Allard

Tucked away in the 6th arrondissement, Allard has been a staple of Parisian dining since 1932. Inside, floral wallpaper, red velvet banquettes, and vintage woodwork give it proper old-school bistro character. The menu sticks to classic French dishes, and sitting here feels like stepping back into another era of Paris.

• Web:

  www.restaurant-allard.fr

• Address:

  41 Rue Saint-André des Arts, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 43 26 48 23

• Subway:

  The closest Metro station is Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4).

Boutique yam'Tcha

This cosy counter-style outpost from Chef Adeline Grattard feels like a calm hideaway tucked amid the buzz of Les Halles. Instead of a full restaurant service, it's a stand-up boutique where you can grab her signature bao buns or congee served alongside carefully matched Asian teas — her husband, Chi Wah Chan, curates the pairings. It carries the quiet precision of Yam’Tcha’s Michelin-starred menu, just in snack form.

• Web:

  www.yamtcha.com

• Address:

  4 Rue Sauval, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 40 26 06 06

• Subway:

  The closest Metro station is Louvre–Rivoli (Line 1).

Brasserie de l'Hôtel du Nord

A Paris landmark thanks to Marcel Carné’s 1930s film, this canal-side brasserie on the Quai de Jemmapes serves a mix of French classics like steak tartare and duck confit with seasonal specials. It’s a pleasant spot for a leisurely lunch or dinner, especially if you can snag a window seat to watch life along the Canal Saint-Martin drift by.

• Web:

  https://hoteldunord.org

• Address:

  102 Quai de Jemmapes, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 40 40 78 78

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 9am–midnight, Fri & Sat 9am–2am

• Subway:

  The closest Metro stations to Brasserie de l'Hôtel du Nord are Jacques Bonsergent (Line 5) and République (Lines 8 & 9).

Chez Fernand Christine

For a dinner that hits classic Paris without feeling staged, head to Chez Fernand Christine. Just off Odéon, its three vaulted rooms — exposed beams, red-brick walls, and checkered tablecloths — feel like stepping back into old Paris, low ceilings and a cosy buzz included. The menu ploughs through traditional French territory — bouillons, boeuf bourguignon and tarte tatin for a sweet finish. The wine list is hard to ignore — around 1,300 bottles, enough to spoil even casual wine drinkers for choice.

• Web:

  www.restaurantchezfernand.fr/en

• Address:

  9 Rue Christine, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 43 25 18 55

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–2:30pm / 7pm–11pm

• Subway:

  The closest Metro stations to Chez Fernand Christine are Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4) and Mabillon (Line 10).

Epicure

Epicure is tucked inside Le Bristol Paris, overlooking a quiet courtyard garden. Chef Arnaud Faye’s menu is all about letting the ingredients shine — vegetables in season take the lead, while seafood and meats are treated with the same precision and care. The wine list is extensive, designed to complement the dishes rather than steal the show. Booking ahead is a must, and the experience is less about ticking off Michelin stars and more about savouring the artistry of modern French cuisine.

• Web:

  www.oetkerhotels.com/fr/hotels/le-bristol-paris/restaurants-et-bar/epicure

• Address:

  112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 53 43 43 40

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat noon–1:30pm / 7:30pm–9:30pm; Sun & Mon closed

Fajitas

Classic Mexican dishes such as quesadillas, nachos, and, of course, fajitas are dished up in a colourful Mexican-style setting just a few minutes from the famous Pont Neuf.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/fajitas_paris

• Address:

  15 Rue Dauphine, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 46 34 44 69

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat noon–11pm, Sun & Mon closed

Aux Folies

Aux Folies has been part of Rue de Belleville’s fabric for generations — a place where Paris’s working-class past and multicultural present meet over drinks. Once linked to the old Folies-Belleville café-théâtre, stage to Édith Piaf and Maurice Chevalier, it now feels more like a neighbourhood living room with neon lights, a graffitied interior, and a sprawling terrace. By day, locals and students linger over coffee, mint tea, or a petit jaune; by night, the atmosphere shifts as the terrace fills with chatter in French, Arabic, Mandarin, and more. A front-row seat to Belleville’s street life, best enjoyed with a cold beer and no fixed plans.

