The Best Bistros in Paris
They embody the vibrant capital and take you back to the authentic and gourmet Paris of yesteryear. At a time when trendy eateries are popping up all over the city, Parisian bistros remain timeless institutions that are truly unmissable. What could be better than grabbing a drink at the neighborhood bistro with colleagues and then diving into a platter of cheeses and cold cuts, or even enjoying classic French dishes that are simple and delicious, all in a friendly and warm atmosphere? Let’s head to the best bistros in Paris, where the spirit lingers on.
Le Paco
Le Paco is a true neighborhood bistro where life is good, a family-friendly spot. You’ll be instantly charmed by the chill and warm decor of this new place in the 9th, where you can already imagine enjoying cocktails while nibbling on tapas, or taking a break in a cozy atmosphere.
The Paco
80 rue de Maubeuge - 9e
More info
BB restaurant
Want to indulge in delicious charcuterie boards, a tasty country terrine, or a classic croque-monsieur just the way we like it? You’re in the right place! At BB restaurant, we serve a delightful twist on traditional cuisine. The chef is bursting with creativity, bringing you dishes that are uncomplicated yet always surprising. On the menu, there’s a 7-hour lamb paired with a scrumptious carrot purée and a rich thyme jus, or a fantastic French-style burger oozing with cheese. Let's dive in with our eyes closed!
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BB restaurant
8, rue Pierre Sémard — 9th
Bistro Paris 9; trendy bistro Paris
Restaurant open Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 1:30 AM, Saturday continuously and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
To reserve: 01 48 78 70 31
More info
Lou Cantou
With its red facade, retro tiling, wooden tables, and vintage decor, this place has all the charm to make you feel like you've stepped into another era. For over a century, Lou Cantou has been a haven for food lovers. Tucked away in a quiet little street, just a stone's throw from the Galeries Lafayette and the Palais Garnier, this spot delights the taste buds of everyone who walks through its doors. The dishes are generous and delicious, with plenty of classic options on the menu! It's pure bistro literature at its finest and at affordable prices. On the menu: a delightful soup of l'.
gratinated onion, a crispy supreme of Petit Duc yellow chicken served with tagliatelle and its thyme sauce, a Montagne Aveyron sausage with an ultra generous homemade aligot, or even a melting brioche styled like French toast.
35 cité d’Antin – 9e
Bistrot Paris 9
Monday to Tuesday from 12pm to 3pm
And from Wednesday to Friday from 12pm to 10pm
Happy hour from 5pm to 10:30pm
More info
Astair
Take a deep breath and settle in because this truly Parisian spot is likely to charm you like a Casanova passionately flirting before ghosting you for days just to keep you hooked. There's nothing toxic like that at Astair, but rather the delightful feeling of floating and traveling through time once you're seated at this lovely bistro in the Passage des Panoramas (is there a more delightful street for dining with good company?). Do we really need to mention the cozy red banquettes and wooden tables, the perfect soundtrack, or the delicious French cuisine crafted with finesse? Our hearts say yes!Three things are for sure: you'll be well taken care of, you'll have a great time, and you won't leave feeling disappointed. So go ahead and choose the green bean salad or the chicken supreme, and wash it down with a nice bottle of red. My plus one used the phrase "good vibes," and I promised to include it here, so here it is—you've been warned: I always keep my word.
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Astair
19 passage des Panoramas — 2e
Bistrot Paris 2
More info
The Giraffe's Dress
When we think of a classic Parisian bistro, what comes to mind? Zinc countertops, wooden chairs, vintage tiling, retro decor, and in the kitchen, slow-cooked dishes, 5A andouillette, and homemade fries, all wrapped in a unique and lively atmosphere. The Giraffe's Dress is exactly that, and that's why we love it! Today, and for our greatest pleasure, our favorite spot in the 11th is renewing itself to offer even more little delights with a truly French flavor. While we used to go there with friends in the evening or with colleagues at lunchtime for a delicious piece of meat paired with a glass of red, we can now soak up the warm and friendly vibe for a quick lunch. Every afternoon, there’s a special corner with standing tables ready for delicious bites!hurry up, sandwich lovers of Paris, and come take a delicious break in a laid-back atmosphere.
©Nais Bessaih
La Robe de la Girafe
5, rue Froment – 11th
Bistro Paris 11
Monday to Saturday
Our article
Les Arlots
Right in the heart of the 9th, this neighborhood bistro with a black facade has become legendary for its butter-mash sausage that’s simply unbeatable. A place that focuses on the essentials of flavor and offers a wide selection of great wines. Enjoy this generous and comforting cuisine with friends, and leave with a bill that won’t break the bank. In short, we approve of this local gastro spot for a nice aperitif or a lovely dinner!
