La Grande Ourse

We had a lovely dinner here last night. The black squid ink risotto with prawns was delicious. Our female waitress spoke excellent English and helped us with our order.

Excellent food! Wine list (and suggestions) we’re fabulous. Owners/chef were a pleasure to talk to, very great atmosphere. The food was incredible, there were 4 of us who all tried something different and loved everything we ordered. The wasabi ice cream (served w/ salmon, sorry I didn’t get a picture) was so creative and delicious. Would definitely suggest for an occasion or even just a great meal with friends. The owners were also so sweet and gave us great suggestions for the rest of our visit in Paris. If I’m back in Paris I will certainly be back here!

An intimate restaurant with a chic ambiance. The prefix menu was delightful - every course better than the last. The chef and the maitre d' went above and beyond to make our group feel welcomed. I will be recommending this restaurant to anyone who comes to Paris.

This place is truly a neighborhood hidden gem. We eat here every few months and each time we fall in love with the food again. The owner chef and his wife are friendly and visit each table with care. I have recommended them to friends who come back with good reports as well. The prices for the quality is exceptional. Absolutely worth a try.

What a Gem of a restaurant. The food was so delicious. Absolutely the best meal we have experienced in Paris. The staff was so attentive. This is more than a 5 star restaurant. From the starter to the dessert, everything was so delicious.

Le Grande Ourse is a fantastic restaurant. The food is truly fabulous as is the service. It is a go to spot during my Paris business trips. Centrally located just a 20-30 min walk or Metro ride from many hotels. The food is fresh. They offer terrific seafood options depending on what is fresh. Plus the meals are very economical, only €39 for a 3-course meal!

Beautiful, small restaurant. They have a small menú card with a selected few of dishes. Excellent taste and with very good wines as well. The service was also excellent. We had a perfect evening. Thank you.

Excellent food! Really high quality. Not your average french restaurant. Lovely owners. Would highly recommend.

Make sure you try it! The food is simple and great. Ingredients are always fresh. I actually have never tried anything on the menu. Always take the special of the day because the chef goes to the market in the morning and picks up fresh produce to make great dishes. Went back last week and going back tonight to introduce new people to this great dining experience. If you visit Paris, you must go there, it is not one of those tourist traps (although quite a few English speakers go there now). Again the food is great, the ingredients are fresh and the people are super, super friendly. I will post pictures later.

We first came to La Grande Ourse (the big dipper, not the big bear, as it might first seem)3 years ago, on our last trip to Paris, and discovered the extraordinary cooking of Denis Croset, the formerly michelin starred chef now withdrawn into the confines of a tiny, homey restaurant on the delightfully residential Rue George Sachet. The welcome was great too - Chef Croset's wife is friendly, efficient, and loves New York, where she lived for years before returning to France. So when we went back to France last week, La Grande Ourse was our first stop. The food is still fantastic. Croset is a complete master at cooking protein. Every fish or meat I've ever had from his kitchen (in which he is often alone, so you can be sure he is cooking your food himself) has been completely on point. Pink when I want pink, flakey when I want flakey, tender when tender is right, and crunchy when that is called for. Don't wait for this restaurant to deliver fusion, or sous vide, or the trompe l'oueil that are in so much vogue these days elsewhere. This is solid, straightforward cooking with no artifice whatever. But it is truly good, truly delicious and extremely well priced. No to mention that the service is still delightful. We were recognized despite having come twice 3 years ago, had a wonderful chat, and a happy meal. Do yourself a favor and visit. Sit outside.

This is a great spot for a nice dinner. Family run, 10 or so tables, simple menu, all of which we enjoyed. They offered some unique touches, a cocktail of champagne, raspberries and limoncello; a dessert of figs in black current (cassis). I would love to return.

Caveat- tourist review. After searching the internet for a great restaurant in Paris with a reasonably fixed price menu, we decided on "the big dipper." For $36 euros we selected an appetizer, entree and dessert. You can also choose to forgo the appetizer or dessert for a lesser bill. However, that would not be my suggestion. We started our meal with a carafe of wine. It seems that they have 3-4 wines available by carafe. Next, we were presented with a small plate of toasted bread with a fish spread. For my appetizer, I chose a shrimp salad with an avocado and apple salsa. The flavors married well together and inspired a taste of the Caribbean. Very exotic. For my entree, I chose the pork dish which seems to be a staple on the ever changing menu. The pork was served in cutlets with a creamy polenta. It was cooked to perfection. The polenta really filled out the dish and added a heartiness to the meal. For dessert I opted for the chocolate. I was surprised with a concoction I can best describe as a marriage between fudge and a flourless chocolate cake. Delicious end to my meal. Overall, fantastic meal at a great price. Don't pass by this small, unassuming place. You'd be sure to regret it later.