From a close friend who spent her fall abroad in Paris, a list of favorite places to eat-DINNER RESTAURANTS :
For classic, bistro-y French food :
1) L’Ardoisse : near the Opera Garnier ; nice restaurant w/ simple atmosphere but very authentic & EXCELLENT French food.
2) Restaurant le Christine : in St. Germain, cute, small, a little funky, & great, creative cuisine.
3) Le Rotisserie d’en Face: across the street from le Christine
4) Relais du Comptoir : also in St. Germain, *must get reservations. I’ve never been, but it’s super popular, & looks like a warm, bustling place. Food is apparently great.
5) Le Grand Colbert : by Bourse ; in the movie « Something’s Gotta Give, » high ceilings, brass fixtures, very french looking, need a reservation. Haven’t been; atmosphere may be better than food.
6) Robert & Louise: a charming, tiny steak place in the heart of the Marais, supposedly cozy & great
7) Bofinger: By the Opera Bastille, apparently a very classic French Bistro, w/ all the brass & red banquettes, classic bistro food, pretty classy; owned by a bigger company so may have a slight commercial air to it? I wanted to go here, though.
8) A la Petite Chaise: apparently the oldest restaurant in Paris,
9) L’Orangerie: on ile St. Louis (so, would be pretty to walk & see lights of Notre Dame on Ile de la Cite); went here w/ my grandparents; mix of modern & traditional atmosphere, chic, modern French food.
Ethnic Food:
10) **404: My favorite restaurant in Paris! In the Marais; very hip with an amazing far-east ambience & friendly staff. Great mojitos, cous cous, & tagines (Moroccan stews- get the Lamb & Prune!). Either an 8 pm or 10:30 PM seating… do the 10:30 if you want a better crowd. (Andy Wahloo is an apparently very cool, small bar right next door)
Hipper, more contemporary:
11) Des Gars dans la Cuisine: on Rue Vielle de Temple in the Marais (same st. as Robert & Louise, w/ great bars all around). Went w/ my fam- small, modern, & hip but cozy, w/ inventive, yummy food.
12) Georges: On top of the Pompidou Center, apparently $$, super trendy, & really cool, w/ a great view of the city. Anna went w/ her family & loved it.
13) Café Charbon: went here w/ a big group- in Oberkampf, bright, brassy, big, loud, & crowded; I had a great meal.
FOR LUNCH:
1) La Duree: as you know, famous macaroons. Good for $$ lunch or tea, at either the Champs Eylsee or St. Germain branch (smaller, but equally lovely)
2) Angelina: on Rue de Rivoli. Go here before/after the Louvre for the world’ best hot chocolate (SO rich, but amazing). Food is too $$$.
3) Cosi: great casual sandwich/ salad place in St. Germain, w/ amazing bread (not the coffee chain!)
4) Café Flore or Les Deux Magots: across from eachother in Place St. Germain. They’re Parisian institutions where Hemingway, etc. used to always go. Pretty average food, but worth saying you’ve been.
5) Chez Marianne: Right off of Rue de Rossiers (the cobblestoned jewish street) in the Marais. Great if you want falafel & ethnic food but want a nicer atmosphere.
6) L’As de Falaffel: World famous- if you want the REAL Parisian Falaffel experience!!
7) Nectarine: for brunch in Place de Vosgues, a beautiful brick square in the Marais.
