Are you looking for restaurant tips in Paris where you can enjoy haute cuisine without overspending? Many of the most renowned chefs have opened accessible bistros, maintaining the quality and creativity of their Michelin-starred establishments. Here are some of the best restaurant tips in Paris and nearby, where famous chefs like Cyril Lignac, Jean-François Piège, and Hélène Darroze offer high-quality dishes in more relaxed and affordable settings.
Restaurant Tips in Paris: À l’Épi d’Or – Popular and Family-Style Bistro by Jean-François Piège
Jean-François Piège, a two-Michelin-starred chef, runs À l’Épi d’Or in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. This historic institution from the 1920s offers classic bistro dishes with a welcoming touch. The daily menu (starter, main course, and dessert for 46 euros, or a combination for 37 euros) is served at lunchtime from Monday to Friday and changes weekly. Classics like poireaux en papillote, duck confit, and chocolate éclair are among the delights offered.
📍 À l’Épi d’Or – 25 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001 Paris
Restaurant Tips in Paris: Le Chardenoux by Cyril Lignac
This Art Nouveau brasserie, classified as a Historic Monument, is run by chef Cyril Lignac. Dedicated primarily to seafood, Le Chardenoux offers starters priced between 17 and 25 euros, such as crab galette with Madras curry and carpaccio of sea bream with ponzu. Main courses range from 26 to 45 euros, with highlights like the confit salmon in Thai broth. It’s a refined yet cozy setting, ideal for a delicious and sophisticated meal.
📍 Le Chardenoux – 1 rue Jules Vallès, 75011 Paris
Restaurant Tips in Paris: Joia by Hélène Darroze
Chef Hélène Darroze also runs Joia in the 2nd arrondissement, where she combines her roots with a touch of simplicity and excellence. The menu (58 euros) includes delicacies like beetroot with dashi and Banka trout, as well as main courses such as Erquy scallops in the grenobloise style. With a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, Joia is perfect for those seeking a memorable culinary experience.
📍 Joia – 39 rue des Jeûneurs, 75002 Paris
Le Bistrot du 11
In Versailles, young chef Jean-Baptiste Lavergne-Morazzani presents a sophisticated bistro, Le Bistrot du 11, with 2- or 3-course menus (34 or 45 euros), where creativity reigns. Combining unique ingredients, the chef brings surprises to each dish, with the option to try a 5-course menu for an even more complete experience.
📍 Le Bistrot du 11 – 10 rue de Satory, 78000 Versailles
These restaurant tips in Paris offer a high-quality dining experience at more accessible prices, ideal for anyone wanting to explore the city’s gourmet scene. For an even richer immersion, try our culinary tours and itineraries, where you can visit places like these with expert guides, learn the stories behind each dish, and experience the very best of French gastronomy.
