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    Chez Janou

    4.1 (697 reviews)
    ModerateBistros, Provencal
    Open 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Chez Janou Photos

    CHEZ JANOU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Chez Janou

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    exterior
    Jason M.

    My brother was accompanying me on my first trip to Paris, so when looking at places to check out I partly relied on him since he had been to the city before. He had been to Chez Janou before, and had good things to say. After consulting a few other sources that echoed the sentiment, I thought this would be a good place to check out for lunch our first day in the city, so off we went. As we approached, I got the feeling that Chez Janou was either super popular in it's own right or became popular via social media - or both. I say that because there was a line of people waiting to get in that hugged the exterior - not seen in any other bistro I passed. Since we had reservations, I was able to skip the line and we were seated right away. You have to be forthcoming though, as there is one person manning both the walk-in queue and seating patrons. We were seated inside - it's a decently sized restaurant but was packed with people. Even still, there was coziness in the chaos. Decor was simple - bright colors with subtle art on the walls. The menu was a decent size, and consisted of more traditional French dishes. We decided to start with two apps - the first was panisse (chickpea fries) that came with two sauces. They had a subtle flavor (complimentary) with the two sauces being great complements. They were also soft enough to break up if needed while still maintaining their integrity. We also opted for one of their special apps - this was a puff pastry tart that was accompanied by shrimp and mussels in a sauce. This was great - the seafood was fresh, the sauce was flavorful, and all the textures really worked together. For my main I ordered the swordfish. I really enjoyed this - the fish was served with a chopped salad and complemented with tomato and lemon. The dish was super fresh and a good balance with the relative richness of the apps. We couldn't leave without dessert, so we went with the chocolate mousse. This was served simply, from a large pot where they spooned out some for us. The presentation left something to be desired, but the flavor and consistency were great. Super chocolately and thick (without being too thick, you know?). Service was good - everyone was super friendly and food came out at an appropriate pace. Overall, I had a great experience at Chez Janou. Yes, there's risk that it's overhyped, but I found the food to be fresh and tasty - it was a great start to our food explorations in Paris.

    Checked.
    Karen Y.

    Yea... we got influenced. Chez Janou is a cute bistro spot... cute green & white stripe entrance decor, crowds of ppl waiting to grab a spot inside. Well - we did reservations 2 weeks before our arrival to Paris and grabbed a lunch slot. Glad we did bc there were like a crowd of 20 ppl deep when we left. So why the 3 stars? Ambience: While the bistro looks like such a cute eatery, the entire dining experience left much to be desired. The space - super small, jammed... every inch of space filled with tables and chairs. It's awful... BC the waiter dropped a damn olive oil stained spoon on my head & jacket!!! Ugh. So, when you stack your patrons on top of each other like cattle; feels like profit over comfort. Food: we got the famous duck, added escargot and a prawn dish. Duck was good (but not amazing, wine jus was good), the prawn was ok, drown in onion& garlic, wine wasn't cooked off so the sauce is a tad bitter. The infamous chocolate mousse... unless you LOVE chocolate, don't get it... we didn't love it... too rich, too sweet... left half on the plate. Hate wasting food but not gonna sacrifice my stomach space for mediocrity. Service: it was ok, nothing spectacular - gave us menu, took our order, gave us a bottle of tap water, brought us our food, gave us bread. Didn't come back to check on us, probably no time - it was super crowded. So.. why would we give a TIP?!?! It's a no-tipping culture in Europe... my 4th time in Paris - BUT first time seeing the tip being asked in our check. BC of all the tourists... guess they felt it was ok to ask... BUT wow. Please stop learning the bad culture from Americans

    Chocolate mousse
    Maggie W.

