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Bistro

A Parisian bistro (also spelled bistrot) is a small, informal restaurant typically serving traditional French cuisine.

According to one popular legend, the Cossacks who occupied Paris in 1814-1815 used to frequent exactly this type of establishments (their dining bills were later paid by the Russian Army) and, in anticipation of their meals, bang their silverware on the table, yelling "bistro!" ("быстро", which means quick or, more precisely, quickly in Russian). The accuracy of the story has been disputed on the grounds that bistros only started to be called bistros several decades later, but whatever the case (and whatever spelling we choose), bistros have been a part of Parisian life for well over a century.

Select Bistro Restaurants

  • Au Bascou
    38 rue Réaumur (3rd Arrondissement), +33 (0) 1 42 72 69 25
    A bistro that has been serving a seasonal menu of inventive Basque dishes. The wine list is short and understandably focused on the South-West region. Booking highly recommended.

  • Brasserie du Pont Louis Philippe
    66 quai de l'Hôtel de Ville (4th Arrondissement), +33 (0)1 42 72 29 42
    A reasonably-priced restaurant. The second floor (specify your preference when booking a table) affords good views.

  • Chez Georges
    1 rue du Mail (2nd Arrondissement), +33 (0)1 42 60 07 11
    A classic Parisian bistro - one of those places that define its genre. The daily menu is hand-written.

  • Fleur de Sel
    32 Boulevard du Monparnasse (15th Arrondissement), +33 (0)1 45 48 52 03

  • La Régalade
    49 Avenue Jean-Moulin (14th Arrondissement), +33 (0)1 45 45 68 58
    One of the restaurants at the center of the bistronomique revolution in the city, despite slighly out-of-the-way location. Menu at 32€

  • L'Absinthe Café
    54 rue de Turbigo (3rd Arrondissement), +33 (0)1 48 87 79 30
    Traditional bistro cuisine. Menu changes twice a year.

  • Le Coupe Gorge
    2 rue de La Coutellerie (4th Arrondissement), +33 (0) 1 48 04 79 24
    A two-level restaurant serving inexpensive bistro fare (downstairs is a bar). Daily menu at only 18€ (14€ at lunchtime)

  • Le Petit Pontoise
    9 rue Pontoise (5th Arrondissement), +33 (0)1 43 29 25 20
    A small bistro with a loyal following.

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Please keep in mind that our site does not attempt to provide comprehensive restaurant listings. These are simply the restaurants picked by our editors and contributors - subject to all the subjectivity such a method implies.

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