The 11 Best Bistros in Paris (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 11 picks

The best bistros in Paris in 2026 are Bistrot Paul Bert for steak au poivre and Paris-Brest, Chez L'Ami Jean for big Basque-leaning cooking, Le Baratin in Belleville and Benoit for old-school classics. Joséphine Chez Dumonet, Chez Denise and Le Bon Georges round out the classics, and Café des Ministères is the modern bistro to book.

A Paris bistro is a small, informal restaurant serving French home-style cooking: terrines, œufs mayonnaise, steak frites, blanquette, crème caramel. Many write the day's menu on a chalkboard and offer a cheaper set lunch. Book a day or two ahead for dinner, and expect tables close together; that's part of the point.

1. Le Bistrot Paul Bert — Faidherbe (11th)

The model Paris bistro: steak au poivre, frites and a great Paris-Brest.

$$ Mid-range

Bistrot Paul Bert looks exactly like a Paris bistro should: tiled floor, zinc bar, mirrors and a chalkboard menu. The kitchen turns out the classics with real care, and the steak au poivre with hand-cut fries is the order most people come for.

The wine list is long and well chosen, and the Paris-Brest is a dessert worth saving room for. The bistro is closed on Sundays and Mondays. It suits anyone who wants one perfect classic bistro meal.

Good to know: Book a couple of days ahead; the rue Paul Bert has sister spots if it's full.

18 Rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris

Google Maps Website

2. Chez L'Ami Jean — Gros-Caillou (7th)

Hearty, generous cooking in a loud, cramped room near the Eiffel Tower.

$$$ Upmarket

Chez L'Ami Jean on rue Malar is chef Stéphane Jégo's bistro, known for generous portions of rich, Southwest- and Basque-leaning dishes, game in season and a famous rice pudding served in a giant bowl for the table.

It's noisy, packed and full of energy. Come hungry and share. It is a short walk from the Eiffel Tower and Invalides, so it works well after sightseeing in the 7th.

Good to know: Leave room for the riz au lait; it comes with salted-butter caramel and is meant to be shared.

27 Rue Malar, 75007 Paris

Google Maps Website

3. Le Baratin — Belleville (20th)

Raquel Carena's beloved wine bistro, a chef's favorite since 1987.

$$ Mid-range

Le Baratin is a small wine bistro up the hill in Belleville, run since 1987 by Argentine-born chef Raquel Carena and Philippe Pinoteau, who looks after the room and the wine. Carena cooks honest, deeply flavored French dishes from a short chalkboard menu.

It's a favorite of chefs and wine people, so book for dinner, often well ahead. The wine list is strong on natural and small producers. It suits food lovers happy to travel out of the center for the real thing.

Good to know: Lunch is easier to get than dinner, and the hill walk from Pyrénées metro is short.

3 Rue Jouye-Rouve, 75020 Paris

Google Maps

4. Benoit — Châtelet (4th)

An old-school bistro dating back to 1912, now run by the Alain Ducasse group.

$$$ Upmarket

Benoit describes itself as a true Parisian bistro since 1912, and its velvet banquettes, brass and lace curtains look the part. It's now part of Alain Ducasse's group, and the kitchen serves the grand bistro repertoire: pâté en croûte, escargots, cassoulet and profiteroles.

It's more polished and more expensive than most bistros, but the cooking is exact. It suits a celebration meal, and its location near Châtelet and the Hôtel de Ville makes it easy to combine with the Marais.

Good to know: The set lunch is the gentlest way to try it.

20 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris

Google Maps Website

5. Joséphine Chez Dumonet — Saint-Germain / Sèvres-Babylone (6th)

A Left Bank classic for confit, boeuf bourguignon and a giant Grand Marnier soufflé.

$$$ Upmarket

Joséphine Chez Dumonet on rue du Cherche-Midi is a traditional Left Bank bistro with an old-world dining room, generous classic dishes and a serious wine list. Regulars come back for the duck confit, the boeuf bourguignon and the Grand Marnier soufflé.

Many main dishes come in half portions, which is handy for lighter appetites. It suits couples and anyone staying in Saint-Germain who wants traditional French cooking without fuss.

Good to know: Order the soufflé at the start of the meal; it's made to order.

117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris

Google Maps Website

6. Chez Denise – La Tour de Montlhéry — Les Halles (1st)

The old market-district bistro for big plates of meat, late into the night.

$$ Mid-range

Chez Denise is a red-checked-tablecloth bistro by the old Les Halles market, serving huge portions of traditional meat dishes, from steaks and andouillette to stews, with carafes of red wine. It feels like a Paris that has mostly disappeared.

It has no website and runs late; call to book. Come hungry, and don't expect light cooking. It suits groups and late diners after a show or a night out.

Good to know: Book by phone (+33 1 42 36 21 82) and check the days; it's not open seven days a week.

