The Best Brasseries restaurants in Paris

1. Brasserie Fouquet’s : The Quintessential Parisian Dream

This is undoubtedly the most famous brasserie in Paris. And for good reason: open since 1899, this restaurant—with its red facade and name written in those distinctive gold letters—continues to captivate lovers of fine dining from around the world. People visit every day of the week to dine on beautiful white tablecloths, surrounded by portraits of movie stars. Here, you can rediscover the great classics of French cuisine, elevated with precision and flair.

From breakfast with its traditional pastries (including French toast with maple syrup and chocolate sauce for those with a sweet tooth) to tea time with its apple tarts, mille-feuilles, and other pastries, there’s something to satisfy your cravings—whether savory or sweet—at any hour. But when it’s time to really indulge, the delicate treats give way to Osciètre caviar, duck foie gras, and scallops in their shells served with Jerusalem artichokes. Meat lovers will rush to order the Duroc pork chop, onion and Parmesan gratin, or the superb Angus ribeye (300 grams), while vegetarians will opt for the sautéed mushrooms and poached egg or the truffle and chestnut celery dish.

The bonus? On Friday and Saturday evenings, Fouquet’s Brasserie hosts live musicians who create a warm, musical atmosphere. The perfect spot for dinner after 10 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended.

Prices: appetizers starting at 16 euros; main courses starting at 26 euros; desserts starting at 16 euros.

Brasserie Fouquet’s Paris
99 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8th
01 40 69 60 50

2. Le Train Bleu, the historic Parisian brasserie at the Gare de Lyon

Construction of the Buffet de la Gare, a brasserie later renamed “Le Train Bleu”, dates back to 1900. The new Parisian restaurant was built for the World’s Fair under the supervision of architect Marius Toudoire, who also designed the Clock Tower at Gare de Lyon. But beyond the architecture, it is the 40 paintings on the ceilings and walls—characteristic of the 19th-century—that leave a lasting impression. The colors of Mediterranean destinations—Orange, Cassis, Nice, and Cannes—captivate astonished onlookers. 

It is undoubtedly a magnificent setting for a Parisian brasserie now associated with an iconic chef, Michel Rostang. While, in a nod to the trains speeding southward, the pâté croûte is billed as “Provençal-style” and the sea bream as “Mediterranean-style,” the sole fillet remains firmly “Dieppe-style.” In the grand French tradition, the magnificent leg of lamb is served at the carving cart, the veal shank is confit with savory, and the farm-raised pork tenderloin is cooked in hay. When dessert is served, guests delight in watching the crêpe Suzette being flambéed right at their table or the arrival of generous bottles of rum to accompany the baba, the signature dish of this fine gastronomic establishment, where tourists and celebrities have been flocking nonstop since its inauguration by French President Émile Loubet in 1901. 

Le Train Bleu
Gare de Lyon, Place Louis Armand, Hall 1, Paris 12th arrondissement
01 43 43 09 06

3. Les Fous de l'Île

A change of scenery and island to discover a spot that checks all the boxes for the kind of Parisian bistro we love. Located on Rue des Deux-Ponts, in the heart of Île Saint-Louis, Les Fous de l’Île is a traditional brasserie that embodies a certain spirit of conviviality. It’s all the more appealing because it avoids the pitfall of being a soulless tourist trap.

Taken over by a team originally from the Aveyron region, the restaurant prides itself on a strong commitment to local ingredients and hearty cuisine that changes with the seasons. On the menu, brasserie classics sit alongside a few more personal offerings: Aubrac beef, aligot, fish, slow-cooked dishes… And, of course, the legendary ice cream from neighboring Berthillon. All served with that unpretentious generosity that perfectly suits the spirit of the place.

Another highlight of this brasserie on Île Saint-Louis is its wine cellar, located in the basement. It features a selection of wines from independent winemakers and fine bottles to share, with the option to sit down for a tasting or an impromptu glass. Open continuously from 9 a.m. to midnight, Les Fous de l’Île is perfect for lunch or dinner with friends, a gourmet break after a stroll along the quays, or a nightcap with a good bottle of wine. A lively and welcoming spot that effortlessly carries on the spirit of the Parisian brasserie.

Prices: weekday lunch specials; à la carte dishes based on the daily specials.

Les Fous de l'Île
33 rue des Deux Ponts, Paris 4th arrondissement
01 43 25 76 67

4. Les Capucines

How do you recognize a Parisian brasserie? Is it by its decor, often with Art Deco touches? By its flexible hours, its familiar menu, or its service—immediately cheerful and efficient? Completely renovated, Les Capucines—a bourgeois establishment situated on the boulevard of the same name—ticks all these boxes at a glance. In terms of decor, it offers a design that modernizes the genre without a hitch, with a distinctly Parisian flair. Smooth velvet half-curtains at the windows, mosaics, and petal-shaped sconces casting a soft light perfect for meals that stretch on beneath the mirrored ceiling… this is the setting in which waiters in white shirts, suspenders, and bow ties go about their work.