• Web:

  https://auxfolies.shop

• Address:

  8 Rue de Belleville, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 88 40 18 00

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–2am

Buddha-Bar

Just off Place de la Concorde in the 8th arrondissement, Buddha-Bar feels like a cinematic escape—three levels wrapped around a four-metre Buddha, bathed in soft lighting, rich mahogany, and intricate Asian art. A dragon-shaped mezzanine bar curls above the floor, offering a perch for cocktails under candlelight. The menu blends Pacific-Rim influences — Asian, Hawaiian, Californian, and European — with dishes designed for sharing and presentation, from sushi and duck to creative small plates. When the sun sets, the space shifts into a lounge as resident DJs spin ethno-house and downtempo beats, carrying the Buddha-Bar brand’s signature music style.

• Web:

  www.buddhabar.com

• E-mail:

  buddhabar@buddhabar.com

• Address:

  8-12 Rue Boissy d'Anglas, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 53 05 90 00

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 6pm–2am, Sun 11am–4pm / 6pm–2am

Galway Irish Pub

Galway Irish Pub brings a touch of Ireland to Paris’s 9th arrondissement, complete with a wide selection of draft beers, hearty pub grub, and live music sessions. Sports fans can catch the latest matches on big screens, while the friendly atmosphere ensures plenty of laughter, storytelling, and genuine ‘craic’.

• Web:

  https://galwayirishpub.fr

• Address:

  13 Quai des Grands Augustins, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 43 29 64 50

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu noon–2am, Fri & Sat noon–5am

Harry's New York Bar

Just 24 years younger than the Eiffel Tower, Harry's New York Bar is as much a Paris landmark as the big metal one. Hidden on a quiet street between the Opéra Garnier and Place Vendôme, it has been serving classic cocktails since 1911. The mahogany bar, dark woodwork, stained-glass windows, and tin ceiling—imported from New York before Prohibition—have all been carefully preserved, while the walls display university banners and banknotes collected by generations of patrons. Step inside and you’re transported to a bygone era, complete with stylishly dressed bartenders and an intimate piano bar in the cellar. This is where legends were born: the Bloody Mary (allegedly made for Ernest Hemingway), the Sidecar, and the French 75. Over the decades, Harry’s has welcomed Coco Chanel, Humphrey Bogart, and Ian Fleming, whose 'Sank Roo Doe Noo' instructions for James Bond are inscribed on the large mirror behind the bar. Today, the menu still mixes timeless classics with contemporary additions, offering cocktails that honour its legendary past while staying inventive.

• Web:

  www.harrysbar.com/en/harrys-bar-traditionally-inventive-since-1911

• E-mail:

  contact@harrys-bar.fr

• Address:

  5 Rue Daunou, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 42 61 71 14

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6pm–1am

Le 10 Bar

Le 10 Bar is a quaint little bar near the Palais du Luxembourg, popular for its homemade sangria. Take a seat at one of its street-facing tables or grab a chair in its rustic and characterful interior, decorated with old posters.

• Web:

  https://le10bar.com

• Address:

  10 Rue de l'Odéon, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 9 82 43 55 77

• Opening hours:

  Sun & Mon 5pm–midnight, Tue & Wed 5pm–1am, Thu–Sat 5pm–2am

Le Syndicat

Tucked behind a graffiti-covered façade in Paris’s 10th arrondissement, Le Syndicat is a speakeasy with an urban, hip-hop-infused vibe. Since 2014, it has been shaking up the local scene with inventive cocktails that champion French spirits, all served in a dimly lit, industrial setting. Menus change seasonally, highlighting local ingredients and unexpected flavour pairings. From bright, herbaceous blends to daring combinations featuring Calvados, Armagnac, or lavender, each drink feels playful, creative, and unmistakably French.

