This place was recommended to me by a coworker who used to live in Paris. It is pretty close to the Notre Dame cathedral, so the fact it was walking distance was perfect after a long day of touristing. It is tucked away on a mini side street off two big streets. Major plus number 1: the woman who seemed to be in charge (and the only one working besides the chefs) was incredibly friendly and helpful. I came here with my dad and neither of us know any French (bit that didn't stop us from trying). She helped us find the English menu and allowed us to come and sit for lunch-- even though it was before they were actually open. She seemed to appreciate our feeble attempts to speak the language, and helped us order our meal in French. That was awesome because now we can actually order food without looking like complete idiots. Major plus number 2: the cheese ravioli dauphine (I'm pretty sure that's how it's spelled). The food was really good, and I'll hit on that later, but these raviolis were heaven. They are appetizer size and come out BUBBLING in cheese. To be honest we weren't really sure if they were raviolis because of how much cheese was smothered on top... So when we dug in it was magic. The raviolis were really tiny, which was cute, and they were cooked to perfection. I'm not kidding you, I wish I got it for my actually lunch and for dessert. So. Freaking. Tasty. We got sea bass in a vanilla sauce accompanied with veggies as well as chicken and homemade mashed potatoes. The sea bass was very light and yummy and the vanilla sauce (which seemed weird at first) really paired nicely with the fish. The chicken was tasty, even though it was mostly white meat (I'm a dark meat kind of gal) and the mashed potatoes were fantastic! I was so full after eating that I didn't even have room for dessert... And I always eat dessert. Overall this place was wonderful. It is cute and quaint, a bit off the beaten path, super friendly wait staff, and absolutely wonderful food. Our meal, with a bottle of water, came out to just about 70€, which is (to me) a bit pricy for lunch... HOWEVER, it was totally worth it, and I look forward to coming back here ASAP. read more

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My favorite bistro meal in Paris during our recent trip, likely owing to our entrée choices. Le Petit Pontoise is tucked away into a side street not far from Nôtre Dame or the river Seine. Its location is in close proximity to a number of popular tourist attractions, as well as Le Quartier Latin and St. Germain-des-Prés, if you don't mind a little bit of walking. I highly recommend taking a nice long stroll after your heavy meal here, if the weather allows. We made a reservation a few weeks in advance via our hotel concierge, so I cannot speak to how hard it is to get a table here. We did go on a Thursday night in the springtime at 8pm, and by 8:30pm the place was full. As mentioned in other reviews, the woman who is in charge here is efficient but not overbearing. I loved the atmosphere in Le Petit Pontoise because it was casual and cottage-like, while still maintaining a lot of class. It's not the most romantic of places - perfect for a group of friends or family to eat some home-cooked food and linger over dessert. We started, as we always did, with two glasses of champagne. It's such a perfect way to start a meal - I never realized prior to our recent trip to France how a single glass of champagne can really set the excitement, anticipation and tone of the meal. It's a signal that the time to relax has come. It's a sign of celebration. Try it for yourself and you'll be a fan, I'm sure! Our starters were the roasted Camembert and cheesy ravioli. Both were spectacular. Really, how can you go wrong with a quality block of Camembert (with just the right hint of bitter) roasted in the oven until warm and gooey? The ravioli was also wonderful, certainly the best version of "mac and cheese" I've ever had. As a warning, it does come out very hot, so you'll have to wait for it to cool. But the marrying of cheeses in a way that is palatable but not overwhelming is commendable. The roux underneath the melted cheese was also perfect and the ravioli were not overcooked. It seems like a very simple dish, but often these are the hardest to master because there is no complexity to hide mistakes. My main dish was the favorite that I had in over 9 days in France: the pig stew. It was sweet but savory and served in a mini casserole dish. It reminded me of something that would be served in Quebec or French Canada, simply because of how hearty it was. It was clearly a family recipe of some sort, and it was delicious -- the pork fell apart but was not desiccated and I was so glad to have some bread on the side to mop up the gravy. My husband had duck breast and foie gras over mashed potatoes -- the ultimate in comfort food. Full of flavor but not heavy-handed The beauty of this place is that the atmosphere, service and food do not feel forced. You don't feel like it's a big production. Our meal took under 2 hours, which, by French standards, was such a welcome relief, because we actually had time to take a walk and enjoy part of the night once it was over! Simple, home-cooked, relaxing and pleasant. And quite affordable at that! read more

