If you’re a foodie and well, I’ve definitely become one over the years, Paris is a godsend since it’s nearly impossible to find a bad meal even in the more touristy areas. We’ve written quite a bit about food in Paris, including great places to get coffee, chocolate, the best creperies and so on. Here’s the latest short list from a more recent trip. Enjoy and be sure to take notes for your next trip to this romantically delicious gem.
Le Marche des Efants Rouge in the Marais. Along Rue de Beauce, this is a classic French restaurant, small, quaint and perfect for a casual night out. The food is great as is the service but if you want upscale, fine dining and dark romance, go for one of our other picks below. The closest metro is Temple.
L’Eclaire de Genie in the Marais. Think candy, pasta, incredible pastries and creative craquettes and sweets. The closest metro is Saint Paul.
Les Bougresses is also located in the Marais on 6 Rue de Jarente with the closet metro also being either Saint Paul or Temple. This place is incredibly authentic at its core and has long wooden tables which is perfect for a small group share. It’s located in the Marais in a quaint part of Paris and is a must visit if you’re spending time in this part of the city.
Like I said, traditional French food and authentic at its core. I love the old world style to this place.
L’Escargot on Rue Montogueil. A must try – classic, traditional French, historical, old and has been around since the 1800s.
Le Christine on 1 rue Christine. I love this restaurant and have been several times. Located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, between Saint-Michel and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, they also offer cooking classes in addition to lunch and dinner. At the classes, you can learn all the secrets of their head chef or just simply perfect on revenue of the card or on one of your personnelles. The closest Metro is between St. Michel and Odeon Metro stops.
Restaurant Le Coupe Gorge is on rue de la Coutellerie. This place is adorably quaint, with old fashioned rustic wooden tables upstairs. You almost feel as if you’re in someone’s old house and that someone’s grandmother is about to bring you homemade soup and chicken any minute as the candles make the room dim and romantic in a very basic and spartan kind of way. It’s not in the main tourist district so feels more out of the way however is still a relatively close walking distance to Notre Dame. Check out the rare duck breast with sliced potatoes and pepper sauce. The desserts are pretty great also.
L’Atelier de L’Eclair — think eclairs and desserts. Yum! If you have a sweet tooth, head to Sentier metro stop and walk.
Solyles is all about chicken, but chicken served in the noble way — just the oysters and if you know anything about chicken, you know what I mean. They call it a “new concept.” It’s so unusual, it’s worth checking out. It is located on 74, rue Damrémont and the closest metro is Lamarck Culaincourt.
Chez Ramulaud is located on 269 rue du Faubourg St-Antoine and is another amazing French classic. The restaurant itself is retro and peaceful at the same time. Think old world again, but with a bit of a brasserie style thrown in. The menu is like many classic French restaurants, on an old fashioned chalkboard. Think chicken, coddled eggs, soups, terrines, mushrooms and exquisite desserts.
Pied de Cochon in Les Halles. See our separate individual write-up/review on the restaurant from this June. Authentic, historical, classic – try the oysters on the half shell, the fish and any of the soups. They also serve traditional meat dishes which are worth trying depending on how hungry you are. The presentation is also lovely – think more authentic and traditional in a large but classic brasserie style than romantic but the food and service is great and the place is a known Parisian institution. The closest metro is Les Halles or St. Michel.
Classico Argentino in the Marais. Okay, this one doesn’t necessarily qualify for traditional French cuisine but it’s a great experience for old fashioned meat lovers who are also foodies so we decided to add it to the list. The closest metro is Filles du Calvaire.
Also check out the Wine Museum on 5 Square Charles Dickens / Rue des Eaux, which is the actual cellar of the former abbey of Passy in the 16th arr, so you’ll be surrounded by medieval architecture. The closest metro stop is Passy. They’re fairly well known so it may be worth calling ahead and booking in case it’s difficult to get in. It is relatively close to the Eiffel Tower right in the heart of Paris and awaits you with its 15th Century vaulted cellars. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 6.
Be sure to see our top Paris creperie write-up (where to go for the best crepes in Paris) as well as our take on the top Paris restaurants from previous trips.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
