Benoit Paris
French restaurant · Saint-Merri
20 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris, France
Highlights
Classic French bistro with profiteroles, escargot & cassoulet
Classic French bistro with profiteroles, escargot & cassoulet
"Leave it to restaurateur Alain Ducasse to turn an early 20th century neighborhood bistro into a consistently packed dining destination. Since he took over the old-fashioned spot in 2005, he and his team have gently modified French favorites like cassoulet, sweetbreads, and escargot (and hiked the prices) but preserved the tiled floors, antique silverware, brass detailing, and pressed white tablecloths the tourists have always loved. The most modern feature comes at the end of the meal, with ice cream, chocolate, cookies, and coffee produced by Ducasse’s own confectionary and roasting business. If there’s a downside, it’s that almost exclusively English speakers pack the place if you book a table in the evening." - Lindsey Tramuta
"Like a time capsule to your first trip to Europe, dishes from this classic bistro, which first opened in 1912, look like still life images from the Time-Life "Foods of the World" series. Think escargots bathing in butter, garlic, and parsley (and the warm baguette with which you sop every last drop up), cassoulet, pâté en croûte, Scottish salmon with Béarnaise sauce, seared scallops with leeks, a perfect cheese course, and even crêpes Suzette, if you can believe." - Lindsey Tramuta, Sara Lieberman
"To immerse yourself in the vibe of a genuine Parisian bistro, venture over the threshold of N°20 Rue St Martin. The establishment first saw the light of day in 1912 and the cheerful banter of the old Paris market hall seems to echo still. Initially a Lyon-styled bistro, it was run by three generations of the Petit family, who nurtured its vintage charm and its woodwork, copper pots, mirrors, velvet banquettes and closely packed tables all reek of Belle Époque Paris. Everything down to the plates bears the B monogram, further adding to the authenticity of this bistro that is light years from the trendy boltholes of today. When the business changed hands and became part of the Ducasse Group in 2005, it lost none of its old-fashioned atmosphere. Proudly and heartily traditional, the recipes feature country produce that is expertly and generously cooked. The menu reads like a turn-of-the-20C cookbook, rich in perennial favourites that you practically never get to taste anymore… except here!" - Michelin Inspector
"Benoit has been beloved by fans of haute bistro cuisine for over a century. From the tiled floors to the wood panelling, each detail recalls the splendour of the past." - The MICHELIN Guide
"Close to Hôtel de Ville, the Centre Pompidou and the Tour Saint-Jacques, Benoit has been beloved by fans of haute bistro cuisine for over a century. Enter through the double doors and let yourself soak up the warm and intimate atmosphere. From the tiled floors to the wood panelling, each detail recalls the splendour of the past. Make sure to snag a seat on one of the plush red velvet banquettes under the the brass light fittings for a truly Parisian experience." - The MICHELIN Guide
