Cinq-Mars

Easily one of the best dinners that we’ve had in years. Everything was perfect. The cucumbers were fresh and the mushroom dishes were to die for. Our friends recommended this place to us and we will be doing the same in the future. Make sure to get the beef and the chocolate mousse dishes.

This place serves one of the best pork chops I have ever had, it's completely worth the trip to come down just for it. Think a thick slab of pork that is super flavourful and tender, the mashed potato is also superb. I'd pass on the chocolate mousse though, as it's a tad bit too rich for me (unless it's for a really big group of people). Overall, I'll definitely be back here if I'm in Paris again! Do remember to make reservations or you might get turned away, their business is quite good and there aren't many tables available.

Cinq-Mars is a great spot for a well-executed lunch in Paris. I had the 3-course menu, and although it’s short and simple, everything was perfectly balanced and full of flavor. The carrot velouté was smooth and comforting, followed by a seabass filet with house-made mash and caper cream — perfectly cooked, crispy skin, and light seasoning. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service kind and efficient. A solid stop if you’re looking for an elegant yet unpretentious lunch near the heart of the city.

Located in a quiet street behind the Musée d’Orsay, we found this intimate restaurant that offers good French cuisine. Between the four of us, we started with the asparagus, fried clams and fabulous oyster mushrooms. Our main courses were the cod fish (delicious) and well cooked lamb (a little overdone). The desserts were all excellent - especially the apple crumble! We decided on à la carte - but a tempting fixed price menu was available. Excellent wine list. The atmosphere was very agreeable and the service was friendly and efficient. With a fixed menu and careful wine choice, this would not be expensive for the area (but we pushed the boat out!). It was busy but we had reserved - possibly advisable at lunchtime.

This was a wonderful experience on my recent trip to Paris! The server was friendly and spoke English, and even put up with my bad attempts at ordering in French. I started with Kir to drink and then had escargot, the pork chop, and the chocolate mousse for dessert. Seriously, everything was phenomenal! The escargot was among the best I've ever had, the celeriac puree with the pork chop was amazing (and the pork chop itself was wonderfully cooked but a little fatty), and the mousse was mind blowing! The mousse comes with a very large portion, and it's quite rich, so make sure you save room for it (but definitely order it as it's their specialty dessert). A glass of Calvados 10 helped it go down smoothly, though. I'd definitely recommend this place! You might need a reservation, but I went right as they opened and had no issue getting a table.

Had two meals there and it's a perfect place for your Paris list. You can get the classics executed exceptionally well with good service in an otherwise tourist heavy environment.

Went to this intimate restaurant on a friend's recommendation. The restaurant was charming with a small number of tables all full the night we went. We started off with a dozen escargot which were delicious. I ordered the lamb stew and my wife had the fish. Both were excellent. My stew was flavorful without any gaminess - silky and at the same time hearty. Loved it. My wife had the fish which was well prepared. The skin was crisp and not overcooked. It was simple and delicious. Both of us shared a dessert, which was nice but not memorable. The staff was friendly but not attentive. Funny thing happened at the end of dinner - a small mouse ran under a table next to us which was a bit surprising but less surprising that wife did not scream. We let the staff know but they said thank you in a very blasée manner as if it happened every day. To be fair...some similar happened at a restaurant nearby, a few days later. Maybe this is normal for Paris.

Came here because of very good reviews and we are not disappointed either. The snails are really tender and delicious. The steak and the grilled sea bass are awesome, highly recommended. And the chocolate moose is always my favorite dessert.

We found Cinq-Mars for lunch one day and even though the restaurant was very busy we were lucky enough to grab a table without a reservation. We ordered an omelette for my wife and I ordered the sausage with mashed potatoes. My sausage was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The mashed potatoes were good as well and had a gravy with it that was very flavorful. My wife ordered her omelette and asked for it to not be runny. Unfortunately when it came out it was still very runny when she cut into it. The wait staff did a good job at the restaurant and were very helpful. Overall a good experience but disappointed in the omelette.