But what we love most of all about our Parisian brasseries (let’s not be afraid to be a little chauvinistic) is this simple, masterfully executed cuisine—familiar and comforting—where everyone has their own favorites. Who prefers sole meunière with mashed potatoes—filleted in the kitchen and served on a piping-hot plate—and Burgundy snails with butter, garlic, and parsley? Who prefers endives with ham, topped with Comté cheese, or fish soup with croutons and rouille? All these wonderful classics—and many more, such as the seafood platters or the generous 500-gram pork chop from the Abotia farm, served with choron sauce—feature on the menu at Les Capucines, which has earned its place among the great Parisian brasseries.

Which table to choose? On the first floor, one of the three facing the windows, nestled in an alcove on a small raised platform overlooking the dining room, with a view of the Olympia.

Les Capucines
39 Boulevard des Capucines, Paris 2nd arrondissement
01 42 61 14 71

5. Le Flandrin, a historic brasserie in western Paris

Housed in the charming setting of a former Petite Ceinture train station and reimagined in Art Deco style, Le Flandrin has been building its reputation since its founding in 1936. This family-run establishment in the heart of the 16th arrondissement remains a must-visit destination, beloved by both the local bourgeoisie and stars of the silver screen and television. Rumor even has it that the ghosts of Bebel and his crew still haunt the premises. Bathed in a sophisticated atmosphere and bucking fleeting trends, the brasserie features a sunny terrace lined with French-trimmed boxwood trees, perfect for soaking up the spring sunshine and enjoying balmy summer evenings...

Inside, the new seafood counter immediately sets the tone for fresh, seasonal cuisine, putting a modern spin on traditional seafood offerings with cupped and flat oysters, crab, langoustines, and lobster served à la carte or on a platter. The 150-seat dining room, after a few subtle changes, retains its old-world charm with its white-tablecloth-covered tables, cream-colored walls, new geometric-patterned floor, comfortable pink velvet seating, and a veranda with elegant white curtains.

When it comes to the food, Le Flandrin plays to its strengths with classic, high-quality cuisine. This is evident in its extensive menu of about fifty dishes that blend bistro and brasserie styles. A promising start with the appetizers: scallop carpaccio draped with black Périgord truffles or plump frog legs in a parsley butter sauce. For the main course, puff pastry takes center stage with a generous vol-au-vent of sweetbreads with morels or a perfectly seared beef tenderloin, paired with crispy fries and a trio of sauces (morel, Béarnaise, and pepper).

Those with more refined palates will opt for the lobster linguine, pan-seared veal liver, or even the turbot or whole sea bass to share. And to end the meal on a high note, the dessert menu offers a wide array of sweet treats, each more tempting than the last: pavlova with red berries, baba with aged rum, Paris-Brest, chocolate cake… The courteous and friendly staff provides continuous service from morning through evening with a wide selection of dishes, ranging from eggs with mayonnaise to sole meunière, lobster, and the famous crème brûlée… Everything you’d expect from a French brasserie.

Le Flandrin
4 Place Tattegrain, Paris 16th
01 45 04 34 69

6. Terminus Nord, the most traditional

Across from Gare du Nord, Terminus Nord is the go-to spot for lovers of Paris’s great brasseries. It’s nothing like a typical train station cafeteria or a gourmet restaurant in Paris! You’re invited to settle in and enjoy its large mahogany bar, the marquetry on the walls, the period mosaics, the gleaming brass fixtures, and the moleskin-upholstered benches. Blending Art Deco and Art Nouveau, the atmosphere is timeless—the quintessential Parisian spirit. It’s gained an extra touch of chic since English architect John Whelan gave it a makeover in 2019.

It attracts more than just travelers waiting between trains. Families, tourists, businesspeople, ladies, and gentlemen come here to enjoy the best of Parisian brasserie dining—service included. You can also count on finding authentic, hearty, and comforting French cuisine. The classics are honored, with a touch of modernity: soft-boiled eggs with morel mushrooms, pâté en croûte, large Burgundy snails, Strasbourg-style sauerkraut, and roasted pork ribs carry on the fine tradition. The soup is, of course, topped with cheese and made with small onions. If you love seafood, you’re in for a treat: “Assiette du voyageur”, “Plateau du Terminus Nord”, and “Plateau Royal.” For desserts, there’s crème brûlée, rum baba, île flottante, and the Tatin sisters’ tart. Waiting at Gare du Nord has never been so delightful.

Terminus Nord
23 rue de Dunkerque, Paris 10th arrondissement

7. La Closerie des Lilas, a Left Bank institution

Renaud nicknamed it “La Close.” Lenin used to play chess there. A hotbed of Parisian life (and the bohemian bourgeoisie) since the 1900s, the Closerie des Lilas has seen a parade of the cream of the arts and letters. From the Parnassian movement to the Surrealists, from Modigliani to Picasso, from Jean-Paul Sartre to Oscar Wilde, writers, painters, and poets gathered there. At the bar counter he frequented assiduously, Ernest Hemingway wrote most of *The Sun Also Rises*. Today, nothing has changed. Neither the Art Deco style—with its red moleskin benches, brown wooden tables, old mirrors, and wood paneling—nor the bucolic terrace, sheltered from prying eyes. There, you’ll run into local publishers and their authors, a few politicians seated alongside artists, and curious passersby. La Closerie has remained a Left Bank institution, a joyful blend of elegance and relaxation.

People also come for the brasserie menu, which has its own standout dishes: egg with mayonnaise and celery rémoulade, house-made country terrine and “Géants de Bourgogne” snails, pike quenelles, sole meunière, and confit lamb shoulder; not to mention the must-try seafood. Always a safe bet. The wine list lives up to the restaurant’s storied history...

La Closerie des Lilas
171 Boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris 6th arrondissement

8. Au Bœuf Couronné, a leading meat specialist

A must-visit spot for meat lovers since the late 19th century, thanks to its proximity to the La Villette slaughterhouses. Au Bœuf Couronné remains the neighborhood’s last remaining establishment specializing in meat to have survived the closure of the slaughterhouses.  The decor was updated in 2016 without losing any of its character: brass pendant lights, red velvet armchairs, leather benches, floor lamps with opaline globes, geometric-patterned tiles, immaculate table linens, and waiters in traditional uniforms. French cuisine is celebrated here in grand style: Burgundy snails, Dauphiné ravioli, scallops, and of course beef, the undisputed star of the menu. Those with hearty appetites will appreciate being able to choose from 12 different cuts of beef in the “Les historiques des Maquignons de la Villette” section:  the bavette d’aloyau, the pavé des mandataires (250 g), the Chateaubriand des bidochards (700 g), or the côte de bœuf (1.2 kg), not to mention the beef specialties: the must-try steak tartare, duck breast, and “Vieille France” calf’s head. The desserts are also impeccable and classic: rum baba, crêpes Suzette flambéed with Grand Marnier, profiteroles made to order… 

Au Bœuf Couronné
188 Avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris 19th
01 42 39 44 44

9. Hôtel du Louvre and Its Exceptional Brasserie of the Same Name

A brasserie in Paris that no longer looks to Lyon—goodbye, Bocuse—but remains true to the spirit of fine dining and French traditions. In the spring of 2019, it was the talk of the town: the House of Bocuse opened an “Embassy” in Paris. Located between the Comédie-Française and the Council of State, across from the Palais Royal and the Louvre -France’s most famous museum-, in the kitchen of the renowned Hôtel du Louvre. A change of scenery indeed! But while the reference point has shifted, the same executive chef remains at the helm, and the cuisine is still top-notch. Gone are the curly kale with bacon; welcome to fresh oysters, charcoal-grilled leeks (delicious), scallop crudo, and semi-cured foie gras… we love it and highly recommend it!

So much so that you’ll likely spot the Yonder editorial team dining here from time to time, whenever one of our regional advertisers is visiting Paris. We love to treat ourselves to the “Salade Parisienne,” an incredibly generous sole meunière, or a veal liver pan-seared to perfection. As our friends at the Stade Français rugby club would say, “This is Paris”—offering the very best the city has to offer in terms of brasserie dining!

Brasserie du Louvre in Hôtel du Louvre
Place André Malraux, Paris 1st
01 44 58 37 21

10. Wepler: A Witness to the Montmartre Neighborhood

At the foot of Montmartre Hill in the 18th arrondissement, the Wepler has been a witness to the neighborhood’s history since 1892. It, too, has welcomed famous artists such as Utrillo, Toulouse-Lautrec, Modigliani, Apollinaire, Henry Miller, Chabrol, and Truffaut... In an Art Deco setting, you can settle into red moleskine benches beneath a painting by Tamara de Lempicka, served by waiters in the iconic black-and-white uniforms, to enjoy some signature dishes of Parisian brasseries. First thing in the morning, you can treat yourself to a cup of homemade hot chocolate. Later on, since Wepler is known for serving some of the best oysters in Paris, you won’t be able to resist a seafood platter. Then, with choices ranging from Wepler’s famous eggs with mayonnaise, the fishmongers’ fish soup, beef cheek confit made the old-fashioned way, French sole meunière or à la plancha, and duck confit from the Southwest, it’s hard to choose. It’s also the perfect spot for sauerkraut lovers; here, it’s served not only in the classic style but also in a “marine” version with a trio of fish. Finally, keep in mind that, like a few other Parisian brasseries, the Wepler is proud of its literary award. 

Wepler
14 Place de Clichy, Paris 18th
01 45 22 53 24