My dinner at L'Ami Jean was one of the best dinners I had during a recent trip to Paris. It was recommended to me by a well known French chef in NYC and it lived up to all my expectations. Contrary to some of the other reviews, we were not surrounded by American tourists. Lots of French speaking diners with a few people from the UK and America. The restaurant is quite cozy with a large communal table in the center of the restaurant and tables close to each other on the sides. You will become friends with those around you because you are thatclose. There is also counter/high-top seating outside. Since it's a small dining room, you also get a view of the Chef and his team in action. We started with the roasted octopus and for les plats my mom had the roasted veal sweetbread and I had the duck breast. The duck was cooked to perfection - tender and flavorful with a hint of smokiness. The sweetbread was delicious! It was crispy on the outside but the inside was tender. A side of purée de pommes de terre comes with each dish. For dessert, I opted to satisfy my chocolate craving with the chocolat blanc et noir (white and dark chocolate mousse). My mom wanted fruit so she had the cremeux de citron, fraise ananas et passion. Our server was great as was the entire team. Definitely make a reservation as it fills up quickly, This is definitely on my list of places to return to on my next visit to Paris. read more

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This was my sixth time enjoying the chef's tasting menu, and we always choose the tasting menu because the chef truly knows what he's doing. The Parmesan soup is always a favorite. The seared scallop and poached cod were excellent. He used seasonal ingredients and prepared them simply, without masking their natural flavors. Of course, we finished with the rice pudding, salted caramel, and candied hazelnuts. The only thing missing was his wonderful terrine to start the meal. read more

Cute, quaint restaurant with good food and wine. Honestly can't even remember everything we ordered, but the standouts for me were the scallops and octopus (so perfectly tender)! Great service and a homey vibe! read more

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Mommy and I had birthday lunch at L'Ami Jean last month. I wish we'd had more time to relax and enjoy but we were on a bit of a time crunch with other plans soon following our booking. Lunch was fantastic! We shared the pâté (I love pâté and this one was massive- no chance we were finishing it). We both ordered the seabass and I'd later wished we had ordered several different items to share. Next time! My wine was delightful. The rice pudding is an absolute must!!! I've had a favorite rice pudding (Yountville, CA) for years and I think L'Ami Jean just bumped it to no. 2 on my fav rice pudding list. Cozy, warm, bustling, energetic, friendly environment. Absolutely adding them to my regular rotation when in town. Highly recommend, even if it's a little bit touristy. read more

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Everyone suggested this restaurant, but we arrived to find a room full of American tourists and okay food. The room is pretty cramped together. The servers were kind and funny, but there is no need to go to this restaurant over something else in the area. read more

L'ami Jean is high quality cooking at its peak. It's not a cheap eat but I'd certainly recommend it! We tried the beef charcuterie served with some pickles and pickled onions, nice variety of meats, flavors and textures but not the standout of the meal. Beef stew was hearty, clean-tasting, super delicious and filling. The beef was extraordinarily tender, falling apart and absolutely soaking up the delicious stew. Full of vegetables that weren't mushy and served with this absolutely 10/10 pommes puree. Silky smooth, buttery, I now understand the difference between pommes puree and mashed potatoes. We also tried the duck breast which was cooked perfectly, great sear, very tender. Awesome sauce served with it, braised veg, and interesting crispy textural pieces. It's a home-y little restaurant that serves elevated French cooking. Service was super attentive, great experience overall. read more

L'Ami Jean - Duck breast Beef stew - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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5/5 stars!!!! Such a cute and home style place in Paris. This was our favorite restaurant here. I made reservations about a month ago because I heard online that this place was good. The place was so cute and quaint and it felt like home. There were not too many tables and we were treated so kindly. We started off with the soup of the day, and it came with two bowls of cheese shreds at the bottom and looked pretty unassuming. She then came over with a pitcher and poured a hot soup into each bowl. We tried it and the first sip blew our minds. Absolutely divine. It was probably one of the best soups I've ever had, and I felt like I was in that Ratatouille scene where the chef tries the ratatouille dish and he's in pure bliss. Not too rich, but creamy, flavorful and so addicting. I then had the cod, and husband had the braised beef. It tasted so homestyle, but was plated so nicely at the same time. Cod was flaky and tender. Beef was also so so soft and flavorful too. Would definitely made another visit here if I come back to Paris. Such a great experience!! read more