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We've been to Paris twice for a total of 9 nights, and this is our favorite restaurant. Small, but cozy. Warm, hospitable staff. Great variety on menu, and offers many traditional (lamb, beef, chicken) but with a modern, new take. Every. Single. Item we ordered was great. We brought our kids (10 + 4) and they enjoyed the menu and didn't find it too modern for their somewhat restricted palate. We had the lamb, the filet, and two chicken. The beet salad, the warm goat cheese, and lots of bread. It was fabulous. read more

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Great food and service! You must get the escargot here and the fish with vanilla sauce. Staff here gladly recommends wines to go with your meal and they were great recommendations. Will come here again when I visit Paris! read more

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We couldn't have enjoyed this restaurant more for our final night in Paris. It is located one block from our apartment. We went on a Friday night without a reservation (but I wouldn't advise it after 8:30). The staff were attentive and helpful particularly the man behind the bar. My wife ate the Camembert starter with the rack of lamb. I had the snails and the duck breast. The snails was the best dish I ate in Paris all week as was the bread. My wife's rack of lamb was a close second. Compared to the family style comfort food we'd been eating most of the week, this was more of a gourmet meal. We paired our meal with a bottle of 2011 Givry La Grande Berge. My wife finished with the creme brulee. The bill came to 157 euros, a price easy to achieve in this excellent restaurant. read more

Le Petit Pontoise - Menu at Le Petit Pontoise - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

Wonderful meal. Perfect ambiance. Very very nice service from Boom. Quail was exceptional Chicken with mashed delicious Ravioli appetizer to die for. Boom recommended a very nice wine and the Amadeus chocolate was a perfect ending. We will be back read more

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Excellent food. Very nice people. Tiny place, friendly. Fair prices. Full bar. Ravioli appy great.

Ate here with a large group on Thursday night, and we weren't disappointed. The food was simple, but very good. We enjoyed the appetizer pasta, the camembert and the "artichoke" tart (which was actually eggplant, not artichoke, but was delicious). I agree with another reviewer that the camembert is sharing-sized, although the menu didn't clarify. For our mains we had duck, beef fillet and the fish with vanilla sauce. All were delicious. I personally appreciated that we received a larger portion of vegetables than had been typical of my meals in France (no mashed potatoes...perhaps they've changed that in response to earlier reviews). However, they were steamed and slightly overcooked - the meat or fish was definitely the star of each dish. Service was incredibly friendly and gracious, even when we spilled a bottle of wine. Overall, although this wasn't my favorite meal in Paris, it was excellent, and I highly recommend this restaurant if you're in the area. read more

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Absolutely divine!!! We contacted the restaurant owner/ manager- Jonathan before traveling from NYC to Paris, to request reservation. And boy, were we glad? It was the best meal we had during the entire trip, including the 3 Michelin 'Alleno Paris'. Next time we visit Paris (and visit we do every few years), we are coming back to Le Petit. Must order: 1. Millefeuille of Goat cheese & beets (best!!) 2. Home made fois grass with figs 3. Sea Bass roasted with vanilla sauce (must have..we have never had this good sauce- its like crack!) Finally, the duck was also good. Thanks Jonathan for your hospitality, especially to our little dog that the restaurant allowed us to bring. Merci beaucoup!! read more

Le Petit Pontoise - Goat Cheese & Beets- fantastic appetizer! - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

One of my favorite restaurants I keep going back. Very traditional French cuisine, everything On the menu is really good, I always have the escargot here because it's so good, better than most places. It's a small husband and wife restaurant, very nice people. Better to reserve as it's a very small place. read more

It was my second visit to this quaint little restaurant and I was pleased. I had escargot and baked Camembert. Escargot was delicious cooked with garlic and much butter. The Camembert cheese was nutty and creamy. As a main course, I had the duck fillet cooked medium and simmered pork cheek that was cooked to perfection. Warning, the pork will take a while, but well worth the wait. I washed all this down with a simple but delicious red wine. Make reservations because without it, you're likely to be turned away. Only bad thing was that the man who took my order did not ask how I wanted my duck and I had to chase him down to tell him. Since this is the only thing I can think of that was less than satisfactory, this place was pretty great. read more

