Bistrot des Tournelles is a bustling Marais gem, serving sumptuous French classics in a charmingly kitschy setting that feels like a Parisian party.
6 Rue des Tournelles, 75004 Paris, France Get directions
"Open for: DinnerPrice range: $$$As long as you accept it’ll be noisy, you’ll have a great time at this popular, narrow Marais bistro with a marble-topped bar. Enlivened by friendly owner Édouard Vermynck, this place feels like a party, where conversations, fueled by a great wine list, leap between tables. Look forward to dishes like irresistibly rich pork rillettes from Perche in Normandy, oyster mushrooms sauteed in finely chopped garlic and parsley, and andouillette (chitterling sausage) and chicken with morel mushrooms in cream sauce. All mains are served with sides of hot crispy frites, portions are huge, and the chocolate mousse is required (though the tarte Tatin with raw cream is excellent too). Located in the 4th arrondissement.Know before you go: Book a table during the second service of the night so that you won’t feel rushed." - Alexander Lobrano
"A well-loved restaurant in Paris, famous for its culinary offerings and chic ambiance."
"Ancient cash register? Check. Brass wall sconces? Check. Coat hooks hung so low they could’ve been installed for Napoleon? Those are here, too. This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bistro near the Place de la Bastille is perfect for a traditional French meal. Expect simple starters like crispy fried mushrooms and artichoke hearts doused in butter and plated with zero flair, practically just-plucked sucrine lettuce served with a creamy mustard dressing, and mains like a fist-sized chicken cordon bleu. All dishes come with either thin and crispy frites, a whipped potato purée, or green beans. And while you’re the boss, waiters won’t hesitate to steer you towards what they recommend. (Fries for the hanger steak, purée for the Provençal beef stew.) " - sara lieberman, lindsey tramuta
"You’d assume that this bistro near Place des Vosges, with tile floors, lace curtains, and an old-timey cash register, has been around since Charles de Gaulle was president, but it opened in late 2022. The menu delivers on the retro kitsch thanks to the usual bistro suspects that remind us why the saucier is the top dog of any French kitchen brigade. Beef tenderloin swims in creamy au poivre sauce, and daube de boeuf, the Provençal answer to beef stew, is olive-studded gravy perfection. If you can't resist a cheese pull, their signature softball-sized cordon bleu oozes a lava flow of melted comté when you pierce it with your knife. (Watch out for hot cheese oil geysers!) This is a pocket-sized spot with limited seating, so head here with close friends, especially ones who like low-intervention Beaujolais and hate shared small plates. " - emily monaco
"You’d assume that this bistro near Place des Vosges, with tile floors, lace curtains, and an old-timey cash register, has been around since Charles de Gaulle was president, but it opened in late 2022. The menu delivers on the retro kitsch thanks to the usual bistro suspects that remind us why the saucier is the top dog of any French kitchen brigade. Beef tenderloin swims in creamy au poivre sauce, and daube de boeuf, the Provençal answer to beef stew, is olive-studded gravy perfection. If you can't resist a cheese pull, their signature softball-sized cordon bleu oozes a lava flow of melted comté when you pierce it with your knife. (Watch out for hot cheese oil geysers!) This is a pocket-sized spot with limited seating, so head here with close friends, especially ones who like low-intervention Beaujolais and hate shared small plates. photo credit: Ilya Kagan photo credit: Ilya Kagan photo credit: Ilya Kagan photo credit: Ilya Kagan" - Emily Monaco
