Travel

The Best Bistros in Paris

October 19, 2010

Bistro Allard Paris — Established in 1931, Allard remains one of the city's most beloved old-guard bistros, and for good reason. Dishes like escargots in parsley butter, house foie gras terrine, and roast duck with olives are top-notch.Landon Nordeman

Recipe cards at Bistro Allard Paris — Recipe cards at the restaurant; almost as old as the establishment itself.Landon Nordeman

Server at Allard Bistro Paris — 41 rue St-Andre des Arts, 6th arrondissement (33/1/4326-4823). Expensive.Landon Nordeman

Aux Lyonnais Bistro Paris — Since taking over this famous old bistro in 2002, Alain Ducasse has artfully updated the menu while preserving the soul of the bistro.Landon Nordeman

A waiter serves braised veal breast with artichokes at Aux Lyonnais Paris — A waiter serves braised veal breast with artichokes.Landon Nordeman

Aux Lyonnais Bistro Paris — 32 rue St-Marc, 2nd arrondissement (33/1/4296-6504). Moderate.Landon Nordeman

Chez Georges Bistro Paris — Time stands still at this century-old bistro in the heart of Paris, which serves classics like blanquette de veau (veal breast served with a lemony cream sauce), chicken liver terrine, and wonderful cream puffs with hot chocolate sauce.Landon Nordeman

Pan-fried steak with mustard cream sauce at Chez Georges Bistro Paris — Pan-fried steak with mustard cream sauce.Landon Nordeman

Chez Georges Bistro Paris — 1 rue du Mail, 2nd arrondissement (33/1/4260-0711). Moderate.Landon Nordeman

L'Ami Louis Bistro Paris — Come to this temple of classic bistro cuisine for generous portions of garlicky, crunchy potato galette, grilled veal kidneys, whole roast chicken with heaps of frites, and tender milk-fed lamb.Landon Nordeman

A chef in the kitchen at L'Ami Louis Bistro Paris — A chef in the kitchen.Landon Nordeman

L'Ami Louis Bistro Paris — 32 rue Vertbois, 3rd arrondissement (33/1/4887-7748). Expensive.Landon Nordeman

Terrine de campagne at Le Bistrot Paul Bert Paris — Chef Thierry Laurent serves some of the best terrine de campagne in Paris at this genial new bistro.Landon Nordeman

A waiter serves sole meuniere at Le Bistrot Paul Bert Paris — A waiter serves sole meuniere.Landon Nordeman

Le Bistrot Paul Bert Paris — 18 rue Paul Bert, 11th arrondissement (33/1/4372-24-01). Moderate.Landon Nordeman

Frenchie Bistro Paris — The brilliant market-menu cooking of chef Gregory Marchand features cosmopolitan dishes like crab-stuffed ravioli with parsley juice and shellfish. 5 rue du Nil, 2nd arrondissement (33/1/4039-9619). Moderate.www.foodsnobblog.wordpress.com

L'Ami Jean Bistro Paris — Chef Stephane Jego, who worked under bistro wizard Yves Camdeborde, founder of La Regalade, serves market-driven southwestern French and Basque cooking.www.foodsnobblog.wordpress.com

L'Ami Jean Bistro Paris — 27 rue Malar, 7th arrondissement (33/1/4705-8689). Moderate.www.foodsnobblog.wordpress.com

La Regalade Saint-Honor&eacute Bistro Paris — At this new branch of La Regalade, chef Bruno Doucetes menu has been a phenomenal hit ever since it opened seven months ago. 123 rue St-Honore, 1st arrondissement (33/1/4221-9240). Moderate.www.foodsnobblog.wordpress.com

Sea bass with red chicory and lemon creme fraiche at Le Chateaubriand Paris — Aizpitarte's globally influenced cuisine de vagabonde exhibits stunning imagination, as in dishes like sea bass with red chicory and lemon creme fraiche.www.foodsnobblog.wordpress.com

Le Chateaubriand Bistro Paris — 129 avenue Parmentier, 11th arrondissement (33/1/4357-4595). Moderatewww.foodsnobblog.wordpress.com

