Nothing better than finding this gem just minutes from your Paris apartment, then to score a cute, cozy table on Valentines with no wait! As luck and the special stars that only Paris can combine, you find Cafe Janou! Very friendly atmosphere and staff, the mussels where so amazing. This meal was truly a great combination of value and excellent quality, even a fresh rose as a parting gift, made for a memorable night! (Finally posting this long overdue review) read more

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This was my favorite restaurant in Paris! Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time as it gets extremely busy during dinner. I wasn't able to make one online, so I asked the concierge at our hotel for some help. He ended up calling them and was able to snag an 8:30pm reservation for us on our last day in Paris. I was beyond excited as this place was on my list and it did not disappoint. We arrived over an hour early, and they were already packed. We ended up walking around the neighborhood and then came back around 8pm to be seated. We sat outside and felt a bit crammed. They do have more tables inside. The server took a while to take our order but it was understandable given the amount of customers. We ordered sea bass, ratatouille, and baked mussels. Omg the mussels were the best that I've ever had. They were seasoned extremely well, especially with a squeeze of lemon. I also really enjoyed the sea-bass especially the quiche on the side. It was my first time trying the ratatouille and it was tasty. I wasn't aware that it was a cold dish so that was surprising. I think it would've been even better if it was warm. A must try for those visiting Paris. It's located in a quaint neighborhood and a block away from Place Des Vosges. There are a few restaurants in the plaza, but Chez Janou is on its own. read more

Chez Janou - Baked Mussels (left), Ratatouille (right), Sea bass (bottom) - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

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Absolutely amazing experience at Chez Janou! Highly recommend this cute corner bistro if in the Marais area. Enjoyed a delicious meal of duck, ratatouille, and mussels, along with a bottle of wine. Service was so kind and accommodating and our food came out quickly. Would absolutely come back! read more

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We checked into our hotel and looked for a French restaurant for lunch. Chez Janou had a high rating and was open on Sunday. Noticed a number places are closed on Sundays in Paris. We arrived around noon and place was pretty busy. Luckily, somebody just left and we were able to be seated right away. We started with escargots . They were fresh and the sauce was delicious. It does come with the shell on but it wasn't hard to get them out and you will get the full experience. My wife had the shrimps and the sauce was amazing. We lapped up the sauce with the bread provided. Duck magret, one of the iconic French dishes. The duck was tender and the skin was crispy. There were some sinewy pieces bit the rest was amazing. Highly recommended! We also had our first Crème brûlée and I yummy and perfect way to end the meal. The restaurant was rustic and guess that how French cafes look like. They spoke enough English that we were able to get by... hehehe. We would come back whenever we are in the area and try their other dishes. read more

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This was our first meal in Paris and it wa great! It was highly recommended and of course my daughter saw it on TikTok for their chocolate mousse. We didn't have a reservation so we waited a little (it was midafternoon). The host was funny but nice. The ravioli (not what you would expect) was delicious. The ratatouille was ok, maybe a bit bland. But the mousse was soooooo good. I'll be dreaming of it. The lady sitting next to us said it was the best in Paris. The servers there were so nice and friendly and helpful. read more

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Wonderful ambience, busy place and harder to get into. This food isn't life changing, but it is absolutely delicious French cuisine. The chocolate mousse MIGHT be life changing but overall really nice! read more

Chez Janou - Duck - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

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You came here or not Sunday afternoon around 2:00 p.m. and the person outside told us we would have to wait around 45 minutes for a table but barely were there for like 5 minutes. They were calling names very quickly and someone was not there. Their name was being canceled so we were actually there for only 5 minutes. Definitely glad we waited. Place was completely fact but the food actually came so so quick, we were surprised! Chocolate Mousse - UNBELIEVABLE! Like for real unbelievable! So rich and creamy and smooth, it's hard to stop eating! Best part is it's unlimited so you can have as much as you want! I actually asked for extra bread on the table and had it with the bread - so good! Goat Cheese (chevre) - AMAZING! Definitely the best item we ordered to the table. The Jesus really creamy and soft and went so well with that tomato sauce. Kind of a thing on the side. Perfect with a baguette on the table! Mussels - Not sure what they did here but it was actually really really good! Probably the #2 item of the savory things we ordered. Have to add that lemon juice on top because it changes it and takes it up to a whole other level? Ratatouille - This was cold but somehow it actually worked! Game with some crusty bread on the side but actually went much better with the baguette slices they brought on the table. Also came with some tarpendne, and glad we could try some of that. Ahi Tuna Steak - Really good perfectly with nice charring and perfect flavor. And appreciate the vegetables on the side as well. Duck Breast - Will not recommend. The one item we actually did not like. The meat was too fatty and chewy and we could not eat a piece without leaving that extra chewy ending off on the plate. read more