• Web:

  https://domainesyndicat.com

• Address:

  51 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, Paris

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6:30pm–2am

Angelina

Angelina has been enchanting Parisians and visitors alike since 1903 — a tea room where every corner hints at history. The real star is the famously rich 'chocolat chaud l’Africain', a hot chocolate served with a pot of whipped cream on the side, while the Mont-Blanc pastry has earned its own devoted following. Angelina is undeniably elegant — and priced accordingly — but for many, savouring that hot chocolate here is a Paris ritual worth every euro.

• Web:

  www.angelina-paris.fr/adresses/paris-rivoli

• Address:

  226 Rue de Rivoli, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 42 60 82 00

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 7:30am–7pm, Fri–Sun 8am–7:30pm

Bon Bouquet Café

A burst of Bali in the heart of Paris's 9th arrondissement, Bon Bouquet Café is a hip, quaint hangout offering a cosy tropical cocoon where brunch feels like a mini-vacation. The menu is a colourful mix of fresh, homemade dishes with an exotic twist: fluffy pancakes with mascarpone and coconut, açai bowls, and avocado toast topped with a coconut curry hollandaise.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/bonbouquet.fr

• Address:

  30 Rue Le Peletier, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 9 71 07 94 35

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–5pm

Breizh Café

Breizh Café is a Japanese import that has become one of Paris’s most beloved crêperies. Founded by Breton native Bertrand Larcher, who lived in Japan, the café blends the best of Brittany with Japanese culinary influences. The Marais location offers a cosy atmosphere with communal seating and a menu featuring organic buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes made with high-quality ingredients like Maison Bordier butter and Comté cheese. Chef Raphaël-Fumio Kudaka, who also leads the Michelin-starred La Table Breizh Café in Cancale, brings his expertise to the Parisian outpost. Reservations are recommended.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/breizhcafe_fr

• E-mail:

  izhcafe.fr

• Address:

  109 Rue Vieille du Temple, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 42 72 13 77

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–11pm

Café de Flore

Café de Flore is the literary heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where the ghosts of Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus still linger over the coffee cups. It’s touristy and always bustling, but there’s a reason it’s famous — the history, the vibe, the people-watching. Even if you’re jostling for a table, sipping a café crème here feels like a rite of passage in Paris.

• Web:

  https://cafedeflore.fr

• Address:

  172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 45 48 55 26

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7:30am–2am

Café de la Paix

Café de la Paix has been a Paris institution since 1862, sharing its architect — and its sense of grandeur — with the neighbouring Opéra Garnier. The interiors, all gilded mouldings and high ceilings in the Napoléon III style, have been carefully restored, with a touch of modern warmth. Outside, the terrace offers a front-row seat to the bustle of the Opéra district. Whether you’re here for brunch, coffee and pastries, or a full French meal, it’s a place where a little glamour is part of the experience.

• Web:

  www.cafedelapaix.fr/fr

• E-mail:

  cafedelapaixparis@ihg.com

• Address:

  5 Place de l'Opéra, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 40 07 36 36

Charbon Café

Café Charbon has been part of Rue Oberkampf since 1863, one of those old cafés-charbons run by Auvergne artisans who sold coffee, wine, and coal (charbon in French). Inside, the zinc-and-wood bar, high ceilings, red benches, and worn mirrors give off an authentic, turn-of-the-century vibe. By day, it’s mellow and unpretentious; by night, the DJ turns up the tunes, the crowd thickens, and it easily becomes part of Oberkampf’s livelier side.

• Web:

  www.cafecharbonoberkampf.fr

• Address:

  109 Rue Oberkampf, Paris

• Phone:

  +33 1 43 57 55 13

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–2am