This was a struggle meal. We came in before hitting the museum d'orsay and basically got in right as they opened (noon). Seemed to be a no frills, traditional French restaurant. Maybe we ordered the wrong things but I got their daily special lunch set (one appetizer and one main) which was tomatoes and mozzarella and a filet in roquefort sauce with tagliatelle. I thought daily specials would be one of the best things but I feel I should've gone for the filet in poivre sauce with potatoes (you'll note the other pictures). One thing I was unclear on was they never asked how I wanted my steak cooked so I had to go back and ask and they said they cook it to medium and so I asked for medium rare (maybe I should have said a point - French way of ordering) instead. It came super super rare and so I had to ask for it to be cooked a bit more and then it came back medium well. Don't know how to fix bit eh. The tomatoes and mozzarella was interesting since it seemed like a French attempt at being Italian and the cheese was all wrong. The eggs mayonnaise I ordered didn't taste fresh. It tasted like they made it the night before and refrigerated it. I had it somewhere else before and the mayonnaise was so soft and fluffy whereas here it was like a dollop of just mayonnaise and mustard flavoring. If I mash it in my mouth a bit it's kinda like a deviled egg. Also one of the eggs weren't peeled correctly and had that film on it. Partner ordered a curry which was...... Unexpected flavoring. It was like an attempt on Indian flavoring? Our fault for ordering strangely I guess but there were so many good reviews I thought it'd be typical good. Also it took us an hour plus to get our main food. The table next to us sat down like twenty minutes after us and got their food before us. So strange! I do feel bad since they only have two wait staff trying to do everything but unfortunately they're super inattentive. With only two I'd expect them to be constantly scanning the space and trying to divvy up but they keep looking down at the glasses behind the bar or their phones. We even saw folks just start standing to pay at the front. Fastest way to get out of there.

I LOURVE everything about Paris, the shopping, architecture and of course, the food! Eating where the locals go is always a safe bet and that's where Cinq-Mars comes to play. Prior to visiting Paris for the 2nd time, I discovered the authentic Parisian restaurant wedged between residential homes and boutiques. Unlike most busy restaurants, Cinq-Mars is served by two individuals doing the most with their multitasking abilities. Most importantly the food was superb without the huge price tag. Will be back for 3rds!

Fantastic, rustic French cuisine. Good, no-nonsense and friendly service. Excellent location. Highly recommend.

We had an amazing experience last night. Everything was perfect. The eggs mayonnaise we off the charts as were the mains. The waiter chose a perfect wine - a cab Fran's - to compliment the meal. Really can't say enough good about this perfect gem!

Recommended by our hotel nearby, this was a perfect antidote to a day of walking Parisian, museums and shops. A simple salad, and a tremendous steak au poive with potatoes were the comfort foods that I was looking for. Good wines by the glass. Typical French bistro, more Parisians than tourists. Good and attentive service. All you can ask for!

I can understand why Cinq-Mars, located a short walk from Musée d'Orsay, is so popular with locals and tourists alike. Their food is exceptional and at lunch, their prix fixe menu offers excellent value. We dropped in for lunch recently and chose the incredibly tasty pan fried sea bream as our main course. The fish having been seasoned with salt and pepper and then pan fried, manifested a deliciously crispy skin and savoury tender flesh underneath. Deft touches such as fresh tomatoes and courgettes, chives, olive oil and lime juice added refreshing layers of flavours. The accompanying basmati rice, having been perfumed by all these fresh wholesome flavours, was delightfully moreish. Our dessert, Ile Flottante was simply out of this world. Imagine the softest foam-like meringue floating on an equally delectable vanilla custard cream, topped with toasted candied almonds and a caramel drizzle. One of our party sampled a phenomenal Mont Blanc dessert instead of the Ile Flottante which ran out. Amazing how 3 main ingredients - velvety chestnut purée, the softest whipped cream and candied walnut toppings could conjure up such a dreamy dessert. This Parisian restaurant serves amazingly good food. If you do go, just make sure to book ahead on their website.

