Skip to main content

Bistronomy: Gastronomic Cuisine Meets Casual Dining

The revolutionary restaurant concept conquering Paris
Glassware on tables in bistro.
October 14, 2020
If you love good food but don’t like the pretention that often goes along with gastronomic culture, bistronomy is for you. This Parisian restaurant concept is all about high-quality meals in a comfortable atmosphere, and at an affordable price. Read on to learn more about this pillar of Parisian foodie culture and to find a few of our suggestions for where to taste test it for yourself!

This post may contain sponsored or affiliate links.

I’m not telling you anything new when I say Paris is internationally renowned for its food scene, but have you heard of the bistronomy trend that has become a central piece of the Parisian culinary culture?

Combining the terms bistrot and gastronomy, the name alone almost says it all: bistronomy is all about bringing together the fresh, quality ingredients, simple but delicious recipes, and warm laid-back atmosphere of traditional bistros with the imperative discipline and technique of haute cuisine gastronomy.

In the early 90s, Yves Camdeborde, then a promising young Chef learning the ropes in the kitchens of a Parisian palace, decided to open his first restaurant La Régalade in the south end of Paris. Serving excellent bistro dishes at a very sweet price, his intention was to make fine dining affordable and accessible, “to democratize haute cuisine” for his gourmet customers. The concept was born, baptized bistronomy by food critic Stephane Demorand, and its success was immediate.

Yves Camdeborde's bistronomic restaurant Le Comptoir.
Yves Camdeborde’s bistronomic restaurant Le Comptoir in Saint Germain.

The tasty trend spread quickly, and it’s now quite a challenge to keep count of all the bistronomic restaurants around Paris.

Serving staples like poitrine de porc (pork belly), coquilles Saint-Jacques (scallops), as well as hearty, rustic vegetables, their menus are short and generally change daily or weekly according to what’s in season. Expect to pay 40-50€ per person for a full meal, including a glass of wine. But know that whatever you order, you really can’t go wrong!

Slate menu board in Paris bistro.

Have a Bistronomic Experience

Wondering where to taste test this Parisian culinary concept for yourself? Here are a few of our favorite bistronomic restaurants in Paris, selected for the quality of their products, the inventiveness of their cuisine, the reasonable prices, and the warm atmosphere.

Find more of our picks for high-quality cuisine in our Paris restaurant guide.

L’Ardoise, 28 Rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris

La Cantine du Troquet – 5 locations throughout Paris
79 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris
101 Rue de l’Ouest, 75014 Paris
53 Boulevard de Grenelle, 75015 Paris
89 Rue Daguerre, 75014 Paris
46 Rue Bayen, 75017 Paris

Le Mermoz, 6 Rue Jean Mermoz, 75008 Paris

Le Pantruche, 3 Rue Victor Massé, 75009 Paris

Le Radis Beurre, 51 Boulevard Garibaldi, 75015 Paris

Semilla, 54 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris

Le Troquet, 21 Rue François Bonvin, 75015 Paris


Want more Paris tips and tricks from local insiders? Join our free Urbansider Club to receive recommendations in your inbox and save your favorite places to your account!

Urbansider Paris Club logo white.
Want More Paris Insider Insights?
Create a Free Account to Receive More Tips & Picks

Join our free Urbansider Club to access personalized recommendationsdownloadable guides, and a monthly newsletter with the latest from Paris as well as our new top addresses and experiences. You’ll also be invited to our exclusive Urbansider events in Paris.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *