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Paris is full of restaurants that offer Christmas meals. From luxurious meals offering French Christmas classics like capon (roast chicken), red wine, and buche de noel (Yule Log cake) for dessert, or even a super casual grab-and-go falafel while walking the crowded streets of Le Marais, there are a number of ways to enjoy a meal in Paris on Christmas and Christmas Eve.
The following five options have our seal of approval.
Part of the recent revival of the bouillon—a hearty French meal and bottle of wine at affordable prices—Bouillon Julien has been turning out classic French food since the turn of the 20th century.
Located not far from the Strasbourg-Saint Denis metro stop in the hip 10th arrondissement, the restaurant’s carte des fetes (holiday menu) has everything from parmentier of duck leg with truffle oil to a fricassée of capon leg for the main course, with options of a starter of pumpkin soup and a dessert of creamy caramelized chocolate pie.
And all of this for a reasonable price that won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for an affordable option, Bouillon Julien is one of the best restaurants to pick for your Christmas meal in Paris.
For a classic French meal at a steeper price, head to Montmartre’s La Bonne Franquette for Christmas Eve dinner. This reveillon meal could definitely be shared, as it comes with salmon, blood sausage and duck, as well as, half a bottle of Bordeaux and half a bottle of Champagne.
Be prepared, however, as the local crowd will most likely break out into Christmas songs.
Nothing screams Christmas in France like Alsace. The eastern French region is home to the first-ever Christmas market, as well as a number of German-sounding holiday specialties like flammekueche and kougelhopf.
Luckily you won’t have to go all the way to Strasbourg or Colmar to get a taste of these holiday treats. L’Alsace, on the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, is open for business on Christmas Eve/Day. To really get in the Alsacien holiday spirit, you might also want to ask for some vin chaud (mulled wine).
Insider’s Tip: Make note of the best christmas markets in Paris and take time to visit them (before or after you feast).
One neighborhood where you’ll likely find a lot of restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Paris? Le Marais.
Paris’s traditional Jewish quarter has a number of options for Middle Eastern food (and more), but L’As du Falafel (Rue des Rosiers, 34 ) may be the classic.
If you don’t mind waiting in line, grab a falafel and sit in the Place des Vosges (weather permitting), or grab a spot inside to enjoy any number of Israeli sandwiches, dishes, and sides. And try some Israeli wine, while you’re at it.
Perhaps one of the most stunning restaurants in the entire city of Paris, with gilded walls, magnificent chandeliers and renaissance artwork in every corner, Le Train Bleu is located on the second floor of the Gare de Lyon train station.
Like the luxurious environment, the Christmas Eve menu is fit for a king, consisting of a mise en bouche, starter, fish main dish, trou normand (a sort of calvados-based appetizer that comes in between main dishes), meat main dish, and dessert. It’s pricey, but it will no doubt be an unforgettable meal.
Staying in Paris for a bit longer? Ring in the New Year with a decadent Parisian meal, too.
Update Notice: This post was updated on January 27, 2024.
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