Going to Paris for the 1st time in June! Spending 4 nights there & looking forward to some great meals. If you had to recommend one restaurant to dine at in Paris, what would that be? Am told I need to make reservations for most places ahead of time. We're adventurous eaters and looking for some place that's more geared to locals, not a super touristy spot. We'll be staying in the Rue Cler area but are definitely willing to Uber to something memorable. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
3 posts
We have stayed in the Rue Cler area on all 10 of our previous trips and there are a lot of good places there to eat. One favorite is the Tribeca on Rue Cler. However, recently we tried the Gusta Italia on the Rue de Grenelle between the Rue Cler and Tour Eiffel. We had passed it many a time and it always looks charming but we never stopped in. So in 2019 we went there and discovered what we had been missing. The food is delicious, it is small and on a small street and the service is very nice. The best dish we had on a couple times there is the Risotto Aux cèpes parfumés à la truffe. It is food like this that one goes to Paris to discover. Here is their website: https://gustoitalia-paris.fr/fr
Posted by
Vacaville, Ca
1369 posts
The Fork app is used by many restaurants in Paris.
Enjoy your trip.
Posted by
Loire Valley
761 posts
Don't use The Fork. Restaurants really don't like people using it, because they feel TripAdvisor has them over a barrel. Much better to make a decision on the day and call in personally. The restaurant will appreciate not having to pay a commission on a meal they have already been forced to reduce in price.
It unlikely that anywhere bar the restaurants that figure in guidebooks or the latest trendy place/Michelin star place will be booked out.
Posted by
Chicago
8063 posts
Lots of places need to be reserved a lot more than a day ahead. I agree, reserve on the restaurants own site or call. for really special choices reserve well in advance. For small local spots, a day ahead is often plenty.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
95 posts
In the Rue Cler area, I like Le 7ème Vin (https://restaurant7emevin.fr/). It’s a small bistro, and reservations are pretty necessary (just a day before should be fine), just because it’s small and fills up every night. It’s not a special occasion place, but the food is traditional French and very good.
About reservations in Paris (and really anywhere in France), in general…unless it’s a cafe, reservations are considered appropriate/polite, even if you make them only an hour before you dine. When you are seated at a table, it’s yours for the evening. Calling ahead gives the restaurant time to prepare your table for you and get an idea of what their evening is going to be like.
As a side note, your server will not bring you the check until you ask for it. To bring it automatically without being asked is considered very rude. If you’re ready to depart as soon as you have your dessert, coffee, or digestif, ask for the check just after ordering your last item. Otherwise, linger over the remainder of your bottle of wine and give your server a little nod when you’re ready to settle up.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Midwest
122 posts
Following ;-)