L'Epigramme Bistro Paris — This tiny place has been a hit ever since it opened two years ago. 9 rue de l'Eperon, 6th arrondissement (33/1/4441-0009). Moderate.Jocelyn Lui

Jadis Bistro Paris — In French, the name of this popular two-year-old bistro means "in times gone by," a nod from talented young chef Guillaume Delage to France¿s rich culinary heritage. Pictured here, pork belly with lentils and escargots. 208 rue de la Croix-Nivert, 15th arrondissement (33/1/4557-7320). Moderate.mdfeeds.com

Le Cochon a l'Oreille Bistro Paris — In the old market district of Les Halles, a diverse crowd of happy Parisians packs into this 97-year-old bistro's compact Belle Époque; dining room to tuck into dishes like confit de canard and stuffed pork with lentils. 15 rue Montmartre, 1st arrondissement (33/1/4236-0756). Moderate.www.iamchrislewis.co.uk

Stew of pork and veal served with buckwheat stuffing at Chez Michel Bistro Paris — Aptly named chef Thierry Breton's Breton-inspired cooking is reliably delicious, with dishes like kig ha farz (a stew of pork and veal served with buckwheat stuffing).flickr creative commons/user In Praise of Sardines

Paris-Brest pastry at Chez Michel — The bistro serves one of the best Paris-Brest pastries (a ring of choux pastry filled with hazelnut cream) in town.flickr creative commons/user In Praise of Sardines

Chez Michel Bistro Paris — Since it's one of her favorite restaurants, yes, that gorgeous blonde in the corner at this vintage bistro near the Gare du Nord just might be Catherine Deneuve. 10 rue de Belzunce, 10th arrondissement (33/1/4453-0620). Moderate.Flickr creative commons/user Meg Zimbeck

Le Baratin Bistro Paris — Le Baratin is a small, crowded bistro in Belleville, one of the last bohemian neighborhoods in Paris.flickr creative commons/user b.reynolds

Le Baratin Bistro Paris — It's a major expedition from the city center, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming the place where chefs like Joel Robuchon and Yves Camdeborde come for a night-off feast of chef Raquel Carena's fabulous home-style cooking.Flickr creative commons/user Meg Zimbeck

Food at Le Baratin Bistro Paris — The daily-changing menu ranges from oxtail braised with citrus fruits to ragout of cod and shrimp with saffron. 3 rue Jouye-Rouve, 20th arrondissement (33/1/4349-3970). Inexpensive.Flickr creative commons/user Meg Zimbeck

La Fontaine de Mars Bistro Paris — This popular, well-mannered bourgeois bistro with lace curtains, red-checked tablecloths, and wry but polite waiters always gets it just right, with a superb roster of good old-fashioned Gallic food. 129 rue St-Dominique, 7th arrondissement (33/1/4705-4644). Moderate.flickr creative commons/user jshyun

Chez Denise Bistro Paris — 5 rue des Prouvaires, 1st arrondissement (33/1/4236-2182). Moderate.Faith Darling

Lamb brains at Chez Denise Paris — Boisterous, friendly, and completely Parisian, Chez Denise serves trenchermen's portions of headcheese, charcuterie, lamb brains (pictured here), and rib steaks with fabulous frites until 5:00 A.M.Faith Darling

Seafood at L'Ecailler du Bistrot Paris — Sister restaurant to Le Bistrot Paul Bert, this may be the best seafood-oriented bistro in Paris, with impeccable fish at reasonable prices. 22 rue Paul Bert, 11th arrondissement (33/1/4372-7677). Moderate.Tam Ngo

Where to stay in Paris — Hotel Bel-Ami 7-11 rue St-Benoi t -- 75006 Paris Phone: 33 1 42 61 53 53 http://www.hotel-bel-ami.com
Marriott Renaissance Arc de Triomphe 39 Avenue de Wagram -- 75017 Paris 33 1 5537 5537
Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris 31, avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France Tel. 33 (0) 1 49 52 70 00courtesy of The Four Seasons

A table of Parisian food — Not pictured: Afaria, Auberge Pyrenees Cevennes, and Chez Dumonet/Josephine. See the full list of Paris BistrosLandon Nordeman

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