According to the legend, one evening, as Louis XV was getting hungry, he opened his pantry, but only found onions, butter, and champagne. He asked for something to be cooked using these three ingredients and that’s how the onion soup was supposedly created. Nowadays, the recipe for this onion soup is a classic of French cuisine, especially pleasurable during winter nights. We have picked for you the best restaurants to eat traditional onion soup in Paris.
Let’s start by putting them on the map:
Café de Flore
France Hotel Guide expert’s rating: 7.5/10
172 Boulevard Saint-Germain 75006 Paris
The Café de Flore is one of the oldest coffee shops in Paris and is known for its famous customers. Every day, Parisians and tourists alike line up to enjoy a snack or a full meal in this historical place.
Besides hot drinks and cakes, the restaurant also offers many courses to savor at lunch or dinner time.
In winter, you can get, one of the best onion soups in the capital. A tasty dish which you can enjoy in an atmosphere worthy of an old French movie.
And once you are done with your soup, it’s time to try out the coffee which made the place so popular.
Onion soup price: €16.50
What we like: The retro atmosphere which will have you go back in time to the old Paris.
More information on the official website
La Poule au Pot
France Hotel Guide expert’s rating: 8.5/10
9 rue Vauvilliers, 75001 Paris
La Poule au Pot, Chef Jean-François Piège’s restaurant, is a restaurant that specialized in French gastronomy and is located in the famous Quartier des Halles.
You will be able to savor the “gratinée à l’oignon des Halles” 365 days per year – both in Summer and in Winter – in a friendly and cozy atmosphere with its wooden furniture and flowery tapestry.
Onion soup price: €20 alone or as part of a menu at €60.
What we like: The restaurant provides a great choice of traditional French dishes in a retro setting
Reservation on La Poule au Pot (website in French)
Le Terminus Nord
France Hotel Guide expert’s rating: 8/10
23 rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris
Founded in 1925, Le Terminus Nord is a chic restaurant which offers a taste of the old Paris.
The dripping cheese in its onion soup will warm you up, in Winter. Enjoy the soup along with some seafood which made the restaurant famous.
You will be able to eat it as a part of a menu with seafood which the restaurant is known for such as Brittany oysters or lobster.
Le Terminus Nord offers non-stop service for a meal, whether by day or by night.
Onion soup price: €9.50 or as a part of a menu at €22.50
What we like: The non-stop service to enjoy the food at any hour
Check out the Terminus Nord’s website
La Jacobine
France Hotel Guide expert’s rating: 8/10
59-61 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Located in a historical pathway, La Jacobine offers French gastronomy in a unique setting with its frescos representing the French Revolution.
Among its specialties, you will find the famous onion soup which will melt on your tongue.
This restaurant often gets full so it is better to book in advance to be sure to be able to eat there.
Onion soup price: €10
What we like: the great choice of dishes and value for money
Reservation on La Jacobine website (in French)
Au Pied de Cochon
France Hotel Guide expert’s rating: 7.5/10
6 rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris
Au Pied de Cochon is a brewery with a several meters wide patio and located in the center of Paris’ first district.
Open seven days per week, the restaurant will serve delicious onion soup in the morning, noon and night. It is also the restaurant’s specialty.
Eating at Au Pied de Cochon will also give you two hours of free parking in the parking lot Saint-Eustache, something you will always appreciate if you know how hard parking, in Paris, at lunchtime, can be.
Onion soup price: €9.50
What we like: The two hours of free parking offered with your meal.
More information on the website
Le Bouillon Pigalle
France Hotel Guide expert’s rating: 8.5/10
22 boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris
At the Bouillon Pigalle, you will be able to try out one of the less expensive onion soups in Paris.
This institution offers traditional catering which will feel familiar and comforting with dishes such as onion soup or boeuf bourguignon.
The restaurant is hidden in a recess of the 18th district, far away from the capital’s hubbub.
Onion soup price: €3.80
What we like: The very small price of this delicious onion soup.
Check out the Bouillon Pigalle’s website
Bistrot des Vosges
France Hotel Guide expert’s rating: 9/10
31 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75004 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Located next to the Place des Vosges, the Bistrot des Vosges is one of the first names which come to mind when thinking about delectable onion soups.
This bistrot specialized in Auvergne and Aveyron dishes will bring you its soup in a bowl overflowing with cheese.
Onion soup price: €13.50.
What we like: The regional specialties which go with your soup.
Check out the Bistrot des Vosges’ menu (website in French)
Le Poulbot
France Hotel Guide expert’s rating: 9/10
3 Rue Poulbot, 75018 Paris
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Come in the Poulbot restaurant, in Montmartre, and eat this delicious restyled onion soup.
This restaurant has a fully wooden and refined decor and provides restyled French gastronomy which will be ideal to side with the onion soup. You will find dishes such as Poulbot salad or confit of duck.
Onion soup price: €12.50
What we like: The dishes combining modernity and tradition
Reservation on Le Poulbot’s website (in French)
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