    My sole request was to be able to try the Chez Janou chocolate mousse on our trip to Paris, and this spot did not disappoint. The servers are incredibly personable and friendly- this level of hospitality must be remarked upon! My boyfriend and I arrived right as the doors opened at 5 PM and we were the first ones to have our name on the walk in list. We were able to be seated at around approximately 7:30-8 PM at an outdoor table. We ordered the ratatouille, duck breast with rosemary, and chocolate mousse. This seems to be the standard fare for most people, and they did not disappoint! The ratatouille was perfectly acidic- I wasn't expecting it to pair so well with the crostini at all. The house made complementary home breads are perfectly baked and have a very fluffy texture to them. The duck breast was so juicy and flavorful, and the roasted potatoes had an excellent texture to them- not too tough and hard, yet not too grainy. Everything had a delightful herb/spice undertone to it. Our server was a joy to have, he even joked that if we finished our chocolate mousse he would provide us seconds on the house. I wish I could've taken him up on this incredibly generous offer, but I was already stuffed. Definitely a highlight of our trip.

    Mussels
    Holly K.

    Overall we had a lovely dinner at Chez Janou. It definitely has the vibes or you get what you get and you don't get upset! We got seated inside and you are basically on the lap of the person next to you and they have to completely move the table out for you to get out of your seat. So as long as you are okay with that, then this is spot is definitely worth a go. They run a tight ship getting you in and out and you definitely want to follow the rules and wait for the waitress/hostess to take your name. The appetizers were the big win for us. The mussels and ravioli were incredibly delicious. The steak was good, but it wasn't wildly memorable. They are also known for their huge vat of chocolate mouse that they serve you and it was quite delicious as well. The house wine was tasty, highly recommend for a very affordable bottle!

    Salim K.

    Amazing warm welcome and lovely hosts. The place is sold out though we had to wait about 15 mins and wasn't bad at all (walked about 40 minutes to get to the cafe :)). We ordered the Avocado Tartare and the Mussels along with their amazing chocolate mousse to round up the lunch. The mussels were nicely done and the spices on the shell were simply overflowing with juices of the oil and lemon. The tartare was very very refreshing and had a taste to itself. The mousse could have been served a bit colder though it tasted perfect with some salt sprinkled on it. Impressed every bit and recommend it even if you have to come all the way out and wait for ever to make it happen!!!

    Salad
    Thomas H.

    Wow, what can I say about Chez Janou? We came for lunch without a reservation and quickly realized most people book ahead. The owner told us we could join the waitlist, which was over an hour, and although she didn't take our number she promised us a table if we returned. She kept her word. At first I was worried this place might just be social media hype, but it turned out to be absolutely worth it. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, the kind of spot that makes you want to sit and enjoy your meal. The duck steak was cooked perfectly and full of flavor, and the prawns were delicious, especially with the complimentary bread. Overall, it was a great experience and one I'd recommend to anyone visiting. If you go, try to make a reservation, but even if you end up waiting it's worth it

    chocolate mousse
    Janet Y.

    This was such a parisian experience eating here, the good and the bad. The bistro is super cute but also super tiny so everyone is packed in. You literally have to pull the table completely out while you slide into the booth and they push the table back in. It's elbow to elbow seatings so not great if you have claustrophobia. The food was ok. We tried their famous duck which was pretty good. The prawns in wine sauce with onion and garlic was ok. The wine didn't cook off enough so it had a bitter taste to it. The escargot was good. We finished the meal with their chocolate mousse and they bring over this huge bowl and just scoop and plop it onto your plate. It's super rich and sweet so only get this if you are a chocolate lover. Service was ok but not overly friendly. They sat us and gave us menus and took our order. Didn't really check on us for the rest of the meal and when they cleared the table, they dropped a dirty spoon on my sister's head. A brusque sorry and off she went. Maybe that's just how Paris rolls?

    Duck breast with potatoes
    Kathleen W.

    This was hands down my favorite meal I had during my trip to Paris. We went during their dinner opening at 7pm and were able to put our name down on the waiting list. After a 1.5 hour wait, we were seated outside and given menus. The inside from what I saw was very cute and vintage and the outside sitting area was peaceful since the place was located on a side street. We ordered the cold ratatouille with olive tapenade, the duck breast, and chocolate mousse. Despite the busy night, the service was prompt and the waiters were kind. The ratatouille was tasty and savory, with a hint of sweetness from the cooked down veggies and tomatoes. The dips went well with baguette. The duck breast was divine! The fat and skin were crisped up to perfection and the garlicky potatoes went well with the spicy mustard on the side. The star of the show though was the chocolate mousse of course! It was super rich and chocolatey and perfect to share among two people. Overall a MUST go when in Paris but prepared for a long wait!!

