9 Favorite Fine To Casual Places To Dine In Paris

Here are some of our favorite fine and casual places to dine in Paris, France right now. These are the ones we keep coming back to every year and some great new ones that we just visited recently.

More Formal Restaurants – Recommendations For Fine Dining Experiences

Always check the website to make a reservation on like if possible (my husband, Howard likes to use The Fork when possible. Sometimes you have to call the restaurant, but I have found that once I try speaking in French, they quickly give me help in English!

1. La Closerie des Lilas 171 Bd du Montparnasse , 75006

First, have a drink in Ernest Hemingway’s favorite bar in Paris a locals favorite. Howard said their martinis are one of the best in Paris (but that there is also not a “high bar” there).

The service at the restaurant is friendly and the menu is elevated traditional French cuisine. We had the oysters and for my main dish I had Sole Meunière. For dessert, our table had Crepes “Suzette” flambé with Grand-Marnier, very fun!

2. Allard 41 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006

This bistro has been in business since 1932 and is one of Alain Ducasse’s restaurants. It’s is a charming neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The atmosphere is warm and cozy. We loved the duck with olives.

3. Le Cafe´Marly

“Nestled in the heart of the Tuileries, beneath the arcades of the Louvre, it represents the perfect blend of a Parisian brasserie and a literary café where one can gently settle on the terrace, savoring the view of the pyramid.” And the sun setting on the Eiffel Tower. Annie and I had dinner together here.

The seafood was great. Annie had the salmon and I had the sole with puréed potatoes.

4. Hotel Particulier Montmartre

“Le Grand Salon, Hotel Particulier Montmartre restaurant invites you for a culinary experience in an enchanting setting, at any time of the day, from lunch to dinner.”

Annie and I had a light lunch of salads with fresh ingredients (and French fries).

Casual Places To Dine In Paris With Good Food

5. Restaurant Janine | Bistro Français | 90, Rue des Dames 75017

This is a newer casual restaurant that gets great reviews. It’s in a neighborhood with not many tourists.

We thought the food was excellent (although they brought the starters at the same time as the main dishes). We liked the oysters, the rabbit and the veal.

6. Da Alfredo Italian Restaurant 182 Bd Haussmann 75008

Howard and I loved the gracious ambience of this place and the new owner. I had the Spaghetti Vongole. Howard had the carpaccio and the Veal Milanese and it was all delicious.

7. Relais de l‘Entrecôte 20, rue Saint-Benoît – 75006

There are a few locations in Paris but this time we ate at the one in Saint-Germain-des-Prés…for their reliable steak frites. You will see Parisians and tourists here alike!

“The Relais de l‘Entrecôte owes its reputation to its single course menu: a walnut salad followed by an extra tender sirloin steak with its famous secret sauce.” Never disappoints!

Get there right before they open at noon so that you can make it into the first service. This was the line at 11:50 am.

8. Montmartre Walking Food Tour

Our food walking tour included choupettes (amazing and so fresh), lunch, cheese, and two desserts (in all six stops to eat). There is a bit of a hike up to the top to Sacred Coeur cathedral so you wear a bit of it off. Howard and I thought it was fun and you get a little history of the area.

9. Take Away From Bon Marche’s La Grande Epicerie Rue de Sèvres 75007

We always get an assortment of beautifully prepared food to take away…either for a picnic in a nearby park if it’s warm or to take back to the VRBO apartment. There are great gifts to buy, too. We saw a line of people buying French butter to vacuum seal to take home (have you seen that on Instagram?).

We usually get baguettes for sandwiches with foie gras, cheeses, vegetables, sausages, duck confit, etc to make small plates. And pastries for dessert. It’s fun.

You may also like: My Perfect Packing List For Autumn in Europe and Planning A Paris Trip: Round-up.

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