Paris | Where to sit down for lunch in 2025
Choosing where to eat in Paris can get very overwhelming: there is the vastest array of choice in all the arrondissements/neighbourhoods and most places are great, even some tourist traps. What we personally aim for is good service, comfort and a genuine vibe wherever we are. But we are tourists as well, so we are not against beautiful places as well, but food has to be superb as well. Here are a few spots we have been to in the past decade and that we have thoroughly enjoyed.
Chez René
Let's start with a favourite, shall we? We booked this restaurant for lunch as soon as it opened at 12PM-noon after watching a youtube video recommending them by Les Frenchies. And we were warmly greeted by Mr Daniel, whom I'd call a superb Maître D'. Daniel is a welcoming man who speaks a superb English too. Going to Chez René is a bit of a time travel experience has it has an old school vibe with the staff in prestine uniform yet it also feels laid back. A sign of that? Lots of locals eating there and ordering the day's special at Daniel's recommendation, without blinking. That is a sign of trust and a testament to their kitchen.
Bruno ordered two specials: the Gratin de Blettes (a delicious chard casserole) as an appetiser and the Côte de Veau (veal) with mushroom and purée entrée. For dessert, he got the Baba au Rhum.
I ordered escargots for my appetiser and then the Boeuf Bourguignon - their most famous dish and I went for dessert for once opting for the Île Flottante with rose-baked almond pralines.
This was a superb experience we completely recommend and will go back in a future Parisian trip, if we are so blessed to go back again. Thank you, Daniel!
Le Petit Vendôme
Located in Boulevard des Capucines (between Opera and Place Vendôme), you find this very old school and typical mangerie in Paris with very little sitting spots outside or inside so you have to be patient or lucky. If you don't have much time you can ask outside to eat their famous baguette sandwiches with genuine cured meats and the creamiest of cheeses and butter. If you get a table inside, be mentally prepared: the tables are very narrow and be ready to sit really at close counters with strangers but that is just part of the experience. We ordered two very typical parisian appetizers: oeufs mayo (eggs with mayonnaise on a bed of diced veggies) and an onion soup that was just delicious and warm. For our mains, also two very typical dishes landed on our table: joue de boeuf sur une écrasée de pomme de terres (wine braised beef cheek with mashed potatoes) - it tasted a lot like boeuf bourguignon but with a different meat cut - and a confit de canard avec pommes sautées (duck confit with sautéed potatoes). All was deliciously eaten with two glasses of wine, a Chablis for the starter and a Bourgogne for the meat. No need for dessert after such a copious meal but we saw that there was tarte tatin (upside down apple tart) in the ardoise (chalk) menu.
The service was super friendly, warm and in english if necessary. There are lots of locals eating here which is a great indicator of genuine quality and price for value. We completely recommend and want this place to become a staple in future visits.
Jess
Chez Germaine
The experience at Chez Germaine is one for cosiness and quietness, as the restaurant is really small and if you get in during winter time just like we have, you will just feel embraced by the warmth and the velvety cushions. We completely recommend booking beforehand as it packs pretty quickly and locals are the ones to attend - you know, always a good sign!
We did not have breakfast before heading there for lunch so we went all in. For starters, we had the oeuf cocotte aux poireaux - baked egg with leeks (delicious and warm) and the soupe à l'oignon, the french onion soup with bread and melting cheese (rich yet not heavy and oily). Then for the mains we got the sole meunière (sole baked with butter and lemon) and the tournedos (beef loin) with foie gras. All these dishes were - except the onion soup that is on the menu - were part of the specials. As for dessert, we got the café très gourmand (café gourmand is a great option in most french places to have a coffee with small-sized desserts). It was served with a riz au lait (rice pudding with caramelised hazelnuts), a mini crème brulée and a warm fondant au chocolat (what they call petit gateau in Portugal) with a generous serving of chantilly. Bruno got a full-sized crème brulée all for himself.
Service was great and also in english if necessary. We will go back and recommend to everybody! But please book first!
Chez Fernand - Rue Christine
Another great address for a sit down meal, located in the heart of Saint Germain, close to the metro stations Mabillon or Odéon, where good offer abounds. This is a small place with great dishes and service, best known for their boeuf bourguignon, one of our favourite beef dishes. For the appetizers, we got the raviolis aux cèpes sauce foie gras (mushroom ravioli on foie gras sauce) and the soupe au potimarron (butternut squash soup). Both were creamy, hearty and delicious. As for our mains, we rarely go both for red meat (I very rarely eat it) but Bruno went for the boeuf bourguignon with potatoes - of course! - and I chose the onglet avec échalotes et pommes frites (angus skirt steak with shallots and french fries). We were very satisfied after our meal and did not get desserts afterward. A great meal at a great location with both locals and international people, we completely recommend.
Jess
Le Loir dans la Théière
We were here last in 2019, but confirmed that the place still exists and is still good. One of my favourite oldie but goodies, stands Le Loir dans la Theière. Located in Le Marais neighbourhood. It's not possible to book and the queue can get quite long but there is no better place to combine the most scrumptious piece of savoury tart or melted cheese with a spot of salad. Great for a sweet pause combined with a freshly brewed tea as well!
Le Loir dans la Théière
Angelina
If you get to Angelina without a line - I never waited in line to get there and just saw recently it got crazy crowded! -, this is my favourite spot to head to to indulge into my favourite hot beverage: a good cup of hot white chocolate. When we got around lunchtime, we savoured a decadent crème de champignons, a mushroom soup (one of the best we've ever tasted), a vertical croque monsieur, and truffle ravioli in a Parmesan sauce. For dessert, I couldn’t resist my beloved hot white chocolate, along with a pear tart for me, and tea with a hazelnut delight for Bruno. You can find service is a bit brisk here when it gets busy but you can get lucky with good one just as we were. Not many locals eating here around us, I have to say, but it does not mean it isn't good food.
Have you ever been to one of these spots? Let us know and do not hesitate to share your favourite lunch spots in Paris in the comments as well!
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