For more than a decade, our Parisian natural wine bar and restaurant project has been thriving. We’re not particularly fixated on “natural wines”, as they can be hit or miss, but we have companions who appreciate these wines greatly. Therefore, in the spirit of friendly gatherings and culinary exploration, we occasionally host diner parties at “natural wine bars” or more often, “natural wine restaurants”, and always insist on trying a new place each time. This pursuit has led us on a delicious journey filled with remarkable restaurant discoveries across Paris, the finest of which you can find in this blog section.
With an overwhelming number of around 26,000 restaurants in Paris, making a dining decision can prove to be quite a challenge. Although, the international media do offer noteworthy recommendations in their restaurant reviews, these mostly incline towards popular tourist dining spots and often keep circling back to the same few establishments. Possibly, this is because once a restaurant gets recognized by the media, it is bound to receive additional coverage.
However, this project of ours doesn’t aim to merely follow the masses. We favor local, neighborhood-style establishments over touristy, glamorous ones, with our primary focus being on quality food and drinks. So when compared to majority of the media features, our chosen restaurants are often reasonably priced and tucked away in the less trodden districts of Paris.
Note on photography: The image “Restaurant Simone, Paris” was provided by BKWine Photography and has been removed to comply with the blog’s content guidelines.
The project has been ongoing for more than a decade, with visits to around 50 different dining establishments. The focus on “natural wine” isn’t a major concern. A few that our friends find appealing is sufficient. Alternatively, some organic wines could serve the purpose. Nowadays, virtually all eateries in Paris offer a range of so-called natural wines for selection.
Your preference for natural wines doesn’t significantly impact this, as these restaurants offer excellent food and wine options. They reflect the relaxed vibe of Parisian neighbourhoods, deviating from luxury or fine dining, making them ideal places to hang out with friends.
To provide some guidance, here’s our list of top 47 (counting till now) restaurants included in the project:
Restaurant Chez Nathalie, Paris, copyright BKWine Photography
9 rue Decres, 75014 Paris.
Really nice small restaurant behind the Gare Montparnasse. Very much “neighbourhood” style.
13 rue des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris.
A long-time classic and favourite run by Mark Williamson for more years than he’d like to admit. Not particularly oriented towards natural wine but an outstanding wine list and excellent food. Read more on Willi’s Wine Bar and Maceo in this article.
14 rue du Jura, 75013 Paris.
A tiny neighbourhood restaurant close to Salpetrière and rue Monge. The kind of place that you wish you had around the corner to pop into when you don’t care for cooking. Good food, short wine list.
Restaurant Tadam, Paris, copyright BKWine Photography
49 Avenue Jean Moulin 75014 Paris.
Once upon a time, the location occupied by La Régalade was a renowned restaurant operated by Yves Camdeborde, who is credited as a pioneer of Parisian “bistronomy”. Today, the place is under new management with a different name, but it remains a delightful venue for classic French fare. The restaurant also boasts a commendable wine list.
The restaurant is located at 45 Rue Vandrezanne, 75013 Paris.
On the eastern edge of the city, close to La Butte aux Cailles and just behind Place d’Italie, you can find another charming neighborhood eatery. This restaurant offers the luxury of outdoor seating, completely free of traffic, making it an idyllic spot for a warm summer evening. The menu, although concise, features dishes influenced by Oriental cuisine and is paired with a curated selection of wines.
You can find this restaurant at 1 Rue Charles Fourier, 75013 Paris.
More of a regular café-bistrot indeed, but its lovely location features a large “terrasse” on a quiet square in the less-traveled area of Paris known as Les Peupliers. It’s definitely worthwhile to take a stroll in this neighborhood and discover its architectural gems, such as the houses on rue du Docteur Lery and La Cité Fleurie.
You can find this charming café at 15 Rue des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris.
Belonging to the same family as Willis Wine Bar, this place is owned by Mark Williamson as well. While the Wine Bar maintains a casual vibe, this one offers an elegant ambiance. You can expect great value for your money in a calm and serene environment coupled, of course, with Mark’s exceptional wine list.
The address is 33 boulevard Arago, Paris 13.
We had previously visited this place, receiving an exceptional dining experience with their five-course tasting menu. Although not as phenomenal this time around, it was nonetheless enjoyable and definitely warrants a revisit. The restaurant, a small but ambitious establishment, provides enjoyable outdoor seating which we could avail in September. Their selection of wines is also commendable – an added advantage is their adjacent wine shop.
The location is 151 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris.
Found on the less-visited backside of Montmartre hill, it maintains a certain exclusivity, which we found refreshing. Despite its simplicity in style (which we prefer – no pretentious designer tables or overwhelming lighting), their ambitions are high when it comes to food. There is also an abundance of enticing wines. It’s unfortunate that this gem of a place is quite a distance from us on the other end of Paris. Paris 18 and surrounding areas prove to be great hunting grounds for natural wine restaurants or wine bars.
Restaurant Bistrotters, Paris, copyright BKWine Photography
19-21 fossées St Jacques, Paris 5.
This sought-after venue often features in discussions on natural wines or wine bars (restaurants) in Paris. Its longevity is only one of its many charms. Located merely a stone’s throw away from Panthéon, the place offers a fusion of comfort and taste. Despite its crowded and slightly cramped ambience, a short menu filled with traditional café favorites like oeuf mayo and an elaborate wine list cater to every preference. Added bonus: a delightful terrace.
5 rue des Petits Hotels, Paris 10.
Be prepared to discover a gem in the heart of Paris. Albeit small, the location leaves a big impact with its slightly Asian and Latin influenced affairs (“Japanese fusion” anyone?). Thanks to a short and dynamic menu coupled with a unique and captivating wine list, food lovers are in for a treat. Notably located near Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est. It is also in the vicinity of l’Eglise Saint Vincent de Paul which is surrounded by other notable restaurants.
4 rue Biscornet, Paris 12.
Located in the less heralded 12 arrondissement, this splendid eatery is just a short walk from La Bastille, tucked away in a tranquil street.
37 rue du Couedic, Paris 14.
A recently inaugurated eaterie during our visit. Predominantly Italian, although this isn’t overtly noticeable in their menu, the restaurant emphasizes on natural wines in their wine list. It’s a quaint and pleasing place, notably distanced from crowded tourist spots. You’ll find it near Place Alésia in the 14th.
28 rue Notre Dame des Victoires, Paris 1.
Near La Bourse (Palais Brongniart), it boasts a sophisticated ambiance. While its name implies “I’ve forgotten the name,” the restaurant indeed remains memorable with its excellent cuisine.
10 rue de la Butte aux Cailles, Paris 13.
Nestled in the lesser-known but decidedly charming area of Paris, Le Butte Aux Cailles – just a short distance from Place d’Italie. Many excellent eateries are available here and this one is traditional (perhaps vintage?) café-bistrot.
25 rue de Bruyère, Paris 9.
“Your neighborhood bistro”, certainly, a charming community restaurant (which is still present!), the kind that you can only discover in France. Situated between Pigalle and Gare St Lazare.
8 rue de Mont Louis, Paris 11.
Nearby the Père Lachaise cemetery on a miniature side-street. A classic, small bistro that seems to maintain multiple locations in Paris, even on Champs Elysées.
35 rue Nationale, Boulogne Billancourt.
This establishment ranks highly for the superior quality of its cuisine. Nonetheless, it appears to have metamorphosed into a more refined (and somewhat pricier) dining venue that exclusively offers prix fixe meals.
30 rue de la Folie Méricourt, Paris 11.
A surprisingly large local eatery, rumored to have a fireplace. Traditional French food, fine wines. Incredible it perseveres in the neighborhood.
22 rue du Plateau, Paris 19.
The first dinner in our Paris natural wine bar and natural wine restaurant project. One of the perhaps now legendary bistronomique restaurants up at the Butte Chaumont. Excellent wine selection and good food (but a bit disappointed by the service). It’s still there so it must be doing something right.
—Per Karlsson
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