I will be in Paris for Rick Steve’s 7 day tour in early June 2026. We will have some time available to explore on our own and my mind goes directly to food! I’m looking for recommendations for restaurants, not looking for ultra fine dining, just want a good Parisian experience. Also, should I make reservations?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
What kind of food are you interested in? Are there any particular areas where you would prefer to eat? What is the budget? On the question of reservations, I suggest making them when you have specific places where you want to eat s you avoid the poaaible disappointment of showing up and cannot get not being able to get a table. I some smaller places, such as for example, L'Ami Jean, reservations are a must.
Thanks for your reply. Food that we like…Pasta, Chicken, Pork, Beef, good sauces, bread, veggies, local cuisine.
We’ll be in Paris, I’ve never been there, so not sure about the area.
Just input 'Paris restaurant recommendation' into the search bar. Then filter for travel forum posts 1 year and newer. Lots of threads there.
Two of our favorites -- and if you have never been to Paris you really should go for some 'fine dining' are Coretta on the edge of MLK park near the Pont Cardinet stop of the 14 metro
https://www.restaurantcoretta.com
and L'Initial in the 5th near the river which has a lovely tasting menu with choice for the meat course. We have eaten there several times and never been disappointed.
https://restaurant-linitial.fr. The dinner tasting menu is 68 Euro without wine and you can either get a bottle of wine or wine pairings -- we don't drink a lot and usually have a glass of Champagne and then water. The cost of wine pairing would not be worth it to us, but if you like wine with your meal then it is one way to have a variety matched to the menu.
At any restaurant you can get a free carafe of local water usually chilled and always good. At a splurge we usually get a bottle of bubbly bottled water -- but this is an expense you can easily forego.
Coretta has modern decor -- you are sort of in a tree house over the park and l'Initial has a plain room/excellent service. There are a number of places with fancy rooms. Train Bleu -- gorgeous room, so so food; Bofinger good copious alsacian food and spectacular room (if you go there ask for the main room when you reserve). Les Ombres has a good view of the Eiffel tower through it's glass roof; we only ate there once long ago and the food was so so but they have probably had 3 chefs since then.
Always reserve for a restaurant you want to eat at -- you will always find something walking in but they are likely to be restaurants where there is a good reason they have last minute availability. for any of these restaurants I would reserve as soon as you know your dates. All of these are moderately priced. Not inexpensive but nowhere near 'ultra fine dining' costs in Paris.
For dinner at a restaurant, and sometimes for lunch, I always reserve. Reservations are generally not required for cafés or crêperies.
For specific recommendations:
Is your tour staying at the Hotel Londres Eiffel or elsewhere?
We’ll be in Paris, I’ve never been there, so not sure about the area.
You may want to confirm where you will be staying and ask for recommendations for that area. Someone might recommend something that is an hour away from where you will be staying, and there are wonderful restaurants all over the (rather large) city.
Yes we will be staying at the Londres Hotel.
My suggestion is Le P'tit Troquet. Excellent food at reasonable prices. I've enjoyed three wonderful meals there and the hostess is warm and friendly. It's very close to where you're staying as well.
-- Mike Beebe
Thank you!
In the area of Londres Eiffel, I like Cafe Roussillon at the corner of Rue de Grenelle and Rue Cler. You might have a welcome or farewell dinner at La Terrasse by the Ecole Militaire Metro stop. If not, it's a nice place to eat with excellent people watching.
I have not eaten at these 2 places but they are said to be excellent:
Auberge Bressane : https://www.auberge-bressane.com
Le Florimond: https://www.leflorimond.com
There is also another restaurant that sounds cool but the menu is a bit "meaty" for me. It's history is fascinating to me as it was used by the Resistance in WWII to get information from the German officers stationed nearby at the Hotel Invalides and at the other end of the street at the Ecole Militaire (military school where Napoleon went!).
https://www.cafemax.fr/en
https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/where-to-eat-in-paris/restaurant/articles/282172-cafe-max-generous-french-cuisine-in-this-resistance-stronghold
All three of these are on Avenue de la Motte-Picquet within a block of each other and a fairly easy walk from your hotel. You might need reservations at the 1st 2. IF you eat early-ish you will not need reservations at Roussillon.
Without trying to overwhelm you, here is a link to a Corey Frye walk that is several years old starting at some Art Nouveau facades near your hotel. When the walk gets to 9:50 your hotel is just down the side street on the right. That restaurant on the corner he mentions has changed hands. It's now Le Bistrot des Fables and is owned by the chef who used to work for Christian Constant who owned the restaurant when Corey was doing his walking tour. I'm sure it's good. (insert eyeroll for me giving too much information!!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAY8vsAbpFs&list=PLk_oRs9dMxtDWvE3FHnvWgBFbWkPA8KFS&index=50&t=573s
Another vote for Le P'tit Troquet! All of our dining experiences there have been terrific. Wonderful food; warm and welcoming service. The restaurant is small, so I would recommend that you make a reservation.