5 Rue des Prouvaires, 75001 Paris

Google Maps

7. Le Bon Georges — Saint-Georges (9th)

Classic bistro dishes, top meat and a long wine list in the 9th.

$$$ Upmarket

Le Bon Georges on rue Saint-Georges, run by Benoît Duval-Arnould, is a smart neighborhood bistro known for excellent sourcing: aged beef, pâté en croûte, steak tartare and an equally serious wine list.

It is pricier than a basic bistro, but the produce justifies it. The South Pigalle setting makes it easy to combine with Montmartre or the Opéra. It suits meat lovers and wine lovers.

Good to know: Ask for the daily cut of beef and let the staff suggest a bottle.

45 Rue Saint-Georges, 75009 Paris

Google Maps

8. Allard — Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th)

A Left Bank institution for duck with olives and roast chicken, run by Alain Ducasse.

$$$ Upmarket

Allard is a classic bistro on rue Saint-André-des-Arts, now part of the Alain Ducasse group. The dark wood and etched-glass rooms feel unchanged in decades, and the menu is the grand Parisian repertoire, including duck with olives and roast chicken for two.

Like Benoit, it is polished and costs more than a neighborhood bistro. It suits visitors staying in Saint-Germain who want the classics cooked well.

Good to know: Dishes for two, such as the roast chicken, are the ones to order.

41 Rue Saint-André-des-Arts, 75006 Paris

Google Maps Website

9. Café des Ministères — Invalides (7th)

The modern take on the classic bistro, near the National Assembly.

$$$ Upmarket

Café des Ministères on rue de l'Université is a newer bistro that revives the classic dishes of the French repertoire, from vol-au-vent and œufs mayonnaise to rich desserts, with finesse and good produce. It sits among the government ministries of the 7th.

It's a stylish, small room and books up. It suits people who want traditional French cooking given a lighter, modern hand.

Good to know: Reserve online ahead of time; lunch is easier than dinner.

83 Rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris

Google Maps Website

10. Chez Janou — Le Marais (3rd)

Provençal bistro near Place des Vosges, with a huge pastis list and chocolate mousse.

$$ Mid-range

Chez Janou is a lively Provençal bistro a block from the Place des Vosges, with a terrace on a quiet corner, sunny southern French dishes and a famously long list of pastis.

The chocolate mousse arrives in a big bowl and is a house tradition. It's relaxed, good value and easy for groups. It suits a summer evening in the Marais.

Good to know: Book for dinner, or arrive early for a terrace table in good weather.

2 Rue Roger Verlomme, 75003 Paris

Google Maps Website

11. Robert et Louise — Le Marais (3rd)

Meat cooked over a wood fire in a rustic Marais dining room.

$$ Mid-range

Robert et Louise on rue Vieille-du-Temple is a rustic, family-style bistro where steaks and côte de boeuf are cooked over a wood fire in the dining room. It has a casual, countryside feel right in the middle of the Marais.

The menu is short and centered on grilled meat. It is a good option on Sundays, when many bistros close. It suits carnivores and casual groups.

Good to know: The côte de boeuf for two is the classic order.

64 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a bistro and a brasserie?

A bistro is usually small and family-style, with a short menu and set mealtimes. A brasserie is bigger, often open all day, and known for seafood platters, choucroute and long hours. Both serve classic French food.

What should I order at a Paris bistro?

Start with œufs mayonnaise, a terrine or leeks vinaigrette, then steak frites, steak au poivre, blanquette de veau or a confit. Finish with profiteroles, crème caramel or a Paris-Brest. Ask about the daily specials on the chalkboard.

How much does a bistro meal cost in Paris?

A set lunch at a good neighborhood bistro often costs from around €25–40. Dinner à la carte with wine is more, typically from around €50–80 a head, and classic addresses such as Benoit or Allard cost more.

Are Paris bistros open on Sundays?

Many close on Sundays and Mondays, including Bistrot Paul Bert. Chez Janou and Robert et Louise are good bets on a Sunday; always check the hours before you go.

Where else should I eat in Paris?

For tasting menus and a wider price range, see our guide to the best restaurants in Paris.

1. Le Bistrot Paul Bert — Faidherbe (11th)

2. Chez L'Ami Jean — Gros-Caillou (7th)

3. Le Baratin — Belleville (20th)

4. Benoit — Châtelet (4th)

5. Joséphine Chez Dumonet — Saint-Germain / Sèvres-Babylone (6th)

6. Chez Denise – La Tour de Montlhéry — Les Halles (1st)

7. Le Bon Georges — Saint-Georges (9th)

8. Allard — Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th)

9. Café des Ministères — Invalides (7th)

10. Chez Janou — Le Marais (3rd)

11. Robert et Louise — Le Marais (3rd)

Frequently asked questions

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