L'Ami Jean - Cod fish - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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I will never stop raving about the rice pudding at l'ami jean. I mean quite frankly the best dessert I had during my week in France. It's the perfect balance between sweet and creamy, and the textures from the nuts and caramel just takes it to the next level. The restaurant is so friendly and really has the local feel. We strictly came for the rice pudding but everything else smelled amazing too. Will be back to try more on my next trip! DONT MISS IT, once you try it you'll be thinking about it for the rest of your trip. read more

L'Ami Jean - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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We did not get to experience it. The night before we got food poisoning. We cancelled the next day at lunch but still got charged per their policy. I would guess they filled the table as well. Wish we did not even bother to call. It is their policy but 150 euros for cancelling 7 hours early seems ridiculous. read more

Amazing meal. Quaint atmosphere. Tight surroundings so you will be getting close and friendly with the other guest- but the food was well worth the cozy atmosphere. read more

Really incredible. The beef charcuterie was perfect, the octopus was among the best I've had, and yet the parmesan soup was maybe our favorite of the three. The beef shoulder was incredible, although if I have any issue with it, it's that it stops us from ordering so many of the other incredible things I saw on other people's tables. We'll have to come back to try more. read more

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The food and service was excellent. It was a nice restaurant and loved that we could see the culinary staff working.

The food and service was superb. The fish for the day, although not filling for e42 a small sliver, was truly melt in your mouth perfection. The beef shoulder entree was quite worth the e42 price tag for quantity, taste and quality. The ambiance was more of fine dining at a busy American hole-in-the-wall pub. 50+ patrons crammed in that small space and more people waiting outside. Will we come back? Maybe. But if we do, it would be during the week when it is less busy so we wont feel so rushed. read more

L'Ami Jean - French Near Me - Paris, 75

This restaurant for me is like having dinner at my brother's house. If I had a brother. Which I don't. It's like coming home. The service the food and the atmosphere are all exceptional. I recommend the beef shoulder. The mashed potatoes. And the rice pudding. read more

I think L'Ami Jean is a must if you're in the City of Light. We got here early with friends and were treated to a great night: a hulking, rich roast, plus the rice pudding dessert is a must. Excellent wine selection (of course) featuring some well priced burgundies, and we even met another famous restaurant reviewer that night (see photo). read more

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Lunch here was one of the highlights of my stay in Paris. I made sure to book well in advance, which is definitely recommended - the place is small and hopping. The service is prompt and friendly, and it was clear that there were plenty of regulars here. I'd be a regular myself if I lived in Paris! I started with fresh asparagus, gently roasted and tossed with paper-thin parma ham, covered with a snowy blanket of salty cheese. Spring asparagus is a wonder, and this dish was cooked to tender perfection. Then scallops, lightly seared and served with roasted garlic and a goat cheese mousse on one side, a verdant, slightly bitter herbal oil on the other. Rich, vibrant flavors and luscious textures. I wished for a touch more sear on the scallops, but that's a minor quibble. This was accompanied by a glass of crisp white wine. (The finance bros next to me at the tiny communal table were having a two-bottle lunch and had grappa delivered by the chef - whuf!) Although I declined dessert, I did agree to an espresso, which was served with sugar cubes and a little bowl of chocolate-covered almonds, so I did get a dessert after all. A perfect finish to a light, fresh, seasonally-appropriate meal. read more

The food here is fantastic, and the staff is very kind and friendly. I particularly loved the rice pudding, it was truly the best dessert I've ever had and it really does feel like it's the best dessert you'll ever eat in the entire world. I felt so fortunate to dine at L'AMI Jean, and I will definitely be making reservations for this spot upon next return in Paris. read more

L'Ami Jean - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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What a great experience at L'Ami Jean. The service was exceptional and the food was amazing. It's small, but very comfortable. We had lamb for 2 and it was amazing. They are known for their braised meats and nailed it!!! Wish we had a place like this in the states!! It was warm, but it seemed like they had some air going. Oh, go for the rice pudding for desert!!' read more

The tasting menu was excellent. Service was prompt and very attentive. Ambiance felt like a small house cottage, close seating, intimate and near fellow diners but lovely nonetheless. The variety of courses was a culinary delight! read more

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April 2025. Déjeuner. Service was brisk, beautiful, and balanced. Grilled asparagus was the best asparagus I've ever had. Duck confit was almost like a deconstructed mini cassoulet (small piece of sausage, beans, and so much flavor). Great wine. We were crammed in there with other diners and I loved it. read more

It's a no from me. For the prices and how difficult it is to get a reservation here the food was underwhelming and the service as well. I know France isn't known for their service but I've been to other restaurants at this level of quality and have been treated so much better. The servers were in a rush and not interested in helping you at all. They cram you in which is unnecessary. The terrine was meh and the duck was way to undercooked for that type of meat that made it overly chewy and not enjoyable. Also the chef in the back definitely loved to yell at the other cooks which I guess is fine except it's a very open kitchen where you can hear it. read more

L'Ami Jean - Duck & fish of the day - French Near Me - Paris, 75

Had a reservation for July. They cancelled it. A month later. . Might try to walk in at a later date.

Made a reservation almost a month in advance. Quite worth it as it was the best meal I had in Paris. Honestly, it may be the best tasting menu I've ever had. Maybe. The space is small. Get over it. Talk to your neighbors. You're touching them, they're touching you. It's Paris. ;) The menu is in French but don't worry, they will explain what's on it. The servers are feisty but in a friendly playing way. The couple next to us got told that the menus are in French because we are in Paris and not New York. Luckily for me, I knew I wanted the tasting menu (and I can also read a lot of food French.) The service here is phenomenal. They pretend to be mean but they seem to truly care about the food and the experience. I trusted them completely to pair a bottle to the tasting menu and they didn't try to rip me off. They listened to what I liked and matched it. The food. The food. Wowza. I can't even describe how flavorful, interesting, well thought and just plain delicious it was. Info in the captions of the pics. I can't wait to come back. read more

It's true it's true everything they say about this place is true! Busy lively crowded a little bit cramped but in a good Parisian style way. We let our waiter Alex provide us with an off menu tasting. We started with an amazing Parmesan soup. In all honesty we were skeptical at first until our first bite and through our last was perfect creamy stunning. We followed up with a small bite of perfectly seared and seasoned quail breast only to be outdone by the amazing seared sweetbreads! They then served an interesting dish of scallops and smoked eel. In all honesty, the smoked eel detracted from the perfectly pan fried scallop it was just a little weird. By the time we were so full we skipped the cheese course and headed straight for the desert of rice pudding with a caramel sauce which while not spectacular it was still really good I loved it and the wife not so much LOL read more

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tasting menu extraordinaire! fantastic service. very small, lively, and cozy space encourage one to know your adjacent patrons. will be back in two years. read more

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If you are in Paris, if you are in France, MUST make a point to visit this gem! Only the belly would understand how absolutely delicious this place is, literally one of the very best spots for French cuisine. Order: Beef fish, rice pudding (and I don't even normally like rice pudding, this one put rice pudding on the map for me, hands down this is it, the real deal, period. Lively ambience, cozy read more

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Went for lunch our first day after a ride on the Bateaux Mouches. It is walkable from there. Had soup, starters, and mains. They were very kind with our limited French and recommended three glasses of wine to complement our meal choices. The only thing we didn't love was the octopus. The Parmesan soup and the razor clams were the stand out dishes of the meal. Energetic and intimate atmosphere with lots of hustle and bustle and animated conversations in close quarters with some communal tables. We went fairly early but it was packed when we left. read more

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Great little restaurant our hotel recommended. Very friendly atmosphere with great food and service

Amazing food. From the lamb and beef entree to the seabass, we came back a 2nd night, out of only 4 nights in Paris. Small place, so make reservation, or expect to be turned away. Their rice pudding is to die for. read more

Amazing, authentic French restaurant! The staff are so friendly and accommodating- they even introduced the menu to us in English! It was so fun to sit next to the chef's counter/kitchen. The chef is very engaging and takes such pride in his craft. If a server does not pick up your hot dish from the kitchen BEFORE he is finished garnishing it, he will clap at them What service! We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and the food is to die for. Try the mushroom appetizer, the rabbit, and the fresh fish of the day. read more

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This was my maiden voyage for my Grand Bon Voyage. Every meal had been carefully researched, analyzed and sourced. The thousands of cafe's bistros, brasseries, and restaurants culled and winnowed down to a select few. Well, it took 606 tries to find cure for Syphilis. There were a few misteps. L'ami Jean is a small slice of a place carved out of a side street. They make up for the diminutive size by jamming twice as many tables in so close together your elbow could easily knock the glass of Brouilly out of someone's hand two tables away. Conversations bleed together as if you were dining in the cafeteria at the U.N. The "English" Menu is actually your animated server who translates the whole thing as quick as crystal. It was like a 33 played at 45 for those of you who remember records. Merci(fully), there is no rock loop of Johnny Halliday's greatest to compete with the din at dinner. (A concept that should be exported to the States). The decor is early Bistro. Hey, why not? It's a Bistro. Lot's of kitschy tchotchkes, tiled floor, wooden tables from a by gone era, and a very French zinc serving station. The kitchen is wide open, which can be a good thing depending on what's going on in there. The Chef, (King Jego) barked at staff and clapped for servers like a Flamenco dancer, threw shredded parsley here and there like confetti at Lindbergh's parade, expedited and plated while the Sous Chef cooked and assembled. Therein may lie the rub for this place. Hold tight, we'll get there. The Staff: Energetic as electrons on Speed. Helpful as they can be in the nanos they devote to you. They have to be in constant motion as the place jams up early, and everything must in the right place to avoid chaos and confusion. Coats on a specific hanger, bread down as settled your butt in a chair, menus dealt, it was like dining on a German train. Does it look like you read the menu? It's whisked away. Be quick. The Vibe: Festive and vibrant. Who goes there? Locals and yocals (me), who read Eater Paris, and compared it to what Patricia Wells likes. The Food: Ah, my first Parisian meal awaits, and waits, and waits and waits, like Ilse and Victor in Casablanca. Okay, no waiting for a bread basket with Olive Oil. Rest your paw in it to avoid having it removed on a server fly by. A fine Fine du Porcelet en Persille, with Anchovies appeared. Basically, it was Head Cheese. It was a delightful slab of Head Cheese anointed with Parsley Oil and Pistachios. A perfect partner to the rapidly disappearing bread in the basket. Next came a Jardiniere d'Eric Roy au Boullion de Sarasin. Braised root vegetables in Consume. (Stew lite). If you're possessed/obsessed with eating your vegetables with every meal, or your cholesterol is too high from all the Sweetbreads, you will be satisfied with this dish. The Longe du Cochon fermier Famille Meignon was a prehistoric chop of Pork Loin. A house specialty, it alternated between dry and tough as a career Foreign Legionnaire. Alas, I finally got sore from chewing it like a Eskimo Grandma making Mukluks for the kids. It was nicely sauced, however that didn't help the meat. It's like wearing a fur coat over thrift shop work pants. Finally, off the menu I asked for the Wood Pigeon because it was in season and the server suggested it over the signature Veal Chop that had been winking at me. One of the best dished anywhere was Marc Meneau's Wood Pgeon at L'Esperance in Vezelay. The Pigeonhere couldn't keep up with the flock. Exhausted it fell out of the sky and into Chef Jego's saute pan. This critter was the runt of the litter. About the size of an Ortolan. It was tough and as chewy as a hat band. It fought with my steak knife and won. This thing bordered on inedible. The steamed Celeraic Steak underneath the former feathered friend was the best part. Bye Bye, Birdie, I say. By the time Dessert rolled around, I had had enough. In a well regarded place run by a respected Chef with a small menu I expected perfection, or at least passable. So, I passed on the heavily touted Rice Pudding. I'll have plenty of that when they put in the Home anyway. On to something better. read more

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Service was fantastic. Having free Wi-Fi is nice since mobile phone service to terrible. The Foie gras was perfect and I ordered the sea bass which was sweet and cooked perfectly as well. read more

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we went early to avoid the whole waiting in line, they invited us in warmly hung our coats and sat basically in the middle of the restaurant with a great view of the chef and his kitchen. we had what was recommended the beef stew option, which was a good average size piece of meat, meaning to share its adequate. the appetizer that stood out was a leek puree with shards of pastrami, BOOM flavor in the mouth, its light for being creamy so that was a treat. Chef torched our food, he was definitely a personality. I dont speak french but they were awesome it was all delicious, forgot what we had but overall a great experience small cozy restaraunt, definitely felt like locals only, which is a huge plus, even walked down a christmas night market street bought chocolates for the family! read more

Phenomenal meal and fantastic restaurant team with exceptional and inviting service. We had the chef's tasting menu and it was one of the best meals we've had. Flavors were unique and the meal was satisfying. Come hungry! This restaurant is a must try in Paris read more

Can't say enough about the team working here! Wonderful people who clearly love what they do, thank you for making us feel so welcome! Now as for the food! Amazing! Had the 5 step tasting menu and every course was well constructed and unique. Even the charred eggplant purée under the fish, by itself it tasted like I cooked it on the BBQ and forgot about it...BUT! eaten in context with the rest of the dish it gave that char under note that it need to be well rounded and delicious. The beef shoulder as stated elsewhere is rock solid and delicious read more

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Stephane and his team are great. We had a lot of fun and food is wonderful. Stephane Merci read more

We read the rave reviews and couldn't wait. We arrived on time for a 7 p.m. reservation. The waitress was brusque and rude. Two of the four of us spoke and read French. They were given menus in French, we were told to use our phone for the English version. When there was no description of the dish beyond duck grilled, pork chop grilled on the web menu, we asked for more description and she said it is just grilled. She hurried us up in ordering, and insisted we go in a row. When my husband and I were considering the fish for two she wouldn't let me ask a question because it was "his turn." It was the most unpleasant experience I have ever had at a restaurant. We asked her how long she had worked there and she said a long time. Other waiters seemed to smile and be nicer to other tables. The food was okay. I would have ordered the duck if she had added one thing beyond grilled. The rice pudding was ok, certainly not the best dessert ever. I would say everything was above average. It is hard to get over the unpleasant experience ordering. I will not go back, and not recommend this restaurant. read more

Outstanding meal. One of the best meals ever. The beef shoulder nearly made me cry it was so tender and flavorful and the burnt oregano was inspired. The pork...what to say except that I couldn't stop eating. And then the basque cake, it looks so simple and nondescript that it surprise you with the flavor and textures. Oh, and the service was phenomenal, attentive and fun. read more

L'Ami Jean - French Near Me - Paris, 75

I really wanted to love this place, and despite by 3 star review, I believe that any adventurous foodie should visit this restaurant during their stay in Paris. The good: the vibe is warm, energetic, playful, causally and fun. The shared meat dishes topped with smoking burning embers they carry thru the restaurant are head turning. The food style as French basque is different than any other you'll see in the city. The bad: it's a lot of food...a lot of food. And the French are unpleased when you cannot finish your plate. When we were unable to finish our second dessert (mind you this was a chef's tasting and not our over ordering), we were left to linger at our table for nearly an hour before we could get our check. Also, the primary dish of the evening, a sausage and veal plate, was bad. The veal was so tough that it was inedible. It wasn't just us as the folks at the table next to us also pushed their veal around the plate before finally giving up. read more

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L'Ami Jean feels like it could be in East or West Village, NYC. The tables are crammed together such that you are sitting next to strangers. Very small, cozy, cramped -- or what New Yorkers call "charming." Very expensive, but you are so full afterwards you don't have to eat the rest of the day. My veal cheeks were incredibly tender, but could have used some more juice, or natural gravy. The bites started to taste very dry. The creamy mashed potatoes were great, probably had a pound of butter in them, so good they were. I wish L'ami Jean served more green vegetables with the entrees, or offered some simple green salads to offset the richness and heaviness of the meats. The "old" chicken was too tough and chewy. A winner in presentation, but not in taste. The waitress warned us about the "gameyness" which was okay with us, but not the "tough and chewy." The serving knives are super dull, and we worried we'd end up flinging chicken parts on nearby patrons. We saw other patrons struggling to cut their meat with these dull serving knives as well. Very convivial atmosphere. The waiters are friendly, attentive without being cloying. I love figs and was leaning towards having figs for dessert, but no way, the waiters told me, I could refuse or resist the BEST RICE PUDDING IN THE WORLD!! So yes, I can now say I've had the best rice pudding in the world, and may the world be better for this rice pudding. read more

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