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This is why I usually don't eat at "authentic" french bistros. They look like places that have been there forever, and they serve food that maybe once was really good but now has lost its greatness. We chose two main courses and no starter since we had a late lunch, the staff seemed very displeased with that. They weren't very friendly, to be honest. They just threw bread on the table and did not bother to serve us the main courses at the same time. We had duck and veal. The meat was ok, but the sauce was boring, mine had even taste of something (too much) burned. The meat was accompanied by mashed potatoes and this was a sad story. Absolutely no taste. I do it much better myself. Le petit Pontoise is a tourist trap that serves food made without love for cooking. Don't go there! read more

Le Petit Pontoise - Canard - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

This restaurant from the excellent servers, with their smiles, their kind service to the excellent food was absolutely outstanding. We ate their twice because the entrees to the plats were that delicious...foie gras, baked shrimp, beet salad, fish, and the quail, just to list a few. When we are back to Paris, to the Quartier Latin, we will not hesitate to make reservations here again. read more

What a fabulous find of a restaurant. The server was friendly and so helpful with helping me navigate the menu for gluten free options. The wine selection was vast and reasonably priced. We started with a beet and goat cheese Mille-feuille (no pastry but named for the way it was layered). Beautifully presented with multi coloured beets and an olive oil and fruit vinegar reduction then sprinkled with basil. I followed this with the entrecôte which arrived, hot and sizzling with roasted vegetables and a rich demi . The beef was perfectly cooked and well complimented by the demi. My partner had the roast chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. My own vegetables were delicious but the smooth, creamy and buttery potatoes on his plate had my fork reaching over to keep stealing more. I found this little gem via Yelp and it was worth the weary trek to a different arrondissement across the river after a busy day in the city! read more

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We were in Paris for work and were looking for a solid place to eat. As we swiped through the available listings on Yelp, Le Petit Pointoise came up. Taking a look at the reviews, we absolutely had to go. It did not disappoint. The wine selection is fantastic, the staff are incredibly helpful, and the food was absolutely delicious. They were able to accommodate our large party of 8 so the atmosphere was set up for success. We started off with a few bottles of wine and some appetizers. All delicious. Then came time for the main course. Let me tell you, if you're looking for an amazing duck dish in France (because why not) you are doing yourself a disservice but not going to Le Petit Pontoise. A-ma-zing. There's a good chance that if they weren't closing for the night, I would have sat there through the night until the next meal. Delicious. read more

Had a very nice lunch here with wonderful service. Ate the foie gras appetizer, the duck entree, and tart tain. All were very good, but not outstanding. Overall, 8.5 or a 9 on food quality. Recommended. read more

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We have eaten in many restaurants in the USA and all over Europe. We found this place by accident because it was 2 blocks from our accommodations. There were r of us my wife and our 2 adult children and my son-in-law. These were the best meals we have ever had in our lives! Friendly warm service, lovely atmosphere, and on our first night there they accommodated us to get us in. We are hoping to return to Paris next year and we will stay near Le Petie Pontoise, to enjoy many more exceptional experiences, read more

Yes, the tables are packed close together, so expect to get cozy with the neighboring table. Why not, this isn't America where everyone expects large portions and a lot of space. Yes, I heard nearly every table around me speaking English. Tourist trap..yes, it seems. But when I consider the food itself, it was very good. What we ordered: -escargot with herb butter sauce: The escargot came in a small pot filled with light green sauce. Delicious especially with the bread dipped in it. About 12-14 pieces. -mini raviolis: rich dish but oh-so-good. Bechamel-like sauce and the top was lightly browned. I couldn't tell the filling in the raviolis but they were really good. -scallops with vegetables: sorry I don't remember the name of this dish, but it was really good. The broth/sauce was amazing and light, full of seafood flavor. The scallops and vegetables were cooked perfectly. -shredded duck breast and fois gras and mashed potatoes: great portion. The fois gras had nice outer flavoring of the sauce and inside of the fois gras had a buttery texture and flavor.The richness was nicely set off by the leaner shredded duck. The mashed potatoes were basic. The brown sauce, which was strong, went well with the simply cooked/flavored duck. Overall a great dining experience. The entire time, I enjoyed the wonderful smells of food cooking in the kitchen. A nice find. read more

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Quaint little restaurant with good food. Nothing fancy here. The wine list is on chalkboards on the wall by region. The wine is stored at room temperature, so a little warm. The fresh seared foi gras was quite nice as a starter. There was no rabbit which I wanted to try in their "grandmother's recipe". Rack of lamb portion was quite small mainly because it was from a very small animal. The taste was great. It's a tight fit in this place but the food is fine. It is quite casual and doesn't try to be anything else. read more

Le Petit Pontoise - Seared foi gras to start - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

Food here is wonderful. The place is a little small and the tables very close to one another, so don't expect too much intimacy. With that being said, definitely check out this place. I had the sea bass fillet and duck terrine. Delicious! read more

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We are in Paris for a total of two weeks and have already come to Le Petit Pontoise twice in our first week! We discovered the joys of this very casual, warm and friendly spot near the Seine three years ago on a previous visit to Paris and couldn't wait to return. We were so happy to experience the same wonderfully prepared food and lovely greeting and service as before. Some of our favorite dishes include: First course: Artichoke and Eggplant Tart Tatin...scrumptious. Duck Terrine...heaven on a plate. Grilled Langostines...divine. Second course: Sole in Butter and Lemon...fresh and delicious beyond words. Beef Filet...amazingly savory sauce. Roasted Chicken...done to juicy perfection. Third course: Tart Tatin...not too sweet and completely delicious. Excellent wine choices, too. Reading other reviews of Le Petit Pontoise, I suspect everything on the menu is delicious. This is definitely a favorite place for us which I now highly recommend to you! read more

This place was PACKED. They moved us from our table in order to fit more people in. It felt like we were part of a living jigsaw puzzle. The food was good and the service was efficient and charming. read more

Went here for Gillian's birthday and we were thrilled The food was great but more importantly Boom (?) our hostess waitress was fun and fantastic. Yes, a guy at an adjoining table stood up in the middle of our dinner and yelled at us for being too loud. He was probably right but everyone around was offended by his loud complaint. We asked Boom to send the complainer and his wife a couple of cognacs from us as a peace offering but Boom refused. Twice. She brought champagne at the end and it was great. We made fast friends with the couple next to us (from Freiburg Germany) which also vastly enhanced the evening. Way fun. Way good. read more

Le Petit Pontoise - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

Went here as a recommendation from a friend and it did not disappoint. It is, however, on thr higher end in terms of price but totally worth it for the quality and quantity of food you'll be getting. I had the escargot for starter and the sauce was so creamy and savoury. For entree i had duck with fried foie gras and i had multiple mouth-orgasms. The foie gras was crunchy yet melted in my mouth - and i normally don't like duck but this was different. I had creme brulee for dessert, and it was okay compared to the predecessors. Great staff and friendly service. Go here if you want delicious and authentic French cuisine! read more

Walk into this tiny Saint Germain / Latin quarter restaurants and be treated by two little women one French one Korean. Very helpful and accommodating . We had delicious food we wanted to lick the plate. This was a delicious dinning experience. read more

We chose this place for our last night in Paris. Everything we ordered was spot on! The roasted shrimp starter was delicious and just the right size serving, even for 2 people to share. The duck I ordered (can't remember the exact name of the dish) was really, really good! We will definitely come back here on our next trip to Paris. read more

Le Petit Pontoise - Magret de canard aux pommes - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

I ate here over a year ago and the food was amazed. I enjoyed every sip from the glass of champagne we order to start thru to the last bite of dessert. I plan to visit this sweet bistro every time I go to Paris. I can hardly wait for the next time! read more

Another favorite bistro of mine with lovely ambiance, delicious food and excellent service. The duck is absolutely superb. I also love the pan roasted foie gras. If you're adventurous, try the pig cheeks which are magnificent. The mashed potatoes and parmesan ravioli appetizer are delicious. read more

Le Petit Pontoise - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

Affordable and very American-friendly. This place is near Notre-Dame, but definitely doesn't have a touristy feel with its sidewalk cafe-style tables. Also, the food is amazing and memorable by many standards. Would definitely return next time we're in Paris. read more

