Looking for the best restaurants in the 2nd arrondissement in Paris? Look no further, our insider guide has the low-down on the best eating spots in the small arrondissement in the heart of Paris.
The 2nd arrondissement is one of the smaller areas of central Paris. In the very centre of the arrondissement, it covers the Sentier, Bourse and Quartre-Septembre areas and to the north, the Grands Boulevards. Home to some fantastic bars and restaurants, the central quarter of Paris is well worth a visit. From the famous rue Montorgueil leading from Chatalet Les Halles all the way up-to Montmartre to the small historical side streets – there’s a lot to discover in this tiny district.
Where to Eat in the 2nd Arrondissement in Paris
This guide lists my favourite spots in the area to eat at and in no particular order. I’ve chosen a variety of different cuisines and price points and this will be updated regularly!
Aux Crus de Bourgogne
You’ll find Aux Crus de Bourgogne just off the famous rue Montorgueil and this cracking traditionally French restaurant is well worth a visit. Started in 1932, this historical restaurant specialises in the grand classics from the Burgundy region in France. You’ll find oeufs en meurette (red wine poached eggs with bacon and mushrooms) and Burgundy snails – both are incredible. There’s other French classics too such as an awesome steak frites which is a beef tenderloin covered in a punchy peppercorn sauce. Their wine list is also superb!
What to know before you visit
- Expect to spend around €60-70 per person
- It’s not service-continu (non-stop service)
- You can book online
- They’re English speaking friendly
Address: 3 Rue Bachaumont, 75002
Tel: 01 42 33 48 24
Website: http://www.auxcrusdebourgogne.com/
Bambou
Bambou is a fantastic Thai restaurant serving up authentic and refined Thai classics. Yes it’s on the flashier side and yes it’s more expensive than other Thai restaurants in the city but it’s consistently good and you’ll actually taste some chilli heat! I’d recommend sharing some of their entrees – the crispy calamari with green peppercorns and basil is fantastic as is their ever-reliable satay skewers. Their main list is awesome with modern Thai dishes like scallops with a red curry emulsion and canette (female duck breast) with lemongrass and red pepper sauce. They’ve also got all the classics like Pad Thai, Green & Red and Massaman Beef curry. Be warned that their curries are hot which, personally, I love!
What to know before you visit
- Expect to spend around €60 per person
- Open every day of the week for lunch and dinner
- You can book online
Address: 23 Rue des Jeuneurs, 75002
Tel: 01 40 28 98 30
Website: https://www.bambouparis.fr
Gallopin
Just next to the Bourse metro station (and the old bank itself!) you’ll find Gallopin, a superb newly-renovated French brasserie. First opened in 1876, this typically Parisian restaurant isn’t going anywhere and has been recently restored with a modern, open kitchen. The food covers all the classics that you’d expect from a French bistro – steak au poivre (which is excellent), steak tartare, provencal scallops and a very good miso salmon. During the summer they have a great outside terrace which is perfect for dining in the sun.
What to know before you visit
- Expect to spend around €70 per person
- Open every day of the week for lunch and dinner
- You can book online
Address: 40 Rue Notre Dame des Victoires, 75002
Tel: 01 42 36 45 38
Website: https://gallopin.com
Dalmata
Just off on the rue Montorgueil on a charming side street, you’ll find a gem of an Italian pizzeria – Dalmata. Now this isn’t any old dull Italian restaurant, this super modern (and very pink!) pizzeria pumps out some seriously good Neapolitan style pies. The high-hydration pizza dough is made in-house and fermented meaning it’s a lot easier to digest. They have the traditional pizzas you’d expect (Margherita for €12) but also some more modern styles. My favourite is their Cruella Devil pizza with spicy salmi and caramelised onions.
What to know before you visit
- Expect to spend around €12-18 per person
- You can’t reserve
Address: 8 Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Website: https://www.gruppodalmata.com
L’Entente
On the western edge of the 2nd arrondissement, just next to the Quatre-Septembre you’ll find an awesome British (yes, that’s right) brasserie. It’s a fantastic spot to get classics (pies, fish and chips, Welsh rarebit to name a few) from my home country, in a modern Paris-meets-London environment. The food, although slightly pricy, is very well done and it reminds me of the high-end gastro-pubs in the UK. There’s British beer on tap and they’ve, of course, got a great French wine menu. They’re open for brunch at weekends and on Sunday evenings they serve (and something I miss a a lot) roast beef & chicken.
What to know before you visit
- Expect to spend around €60 per person
- Open every day of the week for lunch and dinner
- Open from 9am for brunch on weekends
- You can book online
Address: 13 Rue Monsigny, 75002
Tel: 01 47 42 92 35
Website: https://lentente.paris
Riha Durum
Back to the rue Montorgueil, you’ll find a really amazing Kurdish sandwich restaurant. On the cheaper side of options on this list, Riha Durum to grilled-to-order wraps which are super flavourful. It’s one of my go-to options in the area when I want something flavourful and that won’t break the bank. I always go for their lamb sandwich which consists lamb piece (grilled over a charcoal BBQ) mixed with fresh salad. The charcoal imparts an awesome smokey BBQ flavour onto the meat and is something that’s rare to find in the city. At only €10.5 for the lamb and €9 for the chicken option, it’s a great cheap eat. They have a limited amount of seating inside and a few seats outside.
What to know before you visit
- Expect to spend between €9-15 per person
- Closed on Sundays
- Limited seating inside if the weather’s not great
Address: 1 Rue des Petits Carreaux, 75002
Website: https://www.instagram.com/riha_durum/
