Our Guide to the Top 10 Brasseries in Paris

From authentic roaring 20s veterans through to modern culinary temples, here’s a list of the top brasseries in Paris.

By Megan Hills
Published: July 17, 2024
Brasseries in Paris
skyline-paris-eiffel-tower-france-panoramic

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.

Brasseries in Paris

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

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.

Parisian brasserie

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.

Experience everything Paris has to offer with The Paris Pass® 

Planning your Paris trip? With The Paris Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  

✈️ Buy The Paris Pass® ✈️ 

 

Megan Hills
Paris Travel Expert

Build your unique Paris itinerary with our trip planner

Who's going?
Adult
1
Child (2-17)
0
How many days?
What do you want to see?

Continue reading

Blog

The Top Jazz Clubs and Jazz in Paris

Chill out at the best Jazz Clubs and Jazz Bars that Paris has to offer. Le Caveau de la Huchette Somewhere in the crowd could be the club you need to know - and Le Caveau de la Huchette is it. If you didn’t get the reference, this is literally the jazz club that appears in the Oscar-winning film La La Land for a brief moment and it’s just as rocking as it appears in the film. As the birthplace of Paris jazz, many greats have performed here and it still attracts a loyal crowd of enthusiasts. If you’re something of a history buff, this moody space is packed with it as revolutionaries like Robespierre and Marat once flocked to its tables back in the 1780s - way before jazz was even a thing. Nowadays though, it’s a top Paris jazz club. Just don’t bank on Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone being there. Duc de Lombards Duc de Lombards is a place to come if you really want to experience the music. Easily one of the most famous jazz bars and clubs in Paris, this establishment comes alive at night with legends like Miles Davis and newcomers with experimental passing through its spotlights. Jazz enthusiasts from all over the world flock to Lombards’ tables and there’s a real communal feeling here, whether you’re a local or tourist seeking the best jazz in Paris. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the cocktail list and menu are on point here as well - take a leaf out of The Guardian’s book and hang around for the more experimental cocktails later in the evening. Le Caveau des Oubliettes Le Baiser Sale Looking to discover some brave new voices? This atmospheric Paris jazz bar champions talented newcomers on the music scene and occasionally plays hosts to musical celebrities as they tour around the world. If you’re looking for something that feels more honest than the slicker bars in the city, this intimate space is it - there’s hardly an amp in sight. It’s gradually come into its own over the past twenty years, earning a reputation as the place to enjoy jazz in Paris that prioritises the music above all else. Keep an eye on its line-up, you never know which famous faces might be stopping by for a surprise performance. Sunset/Sunside This Paris jazz club has been scatting and crooning since the 1980s, starting off as a dinky little basement bar before taking over a whole building - a sacred place for jazz worshippers. Located on rue de Lombards, a street lined with bustling jazz bars and clubs in Paris, it’s exactly what a jazz bar should be: welcoming, full of energy and effortlessly chic. Frequented by the likes of Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis, the venue is actually split into two separate areas (called sunside and sunset) that host separate performances to maximise the space. You can never get enough jazz in our opinion. Exploring the Jazz Scene in Paris As we wrap up our journey through the top jazz clubs and bars in Paris, it's clear that the city's jazz culture is deeply rooted and diverse. Each club we've explored offers a unique experience, blending the soulful rhythms of jazz with the elegance of Parisian nightlife. From historic spots brimming with stories to modern venues pushing musical boundaries, Paris proves to be a playground for jazz lovers. Final Thoughts on Parisian Jazz Clubs Paris' jazz clubs are more than just music venues; they are a testament to the city's enduring love affair with jazz. Whether you're a die-hard jazz fan or a casual listener, these clubs offer an escape into a world of rhythmic melodies and rich cultural heritage. 10 Interesting Facts About Paris Jazz Jazz was introduced to Paris by African American soldiers stationed there during World War I, marking the beginning of the city's long-standing love affair with the genre ( Paris Insiders Guide). The 1920s in Paris were defined by the Jazz craze, with the period often referred to as the "Jazz Age." This era saw Montmartre become the hub of the growing black musicians' community ( Montmartre Artists' Studios). Two influential figures in the propagation of Jazz in Paris during the early 1930s were Hugues Panassie and Charles Delaunay, who contributed significantly to the genre's popularity in the city ( My Private Paris). The world's first international jazz festival, the Festival International de Jazz, was held in Nice, France, in 1948, featuring jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins, and Kenny Clarke ( The Good Life France). By the 1980s, Paris had become an established hub for jazz, necessitating more venues to accommodate the influx of artists ( Sight Seeker's Delight). Jazz in Paris has been politically influential, with the genre often serving as a medium for social commentary and a space for artistic freedom ( Lonely Planet). The city of Paris has been a European center for jazz, attracting musical giants such as Chet Baker and Bill Coleman, who have performed in its cobbled quartiers ( DoTravel). Many American jazz musicians, including famous names like Josephine Baker and Sidney Bechet, made Paris their home, contributing to the city's vibrant jazz scene ( Smithsonian Affiliations). The Saint-Germain-des-Prés district in Paris became synonymous with the post-World War II jazz scene, with clubs like Le Tabou hosting nightly jazz sessions that were frequented by existentialists and bohemians ( The New Yorker). Paris continues to celebrate its jazz heritage with numerous clubs, festivals, and events dedicated to the genre, ensuring that jazz remains an integral part of the city's cultural landscape ( FixTheMusic).
Megan Hills
Exterior of the Picasso Museum in Paris
Blog

Did you know...? Interesting facts about Pablo Picasso

Paris has captured artists' imaginations for centuries, and the celebratory Picasso Museum continues to inspire creatives to this day. Before you visit their stunning collection, here are some interesting Pablo Picasso facts to help you enrich your cultural experience. Visiting Paris to soak up the culture? With The Paris Attraction Pass®, you'll get a free Paris Museum Pass to see the Picasso Museum, plus over 50 other must-see Paris attractions like The Louvre, Centre Pompidou, and the Arc de Triomphe. 🎨Explore the attractions you can see with the Paris Museum Pass🎨 -✈️ Buy The Paris Pass® ✈️ While Pablo Picasso is best known by his last name, his full name is 25 words long At his baptism, Picasso was christened – deep breath – Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Crispín Crispiniano María de los Remedios de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz Picasso. His incredibly long name is a mixture of relatives' and saints' names. Ruiz was his father's surname, and Picasso his mother's. Picasso's first word was ‘pencil’ With a father who also worked as a painter, it was expected that art would be in Picasso's blood and his first word – said to be the Spanish word lapiz, meaning pencil in English, merely proved that. His father, who specialized in naturalistic paintings of birds, began teaching him to create artistic works from the age of seven. He decided that he would give up painting when Picasso turned 14 – claiming that his son had become a better painter than him. Picasso was a bad student After Picasso's father felt he had nothing left to teach his son, Picasso moved on to a fine art school when he turned 13. Even as a prodigy, his academics suffered as he spent most of his time painting. Police thought Picasso had stolen the Mona Lisa... The international art world had one of its biggest scandals in 1911 –  the Mona Lisa was stolen from The Louvre. When the police began asking the public for tips, one of the former thieves singled out French literary figure Guillaume Apollinaire, whom he had apparently sold stolen work to. Apollinaire then claimed that his good friend Picasso was responsible for stealing the Mona Lisa and Picasso was detained as a suspect. Da Vinci's masterpiece was later found a couple of years later – stolen by a former Louvre security guard during a deal gone awry. ...Ironically, Picasso has had more works of art stolen than any other artist According to the Art Loss Register, over a thousand Picasso works have been listed as lost, stolen or disputed. They even continue to be stolen to this day, with a spate of robberies happening between 2010-2012. Picasso was infamous for his love affairs It’s no secret that Picasso has had a string of romantic entanglements with several women throughout his life, with four children fathered by three different women. He was married to former ballerina Olga Khokhlova for 10 years. They separated after a few years, and as divorce was a costly process they remained married until she passed away in 1955. In 1961 he remarried Jacqueline Roque. Several of his works were inspired by his lovers, including Fernande Olivier, who's said to have inspired his 'Rose Period', Dora Maar, and Marie Thérese Walter. Picasso produced an astonishing 150,000 works With collections and museums dedicated to the artist across the world, Picasso's body of work spans an incredible 76 years and over 150,000 different works. Divided into different artistic phases of his life, including Cubism and the Blue Period, he was incredibly experimental and was constantly evolving as an artist. Picasso wrote poetry and plays While Picasso is best known for his paintings, in the latter years of his life he also began to dabble in other creative arts. He wrote over 300 poems and a couple of surrealist plays. While they weren't nearly as successful as his other artistic works, one of his plays had a public reading with leading thinkers Albert Camus, Simone de Beauvoir, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Picasso's last words inspired a Paul McCartney song At the age of 91, Picasso said at a dinner party in Mougins (a village in the south of France), "Drink to me, drink to my health; you know I can't drink anymore." He died of a heart attack. Inspired by the artist, Paul McCartney wrote a song named "Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me,)" where the artist's final utterance is the foundation of its chorus. Visit the Picasso Museum and more with The Paris Pass® With The Paris Pass® you can access the fabulous Picasso Museum for free, plus you'll get free entry to over 50 top museums in Paris. One pass, in one app, for everything you want to see. 🎨Explore the attractions you can see with the Paris Museum Pass🎨 -✈️ Buy The Paris Pass® ✈️
Go City Expert
chocolate
Blog

Paris foodies: your dilemma—Ô Château vs. chocolate heaven

Wine flights or chocolate delights? We help you decide.
Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor Guided Climb
Louvre Museum

Have a 5% discount, on us!

More savings? You're welcome. Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, vacation inspiration and much more.

Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off 1-Day Tour
Tours de Notre-Dame de Paris