Le Baratin

Paris, France

If you were to close your eyes and imagine the archetypal French bistro, this would be it. Le Baratin, which welcomed its first customers in 1987, was popularised by the late, great chef and broadcaster Anthony Bourdain. That said, it still retains all its neighbourhood cosiness – books line the wall, wooden tables and chairs are mismatched, and the menu is chalked up every day on a blackboard. Owner Raquel Carena has been cooking up her unpretentious French food, which nods towards her home country of Argentina, for three decades and counting, practically inventing contemporary bistronomie without fanfare or fancifulness. It's said that pastry hero Pierre Hermé is here at least once a fortnight, and that any tourist puffing their way up the hill is on their way to Le Baratin for Raquel's crispy shallot galette with fresh sardines; butter-poached brains; or roast Basque lamb with new potatoes and spinach. The food is served with natural wines from the cellar of sommelier Philippe Pinoteau, husband of Raquel.

Key Information

• Average price per person $58
• Lunch: Wed, Fri, Sat Dinner: Tues – Sat
• +33 1 43 49 39 70

Location

3 Rue Jouye-Rouve, Belleville, Paris, 75020 Paris