What a gem we found thanks to Yelp reviewers.. we got so lucky to get a table as the restaurant has limited seating and we did not have reservations. We walked in at the right time and was able to sit right in front where we had a full view of the chef and his kitchen. We watched him make his specialties all while he explained them to us turns out the chef is the owner. His parents Yvette and Claude owned it before he took over. Its a three man show .. the chef, the waiter and the one who makes sure Everything is clean and ready.. he had to turn away three other couples that tried to get a table after we got on. He is only open Mon-Friday.. everything that comes out is made to perfection and he makes sure of it!!! If I could give 10 stars I would!! I don't know how he does it.. I would be totally distracted with people looking and talking to me while I cook, but he handles it well and his kitchen is so clean and organized.. Love Love this place and will return if I'm ever in Paris again. read more

Went here for dinner during a week stay in Paris with family. We searched for a nice restaurant via yelp close to our hotel and La Cordonnerie popped up. This restaurant is VERY small, but don't let that discourage you from visiting. The chief personally came out of the kitchen and explained to my group of 3 the specials (they were not in English on the menu, although everything else was). I ordered the beef steak with shallots and white wine sauce and it was sooooo good! Traditional French cuisine at it's best. For dessert, I ordered the citron sorbet with vodka and it was very good as well. Very lemon and light sorbet in a glass with vodka on the bottom. Great mix together. I would DEFINATELY recommended this restaurant to anyone visiting Paris who wants a quite, personal dinner atmosphere. read more

You simply will not regret this experience in any way. Service, ambiance, wine selections, and above all, food, are excellent. If you're lucky you'll sit in one of the 2 'kitchen tables' that allow you to see a chef who has mastered his craft. Small, intimate family restaurant with a focus on perfect French food. Get a reservation. English is excellent, so do not be intimidated. They are delighted you're there. Oh, and get the veal stew. Rich and satisfying. read more

The service was excellent and the food was outstanding. Our table was nearest to the chef and he spent time explaining the menu items and daily special dishes. Overall, it was a great dining experience. read more

I can't speak highly enough of Le Cordonnerie! In October we planned to have dinner here one evening after searching for weeks to find great places to dine while on vacation. After our first meal was so good and enjoying being beside Chef as he prepared our food and being so engaging with us, we decided to come back the following evening. We were not disappointed! The menu changes but we had enough that I can tell you everything is fantastic! read more

We were lucky to snag a reservation on the way into Paris Saturday for the following Monday evening (note that dinner is a single seating) and get a table right next to the kitchen where we could see Hugo work his magic. The food was great, creative, delicious, sure, but it was truly a sight to behold, watching the chef's labor of love. What a wonderful dining experience. Highly recommended, and I hope Hugo will be around for a long time. read more

An outstanding dining experience. We were lucky enough to bag a reservation on the same day, but we're told the only seats left were 'kitchen tables'. We accepted on the basis of the reviews but assumed we'd missed out on the better seats. Wrong. Our table put us essentially in the kitchen, able to watch the one-man-band in the kitchen prepare, cook, plate and generally care for each dish. The menu is not extensive but perfectly designed for what's on offer. Food lovers who aren't necessarily looking to go full-French are well catered for here and our lamb and fries was absolutely delicious and perfectly made. Plenty of wine to choose from and the table service was second to none. This was another winning restaurant well worth discovering. read more

This was one of the best meals we've ever had in Paris. A must. You have to make a reservation as the location is small but the food is amazing. Chef Hugo and his Maitre'd were a gem. We all enjoyed our meal. Thank you again Chef Hugo. read more

What a neat little restaurant. Very cozy. The owner/chef stops at every table to extend his greeting and to discuss his menu. If you can overlook the chipped tableware and stemware, the food will stand out. My wife was melting over her entree of mustard seed crusted cod served with a beurre blanc, creamed leeks and basmati rice. 3 course dinner with a bottle of wine, and 2 coffees totaled $100E, incl T&T read more

Not just a dinner, but a real culinary experience, from the entree to the dessert. The restaurant was really intimate and Jeremy made us feel instantly welcome. We tried for the first time the foie gras... Sublime!!! Sword fish well cooked with herbs... For dessert dark chocolate... Unbelievable!!!! I loved everything!!! read more

