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Ultimate Guide To Restaurants and Nightlife in Paris: Where, When & How
Brandon Shaw
When we think of Paris, we naturally think of a romantic city with Amazing Food and Awesome Night Life. The options for eating, drinking and being entertained are infinite in the City of Lights. This guide will break down for you everything you need to know about Eating and the Nightlife in Paris.
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Best Places To Eat and Where To Enjoy a Night Out in Paris
According to Statista data, in 2018, the number of establishments in the restaurant industry in France amounted to 161,466. That’s a lot of places to eat! France also has more Michelin-star restaurants than any other country in the world. In Paris alone, there were 122 Michelin-star restaurants the last time I checked.
You’ll not only have a lot to choose from when it comes to restaurants—food is also a big deal in France! Here, cheese is served for dessert and the country has approximately 1,600 types of cheese! For after-dinner entertainment, you can count on a fun night out. Paris is the birthplace of the cabaret and the can-can dance, after all!
Whether you’ve been to Paris five times or this is your first time, this guide covers everything you need to know about eating out and having fun at night. I cover some classic spots as well as some not-so-classic.
Paris is not called the City of Lights for nothing. When the sun goes down, the city truly comes to life and is ready to go all night long. So, get ready to discover the best places to eat and where to enjoy a fun night out! Here’s what I’ll cover:
In the eating section of this Paris-at-night guide, I’ll share my top two picks for each type of establishment you’re likely to encounter in Paris. They all offer a very different dining experience. We’ve covered restaurants, bistros, brasseries, cafés, wine bars, and patisseries.
Restaurants in Paris
“Restaurant” is quite generic and includes everything from Michelin-star establishments to places with a more casual atmosphere. In general, a restaurant is where you will go for at least a three-course meal with no rush to eat.
Inside of the 5-star palace hotel, Le Peninsula, you’ll find the Michelin-star L’Oiseau Blanc restaurant. Enjoy a fine dining experience on a rooftop with full-on views of the Eiffel Tower and everything else!
The dress code is labeled as chic and elegant and many come dressed to kill. Not close enough to the Iron Lady? Find out how to enjoy a meal on the Eiffel Tower!
Septime is low-key, but amazing. Their menu consists of “Carte Blanche” dining, which basically means it’s a tasters menu of seven dishes. I highly recommend getting the wine tasting menu to compliment each dish. Enjoy creative dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.
Originally, bistros are family-owned joints serving local fare. They’re known for being chaotic eateries with a robust crowd where everyone sits right next to each other.
Legend has it that the word originates from the Russian word pronounced the same, which means “fast”! Nowadays, you have big-name chefs who have taken over and reinvented the Bistro brand, but you still might be sharing a table with someone else.
Allard
€€€ | Bistro | Traditional French Dishes | Warm Atmosphere
Originally a family restaurant, it was taken over by the king of French cuisine, Alain Ducasse. He wanted to take a break from Michelin-star dining and continue the French bistro tradition.
Make sure you try their signature dish—the Duck with olives. The food here is wonderful—even the baby potatoes melt in your mouth!
€€€ | Bistro | Traditional French Cuisine | Beautiful Old World Decor
I just love the decadent interior of this place! Of course, the food is also very good. Together, the decor and food make for a fantastic dining experience. If ever you wanted to try escargots, boeuf Bourguignon, or steak tartare, this is the right place.
The word “brasserie” in French means brewery and originally most of these establishments were owned by Alsatians from the eastern province of Alsace in the mountains. So, dishes tended to revolve around sausage, sauerkraut, and fresh beer. Today, you can still find some and while they have changed the food a bit, they’re still big places and great for a group of friends.
Brasserie Bofinger
€€ | Brasserie | Alsatian Specialties | Belle Epoque Decor | Great Location
In Bofinger, enjoy the decadent Belle Epoque decor—and the food too, of course. This place has been serving food since 1864, so they must be doing something right!
Understandably, you’ll find many tourists here, but many locals come here too. This is the place to come to experience the atmosphere of a classic French brasserie.
This historic brasserie has been serving guests since 1918. You’ll find dark wood-paneled walls and waiters dressed in the traditional long aprons when you enter this typical Alsatian establishment.
In fact, While you should of course try the typical Alsatian fare like sausages with sauerkraut, I would recommend oysters here—lots of them.
Cafés are places you find on every corner of Paris. They’re no frills with cheaper, down-to-earth food and they’re often pen all day long from breakfast to late at night. You can order just a drink or have a whole meal and watch the world go by day or night.
Les Deux Magots
€€€ | Café | Traditional French Fare | Outdoor Seating | Historic Establishment
This café has been around for about 100 years and is quite famous. Back in the day, you would have seen the likes of Picasso and Hemingway hanging out here with a coffee or liquor of choice.
This iconic spot is open almost 24 hours a day, so you can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner and soak up the history.
I used to go here, especially in the wintertime, for their awesome chocolat chaud (hot chocolate). The vibe is low-lit and lively with dark wood paneling and cushioned benches. You can also sit outside and enjoy either a drink or a whole meal. They’re open 24/7, so if you find yourself hungry at 3 am, head on over!