    Provençal shrimp
    Leyla V.

    Great food and nice atmosphere although the service was a tad slow (it took them a while to take our order but they were busy so it's understandable). Will still go back as chocolate mousse was absolutely to die for!

    Tagliatelle
    Nicole K.

    Cool/trendy spot with good food and drinks. I'd recommend reserving as far in advance as possible. It's absolutely packed, cramped, and lots of Americans. Fun experience and while not the best food I've had in Paris, still very good and affordable

    Laurie D.

    This was my first nice dinner after I arrived in Paris. They provide complimentary olives, which were so good! I ordered fish, and my friend ordered shrimp and rice. Dinner was great, but the dessert was TO DIE FOR! My friend has eaten here several times and warned me that the chocolate mousse would not be presented in a pretty little dish. Thank God she warned me! The chocolate mousse is brought to the table in a big tureen, and a huge scoop is plopped onto a plate. My eyes were rolling back in my head. LOL! It's all you can eat! I really enjoyed my dinner here!

    Daphne S.

    Chez Janou is an icon. Everyone knows about the legendary chocolate mousse. And yes you have to get it. I thought it would be a bit fluffier though. Making a reservation was easy to do online. Our table was ready when we arrived. Staff were so nice and English was no issue. The menu has some fun things on it. We got the cheesy ravioli situation and a steak. The steak came very rare when I asked for medium rare. They kindly took it back and cooked it more. It was definitely lacking salt but I think it's my American taste that wants more salt. Outdoor seating was beautiful. The little tables feel very delicate. I'm scared to kick it over. All in all, definitely worth a visit.

    Christy C.

    This restaurant is super popular on social media for good reason! We came for lunch which was perfect as the wait wasn't long - I know it gets packed during dinner service. Our server was wonderful and recommended the risotto, which to this day, I still dream about! The food was delicious and I cannot recommend it enough! Can't wait for the day I can visit Paris again just for Chez Janou!

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    Were there a lot of tourists? Yes. Was the food good? Yes. The chocolate mousse was delicious.

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    Page 1 of 18

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    Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie - An amazing French onion soup...

    Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie

    4.5(1.5k reviews)
    1.8 kmChâtelet/Les Halles, 1er
    €€

    The most life- changing experience with French cuisine. This is what French culinary dreams are…read moremade of. Get the appetizer grilled foie gras with side of greens, you won't regret it. The richness of the flavor and the texture which is not reminiscent of the traditional roasted duck or foie gras, but rather a much more like a luxurious and indulgent version. We enjoyed our dinner on the outside of the restaurant after about a 20-30 minute wait. The bone marrow had the best flavor I've experienced for the dish. However, it is definitely overshadowed by the rich flavor of the foie gras. This experience was unforgettable, with our view of Parisian streets on a brisk, April night. We even came back on our last night, but didn't realize the hours on Google maps was for the deli. The restaurant closes earlier, before 9:00 PM. This meal got us thinking about Paris in a positive light, and we hope to be able to come back to eat the amazing dishes again!

    This place was a huge letdown. They had a cute little artisanal market on the front left of the…read morerestaurant. They had a number of goods to choose from and I ended up buying a few things for souvenirs. As for the actual restaurant, they had a number of delicious sounding items on their menu. Our server was very attentive to us and helped us decide on our dinner orders. Similar to the other restaurants though. After our food was delivered, it was far in between when we were checked on again. And after dessert it took even longer for our server to bring the bill. Overall, the food was a letdown. I do not exaggerate when I say that the frog legs just tasted like slightly flavored water. My friend's ravioli had a fairly decent flavored sauce but the pasta was a bit chewy. My friend's duck breast was pretty tough; I had noticed the table next to us also ordered it and they seemed to have trouble finishing/cutting theirs as well. As for my steak with foie gras, well the steak was once again tough and the foie gras was weirdly stringy. It was soft for the most part but there were parts that were tough and stringy. Maybe that's a section that's generally separated in the preparation process and it was missed? In any case it was disappointing. What wasn't disappointing was dessert though; perfectly sweet and balanced.

