The best bistros and brasseries - France in 2025

Practical information : Take a break France

Timetable

In the villages the bars sometimes open very early in the morning, as early as 6am. Some bakeries also open their doors for an early breakfast. Bars are generally open non-stop from 9am to 8pm in the provinces, until midnight or later in the busiest areas of the big cities. Happy hours are practiced in cocktail bars, beer bars and some other bars from 6pm to 8pm, or even 9pm, during which the prices are reduced: 4 € for half a beer instead of 6 €, for example. The most popular bars are crowded at the opening and around 2pm for coffee, around noon and around 7pm for aperitifs.

Budget & Tips

If the prices are fixed for a black coffee at the counter, they are also free. A half beer on a terrace in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris can cost up to 8 €, while at the counter of a village bar you will pay half that. Similarly, a sweet treat with a drink in a famous tea room can be prohibitively expensive, while some bars in the provinces allow you to buy a croissant at the nearby bakery to dip in your coffee, for a minimal bill.

Age restrictions

You should not consume or buy alcohol if you are under 18 years old in France. For nightclubs, you have to show your identity card.

What's very local

Aperitifs with charcuterie and/or cheese boards to be shared in wine bars or artisanal breweries are festive and convivial moments that more and more places in France offer.

Kids

Children are welcome in tea rooms, at least if they are well behaved, less so in wine bars. When an establishment has set aside an area with games and books for children, you can be sure that they are welcome and that family time will go well.

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in France in all public spaces, including bars and tea rooms.

Tourist traps

The terraces of the bars in the most touristic places, in Paris, in the posh ski resorts or in mythical sites like Saint-Tropez practice really excessive prices.

The best bistros and brasseries France

Map of top points of interest France

BOUILLON DES QUINCONCES

CAFÉ LAVINAL

LE MIRABELLE BRASSERIE

LOULOU SAINT-GERMAIN

LE JOSEPHINE B

LA CHAPELLE

QUATRÈS CAFÉ BORDEAUX

LE CAFÉ FRANÇAIS

MAISON YOÜ BY LULU DANS LA PRAIRIE

LE CLOCHER DU VILLAGE

CAFÉ DE LA PLAGE - RESTAURANT CHEZ PIERRE

AU DERNIER MÉTRO

NEW YORK NEW YORK

BISTRO MONTESQUIEU

MARIE ROSE

LE POUSSE CAFÉ

LE CAFÉ DE LA LIBERTÉ

CARNAVAL CAFÉ & BOULANGE

THE C SPIRITS

HÉLIOS HÔTEL & SPA

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