As the name implies, wine bars are smaller, more intimate establishments where you can enjoy a glass or bottle of wine at a small table with some snacks. Generally, they’ll be small plates of cheese and charcuterie. If you love wine, these bars are great places to enjoy the night a little longer with good company.
Bonvivant
€€ | Wine Bar | Steaks and Grills | Vibrant Atmosphere | Outdoor Seating
I happened to chance upon this place one night just walking down the street. It’s a local’s wine bar with a great wine selection you can enjoy by the glass or bottle. They also have a great menu mixing it up with the usual cheese, meats, and even ceviche when I was there.
They also have a bit more in terms of food, so you could get a nice steak to pair with your wine. If you want to hang out at a really chill, local place, Bonvivant is a good spot.
€€ | Wine Bar | Charcuterie | Warm Social Atmosphere | Friendly Staff
This is another small, local place with a great selection of wines. It’s in the style of the old-school Bar a’ Vins where the pace slows down a bit, you can have some intelligent conversation, and enjoy the finer things in life.
If you’re looking for a relaxed place to go and enjoy fantastic wine and delicious charcuterie boards, this is it.
Patisseries are traditionally pastry shops. Sometimes, there are tables so you can order and eat inside. Usually, it’s just pick up and get out. From cakes to chocolates and everything else sweet, this is where you go to indulge in a treat.
Making sweets since 1852, this upmarket confectionery is the place to go for luxury sweets. Everything looks beautiful and tastes delicious. From chocolates to caramels and fruit pâte, you can’t go wrong. They also have four different locations, so there’s no excuse not to go to one. You won’t regret it!
€€ | Patisserie| Relaxed | Pastries and Baked Goods | Family Run
Poilâne is more of a bakery, but it’s a great place to indulge your regular sweet tooth with their delicious pastries. Once you’re there, you’ll see it’s also the place to come for your breads, croissants, and pies.
Navigating transportation, dealing with tickets, and waiting in long lines can ruin your day at Versailles. Our half-day small group tour eliminates the hassle entirely. With roundtrip transport from Paris, skip-the-line access, and a friendly guide, you’ll effortlessly explore the palace, discover its highlights, and enjoy free time in the gardens. After your guided experience ends, you’re free to stay in the gardens, visit Trianon and take the train back to Paris at your convenience.
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Montmartre Food and History Walking Tour
Montmartre’s winding streets and tourist traps make it tough to find authentic spots on your own. Our immersive walking tour eliminates this stress by leading you to the best local landmarks and flavors with a friendly guide. Sample classic French dishes, both sweet and savory, as you explore must-see sites, like Moulin Rogue, and other hidden gems. Finish with a breathtaking view over Paris from this charming hilltop neighborhood.
Now you’ve had dinner, it’s time to continue the soiree in the City of Lights! If you have no idea where to go or even what type of place to go to, don’t worry. As always, we’ve got you covered. We’ll break down the type of establishments you’ll encounter when the sun goes down and my two top places to go in each category.
Cabarets in Paris
France invented this form of entertainment back in the 19th century. Cabaret consists of a show of some type, usually with women and usually topless. You can enjoy the show with just a drink, or sit down and have a meal during the show. If you haven’t been before, it’s definitely worth it!
The famous Moulin Rouge was supposedly the first real cabaret show, dating back to the late 19th century. They have two shows a night and you can choose to have dinner with the earlier show. I recommend having dinner to make a night out of it. It’s a classic Paris experience and the costumes are incredible.
The famous Crazy Horse cabaret is known as the sexiest show, meaning there’ll be barely any clothes throughout the entire show. While there are no dining options here, it’s usually sold out. If you’re looking to experience cabaret in Paris, here’s a tip: take your mom to the Moulin Rouge and your partner to Crazy Horse.
Night clubs in French are known as discotheques or Boite de Nuit and for those of you that just need to dance, there are plenty in Paris. Music is almost 100% techno. The trend used to be massive clubs on the fringes of the city, but the new trend is concentrating them in the city.
While the crowd you’ll usually find in Paris clubs are in their 20s, there are quite a few clubs that cater to a bit more mature crowd. These two spots are quite different, but both are good spots to dance.
Rex Club
€€ | Night Club | Techno Music | Bar
The Rex Club has been around for a while. Truth be told, I haven’t been here for a very long time. It was jamming back in 2000 and from what others have written, it still is. This is for techno lovers looking for a solid place to have some drinks and dance.
€€ | Hangout Spot | Range of Music | Dance Floor | Restaurants | Cultural Exhibitions
Originally a worker’s co-operative, La Bellevilloise is a self-described cultural center. They have two floors that play various types of music ranging from the 80s to reggae and techno. But there’s a lot more to do here than just dance. They also have two restaurants and do a Jazz Brunch every Sunday. It’s a cool spot to hang out and catch a concert, see a film screening, or take in an exhibition.
