The best local food in Paris is not near the big monuments. Locals eat at classic bistros in the 2nd, 6th and 11th arrondissements. You pay around €40 to €50 for a full meal with wine at most of these places.

Which one for you

  • Best value: Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes and Bouillon Chartier.
  • Near the Eiffel Tower: La Fontaine de Mars.
  • Big portions to share: Josephine Chez Dumonet.
  • Casual and loud: Les Enfants du Marché.
  • Special occasion: Allard.

Chez Georges

This is the pick for a classic business lunch. It sits in the 2nd arrondissement. The room looks exactly like a 1930s bistro.

They serve classic dishes like steak tartare for €24 and sole meunière for €54. Book ahead because locals fill the tables every weekday. It gets loud when the room is full.

La Fontaine de Mars

This is the pick for families visiting the 7th arrondissement. It is very close to the Eiffel Tower, but it serves real local food.

Expect to spend €40 to €50 per person before wine. They are famous for duck confit and cassoulet. You need a reservation for dinner. The tables have red checkered cloths and the service is fast.

Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes

This is the pick for a set menu. You find it in the 11th arrondissement. It is a very old bistro that serves food from the south of France.

You can get a set lunch for €29, which gives you a starter and a main dish. A full dinner menu is €39. They are famous for a large cassoulet that costs €37 on its own. The portions are big.

Josephine Chez Dumonet

This is the pick for sharing large portions. It is in the 6th arrondissement. The restaurant is old and very traditional.

The prices are high, but one dish easily feeds two people. You can also ask for half-portions. You must order the Grand Marnier soufflé when you sit down, because it takes 30 minutes to bake.

Allard

This is the pick for a special occasion. It is a historic bistro in the 6th arrondissement, now run by Alain Ducasse.

It is expensive. Starters cost around €28 and a main dish like turbot costs up to €48. They offer a weekday lunch menu for €34. Book this restaurant weeks in advance.

Les Enfants du Marché

This is the pick for a casual lunch. It is inside a covered market in the 3rd arrondissement. You eat at a counter.

They serve modern plates with fresh market ingredients. They do not take reservations. You walk in, wait for a seat, and order small plates and natural wine. It is not cheap, but the food changes every day.

Le Bon Saint-Pourçain

This is the pick for a quiet neighborhood dinner. It sits in a small street in the 6th arrondissement.

Most people eating here live in the area. They focus on fresh seasonal food, so the menu is small and changes often. Book a table at least a week ahead.

Semilla

This is the pick for wine lovers. It is also in the 6th arrondissement, run by a famous chef.

They have one of the best wine lists in the city. The food is a modern take on French cooking. It is less traditional than a bistro, and the room feels open and bright.

Bouillon Chartier

This is the pick for a budget meal. It is a massive historic hall in the 9th arrondissement.

You cannot book a table. You wait in a line on the street, and they sit you with other people. The food is very cheap. You can get meat and potatoes for under €15. The waiters write your order on the paper tablecloth.

L'Ami Jean

This is the pick for meat eaters. It is a Basque-French restaurant in the 7th arrondissement.

The chef serves very rich, heavy food. The room is small, the tables are close together, and the noise is loud. You must book ahead. The signature rice pudding is big enough for the whole table.

Allard is our top pick for a classic Paris dinner.