Like August, Christmas and New Year’s Eve can be tricky times for finding restaurants that are open in Paris. Luckily, there are a select few that will be open on Christmas Eve (when the French typically celebrate), Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Some may have special menus, while others will stick with their usual. Here are some options:
Jules Verne
What better way to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve than on the top of the Eiffel Tower? But if you want to dine at this one Michelin star restaurant, you better make your reservation quickly before they book up. They have a special Christmas Eve dinner menu, