My 5 Favourite French Restaurants in Paris for Dinner

Elizabeth Victoria Clark shares her five go-to Paris dinner spots. These are personal favorites, not a definitive ranking, and she's upfront about that. The list skews toward classic French bistros with one intentionally controversial pick at the end.

1. Fontaine de Mars

A classic French restaurant near the Eiffel Tower but outside the heavy tourist zones. The entire menu is strong. Start with the leeks appetizer, order any of the mains with confidence, and do not skip dessert. The wine list is also worth exploring.

2. Au Pied de Cochon / Au Creux de Bourgogne

Located in the 2nd arrondissement. Another classic French spot with both indoor seating and a patio. Elizabeth prefers sitting inside. On her last visit in May, she ordered the sole meuniere while her husband had the chicken. They also had mayonnaise eggs and a frisee salad. The whole menu delivers, and like most Paris restaurants, it is dog friendly.

3. Chez Georges

Address: 1 Rue du Mail

Right around the corner from restaurant number two. A French bistro with a slightly more intimate atmosphere than the first two picks. The steak frites and mayonnaise salad are standouts. Elizabeth says she has never had a bad meal here. Her one piece of advice: book a later reservation. The atmosphere is better when the evening is further along and the light is lower.

4. Frenchie Bar a Vin

Part of the Frenchie family of restaurants, but Elizabeth specifically recommends the wine bar. She cannot remember exactly what she ate, but she and her husband both consider it one of the best nights they have ever had together. The approach here is simple: let the waiters order for you if you are unsure, and drink plenty of wine. Note that Frenchie Bar a Vin likely does not take reservations. You line up before it opens and hope for a seat.

5. Ferdi

The controversial pick. Ferdi is known as a celebrity favorite (the Kardashians and Hadids are regulars), and some people dismiss the food as just okay. Elizabeth disagrees. She calls the Ferdi burger the best burger she has ever eaten and describes her first bite as life-changing. The atmosphere is fun, especially later in the evening. You can order other things, but skipping the burger would be a mistake.

Key Takeaways

• Four of the five picks are traditional French bistros. The fifth, Ferdi, is a burger-forward spot with a celebrity reputation.
• Later reservations are a recurring theme. Both Chez Georges and Ferdi improve after dark.
• Frenchie Bar a Vin is the only one that may not accept reservations, so arrive early and queue.
• The leeks at Fontaine de Mars and the burger at Ferdi are the two dishes Elizabeth singles out most strongly.
• All five are dinner recommendations specifically. Lunch may be a different list.