Les Arlots
136, rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière – 10th
Bistro Paris 10
From Tuesday to Saturday
Pierrot
This institution in the Montorgueil area has become a must-visit for a post-work drink. Everyone knows Pierrot, who glides between the tables with a smile. People come to Pierrot especially for the atmosphere, and it’s always a joy to visit with family to savor this refined Southwest cuisine. Generations have gathered here to eat together, making this place a true Proustian madeleine.
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Pierrot
18, rue Étienne-Marcel – 2e
Bistrot Paris 2
Monday to Saturday
Le Petit Célestin
Old tiled floors, red tables, and checkered tablecloths: everything comes together for a timeless experience. At the back of the room, you can catch a glimpse of a cozy kitchen where delightfully crafted bourgeois dishes emerge. The menu is short but sweet, showcasing classics like a stunning egg mayo, a super crispy head of veal, or a wonderfully tender ray wing. On the sweet side, it’s tough to choose between a charming crème brûlée or an intensely chocolatey mousse. We wash it all down with a little glass of wine of the moment, like a Mâcon or a Morgon...
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Le Petit Célestin
12, quai des Célestins – 4th
Bistro Paris 4
Open Wednesday to Sunday continuously
Le Square Trousseau
A bistro dating back to 1907, facing the lovely Trousseau square in the 12th district. This typically Parisian establishment made an appearance in Le Père Noël est une ordure when Zézette and Thérèse were on the hunt for oysters and white wine. You can enjoy a tartare with fries, a lemon-ginger sea bream carpaccio, or even a prawn risotto. The cuisine is authentic yet original, best savored on the beautiful and spacious heated terrace, a glass of wine in hand. However, the bill can be a bit pricey.
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Le Square Trousseau
1, rue Antoine-Vollon – 12e
Bistrot Paris 12
Monday to Sunday
Pharamond
It's by far the oldest on our list! Born in 1879 in the Etienne-Marcel neighborhood, Bistrot Pharamond offers generous, honest, and uniquely Norman cuisine in a slightly fancy but not over-the-top atmosphere. Meat lovers will be thrilled: with dishes like pheasant pie, Caen-style tripe, handmade andouillette, or royal hare, there's plenty to enjoy before finishing off with a delightfully indulgent Trou Normand! And if Fitzgerald and Hemingway were fans back in the 20s, you can bet this bistro is a real gem!
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Pharamond
24, rue de la Grande-Truanderie – 1er
Bistrot Paris 1
Open Monday to Sunday
La Fontaine de Mars
Located on Rue Saint-Dominique, not far from the Eiffel Tower, this bistro, which dates back to 1908, offers delicious local cuisine where duck confit, Basque blood sausage, and a platter of cured meats compete for attention. A true neighborhood bistro, it’s the perfect spot to hang out and grab a drink in a friendly atmosphere! Even Obama often enjoys a meal here. What we love most is that each day comes with its own special dish! So, no chance of getting bored with this lovely variety of options from Monday to Friday!
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The Fontaine de Mars
129, rue Saint-Dominique – 7th
Bistro Paris 7
From Monday to Sunday
The Stairs
This bistro, located near the Eiffel Tower between the Seine and the Museum of Modern Art, has been a part of "Relais Routier" since 1972, offering a slice of history just waiting to be explored. Checkered tablecloths, authentic decor, no fuss, just good honest food. The dishes are generous and indulgent, and classic French cuisine is definitely on the menu! A true bistro literature at its purest and at affordable prices! Ribeye steak, kidneys in Dijon sauce, pot-au-feu, veal chop with morels… Enough to delight the taste buds of good food lovers! All in a guaranteed friendly atmosphere!
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Les Marches
5, Manutention Street – 16th
Bistro Paris 16; Best Bistro Paris 16
From Monday to Sunday
Café des Musées
Located just a stone's throw from Place des Vosges and the Picasso Museum, this institution founded in 1924 has preserved the charm of Parisian cafés from the 1930s with its Art Deco stained glass, wooden decor, and open kitchen. Café des Muses offers traditional bistro cuisine, homemade with fresh, local ingredients, and the menu changes daily. You’ll savor delights like watercress soup, country terrine with Calvados, or even a Charolaise rib steak to share. It’s a timeless place full of character, with a friendly atmosphere that's perfect for those slightly gloomy end-of-day moments!
