There’s nothing more distinctly French than the bistro, but there are as many variations on the theme are there are patois. If you’re in Paris and looking for the authentic, traditional brand of French bistro, these restaurants will more than fit the bill—and some come with a hell of a bill to foot.
Allard
41 rue Saint-André des Arts
Paris 6th
+330158002346
Since 1932, Allard has been serving traditional, local cuisine, and even now that internationally renowned chef Alain Ducasse owns the place, nothing has changed. The Saint-Germain-des-Près mainstay retains the authentic recipes that Marthe Allard used to start the restaurant, including standards like cassoulet and coq au vin, with a respectful amount of updating from Ducasse.
Open 12-2pm and 7-10pm daily
Le Bon Georges
45 rue Saint-Georges
Paris 9th
+330148784030
The picturesque Le Bon Georges gave chef Benoît Duval-Arnould the chance to move from Campbell’s Soup to his own kitchen, where he does traditional bistro fare that features some of the freshest produce available, including Lorrainean beef and vegetables from just outside the city. You’ll find a new menu nearly every day, which makes its utter reliability even more astounding.
Open Tuesday to Friday 12:15-2:30pm and Tuesday to Saturday 7:45-11:30pm
L’Ami Louis
32 rue du Vertbois
Paris 3rd
+330148877748
Large portions and high prices mark L’Ami Louis, but the beloved bistro delivers in spades with a pre-war atmosphere and a roast chicken that may be a contender for France’s new heraldic animal (sorry, Gallic rooster). It’s been lauded by the New York Times and lambasted by Vanity Fair, but as a bell-hop told A.A. Gill, “It’s always L’Ami Louis for les anglais.” And for good reason.
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 12:30-1:30pm and 7:30-11pm
Restaurant Miroir
94 rue des Martyrs
Paris 18th
+330146065073
Located midway up the hills of Montmartre, Miroir comes with the pedigree of a Ducasse graduate and a certified hip status for a classic bistro. The dining room features the sort of deep red banquettes that hint at the cave à vins experience available to those who dine there and to the facing bar for those who want to make a meal of their wine.
Open 12-2pm and 7:30-10pm daily
Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes
106 rue de la Folie Mericourt
Paris 11th
+330143573378
Intimate and routinely excellent, Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes has some of the best service in the city—a convivial atmosphere pervades the place, trickling down from the genial owner to all of the employees. The prix fixe menu is dependable and affordable, and the cassoulet and veal selections are diabolical.
Open 12-3pm and 7-10:30pm daily
Le Baratin
3 rue Jouye-Rouve
Paris 20th
+330143493970
Great prices and fantastic French fare that smacks of home cooking combine to make for one of Belleville’s best bistros, with Le Baratin augmenting their advantage with a sensational selection of wines and a welcoming, white-walled atmosphere.
Open Tuesday to Friday 12-2:30pm and Tuesday to Saturday 7:30pm-2am
Bistrot du Peintre
116 avenue Ledru-Rollin
Paris 11th
+330147003439
With a bright red exterior and an interior decked out in tile and woodwork, Bistrot du Peintre has nearly round-the-clock service and a menu of tasty classics at very manageable prices, from confit de canard to escargots—even a few southwestern flavors.
Open 7-2am daily
Joséphine “Chez Dumonet”
117 rue du Cherche-Midi
Paris 6th
+330145485240
A gem of the Belle-Epoque, Joséphine will start you out with a terrine de foie gras that defies comparison and finish you off with a beef bourguignon that would stop an army in its tracks. A welcoming staff and such a stellar menu comes at a steep price, of course, but any sticker shock at ordering the duck will be allayed by the dish itself.
Open Monday to Friday, 12:30-2:30pm and 7:30-10:30pm
Le Cochon a l’Oreille
15 rue Montmartre
Paris 1st
+330142360756
Le Cochon a l’Oreille may be the most visually charming spot on the list, and its small size makes it immediately personable to patrons. The menu doesn’t go as far out as the décor does, though, and a faithful slow-cooked pork belly can be enjoyed there alongside hearty, traditional bistro fare like confit de canard.
Open Monday to Saturday, 10am-2am
L’Ourcine
92 rue Broca
Paris 13th
+330147071365
Sitting snuggly in a restored building from the 1600s, L’Ourcine is one of the most reliable Left Bank bistros, with a menu of regional dishes that honor tradition while embracing contemporary flare. L’Ourcine offers a great selection of fresh fish that’s delivered daily and game that arrives according to the season.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 12-2:30pm and 7-11pm daily
Bistro Bellet
84 rue de Faubourg Saint-Denis
Paris 10th
+330145234206
A more modern entry with austere environs, Bistro Bellet offers the traditional dishes from Nicolas Lacaze’s native south of France, suggesting what the future of the classic bistro may very well look like with sweet mussels marinière and filet de Rascasse roti.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 6:30pm-12am
