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10 Best Traditional French Restaurants in Paris
What do I mean when I refer to a tractional French restaurant or cafe? Well, the essence of this lies in the cuisine. In France, dining is considered an event, no matter the time of day, and traditional French cuisine is like any other European tradition in terms of options, quality and accessibility.
Here are 10 of my favorite traditional French restaurants throughout the city center:
1. Cafe de Flore in Paris
This restaurant is known for having changed very little since the war; the same red interior, mirrors and draping are still the first thing to greet new guests, which makes it about as traditional as it gets!
Cafe de Flore – by Parisecrivain10 – Wikimedia Commons
Despite having slowly morphed into an undeniable tourist trap, the cafe is still wonderfully ambient and holds that traditional French feel regardless of the hype. Come for great coffee, fresh air, and the best French onion soup this side of the Seine.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY — 7:30AM TO 1:30AM
ADDRESS: 172 BD SAINT-GERMAIN, 75006 PARIS, FRANCE
METRO STATION: SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PREZ
2. L’Éclair in Paris
When I’m looking for a Parisian escape without actually leaving Paris, this is the cafe that I head to. It’s cozy as heck and it offers a very different experience to other restaurants this close to the Eiffel Tower.
Morning or night, you’ll enjoy a range of dynamic dishes to suit the respective mealtime. The food is always good, and their hot beverages come with a tiny chocolate to sweeten the deal.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY — 8AM TO 1AM
ADDRESS: 32 RUE CLER, 75007 PARIS
METRO STATION: TROCADERO
3. Au Pied de Cochon in Paris
Au Pied de Cochon is as authentically French as a street side cafe can get. It is also a well loved spot for the Parisian locals. Salvador Dali was known to frequent this restaurant back in the day.
Au Pied de Cochon in Paris – by Au Pied de Cochon – Uploaded by them
My favorite dish here is the French onion soup. They also do wonderful red wine braised pork, escargots and a traditional crème brûlée.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday – Open 24 Hours
ADDRESS: 6 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris, France
METRO STATION: Étienne Marcel
4. Les Deux Magots in Paris
It is though that a lot of modern thinking (French philosophy) occurred within the walls of les Deux Magots, as it attracted free-thinkers from far and wide, and gave them a safe space to express within, while ensuring bottomless absinthe and espresso.
les Deux Magots – by ayustety – Wikimedia Commons
This brasserie is of equal French charm, and opened its doors back in 1885. The menu is traditional and modern; a fusion of yesteryear and the present, which feels apt considering the forward thinking that once emerged from this very hub.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY — 7:30AM TO 12AM
ADDRESS: 6 PL. SAINT-GERMAIN DES PRÉS, 75006 PARIS, FRANCE
METRO STATION: SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PREZ
5. Carette in Paris
On the opposite end we have Carette, right on the edge of the entrance to the Trocadero. Carette is about as French as it gets, and is considered as being one of the best restaurants in all of Paris.
Carette – by Maria Eklind – Wikimedia Commons
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, pastries, brunch, lunch or a three course dinner menu, Carette has it all. You can come here virtually any time of day and except a vibrant buzz of people sipping on high teas, beers and/or wine.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY — 7AM TO 11:30PM
ADDRESS: 4 PL. DU TROCADÉRO ET DU 11 NOVEMBRE, 75016 PARIS
METRO STATION: TROCADERO
6. Wagon Bleu in Paris
The Blue Wagon is a bit of a hidden gem in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. As the name suggests, the restaurant is built into an old blue train car that wen tout of service during the resolution years.
Wagon Bleu – by Wagon Bleu – Sourced from their website
The Wagon Bleu boasts an impressive range of French wines to pair with all of their traditional dishes. The interior is cosy and charming as anything! You’ll feel like you’re in some elegant express train carriage traveling to some exotic land by the night.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday – 5:30pm to 12:30am
ADDRESS: 7 Rue Boursault, 75017 Paris, France
METRO STATION: Rome
7. La Fontaine de Mars in Paris
This chic restaurant is famed in this neighborhood, identifiable by the baby pink awnings that frame the arched entrances.
Those who know this restaurant, love it. It’s one of the most charming spots in the area, and they do a fantastic lunch and dinner menu, also seven days a week. As expected, this place is full pretty much all the time. You’ll need to make a reservation if you want to really sit back and enjoy.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY — 12PM TO 3PM // 7:30PM TO 11PM
ADDRESS: 129 RUE SAINT-DOMINIQUE, 75007 PARIS
METRO STATION: TROCADERO
8. Chez Dumonet in Paris
Situated in the 6th arrondissement’s southern region, this restaurant is renowned for traditional dishes such as their duck confit. The rest of the menu is a classic tale of French culinary progression through the ages. It’s the perfect spot for lunch or dinner, traditional style.
Chez Dumonet – by Chez Dumonet – Sourced from their website
The staff at Ches Dumonet will go out of their way to make your dining experience a memorable one. Trust them to take the reigns and give you the fullest enjoyment possible, tailored to your tastebuds.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Friday – 12:30 to 2:30 // 7:30 to 10:30
ADDRESS: 117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris, France
METRO STATION: Duroc
9. Café de deux Moulins in Paris
An exploration of traditional French restaurants isn’t complete without a visit to the Cafe de Deux Moulins in Paris. While the food is wonderfully average, the restaurant itself is the epitome of French charm and cliche!
Café des Deux Moulins – by Author – Mario Sánchez Prada – Wikimedia Commons
The Café des Deux Moulins is up the west end of Montmartre hill. The unique experience of the restaurant is what keeps people coming through the doors — as does the fifteen minutes of fame the cafe received in the film Amélie that debuted back in 2002.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY – 7AM – 1:30AM
ADDRESS: 15 RUE LEPIC, 75018 PARIS, FRANCE
METRO STATION: BLANCHE
10. Au Bouquet Saint Paul in Paris
The Au Bouguet Saint Paul sits on the corner of the Rue Saint Paul and Rue Saint-Antoine not far from the Seine in le Marais. The never-ending foot traffic on this road thanks to these sites leaves great need for places to stop and refuel; Au Bouquet Saint Paul is the restaurant for just that.
All of the dishes are authentically French; the herbed salmon pasta is a crowd pleaser as are the range of freshly baked desserts.
