Paris may be the city of love, but it should really be subtitled the city of gastronomy in our opinion. There’s nothing more Parisian than the traditional brasserie, a place to relax in sumptuous interiors over an honest comforting meal (and a glass of wine to boot). Take your pick with some of our favorite Paris brasseries below.
Bofinger
Don’t be fooled by this brasserie’s age - at the ripe old age of 150 years old, it serves up some of the seafood platters and Alsatian choucroute in Paris. Filled with history, its original owner Bofinger fled his home in Alsace during the war and it’s since changed hands numerous times but retained its impeccable quality. If you can, ask to sit in the main dining room under its glass dome for a truly romantic experience.
Le Vaudeville
Following a dramatic restoration, this gorgeous Paris brasserie has been returned to Paris’ roaring 20s. Designed by the same team behind La Coupole (another brasserie on this list), it used to attract creative types from the former theatre next door. Now, locals looking for a no-fuss meal flock here. With platters of fresh oysters, fragrant onion soup, steak tartare, and even veal heads for the adventurous, it’s a great place to head for a meal that won’t break the bank.
Indulge in a delicious, traditional brasserie meal - when in Paris!
Le Grand Colbert
If you’re something of a cinema buff and want your best Diane Keaton life, this picturesque brasserie is a must-visit. As the setting for a scene in Something’s Gotta Give, it’s a truly traditional brasserie that dates back to 1830 with gorgeous Belle-Epoque interiors. And believe us, you’ve got to trust Keaton when she says it’s the best roast chicken in Paris.
Brasserie Lipp
The French restaurant scene is ever-changing but there’s one place that has stood the test of time: the Brasserie Lipp, one of the best brasseries in Paris. It doesn’t get more classic than this restaurant based in Saint-Germain, with a traditional aesthetic and authentic menu which serves up Parisian staples at their best. Dating back to 1880, the likes of Kate Moss, Madonna, Emmanuel Macron, the Coppolas, and Yves Saint Laurent have all tucked into their famed duck confit and juicy entrecote steak.
Lazare
You know that scene in Ratatouille, where the food critic tucks into a modern ratatouille and is transported back to his mother’s childhood recipe? That’s exactly the feeling this contemporary Paris brasserie aims for. Serving up a modern yet familiar menu, it’s all helmed by three-star Michelin chef Eric Frechon, so you know you’re in good hands. With beautiful, inviting interiors to boot, you’ll want to come back again and again.
Le Train Bleu
For a truly unique dining experience, head over to Le Train Bleu for a side dish of awe with your brasserie fare. Located in a sumptuous hidden area in the Gare de Lyon, the setting is what truly takes your breath away, with art deco interiors that include over 40 masterworks arcing across its walls.
With a classic list of dishes and a wine list that you might just enjoy a little too much, patrons of Le Train Bleu will be amongst a discerning crowd: Coco Chanel, Salvador Dali, and Brigitte Bardot were notable frequenters of this place.
Brasserie Floderer
This hidden brasserie is well the journey out to Strasbourg-Saint-Denis and claims to be the ‘most Alsatian Parisian brasserie’. Known previously as Brasserie Flo, it combines traditional Parisian traditions with Germanic touches. It's said to become a major hotspot during Paris Fashion Week when a sea of discerning diners passes through the city. Renowned for their handcrafted foie gras and Chateaubriand steak, their menu will have you hungry the second you lay eyes on it.
La Coupole
This gorgeous space is a portal into the 1920s, set in the Montparnasse neighborhood. It makes sense since it threw open its doors in 1927 and it’s been true to the period ever since, attracting the likes of Picasso and Simone de Beauvoir to its tables. You’re likely to find both tourists and locals diving into their seafood platters and Parisian pepper steak - if you’re not fussed about being super traditional, try their famous curry, which has remained a stalwart since it first opened.
Pavement seating is quintessentially French - and where better to practice the art of people-watching than in Paris?
La Rotonde
Affordable, elegant, and utterly delicious, this timeless restaurant is one of the best brasseries n Paris. Located nearby the Rue de la Gaite, it’s been in business for over a century and is located in the trendy Montparnasse neighborhood. With ruby velvet booths and brass fittings, it’s the perfect place for a hearty French classic. Plus, it’s open till 2am if you’re in need of a midnight fix.
Chez Jenny
Another Alsatian joint on the list, this is one of the city’s favorite places for a steaming choucroute, traditional flammekueche, and a hefty helping of sauerkraut. Cosy and welcoming, it’s well-loved by tourists and locals alike - and especially by families for its affordable children’s menu.
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