    Photos
    Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie
    Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie - He said was very good

    He said was very good

    Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie - French onion soup + bread

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    French onion soup + bread

    Bistro des Augustins - Fermier

    Bistro des Augustins

    4.4(556 reviews)
    1.8 kmSaint-Michel/Odéon, 6ème
    €€

    I have mixed feelings about Bistro des Augustins. On the one hand, it provided me some of the most…read morecomforting and delicious food that I enjoyed in Paris. On the other hand, it made me realize that my mother was a terrible cook. Bistro des Augustins is a small, cozy venue offering both indoor seating and terrace seating near Pont Neuf. It serves a small number of curated dishes, including a wonderfully traditional Bistro Gratin in a homey ceramic dish served piping hot with a brown crispy cheesy top, herbs, spices and chicken. You can also get it with salmon. My brothers and I only saw my mother use our gas range to light her cigarettes, sanitize needles to remove our splinters, and make s'mores during the summer months when she couldn't muster the energy to take us 'outside camping.' I mean, all she had to do was borrow a cookbook, which I'm sure were readily available from maybe a neighbor or in any local bookstore or the public library. How hard is that? I was the only kid who brought a can of tuna and his own monogrammed can opener to school every day. Every day. And mom convinced me that the tuna holster she got me for my birthday was cool and hip. I was a naive mercury-filled fool, although I did become a very fast runner in junior high school because of the tuna holster. The interior décor of Bistro des Augustins is informal and vintage bistro style - wooden tables, traditional chalkboard menus, and soft lighting - creating a relaxed and comfy ambiance. My eyes have been opened to what's possible. Thank you Bistro des Augustins for expanding my culinary horizons. Five stars.

    THE FOOD ------------------…read more= Fermier - Cheese gratin with chicken was good. Didn't blow me away, but was solid with the creaminess of the sliced potatoes and emmental cheese combined together with mixed vegetables. The cheese was very strong though, so anything else was unfortunately pretty much overpowered by it. Arrived with bread, but it DEFINITELY could use other carb options to sop it all up (e.g., rice???)! = Landais - Cheese gratin with duck. Same comment as the above, except the Landais had egg and goat cheese also mixed in with almost the same ingredients as the Fermier. THE SERVICE ----------------------- + The lone waitress, who also worked the role as greeter, cashier and bartender was friendly. + Food arrived within 10 minutes of ordering. THE SURROUNDINGS ------------------------------------ = Small, tight restaurant. = Not many tables inside - 6 in total. + Located a few blocks away from the more touristy restaurants, towards the East, on a much quieter street. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = Nada.

    Photos
    Bistro des Augustins - Inside

    Inside

    Bistro des Augustins - Assiette de saumon fumé

    Assiette de saumon fumé

    Bistro des Augustins - Inside

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    Inside

    Chez Fernand - Roquefort

    Chez Fernand

    4.4(294 reviews)
    2.0 kmSaint-Michel/Odéon, Saint-Germain-Des-Prés, 6ème
    €€€

    Food is awesome, love their signature beef dish, too bad our stomach is too small, food is very…read moregood, service is good too ~ love this place!

    Maybe my timing was off? I didn't enjoy dining here as much as I hoped…read more I reserved and had New Year's Eve dinner at Chez Ferdinand Christine. I could only get the 8:30pm seating. When I arrived, there was a rustic table in the entry room where I was seated. I ordered an entrée of mini mushroom raviolis in truffle sauce, a plat of scallops over orzo which had chorizo chunks and a dessert of frozen Grand Marnier soufflé. The portions were generous. I enjoyed the mini mushroom raviolis and delicious Grand Marnier soufflé. The plat was somewhat odd because the chorizo chunks were really strong flavored which overpowered the scallops. I ate one chorizo chunk and pushed the rest aside. The scallops were cooked perfectly but not seasoned. The service was gruff/quite brief with dishes dropped by assistants. My biggest complaint was the stressful ambiance during the meal. It was freezing outside. The door constantly opened and new patrons came in hovering over diners in my room. Luckily I was not closer to the door and didn't have anyone over me. For ~170 Euros, the food was good but the experience was not.

