7 must-try bistros in Paris

Paris is home to a number of bistros that perpetuate the art of fine French dining. From historic addresses to modern bars and neighborhood eateries, here's a selection of unmissable places where you can enjoy the atmosphere as well as the food.

Mathilde Bourge Published on 8/19/25 at 10:34 AM

Paris, capital of gastronomy and the art of living, is brimming with bistros where you can enjoy much more than just a meal. With their zinc counters, checkered tablecloths and the scent of simmering dishes, these places embody the warm, authentic soul of the city. In this selection, we take you on a tour of some of the capital's most emblematic bistros, whether traditional or revisited by a new generation of chefs, all share a taste for sharing and good food. Get ready to (re)discover Paris through its unique dishes and atmospheres.

Le Café des Musées

Café des Musées (1 toque), a Marais institution since 1924, is located on the corner of rue de Turenne and rue du Parc Royal. It has preserved all the charm of the Parisian bistros of yesteryear, with mosaics, wood panelling and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work. Popular with locals and visitors alike, this authentic bistro offers a fine selection of classic dishes (terrine de campagne, mushrooms stuffed with snails, cocotte of seasonal vegetables) prepared with fresh and often local produce. But its signature specialty is undoubtedly the boeuf bourguignon, simmered for five hours. Accessible in all seasons thanks to its terrace in summer and its vaulted room that can be privatized, the place offers a warm and friendly atmosphere, ideal for meals with family, friends or business meetings.

Where to find us Café des Musées, 49 rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris
See Gault&Millau's review of Le Café des Musées

Le Comptoir du Relais Saint-Germain

Le Comptoir du Relais Saint-Germain (2 toques), nestled at 9 carrefour de l'Odéon, is the bistro gem of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, founded by Yves Camdeborde in 2005 and now run by chef Bruno Doucet, guarantor of the "bistronomic" tradition initiated by his mentor. Open non-stop from midday to 11pm (a rarity in Paris), this little retro bistro with its stone walls and exposed beams offers simple but demanding market cuisine: onion soup, terrine, pig's trotters, roast coquelet or macaroni and comté gratin, depending on the season. The atmosphere is cheerful and informal, with tables packed tightly together to create a convivial atmosphere. A true Parisian experience, Le Comptoir embodies this blend of authenticity and elegance, nurtured by a menu that celebrates the terroir with talent.

Where to eat? Le Comptoir du Relais Saint-Germain, 9 carrefour de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris
See Gault&Millau's review of Le Comptoir du Relais Saint-Germain

Le Bistrot Paul Bert

Le Bistrot Paul Bert, nestled at 18 rue Paul Bert in the 11ᵉ arrondissement, has become a true Parisian institution since it was opened in 1997 by Bertrand Auboyneau, a former financier turned traditional bistro enthusiast. Housed within the walls of a former butcher's shop, its retro decor (leather banquettes, vintage pub, lively counter) immediately plunges you into the cheerful atmosphere of the cafés of yesteryear. The cuisine, today incarnated by chef Thierry Laurent, offers a generous, no-frills repertoire: marrow bones, sweetbreads, Sarawak pepper steak with golden fries, sole meunière and roasted celery, typical of the gourmet tradition. The flagship dessert, île flottante, is even praised for its lightness and classic perfection. All this is accompanied by a fine wine list, featuring carefully selected regional vintages. at once gourmet, embodied and lively, the address embodies the bistro par excellence: popular, demanding and imbued with a warm atmosphere, to be discovered in full Parisian spirit.

Where to eat? Le Bistrot Paul Bert, 18 rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris
bistrotpaulbert.fr

Astair

Astair, nestled in the heart of the picturesque Passage des Panoramas, stands out as a brasserie-restaurant that brilliantly revisits the codes of Parisian tradition. The menu features the great classics: escargots, frogs' legs, marrow bones, Provençal-style octopus, chicken supreme and entrecôte, enhanced by meticulous execution and carefully selected produce. The decor by Tristan Auer combines orange-red banquettes, caned chairs, a circular brass bar and Art Deco touches, while retaining the warm spirit of an old bistro. Open non-stop from midday to 10.30pm (or midnight depending on the time), Astair cultivates a dynamic, festive atmosphere, where you can spontaneously sit down at the bar or enjoy a meal on the covered terrace.

Where to find us Astair, 19 Passage des Panoramas, 75002 Paris
See Gault&Millau's Astair review

Les Arlots

Les Arlots (1 toque), nestled at 136 rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière (10ᵉ arrondissement), has become one of the most authentic and cheerful bistros in Paris. Led by chef Thomas Brachet, who trained at the Beef Club, the short but always punchy daily menu passionately celebrates classic dishes: homemade terrine, award-winning mayo eggs, the now emblematic sausage-purée, often accompanied by sweets such as sweetbreads, beef cheek or cod, illustrating a generous and lively cuisine. The retro decor (zinc counter, vintage tiles, animal trophies and bottles of natural wine) reinforces this warm, friendly atmosphere, where the welcome is as family-like as the service, mischievous and attentive.

Where to find us Les Arlots, 136 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris
See Gault&Millau's review of Les Arlots

Café des Ministères

Café des Ministères (2 toques) is an elegant bistro run by chef Jean Sévègnes and his wife Roxane. The place confidently blends tradition and modernity, with emblematic dishes such as the "Grande Tradition" vol-au-vent (sweetbreads, free-range poultry, truffle jus), homemade black pudding, cassoulet or calf's head with ravigote sauce. Its version of stuffed Pontoise cabbage, awarded "champion de France 2022", as well as the quality of its cellar reinforce the prestige of this address appreciated by lovers of French bourgeois cuisine. The sober, luminous decor, with its pleasant terrace, supports the convivial, epicurean atmosphere intended by the couple: a place where you can savour local, seasonal, home-made products, in a chic yet relaxed setting.

Where to eat? Café des Ministères, 83 Rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris
See the Gault&Millau review of Café des Ministères

Au Pied de Cochon

Au Pied de Cochon, located at 6 rue Coquillière, is a legendary Halles brasserie, open continuously since 1947 to welcome market workers, night owls and tourists. Founded by Clément Blanc, it has established itself as an authentic landmark, blending late XIXᵉ century decor, black-and-white waiters and a resolutely popular atmosphere. The menu honors the pig in all its forms: grilled pig's trotters or stuffed Périgourdine-style, ears, tails and slices of head served on generous platters; not forgetting the soup à and other classics such as oysters, snails, andouillette Duval and saucisse-purée. This "canaille" cuisine seduces with its generosity and conviviality, all in a continuously lively brasserie atmosphere.