This was our favorite restaurant we ate at in Paris. The food is beyond excellent and the staff is very nice. I highly recommend the mashed potatoes, they were phenomenal. The escargot was also very very good. 5-star restaurant for sure!!

Awesome lunch after a morning at the Orsay. The food was among the best we had in Paris - escargot, clams, lentil soup, sausage, sea bass. The desserts are a must so save room - chocolate mousse and floating island and mont blanc. It's an adorable small space - make sure you make a reservation in advance because it fills up (mostly with locals). Also, our elementary school aged kids were welcomed by the two guys running the place and enjoyed the meal too, even though it's not a place that dumbs things down for children. If you're visiting Paris and especially visiting the Musee d'Orsay, this place is a must.

We had a great meal last night at Cinq-Mars. We arrived a few minutes before they opened and had a delightful exchange with the chef and wait staff. They were welcoming and charming and throughout the meal couldn't have been better hosts. My husband and son had the the steak au poivre with the most delicious and generous portion of the creamiest au gratin potatoes ever. I had the turbot in rich flavorful lemon butter sauce with a large portion of fresh spinach and my daughter-in-law had the sea bass with ratatouille--also an amazingly generous portion. We had very fresh salads, their homemade pate-- which was served in a large crock from which you served yourself, as much as you wanted. Also an unusual and unexpected addition was a huge jar of pickles. Floating Island-- so good!--sorbets, fresh strawberries with cream and a cheese plate with a berry compote completed our experience. Everything was delicious, high quality and reflected the generosity, good cheer and skill of the proprietor. I think if we were locals this would easily be a place we would frequent. Thank you, Cinq-Mars for such an enjoyable and completely satisfying evening! Delightful in every way.

Whoa! This place is phenomenal! Everything we had here was excellent from the food to the service to the good time. Our waiter was super hospitable and guided us through the menu with heaps of charm. We had several dishes and all of them were prepared with lots of care. We started with the clams and they are small and delicious with white wine and butter. The baguette was perfect for moping up the sauce. Then we had the veal in white sauce with rice. Huge portion and perfect tasing. I had the steak with peppercorn sauce and potatoes. It was unreal. Finished with chocolate mousse. Very perfect! Just the best. This will be on our Paris rotation. Beau was our server and he was the best.

Cozy, affordable, not a tourist trap. The food is simple, yet well prepared. It's a nice break from the brasseries. The service was great, not your typical French service. Be sure to save room for dessert. The chocolate mousse is wonderful! Bear in mind, this place is only open for dinner and it doesn't open until 8 pm. And best to make reservations, especially if you're going on a Friday or Saturday. The place is small and tends to fill up rather quickly, or you can try going right at 8. The French like to eat late. : )

Come here for: lovely lunch post musee d'orsay Food: good home done French food- top highlights were the calamari, the lentil soup, and the cheese plate. We also certified our love of beaujolais wine. The mustard and pickles brought to the table are a HIGHLIGHT! Make sure you try both mustards!!! Service: solid, no complaints Decor: lovely warm indoor spot to take a rest and get some great food, several locals eating here too so our tourist side felt satis

This place was super cute and the food was fantastic. We had the liver pate to start, which was perfectly salty and the taste wasn't over powering. The bread was perfectly toasted and they also provided a basket of freshly baked bread. We got the sea bass and the steak. Both were delicious. We were so full we didn't have room for desert after. The wait staff was extremely nice. I explained to them (in french) right when we sat down that I don't speak it very well so they quickly started helping us out in English. They were extremely friendly! I would definitely come back here if you are not afraid to try some French cuisine!

Amazing!! A must go. There were two guys working who were absolutely grinding but still made it an incredible experience. Would def recommend.

Lunch today at Cinq Mars, a hip restaurant filled with locals , not many tourists. My husband had the deviled eggs which were out of this world followed by the fish stew served over mashed potatoes. A very unique dish he thoroughly devoured. I enjoyed the tomato and mozzarella salad as a starter. The tomatoes were so fresh and delicious. My entree was the Sea Bass with broccoli purée. This dish was light, different and delicious. This is a must for lunch.

Avoid the tourist traps on the streets closest to the Orsay and walk 5-10 minutes to this cool restaurant on a quiet street. It has nice decor, an eclectic music collection, and of course tasty food. We shared a cheese plate and I had a really nice lentil dish.

Decent food but terrible service. Was constantly ignored and when they came, was spoken to curtly. Came with sister and her husband from out of town, my husband and my infant daughter...I was extremely embarrassed how poorly we were treated and how it was not even a full house. Several patrons sat after us, and left before us -if that is any indication of how much we were ignored...

Our hotel recommended this quaint little restaurant and we were not disappointed. In fact, we went back a couple of times because the food was so delicious. That's what I love about Paris. There are so many fantastic restaurants. It is located in the seventh which is the St Germaine district. I had the grilled fish and my husband had sausage with mashed potatoes which was heavenly. For my appetizer I had a grilled vegetables with goat cheese which was so delightful. I can't wait to go back to Paris and eat there again!

We had a great dinner that included the sausage, steak, and cheese plate. They were all delicious! We ended with chocolate mousse which was also amazing! The staff was very kind and courteous even though we were American tourists. Highly recommend this cute spot!

Glad we got reservations. At first, we didn't think we'd need them, walking in. A half hour later, it was clear we were glad we got them. They start service later, by our standards, at 8pm, but it was well worth the wait. The service was awesome. The food was clean and well prepared, simple and elegant. The chocolate mousse. Oh. My. I just don't have the words. Do have some. Another aspect that sticks out in my mind was that we were greeted as if we were new friends coming in, and old friends going out. It was a great feeling, especially on a full belly of delicious French food.

This wa.ms by far our favorite dinner on our Paris trip. The restaurant is cozy and the staff are extremely friendly md welcoming. The food was next level good!

Went to this place because of the reviews and was disappointed. Service was terrible, had to continually remind them of our order (un attentive and unapologetic). Food was just ok with high prices. I ordered the clams which had no flavor and were tiny. Fish was good but the menu said pasta and they served it with mash potatoes without even asking us. Waiter kept pushing the wine on us (it got annoying). Nothing special.

Excellent food, quality service and a delightful staff. Speaks great English and will help you pair a wine with any meal!

Our first visit to Cinq-Mars was a year ago on the recommendation of our next door neighbor here in LA. Went for lunch with our favorite French couple and we had a wonderful meal. Such a comfortable room -- not huge at all and just warm and friendly. Lunch was not fussy -- just nicely prepared dishes with great herbs and clean, flavorful recipes. One of the better meals we had in Paris. This year, during a ten week stay in Paris, we managed to get back to Cinq-Mars twice with slightly different results. Took a visiting friend with us for dinner and had a truly exceptional meal -- great seared tuna, awesome lamb stew, marvelous asperges blanches et vertes, a simple mesclun greens salade that was mind-blowingly good -- just wonderful food all served by a lovely, charming young woman who made such a great connection with us. Three nights later, on our last night of the ten-weeks stay, we returned for one more meal before heading back to LA. Being creatures of habit, we did a re-run of the hits from the previous visit -- and while the starters were every bit as good as three nights before, the plats were off. The lamb stew gravy was noticeably sharper and more acidic, not as rich and deep. The tuna was nowhere near as fresh/clean tasting. Not bad, mind you. Just not as good as the previous visit, as if a different kitchen crew was in charge on the two nights. Enough of a difference to change our impression of Cinq-Mars? Nope! It's a great place and they definitely know what they're doing. But it does show that even the best of places can vary from night to night. Our recommendation: a fine, highly enjoyable, comfortable, reliably good non-touristy place. Don't hesitate to go.

Their bread is fantastic Get the sea bass. Lovely A solid dinner. The salad was delicious, and we also got the mushrooms special. Service is super friendly and helpful as well

It's sad when you encounter a restaurant that is willing to turn down good business due to arrogance. We live close by and brought my 65 year mother-in-law to dinner. Unfortunately, while we had a reservation, the table we were given was the worst in the house. It was right by the door, and the only way to sit at the table was the pull it out completely. We asked nicely to be moved to one of the other 3 open tables that were identical in size. There were only a couple other occupied tables, and I didn't want my mother-in-law to be uncomfortable. However, the person there who said he was the owner refused stating other people would be coming later and the tables were booked. After pleading our case and being told that no one else had complained before, we decided to leave. Sorry, I understand this restaurant gets a lot of praise, but personally I won't do business with an establishment like this.

Waiters in Paris get a bad rap. I mean, it is a job that can be both frustrating and thankless at times so I understand. It is that occasion when you have a waiter who seems personally invested in the quality and success of the food who take your experience from four stars to five. Cinq-Mars is located in a surprisingly quiet street near Musée d'Orsay. I approached the location about 15 minutes before it opened to see the staff dancing on the other side of the window. I wandered back down the street to allow them some fun time and meet up with my friends. Upon entering we were greeted, seated and good nature banter started before we even ordered our wine. I enjoyed our waitress' gentle ribbing and supreme helpfulness in having an excellent meal. Her attention to detail and timely arrival when our table needed anything stood in stark contrast to her light-hearted mood and quick wit. She really made for a lovely evening. I would be remiss if I did not say the food was excellent but you already knew that, right?

I was trying to find a good restaurant that was of close proximity to my home. After some research I called Cinq Mars and made a reservation for the following evening at 8pm. The reservation hostess was very friendly and spoke very good English. Based on the reviews on yelp I was excited to try this place. Sadly upon arrival we were greeted by a waiter who wasn't very accommodating. The table that we were given to us was not very comfortable for my mum. I politely asked if we could change tables. At this time there were only three other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. The waiter came across very aloof and didn't speak to us in a polite tone. When we asked to speak to the manager , he said that he was the manager. He also said it didn't matter if we wanted to leave because he wasn't changing the table. Frankly I wasn't going to spend my money at a place where my mum & I wasn't comfortable or felt respected. The manager didn't seem to give a care in the world. We left and decided to find another restaurant. This is after all Paris with restaurants galore at every corner. After a quick look into Yelp we picked a place called "35 degrees quest" just around the corner. It was a bit more expensive but the hospitality, customer service and warmth that was felt made it totally worth it. I picked Cinq Mars because of the high ratings but good food isn't the only thing that one expects from a first rate commendable restaurant. Despite living only a 5 min walk from the place, I don't think I would bring myself to walk into that place again.

I have been to Paris many times and I always try to eat at traditional French bistros. This is my new favorite lunch or dinner spot--its wonderful. The food is fresh and flavorful. The servers couldn't be better and the place is full of French diners. I had the grilled calamari which came in strips and was excellent. The baguettes were French perfection. And the Sancerre and chocolate mouse were added treats. The atmosphere is hip and inviting--a modern take on bistro. You feel like you could find this gem in NYC or London but because it's Paris, it's that much better-delicious French food in Paris!!

This is a great restaurant that goes above and beyond your typical place. I had great calamari, fabulous lamb, and a very nice St. Nectaire (cheese). Everything was light and creative -- well-executed. The waiter was extremely friendly and we had fun joking around with him. I hear the place can be quite a scene on Fridays and Saturdays, so go early in the week to be sure you can get a table. Gluten-free notes: There weren't many flour-containing sauces on the menu, so eating was not a problem.

This is the French bistro of Paris fantasies. It's hidden on a quaint side street near the Musee d'Orsay, charming, quiet, dark and romantic. Alas, I went here not with a handsome French lover, but with colleagues. Nonetheless, the ambiance and food were both excellent and we had a great evening. Between us we had all possible combinations of starters and mains, and everyone loved their meal. My tenderloin was cooked perfectly "a point". Great, reasonably priced wine menu, too. Service was surprisingly attentive and friendly. I have yet to encounter the stereotypical rude French waiter in Paris...

I've been blessed with such great and fantastic dining experiences during my stay in Paris and Cinq-Mars is no exception. Great food, great wine and great service is nothing to complain about. You can't go wrong with whatever dish you order.