Cocktail bars need no introduction. If you’re not acquainted with a speakeasy, it’s the reinvention of the cocktail bar during prohibition times in the States. The most famous cocktail bars will be in the 5-star Palace hotels in the city.
But if you’re not looking to spend €30 on a cocktail, then there are plenty of nice establishments—you just have to know where to find them. I highly recommend the speakeasy vibe. Here are two spots to check out.
Le Bar de L’Hotel
€€€ | Cocktail Bar and Lounge | Comfortable Glamour | Hip Hangout
If you’re looking for somewhere small, intimate, and serving really, really good cocktails, this is your place. This hotel also happens to be where Oscar Wilde lived and died, so it’s a place with history. The plush couches and dimmed lights create the perfect atmosphere for a drink or two to reflect on life or enjoy comfortable glamour.
Yes, there actually is a little red door, but you don’t use it to enter. This speakeasy has all the elements you’re looking for: a poorly lit room and great drinks. The staff is super cool and will come over and discuss the various drinks they have. They may even have a seat to chat with you a bit longer. The Little Red Door is a cool, quirky spot with creative drinks where it’s hard not to have a good time.
Paris is known internationally for its jazz scene. You’ll find a handful of jazz bars in the city that are iconic and have been around for more than 50 years. It definitely makes for a cool experience. These are my two top picks for jazz lovers in Paris.
Duc des Lombards
€€ | Jazz Club | Well Established | Intimate Setting |Diverse Artists
Duc des Lombards is an iconic jazz club where all aspiring jazz players dream about playing. If you like jazz, then don’t miss this place. They have great food, great drinks, and, of course, amazing music.
Pubs and dive bars are for the very informal drinker who’s not looking for any of that fancy stuff. Be prepared for a simple drink without any interest in the aesthetics of the venue.
That said, the decor can be unique, eclectic, and interesting. You’re likely to bump into locals and you might be surprised by the fun you have in the right place.
Stolly’s is an Irish pub right in the middle of the cool Le Marais neighborhood—who would have thought? Drinks are cheap and the crowd is mixed with expats and locals.
You can cram inside this small place or take a seat out on the terrace. It gets pretty crowded and the rock music is loud—if that’s your vibe, it sounds like a recipe for a good night.
€ | Dive Bar | Eclectic Decor | Lively Atmosphere | Great Prices
Le Pantalon is an eccentric bar in the Latin Quarter with cheap drinks. It’s popular with art students and hipsters and the decor is pretty interesting. It seems everyone in here smokes, so be prepared for that. But if you’ve decided to go to a dive bar, what else would you expect? If you’re in the area for dinner, check out where to eat in the Latin Quarter.
The Louvre is the largest art museum on Earth and the crowning jewel of Paris, which is why it’s on everyone’s bucket list. Don’t miss out on an incredible opportunity! Join a passionate guide for a tour of the most famous artwork at the Louvre. Skip-the-line admissions included.
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Ultimate Palace of Versailles Tour from Paris
Versailles isn’t that difficult to get to by train, but why stress over the logistics? Meet a local guide in central Paris who will purchase your train tickets and ensure you get off at the right stop. Then enjoy a guided tour of the palace and the unforgettable gardens. Skip-the-line admissions included to the palace and gardens.
You’ve had an awesome night in Paris! Now, you need to get home. If you’re heading out for a night on the town in a new city, have a plan to get home after. Save all of the relevant phone numbers, download the apps, and have a rough idea of the going rate for your chosen transport. Here are some tips to help you get back to your accommodation after a night out in Paris.
Uber
There is Uber in Paris and it works the same as everywhere else. Download the app and you’ll see plenty of cars to take you home. It’s a bit more expensive than a standard taxi, but a 10-minute ride would only cost you €1 to €2 more. If you’re looking for more in-depth info on using Uber to get around Paris, check out our guide to Uber in Paris.
Taxi
Standard taxis can be found at various taxi stations, commonly found in front of any big hotel or hailed down on the street. Make sure you ask them before you get in if they accept credit cards if that’s how you plan to pay. Also, unless you’re coming from the airport, which has a fixed price, make sure they go by the meter and don’t negotiate a price beforehand.
Metro
In general, this is the fastest way to get around the city as it avoids traffic. The ticket costs €1.90 and if you’re going to take a few trips, then I recommend buying a carnet of 10 tickets for €14.90.
In the year that I lived in Paris and all the subsequent times that I’ve been back there, I’ve never had problems on the Metro even late at night. During the week, the last trains run around 1 am. On Fridays and Saturdays, the last train is usually at 2 am, but make sure you check when you’re at the station.
Night Bus
If your night was really long and you find yourself on the street after 2 am or you don’t like being underground, then Paris also has an extensive bus system to take you pretty much anywhere you need to go. When the metro closes, the Noctilien bus system takes over. It runs until 5:30 am when the metro opens back up again the following day.
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Brandon is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He left the States to travel the world at 18 and never looked back! As an official Tour Guide of Rome and Certified Sommelier, he loves to travel the world and share these experiences with his readers.
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