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This was the first restaurant I visited in Paris after a 2 hour train trip from London. Even at 10:30pm on a Tuesday night, the place was bustling and people were seated thigh to thigh -- I can't imagine how crowded it would've been on a weekend evening. With that being said - we were seated within 20 minutes as walk-ins with no reservation. The waitress immediately informed us that the kitchen was closing soon as we walked in and helped us order quickly. We started off with some mussels, which was recommended by the waitress -- however, it was just ok. I would recommend skipping it to save room for the dessert (more on that later) or going with a different starter. My friend ordered the escargot tagliatelle, and I ordered the grilled duck breast as our mains. They were both very delicious. As far as the duck breast went -- it was not gamey at all, and could even be mistaken for a more chewy beef steak to the unaware. Now - for the dessert which was the highlight of the night. I HIGHLY recommend getting the chocolate mousse. It was the best chocolate dessert I've had so far. More substantial than a whipped cream or icing, but more delicate than a supple moist chocolate cake. I would come back just for the chocolate mousse. read more

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Outstanding provencal food. Every dish was superb. Fried tiny fish, gratinated mussels, chickpea fries for appetizer. Duck breast slices like fine rare steak. Brandade of haddock creamy delicious. Most of all was the friendly engagement of the waitstaff, led by the manager, Nicholas, who went beyond the call of duty to find a place for my family dinner. Bravo to all! read more

This restaurant was one of the highlights of my first time in Paris - it checks off my 3 must haves of a great dining experience - good food, good service and good vibes. We had a reservation for 4 on a weeknight. There are a pretty big crowd waiting outside so we were sat late for the res but the staff was super nice and apologetic so we didn't mind. The mussels and the mousse are must orders! Our server Paul was the best! Will definitely recommend to any friends visiting Paris. read more

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I think this is a must if you're in the area! Amazing food and staff. The decor on the inside and out is gorgeous. read more

Chez Janou - Dinner area- inside - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

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We visited Paris and tried many restaurants, but Chez Janou was by FAR our favorite. We are still talking about it constantly and I hope to be able to come and visit again in the future! Chez Janou feels like a real spot for locals and is so comfortable you want to stay and hang out all night. Their menu is amazing and vegetarian-friendly - it was hard to make a decision! One thing is for sure, you HAVE to order the chocolate mousse for dessert. It is an experience, and is SO GOOD!!! I do recommend making a reservation (seems that you can only do this via phone or in person) if you can, as we waited quite a while to get a table. This being said it was worth every minute of the wait. Please make the stop - you will love it! read more

Chez Janou - Vegetable risotto and duck - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

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- Locale Destination - It's on rue Roger Verlomme and Rue des Tournelles in Paris. Ambiance: casual Menu: Typical bistro menu Service: English ok, very friendly and attentive. Excellent. Reservations: you don't need one for lunch service, but make a reservation for dinner service! - Gluttony Expedition - Escargot: big and tender escargot. Solid. Fish carpaccio: very fresh fish Roasted duck: for this price, they do bring the quality! I liked it. Not the fine dining level, but excellent for bistro. A bit too much side potatoes. Steak: well cooked. Decent quality. Wine: good - Conqueror's Deduction - Solid 4 stars. Solid bistro foods with friendly and excellent service! read more

The service was, frankly, terrible. Our server was curt, dismissive, and seemed genuinely annoyed at having to take our order. Questions about the menu were met with eye-rolls and sighs, as if we were inconveniencing them. It wasn't just inattentiveness -- it was outright rudeness, which soured the experience further. I'll give credit where it's due: the food itself is solid. The chocolate mousse is to die for. read more

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Showed up without a reservation for lunch. We waited about 15-20 min. Very organized. We shared a few starters the goat cheese was our favorite. The ratatouille was delightful on a hot day. Also had the chick pea fries and a salad with tomatoes and melon w mozzarella and ham. The tomatoes were outstanding. Wanted the chocolate mousse but we were so full. Our waiter brought us each a spoonful! Amazing experience. Worth the Instagram hype. read more

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Another restaurant with a long wait line that somehow resulted in a short cut to excellent food and service for us. We were seated at the counter because we were willing to chat with locals and staff who had a lovely sense of humor and were very hospitable. They made our ratatouille and chocolate mousse dreams come true in the most picturesque spot on a random corner in the 4th. read more