We enjoyed our dinner at Cinq Mars. Service is very good - attentive and pleasant. The restaurant is small but not too cramped and very cute. Food was all very good but the most memorable dish was the chocolate mousse. Definitely the best I've ever had. It comes in a huge portion (enough for about 4 people) and is very dense and dark chocolate - you won't want to stop eating it. We want to go back just for that. As we left the restaurant, we saw Karl Lagerfeld getting into his Rolls down the street. Fabulous Paris evening!

Lovely food, welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff - everything works here. Highly recommended based on our lunch experience.

This was my favorite meal of the trip. Our appetizers and entrees were perfectly prepared and they had a great wine list. Dessert was AMAZING. We got the chocolate mousse and creams brulee. Highly recommend both. Small place, must have a reservation.

Incredible food, great staff, and cool atmosphere. One of the better restaurant experiences I have had in Paris. I would make a reservation as the restaurant is pretty tiny.

Great team running an off the beaten track find. I had the saucisse with a delicious mash, wine choices excellent, and though we didn't have it the mousse au chocolate looked amazing. Great experience

Excellent. Seabass and ratatouille Melon and ham. Exceptional chocolate mousse. Well defined wine list. Casual , welcoming and good!

Fabulous spot! I was looking for somewhere for lunch after visiting the Musée d'Orsay and stumbled on this gem - tiny, chic and the staff are lovely. The food is simple and beautifully prepared - so not complex haute cuisine, just beautiful fresh flavours. I had a kir royale (yum!) and the plat de jour, salmon with potatoes. The bread was heavenly! Poached pears in red wine and cinnamon for dessert with a very good espresso - divine! Can't wait to return for dinner! The lunch special (18 euro for 2 courses I think?) was excellent value for the quality of the food and the ambience.

Quaint little place on a quiet street. Excellent service. Wonderful food. The best chocolate mousse in the history of mousse!

This beautiful restaurant is worth seeking out. I was there with 5 friends and each of us loved our delicious meal. The rose was crisp and delicious. The chocolate mouse was so rich yet light and quite amazing! All the food in between was fabulous as well.

We loved Cinq Mars. Lila was especially wonderful, as a hostess and waitress. Our meal was so delectable (my husband's steak in morel sauce was exceptional and my cod was outstanding) that we went back before leaving Paris. We were not disappointed the 2nd time! The mussels were delicious and the mousse was out of this world. Lila made us feel so warmly welcome. The ambiance, service and food were exceptional. We will definitely return when we go back to Paris. One of our favorites and highly recommended!

This restaurant is awesome. It was one of the best meals we had in Paris. I had the chickpea dish served over rice and I am still dreaming of it. My boyfriend had the steak and he loved it. The dessert, a chocolate mousse, was a generous portion and was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend but make sure to make a reservation!!

Enjoyed our dinner so much! It's been over a year ago, so I can't really remember what I had but what I can't forget is the chocolate mousse. I wish I can have it every week! I would definitely go back just for it. Lovely little restaurant!

Good menu and nice atmosphere. Neil young album playing. Excellent g&t and kir. Wife had calamari. I had lamb with mushroom crime. Pretty dang good. Friendly waitstaff.

Small neighborhood restaurant that made us feel like locals. The staff was kind and patient with us as we figured out the menu. And the food! So delicious!! We will definitely be back.

Reliably good, there's enough variety on the menu from week to week to keep us coming back. Good service, cozy, intimate room. The prices are good, too. Plenty of Americans in the room -- mostly expats, not tourists -- and French locals after a day toiling in the nearby government offices and haute shops in this upscale arrondissement.

The braised lamb was delicious, but the duck breast was overcooked, making it tough and dry. The brandade de morue was also tough because they chose to deconstruct it, serving it in a casserole dish with mashed potatoes in the center and shredded cod around the outside. So instead of the unctuously creamy emulsion that I was anticipating, I got a ring of unpleasantly dry and tough cod shreds surrounding a pile of bland mashed potatoes.