    Photos
    Chez Fernand - Interior

    Interior

    Chez Fernand - Le légendaire bœuf Bourguignon aux joues de bœuf Black Angus, pommes vapeur.

    Le légendaire bœuf Bourguignon aux joues de bœuf Black Angus, pommes vapeur.

    Chez Fernand - Beef bourguignon

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    Beef bourguignon

    Le Potager du Père Thierry - Duck breast

    Le Potager du Père Thierry

    4.6(504 reviews)
    3.6 kmMontmartre, 18ème
    €€

    This is the kind of place that you should be searching for when you come to Paris. Small and…read moreintimate, with well executed dishes and exceptional service. These smaller bistro type eateries are the lifeblood of the local cuisine. They consistently offer reasonably priced dishes that are full of flavor and technique. The wine and drink options are well catered to the menu and they provide options for most price points. The service we experienced was exactly what you want... our server had plenty of suggestions based on the offerings of the day. The service was attentive and responsive... not much more than you could ask for. I had the duck breast being offered... it was served alongside crispy potatoes, green beans, and a salad. Adding in the onion soup and a glass of wine... it quickly became a King's dinner at a very reasonable price. I would be more than happy to eat here again and look forward to exploring the rest of the menu offering many local and classic French options.

    While walking around Montmartre we stumbled upon this cafe as it was the only place that had a…read moretable free. We really lucked out. This was one of the best meals we had in Paris. Like others have said, it's super small inside, so you'll get to know your neighbors really well. But your attention will be more focused on the food they bring out. I had the lamb with thyme sauce and my wife had the confit duck leg. Don't be afraid to pick the sauce of the day over the regular honey sauce. The sauce of the day on the day we went was a blackberry sauce which was crazy good. With a bottle of wine at 24 euros and both entrees under 20 euros, you couldn't really beat a meal of that quality in many places around Paris for that price. It was only after I ate at Le Potager did I see it had a bunch of great reviews on Yelp. It's definitely earned all those stars.

    Photos
    Le Potager du Père Thierry
    Le Potager du Père Thierry - Onion Soup

    Onion Soup

    Le Potager du Père Thierry

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    La Régalade

    La Régalade

    4.5(112 reviews)
    1.9 kmChâtelet/Les Halles, Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre, 1er
    €€€

    My wife and I booked this for lunch and were not disappointed!…read more It's a sharp restaurant with a clean look, prompt service, and exceptionally presented food. Plus, it is very good!! The menu may be a bit confusing, but our server cleared up any questions. (a la carte vs prix fixe) We started with a complimentary terrine with gherkins and onions which were delicious. I had the Brittany scallops in a pesto and citrus dressing topped with parmigiana reggiano - absolutely amazing! Mains were the braised beef cheeks which were melt in your mouth and a tender roasted veal. The smoothest puréed potatoes and a crispy potato gaufrette were perfect accompaniments. The Grand Marnier soufflé was the perfect ending to an outstanding lunch. I look forward to returning to La Regalade for another lunch or perhaps dinner.

    This place is delicious! We ordered the three-course meal, which started with a complimentary pâté…read moreand bread. To be honest, it's not really my thing, so I only tried a little. I won't go into detail about each dish, but the main course, the pork belly, was cooked perfectly--so tasty and beautifully braised. The soufflé, which originally attracted me to this restaurant, was amazing! However, I do wish it had some whipped cream to enhance the flavor. Overall, it was a great date night, and it's definitely a place we'd visit again!

    Photos
    La Régalade - Cool map

    Cool map

    La Régalade
    La Régalade

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    Chez Janou - bistros - Updated May 2026

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