prioritizes ingredients and technique over Instagram appeal.
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