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Don't even think of trying to step foot in this place without a confirmed reservation made by phone. This is a block away from our friend's apartment, so based on the great reviews we decided to swing by on our first night in town. The waiter practically laughed in our faces when we said we didn't have a reservation and said they were completely full. Okay, no problem, we popped around the corner and had an amazing dinner elsewhere. Next night we think, maybe there's a last minute table available, let's give that place another chance. Pull up the website to get the phone number to call and see they have an online reservation system. Open up tonight and perfect! Tables available at both 8:30 and 9:00. Reservations gratuit and confirmations immédiate it boasts. We reserve for 8:30, change and head over. New waiter tonight, even more shocked than last night's that we would dare try to dine there without reserving who knows how far in advance. I tell him our name and reservation time, he looks at the book and says simply no, and stares at us blankly. I explain we booked recently on his website so perhaps it wasn't transferred to the paper book. He says he rejected that reservation and is annoyed with us for still trying to come, like we're idiots. We check our phones and email for a rejection, see only the confirmation. I ask him why the website shows tables available for tonight if he is fully booked, he becomes more agitated so we just leave. A humble suggestion, if you're full, please don't offer online bookings for tables that don't exist and perhaps put a sign outside saying you're booked to save passers by and yourself the frustration. For Guy Savoy, I expect to make plans well in advance, not for a small bistro. But this is the exception so I wanted to warn others to hopefully save them from similar embarrassments! read more

La Cordonnerie - French Near Me - Paris, 75

This restaurant has a charming chef, Hugo who is a true artist! He cooks exquisite classic French food. We were there twice during our two week stay. The foie gras, the veal in mushroom sauce, beef boeuf Bourgogne, salad with shrimp in a curry dressing, the cake with chocolate sauce, all are absolutely outstanding. Do not miss this restaurant! read more

Truly delectable meal. Firstly, we saw the high reviews for La Cordonnerie on Yelp and asked our concierge about making a reservation. He got us a table for two within a half hour. It is an intimate, cozy restaurant that probably seats at most 10. The waiter was incredibly friendly and helpful in explaining the meals, specials, and drinks! To start, we had the Foie Gras special (which was a little adventurous for me), but delicious nonetheless - it melts in your mouth! For our main dishes, I got the filet de beouf with shallots, which was incomparable. I was genuinely upset that I can't eat this every night. My boyfriend had the veal with cream sauce and mushrooms, which was amazing. Both came with a side of pommes frites. To end our meal we had a light, fresh pear mousse with raspberries. Overall this may be one of the best meals start to finish that I've had especially with such a reasonable price -Tres bien! Definitely recommend for a true Parisian experience. read more

The best meal of our 2 week vacation was here. I had a chicken dish (can't remember the name) that was slow cooked all day with berries, according the the extremely kind chef that visited our table that evening. He told us we should make reservation next time, as we were lucky there was a 2 person no show. We will return! read more

Chef Hugo created our most authentic French dining experience yet. Read a review that suggested you sit in the kitchen, so we requested that. What a treat! There are only two tables in that area but you get to watch the chef up close prepare the entire meal. His nephew, the host, was very friendly and spoke enough English to help us make selections. Hugo was also kind, offering explanations on some of the things he was preparing. His sauces were heavenly and the meat was cooked perfectly. Make sure to make a reservation as this is a small place- it was booked the night we went and the host had to turn people away. It's a hidden gem down a side street...you won't regret the visit! read more

On our third visit to Paris we had dinner here 2 of the 5 nights we were in town. When you've had today's trendy versions of food and want a simple, classic French meal make a reservation, join Hugo and Jeremy for a wonderful evening. Seating is limited for this cozy family affair. Nothing pretentious, yet prepared thoughtfully you can't do better. Cucumbers thinly sliced, bathed in a rich sour cream dressing, cold chilled as a rainy Paris night. Oh my. Bread, with a rich yeast aroma, crusty on the outside, soft chewy on the inside. Steaks from Hugo's favorite French breed of cattle that remind him of buffalo in the winter. Braised veal blanquette, rich with mushrooms, cream and dad's secret seasoning. Creamy rich potatoes Dauphenoise. read more

This is my absolutely favorite Paris restaurant. Today was my fourth (4th) dinner and each time to include tonight the service and food were stunningly perfect. Chef Hugo and Host Jeremy are perfect host serving some of the top tier of the finest dinners I have had in Paris in 11 years. The great part is the dining excellence. The less than great part is impatient Americans, through Yelp reviews, are here now and dinner has changed. How unfortunate but this restaurant continues as my favorite in Paris. read more

La Cordonnerie - Chef Hugo featured in a local paper Le Bonbon. Speaks to exceptional meals. - French Near Me - Paris, 75

Outstanding meal. Would have gone here every night. We all left happy and the restaurant is adorable. Love the story of the restaurant and the chef was extremely efficient and extremely clean. read more

The place is small, almost tiny, but that is part of its charm. A warm quaint restaurant that I think is also where the owner/chef lives. When you walk in you walk straight into an area with two tables and the kitchen. Behind the counter is the lone chef taking care of everything himself, but he still stops to say bon jour. When we are seated in a small dining room off the side of the kitchen area we are given our drinks and then the chef/owner comes out and tells you about the menu and what he has prepared special today. As he explains the menu you can hear the pride in his voice. he tells you not about the food, but about how HE prepares your meal. He doesnt say the fish has a lemon sauce on it, but instead "once I grill the fish, I then baste it in a lemon sauce that I made that afternoon from..." its pretty exciting when you hear it come from the mouth of the artist. We had an amazing scallop appetizer and also an amazing bean salad appetizer. For dinner we had the fish special and the veal special. Both were very tasty and prepared well. If I had to have one complaint it would be that the tables are a bit tight together, but that's part of what makes this place so quaint, so I cant really complain. We will definitely go back and tell people to do the same. read more

Very deserving of the 5 star rating. I was on a business and ate alone, and the waiter made me feel very comfortable in this adorably cute little restaurant, which has been family owned for a long time (I forget how long, but long). I had the Escalope de veau normande, I would post a picture but others have beat me to the punch! I could eat this dish every day, and I'm not even a big meat eater. The veal was so tender, the sauce so tasty, went perfectly with the fries. Definitely worth a visit in Paris for a very charming and Parisien experience. read more

Just amazing! This small, one man chef restaurant did not disappoint...authentic French cuisine! To start we had the vegetable plate which consisted of red and white cabbage, carrots, cucumber and tomatoes with flavorful French olive oil dressing. The main course we had the lamb steak and veal in a creamy wine sauce with potatoes. Then finished off with bananas and rum prepared at the table. Epic! Definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a special dinner experience out (if possible, try and get a table adjacent to the chef; where you can see him working his magic and putting his passion into place). read more

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Wonderful family-owned and run restaurant. Tried to get a table by walking in but had to make a reservation for the next day (which luckily had availability). Run by Chef Hugo with his nephew Jeremy serving as host, the experience is intimate and unique. read more

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Very small but quaint restaurant located not far from the Louvre. The food is not fancy, but rustic French and very tasty. There is one chef and one server, so be patient. Service is friendly and the server's English is very good. We enjoyed our visit. read more

La Cordonnerie - Veal scallopine - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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Love this place all the way from California best food of my life and I rave about the steak with shallots!

The food here is absolutely amazing! I think my favorite meal here has to be the beef rib steak with shallots and white wine sauce; this was the best steak I've had in Paris! The restaurant is very small with approximately six tables and only one waiter, so if you plan on going here(which you definitely should if you're in the area) you should most certainly make a reservation. You are able to see your food being made from your table and it's pretty cool to watch. There's only one person in the kitchen, but the food that comes out of it is cooked to perfection. This little restaurant has been around for over 50 years, and I highly recommended it! read more

La Cordonnerie - French Near Me - Paris, 75

I was lucky enough to have mentioned to a friend that I would be in Paris on vacation. I use the term "lucky" because if I hadn't said something I wouldn't have known about La Cordonnerie and that would have been a shame. Even though there's an email address Chef Hugo doesn't accept reservations by email. You have to call...and call. I tried for a week a month in advance and finally got through and was able to make my rez for our final evening in Paris. We arrived precisely on time and despite the fact that we had never met Chef Hugo he greeted us by name and had his nephew Jeremy seat us in the kitchen---literally. At first I felt slighted but once we sat down and realized what a treat it was to be at one of the two kitchen tables we knew that it was an honor, not a slight. The restaurant is small---it only seats 18---and Chef Hugo solos in the kitchen while Jeremy tends to the bread, beverages and service but what it lacks in spaciousness and bustling service it makes up for in fabulous food at a fabulous price with an extremely personal touch---something we found lacking in the cafes of Paris. Most of the reviews I had read focused on a chicken dish that people raved about so you can imagine my disappointment when it was missing from the menu, presumably replaced by something Chef Hugo may have seen at the market that morning. The menu is fairly simple with a couple of specials and four or five other regular or semi-regular dishes. We opted for a couple of rib eyes in a white wine and shallot sauce, a pork shoulder and a nice piece of cod just to try and sample the menu a bit. Once the orders were in we all turned to watch the show. Chef Hugo was a perpetual motion machine and reminded me of the plate spinners from the old Ed Sullivan show as he tended to ten or twelve things at once. One second he was chopping vegetables, the next he was slicing off slabs of pork, all the while spinning to shake a pan here, season a pot there, pull a skillet off the burner and place it on a high shelf to finish cooking or stir any number of sauce pans that were all going at once. He'd grab a steak from a sizzling skillet using his bare hands, flip it over, sprinkle some salt on it then pick up a handful of butter and toss it into another pan. Yes, I said a handful because who has time for utensils when you're single-handedly cooking 18 different dishes almost at the same time? And yes, the occasional lid went flying and clattered to the ground but always got washed or, rather, quickly rinsed off. As he'd finish an unusual dish he would brush his sweat soaked hair from his brow, come around the counter unsolicited, show it to us and explain the ingredients, most notably the crayfish salad and a pear mousse fraise on top of strawberries and raspberries. But we came for the food, not the floor show, and weren't disappointed. The steaks were thin, tender, tasty and finished with a mountain of perfect frites. The pork shoulder was so tender that you could cut it with a finger and came with sautéed onions and what we think were cheesy mashed potatoes (although they could have been sweet pureed cauliflower). The sautéed cod was flakey, delicate and delicious and Jeremy was always there with a fresh basket of bread when we ran out. If anything was lacking it was the asparagus that had a bit too much snap to it...... although that could be a French thing. For dessert we opted for a banana rum flambee, a warm chocolate mousse on a thin chilled shortbread and the pear mousse fraise all of which were good but the fraise stood out with its unique taste and the delicate consistency of a bowl of slightly chilled clouds over fresh berries. The shocker was the bill---for all the right reasons. $136 for dinner for four (plus $45 for a nice bottle of wine) with a variety of desserts, an amazing kitchen display and a visit from Chef Hugo's dog, Blix. Take that La Tour d'Argent!!! read more

This was the only restaurant I bothered with making a reservation to, a month ahead, for my first trip to Paris, to Europe. It lived up to every single great comment that I've heard from friends and read from reviews/research. I was seated in a 4-person cushion seat RIGHT NEXT to the chef's cooking station. It was just my boyfriend and I and we had the privilege to watch the chef in action. He greeted us and walked us through his menu, explaining everything we didn't understand. Where can you even find a chef like that these days? I was totally smitten by this experience. Here's what we ordered and I just have to say, everything was good and the portions were generous: - Appetizer: cured meat platter and foie gras - our first experience with foie gras and it was so rich and divineee - Entrees: I ordered a steak served with frites and my boyfriend ordered the veal with frites. Both were really good...so good I couldn't finish and had to take it back to where we were staying for another day. - Dessert: we ordered a green apple sorbet to share, the little itsy bits of actual green apple in the sorbet made it absolutely a treat to eat despite how cold the weather was in late November I got to even chat with the chef towards the end of the meal when he asked us how did we like and enjoyed our meal. He was happy to find out that we were from New York and purposely came because our friends highly recommended his restaurant. I've never met such a humble man. I would definitely come back if I'm ever in Paris again. read more

I can say, without an ounce of exaggeration, that the best chicken I've ever had in my life, I had at La Cordonnerie. This restaurant was recommended to us by my husband's globe-trotting aunt and uncle. They've frequented Paris, and this is their favorite restaurant. We tried it on our honeymoon, and it did not disappoint! We started off with appetizers- 1) langoustine prepared in butter and 2) pate and bread. Both were delicious. The pate was the best pate I'd ever had (so flavorful, with actual bits of duck in it). It came out looking a bit like headcheese which had me worrying, but it was WONDERFUL. Knowing our difficulty with speaking French, the chef personally stopped by and gave us a description of the dishes we were curious about in English. He was so kind in recommending good wine to go with our entree selections as well. My husband got the special of a day- the chicken dish I still rave about (it was cooked with leeks I think), and I got the veal with fries. SO GOOD. For dessert, we ordered a cheese plate and chocolate mousse cake. Again....my tastebuds were going crazy. Next time we visit Paris, we'll definitely stop by again. This restaurant is very small, but very popular, so please call ahead for reservations because it is not unusual for them to be booked for an entire night. read more

OK we've been traveling around Europe for the last few weeks and this place is fantastic. It's a tiny little bistro where you watch the chef prepare your meal. We had the cassolette de turbon, foie gras, entrecote de boeuf poele, and the fondant au chocolat. It was by far the best most authentic place we visited in Paris. The waiter is great the chef is great and the ambience is fantastic! Enjoy your trip to Paris! read more

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Chef Hugo could not have been more accommodating. The food was delightful and the service was spot on. I would highly recommend " Be sure to make reservations because space is limited. The quaintness leads to a very intimate dining experience. read more

We came to this place first 6 years ago and when we came back to Paris we knew we had to return. Still absolutely amazing. My husband swears this is the best steak in Paris. Wine is delicious, Duck pate is amazing and my veal was so tender and great. It is a must do when in Paris and we will see you next time we are there! read more

My favorite restaurant to visit in Paris! Tiny little restaurant with an amazing chef who never disappoints. Incredible seared foie gras! I will never visit Paris without visiting chef Hugo and La Cordonnerie. read more

Six of us had the best dinner in Paris. Having the chef explain how he prepared each of his special dishes and watching him actually cook and plate each dish was quite enjoyable. Most of us had the duck breast which was wonderful. Small restaurant with very good service and amazing food. Prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food. read more

It was such a treat to watch the chef prepare our amazing meal. I made a reservation for lunch about a week in advance. We had the place to ourselves at noon but it quickly began to fill up. The chef graciously showed us what he had prepared specially that day. I went with the guinea fowl and my husband had the poached fish. Both were fantastic! The prices were also not bad for the quality of the meal and the service ($25-30). read more

A great find in a sea of decent Parisian restaurants. The size of this tiny establishment adds to the experience. The chef will likely pay you a visit to discuss the evening's specials and service is always a step away. They offer sidewalk seating for outdoor dining, just be aware that this is on the sidewalk and not a sectioned off patio. We would gladly pay them a visit on our next visit. read more

If we were smart, and had more time in Paris, we would have come back for every meal here! The restaurant is very cozy and it was our favorite "feeling" restaurant. We were down a bit on the first floor, but we also saw a couple sitting at the "chef's table" on the entry floor. There are two tables were you can watch the chef cook, I think. Actually we could all see him for a little while, because the kitchen is right near the entrance, very cozy. The service was great. The restaurant smelled amazing when we walked in! Now, on to the food.... Yum!!!! Their cheapest wines were amazing! The bread was the best. The pork roast was very tender but reminded me a little too much of pot roast...well, that is what it was :). We would have preferred a sauce that wasn't fruit based. However, the sides were amazing, including the scalloped potatoes and vegetables. The mushroom appetizer was also divine. read more

Absolutely fantastic. The service was courteous and efficient. The restaurant was small but afforded a great view of the chef at work. The best meal I've had in Paris. This restaurant is a must. read more

Tiny, tiny place that is run by the chef and his nephew. No more than 7 tables in total, but my son and I had an amazing meal. The menu changes each evening, so the entire menu is the special. We started with foie gras, had the steak and finished with a tart for dessert. Service was great, food even better. It seems that at lunch the restaurant is all locals and for dinner it is all tourists. If you want to be surrounded by french speakers, choose lunch! read more

Charming, small family owned restaurant that immediately made me feel welcome. My girlfriend and I came here looking for an Authentic French experience, and we were thrilled with our choice. We both ordered an appetizer and a main course along with a half bottle of wine and each one was delicious. Jeremy our waiter was so nice, not pushy, and very attentive. He is in the family that has owned the restaurant for 50+ years which only adds to the authentic and charming feel. I would highly recommended this restaurant for anyone looking for an authentic French restaurant with no frills. read more

This was my 1st time in Paris and I chose this place because it was close to our hotel and had good reviews. It was hands down the best meal I have had in my two week European trip. The place was cozy and intimate and the chef came to our table to explain his specials. Meal was amazing! read more