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Café des Musées
49, rue de Turenne — 3rd
Bistro Paris 3
Monday to Sunday
La Palette
This café counter dating back to 1902 was the headquarters of Cézanne, Picasso, and Braque. Today, La Palette quickly comes alive with students and teachers from the nearby School of Fine Arts and the Architecture School, along with neighboring gallery owners. The clientele is cosmopolitan, and on sunny days, it’s delightful to have lunch on the terrace. Inside, people particularly enjoy sitting on the moleskine bench, next to the ceramic walls and a few Art Deco frescos from the 1930s in the second room. On the menu, you can indulge in Poilâne toasts, platters of charcuterie and cheese, steak tartare, or organic eggs served in various styles. With its soft, rare light and intimate atmosphere, this Parisian bistro has become a must-visit.able.
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La Palette
43, rue de Seine – 6th
Bistro Paris 6; bistro chic Paris
From Monday to Sunday
Les Deux Magots
In the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a charming neighborhood...rme particulier, this renowned café-bistro needs no introduction! Many illustrious artists including Louis Aragon, André Gide, Picasso, and Hemingway would spend countless hours here. A large room where the spirit of poets brushes by you, a terrace where you can savor the famous old-fashioned hot chocolate facing the church, a bistro where you come to enjoy the endless Parisian ballet. You can indulge in excellent authentic croque-monsieur, as well as quiches, omelets, fresh salads, and other typically French specialties. This cherished Parisian institution is one of the oldest cafés in Paris and continues to attract personalities from the worlds of art and literature, as well as fashion and politics, not to mention tourists from around the globe.
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Les Deux Magots
6, place Saint-Germain-des-Prés – 6e
Bistro Paris 6
Open every day from Monday to Sunday
The Bar du Marché
Known as one of the most popular terraces in the Odéon neighborhood, everyone rushes to the Bar du Marché for happy hour, and here’s a little tip: go early! Close to the Buci market, this small, unpretentious bar is a must-visit spot in Paris. You’ll find a mix of bourgeois youth and students, along with some trendy locals. With its charm of old romantic France, this bistro is very welcoming, and the vibe is nothing short of lovely! Typically Parisian with its checkered red and white tablecloths and waiters dressed in gavroche hats and overalls, the Bar du Marché offers sausage-fries-beer, cheese toasts with red wine, and of course, tartare, flank steak, omelets, or ham macaroni!
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The Bar du Marché
75, rue de Seine – 6th
Bistro Paris 6
Open every day from Monday to Sunday
Café Truc
With a name like that, you can't miss it! Just a stone's throw from Bastille, Laurent Couegnas, who describes his cooking as “grandmother's cuisine,” lovingly prepares seasonal ingredients that are delicately selected and offers dishes on the menu alongside his "Trucs of the Day." Slate tiles on the walls, steaming copper pots on the tables, vintage cutlery, bistro chairs, everything comes together to make this place a truly Parisian bistro! Here, you can enjoy grandmother-style cooking with dishes like veal stew, beef flank with sauced rattes, Provençal scallops, and of course, the famous snails and rice pudding for dessert, all in a warm, friendly atmosphere that we love so much. The wines are selected annually from local producers.
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Le Café Truc
8, rue Froment – 11e
Bistrot Paris 11
From Monday to Saturday
Le Laffite
Here’s a great bistro where you can enjoy a drink in this trendy neighborhood! It’s quick, it smells wonderful, and it tastes amazing! This is the realm of Lulu, Claude, and Olivier, three friends who have been running the place for seven years. The menu focuses on hearty red meats sourced directly from Gillot, and their andouillette is a specialty too! For dessert, classics like chocolate mousse, rice pudding, and caramel crème are a must-have. In short, delicious and comforting plates that truly feel like France. Many regulars love this bistro where you are welcomed like family, gathering for lunches filled with authentic flavors.
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Le Laffite
43, rue Laffitte – 9th
Bistro Paris 9
From Monday to Friday
Le Petit Village
In the heart of the Batignolles, it’s truly the perfect neighborhood bar for after work! With reasonable prices, top-notch cocktails, great glasses of wine, and super welcoming bartenders, you can enjoy delicious boards of charcuterie and cheese just the way we like them! The decoration is simple, a bit quirky with rustic furniture, making this Parisian bistro an unusual and authentic spot where many regulars gather each week. The kitchen only uses fresh, seasonal ingredients, and the daily specials are always well thought out—definitely a safe bet! We puff away on the sidewalk, whispering, drink in hand, and linger for hours chatting about life and laughing with friends until closing time. Relaxed and laid-back vibe, where good music is always flowing!
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The Little Village
58, rue la Condamine – 17th
Bistro Paris 17
From Monday to Saturday