Le Petit Pontoise - Bistros Near Me - Paris, 75

You really can't beat this restaurant. The food is excellent, the wine selection is superb, and the staff are friendly and helpful. If you are near Notre Dame or in the Latin Quarter, definitely treat yourself to a meal here! read more

This place is a true gem. The experience was so fantastic we ate there two nights in a row. Bom our server was super friendly and efficient. The Duck Parmenteir was absolutely delicious - it is a base of mashed potatoes, topped with melt in your mouth duck with an amazing top layer of fried fois gras. The pork cheek was also incredible. We also had the 7-hour lamb which was very good. read more

We came to Le Petit Pontoise because of the recommendation of a friend of a friend who received the same recommendation from Mark Bittman of the NYT. It was by far the most amazing meal we had on our entire honeymoon! We had to wait a little longer than expected, but the owner brought us two glasses of champagne to enjoy while we waited out in the beautiful Parisian night. The wait was worth it, as we were seated at a romantic corner table. We ordered a bottle of wine--no glasses here, but it wasn't too much work to finish it over the course of our amazing meal. My husband and I each ordered the escargot as an appetizer (entree, to the French) and we were so glad we did! The creamy, garlicy sauce was heavenly. For my main course, I had their duck with pan-fried foie gras and mashed potatoes. It was one of the most amazing things I've put in my mouth. The mister got the rack of lamb with minted bread crumbs and roasted veggies. Also incredible. We made a conscious effort to eat slowly and savor every last bit of this amazing dinner. It's also worth noting that while I can read some, we don't speak a lick of French passed the basic greetings. We were able to order with no problem and everyone was beyond helpful. The next time we have the opportunity to go to Paris, we will absolutely be making a stop by this wonderful gem of a restaurant. read more

Another wonderful bistro with a family-like feel. For the non-French speaking, English was not an issue here. What nicely sets this one apart from others was the ability to order a bottle of wine, watch them open it, and then only charge us for what we drank. With our well-priced 37 euro prix fixe, we (2 of us) had the following: Starters: Foie with apple chutney -- expertly served and delicious Snails -- served warm in a pungent herb butter sauce. The snails are served out of the shell and with mushrooms, which was a nice touch. Mains: Sea bream -- simply prepared, although it was a little dry Rabbit -- served in a, this was a very nice and heart warming dish. The leg and thigh were perfectly cooked and full of flavor Dessert/Cheese: Souffle -- as rich and as fluffy as I have ever tasted. Cheese -- a pre-selected plate of three cheeses and accompaniments. While I would have preferred to have selected the cheeses, we were provided a broad representation of styles. If you are looking for a nice little place near Saint Germain Des Pres, this is a good choice. Although it was not packed at lunch, I would suggest a reservation just to avoid being shut out and certainly recommend a reservation for dinner. PS, if you have a child, I did see they had a "Parisian" hamburger on the menu. read more

This restaurant was recommended by a friend of mine who comes to Paris several times per year. She said it was one of her favorite restaurants in the city. We went here with a couple of American friends on Thanksgiving for a decidedly UnAmerican Thanksgiving dinner. It was perfect. The room is small, yet very warm and cozy and filled with incredible food smells. The wine list isn't overly extensive, but each wine featured is special and excellent. We had the Chateau Neuf de Pape and a Cote du Rhone -- both were FANTASTIC. The owner is adorable and efficient and everyone who works there is the same. Great food and incredible service. I had L'Escargots and seriously could have eaten them all night. They are served in a tiny copper pot and the little shelled snails are boiling away in the most decadent garlic, herb, butter and cream sauce along with some mushrooms. Best escargots I've ever eaten. I had the Steak au Poivre for an entree and it was cooked to perfection. Boyfriend had the scallops and he really loved them. We had the Creme Brulee for dessert and the top was caramelized just right (so you had to "crack" it to dive into the velvety custard beneath). This was truly one of our best meals in Paris (and maybe, during our entire trip!). read more

I have no idea what the reviewer who commented that this was a tourist trap with a capital T (or was it two capital Ts?) was talking about...? Must have been there on an off night. My mother and I just went this evening and it was AMAZING. We were the only English speakers there but the waiters speak it well. It was mostly French families, a few couples, and a group of women from the neighborhood getting together. Nice wine selection and absolutely delicious escargot which came in a butter herb sauce with mushrooms and bread--not your typical restuffed shell ordeal. We had the pig cheek stew which, if you like pork belly or short ribs, is amazing, and then the sea bass in a vanilla parsley cream sauce. Very memorable dinner. Bottle of wine, pre-dinner champagne, two appetizers, and two entrees all came to about 66 euros per person. The staff was lovely and attentive. Definitely go for the escargot and the sea bass if you go! read more

Based on a rating from Yelp, a friend and I dropped in at around 7 PM on a Friday. The place was empty when we arrived, except for a single man waiting for the rest of his group. We were asked whether we had a reservation which seems d a bit superfluous, given the deserted nature of the place when we arrived; later the question made a bit more sense. At any rate, were offered a seat wherever we liked. The host/owner(?) gave us English menus and told us of the specials - pumpkin soup, pork chops, and, for desert, creme caramel. The menu was interesting, but we defaulted to the chef's recommendations. We ordered a burgundy from the higher end of the price range. Every single thing was superb. The pumpkin soup was easily an order of magnitude better than the one we had tried at lunch two days ago - more piquant and with better texture. The pork chops were crispy but succulent, smothered in a brown gravy/sauce and absolutely delicious. The vegetable accompaniment was artfully presented and delicious. The wine was a real winner. I succumbed to the cheese plate and then concluded with the creme caramel. The food was simple and absolutely delicious - A+ for presentation, A++ for taste. The wine was perfect. The service was gracious and attentive, with many smiles and no waiting for anything. I cannot think of a single thing that could have been improved upon. The price was more than fair, and I would not have grumbled even if it had been substantially higher. This was a fantastic experience, and I would wholeheartedly recommend the place. read more

We loved this spot. Great food. Great service. Could have been the best meal of our trip if you include the food and the service provided. Right in the heart of the Latin Quarter. They take all cards. A must visit. Reservations are recommended but you may be able to slip in before 7. Wonderful varied menu of organic and locally procured items. And if you order a bottle of wine they will charge you for what you drank (we drank the whole bottle). Every course was great. read more

I hate to spoil the party, but this is a Tourist Trap with a capital T (two capital T's, in fact). Hint: if the place is packed yet you can't hear a single person speaking French, it's likely a touristy place. I didn't even hear any non-English, non-American accented people. One drunk patron, who was far from atypical, loudly asked the waiter where the nearest karaoke bar was. Anyway, touristy places in themselves aren't that bad, but this place fully qualifies for the second T. The food is fine, but definitely not spectacular and definitely not worth the price. Yes, Paris is an expensive city, but it's not as expensive as Le Petit Pontoise. You can get better food for less money at many, many other places. Next on the tourist trap checklist: the wait is incredible. Again, it's expected that the service in Paris is not up to par with that of other countries, especially America where waiters work for their tips. But we waited an hour and 20 minutes for our food after we placed our order! We had almost walked out waiting about 20 minutes to order, but a waiter came over just as we were about to leave. Little did we know that that was only the beginning. There's a nice sign on the wall that says, in French, that the food is made to order so please be patient. I'm patient but an hour and 40 minutes is not acceptable, even for upscale dining in Paris. And we both ordered fish, which cooks quickly! Save your time and money and dine elsewhere. Only tourists come here. read more

My friend sent me a recommendation for Itineraires, the uber-posh and scene-y restaurant down the block. We went on a whim without a reservation [gasp] and were swiftly turned away at the door. Thankfully. We walked down the block to this quaint restaurant with outdoor seating and an upscale maritime decor. They welcomed us sans advanced notice, the service was non-condescending, even almost friendly. The entire meal was incredible with all-stars being the escargot crock appetizer and the dynamite lava cake. I will be returning next time I'm in town. read more

Bad;environment -air conditioning does not work -way, way too tight seating -filled with American tourists Bad; food -bass with vanilla sauce tastes like fish topped with vanilla ice cream. Just awful -pork cheeks cooked correctly and a good cut of meat but too sweet -asparagus over cooked and served with another sweet sauce that is better served with Chinese egg rolls -beets served with same weird red sauce -cheap wine marked up. 8 euro wine cost 32 euros. -Tarte tarting tasted frozen Good Friendly service Over priced bad French food. Avoid at all costs. read more