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Delicious crepes!!! Asked out waiter for a recommendation as he hit it out of the parks my crepe has eggs, mushrooms, cream and some other mix veggies. Coffee was great and the ambiance was very cool. read more

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This was one of the most amazing meals I've had, possibly ever. My favorite dish was the ravioli, but the risotto was delicious and the salted caramel French toast was the perfect way to finish my meal. read more

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Was very excited to try this place after a glowing recommendation from a friend, but unfortunately we didn't have a good experience. We arrived at 10pm - well before the kitchen closing time of 11:30pm. We were seated immediately, but it took a long time for them to take our order. This meant that we were eating even later to the point where the staff was putting the chairs on every single table but ours and mopping the floor, so our dinner was paired with an extremely strong chemical smell - very obnoxious behavior and unpleasant atmosphere. The food was just okay. The fried anchovies and the salad were good, but they rushed the entrees out before we could finish them. Even though my duck was cooked to temperature, it was still somehow tough and lacked flavor. The steak my friend had was good, though. I can see how it was a lively vibe and a great location, but otherwise our experience was not positive. read more

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This is a place that I recommend every tourist to go to. It's definitely not the best food but it will give you an experience. The waitstaff are very animated & very French. We ordered steak, pasta, snails and chocolate mousse. All plates were good & definitely some of the best table bread I've tasted. The escargot is slathered in olive oil & pesto so definitely turned out to be my favorite plate. The chocolate mousse which is their specialty was just ok for me. I did notice that the more I ate it, the more I liked it but still not my top choice for dessert in Paris. read more

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Friendly greeting by the host, colorful, fun atmosphere. Our server was wonderful and recommended several dishes. The mussels were amazing as was the scallop risotto! Don't miss the chocolate mousse for dessert - it is served from a big crock and plated in front of you! Definitely worth the calories. A fantastic overall experience for a fun lunch! read more

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Worth every penny and worth the hype. Theyre so good! Food, drinks and ppl. Go early or put your name read more

Chez Janou - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

I can only speak about the duck. Its really good. And also the lavender alcohol. I would come back again for the duck. Ambience is great, relaxing frenchy style music and there is a gentle din they gives liveliness but that allows you to still converse. read more

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

The two of us walked in shortly after they opened on a weekday and were promptly seated. The menu is in French, which was a fun exercise to say the least. But no worries, feel free to ask for recommendations. I had the cheese ravioli and honestly -- these were so, so good. We also had the incredibly delicious and decadent scoop of chocolate. Such a unique consistency. I went through two pots of earl gray tea before finishing my portion. Beautiful restaurant, super memorable vibe, friendly and welcoming service, and of course everything was delicious. Highly, highly recommended! read more

I came tonight at 11:25 PM on a Monday night with my husband, 7 months visibly pregnant, and took a 14€ Uber to come here. I asked to be seated and the waitstaff asked if I'd be having dinner. I said I was there to have coffee and dessert. He said "we don't do that here," and proceeded to tell me that if they served dessert to people then the people who had dinner would not be able to have dessert. It was surprising because almost every item on their specials menu outside was crossed out and clearly sold out. If I was told there was a minimum spend, that would have been no issue. If there was a prix fixe menu, then that would make sense too. However, to be refused service because I am not getting dinner is bizarre. There was clearly a bar inside. Moreover, I am certain that they don't force people who buy dinner to also buy dessert. I cannot emphasize enough that if they just told me "we just need you to spend a minimum of X euros" then that would have been no problem. However, simply refusing service to someone, especially someone heavily pregnant, is despicable. read more

This restaurant obviously needs no review from me: people were four deep on the sidewalk waiting for a table as we left from our lunch. We let the server choose a pastis for us to start, and it did not disappoint. We shared a moules gratinees. My son had veal liver with apples, and i had the fish if the day, poached with vegetables and a chervil sauce. Delicious provençal house wine. The famous chocolate mousse. Espresso. It's a busy, cramped place with efficient and good-humored waitstaff. I'll eat here on every visit to Paris if I can. read more

Incredible. The ratatouille and mussels to start were perfect. We ended up getting three entrees (steak, duck, and mushroom risotto) because we just couldn't choose only two, and all three were amazing. The steak and duck were both cooked perfectly rare in a way that you rarely see in the US. The risotto had unbelievable flavor and a really great texture. And then of course, we had the chocolate mousse, which was perfection. (Our kids agreed.) We also got the cheese plate for dessert, which was the only thing we weren't crazy about. read more

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Some good food and some misses. The mussels, chocolate mouse and bread were good. The shrimp with anise main course was under seasoned. Cool environment overall. read more

Amazing service food was great and we met the coolest people while waiting for our table. After we ate, the manager let us try this Thyme flavored aperitif and it was just the cherry on top. Vladamir is a real one read more

My husband and I had our first dinner in Paris here and everything was great! Yummy, affordable wine, the best scallops and risotto and steak that was cooked just how my husband likes it! read more

Chez Janou - Scallops & Risotto - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

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Didn't honor reservation that was made weeks in advance. We were a few minutes early. Told us it would be 15 more mins. Never called us or updated after that. Sadly we left. Felt bad for people seated out front with crowds pushing around them during their meal. Disappointed. read more

I was hesitant to dine here due to its social media popularity, but it ended up being the best meal I had in Paris. We were unable to get a reservation but showed up at 11pm on a Saturday night and were seated within 15 minutes. The atmosphere made the experience special. It's so un-American. I will warn you that there isn't an English menu, but my menial French was enough to get by. The servers were all charming and attentive. Our entrees were fantastic, but the chocolat mousse is worth all the hype. Fabulous!! read more

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Bustling place and long wait times. But the food, the service and ambience were all good. Got the escargot, fish and crème brûlée. The ravioli was tooo cheesy. read more

This is a cute French restaurant on a street corner. It's very busy with a youngish crowd. The menu looked very French countryside. I had raviolis Delphine which were delicious because of a cheese that melted in my mouth. Our table ordered the duck which was rich and flavorful. We weren't fans of some of their appetizers. Seating outside during winter with no heater was rough for this American. No major complaints, but the food was a bit forgettable. Not bad, just good. read more

Chez Janou came recommended by a coworker who lives in Paris. She said it is her favorite French restaurant in Paris and I can see why. The food was outstanding, and they specialize in Provence food. I had the vegetable risotto for my entrée and one of the cheeses for dessert. Everyone else's plates around me looked amazing. Beautiful décor, friendly staff, and excellent food (and for a good price!) It seems like reservations are a must and you need to call to make them. Dinner service starts at 7pm so I walked in around 6:30pm on a Monday and was able to get one of five seats at the bar and start with a glass of wine. The other seats filled in very quickly, as did the rest of the restaurant. I would definitely return here next time I am in Paris. read more

Ok this is not really a review but I am guessing it's good. Why? Well we were wondering the back streets of Le Marais looking for a cafe without having made a reservation. We see this inviting cafe without all the outside tables filled and went inside to see it was equally packed with many looking like locals. We decided to wait and went outside, and I'm not kidding within but a few minutes there were at least 20 people behind us. We were told that with the reservations that were already made, there would be no hope of a seat for the next hour and a half. She invited us to leave our names and numbers and she would call if anything opened up. We didn't want to wait but decided to make a reservation for the next day but time slipped away. So what I am saying is that when I make it back to Paris this is a restaurant I definitely want to try because the food looked amazing. read more

What a cool experience in France! Good: - Feels quite authentic - it feels super intimate and feels like a good hangout spot for friends - Food was AMAZING and the portion sizes were great - the Chocolate mousse looked like poop when it came out but it was actually tasty - I loved the ratatouille, the risotto, and the gnocchi dish - all were 5 stars - Creme brûlée was my favorite dessert, not too sweet Bad: - Even if you have a reservation you need to wait for a table, we waited for almost 20 min to get seated, it's super popular - Takes forever to flag down a server Overall I really loved the food here, and would come again. read more

Absolutely the most fun we've had at a restaurant. We waited over an hour on a busy night. It was well worth it. My steak was delicious. My wife enjoyed her meal. So lively. Waitress was such a big personality that she really made this place even more fun. To top it off was the chocolate mousse. The mousse is scooped from a large bowl and as much as you want. This was a wonderful dining experience. Loved the staff. Many more menu items I would love to try. Absolutely French vibe. read more

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Went twice during our Paris leg and although the greetings were sometimes French-snappy, I personally felt like my usual attitude fit right in. Make a rez or prepare for a very long wait. Lunch was cute, the goat cheese dish was lovely, but DINNER, baby, was the mood and the vibe and the lighting and the music and Sammy (Sami?)! Salmon: lightly perfect. Steak: tenderly perfect. Ravioli: richly perfect. Mussels: succulently perfect. Bread: deadly perfect. Tagliatelle: lovely! read more

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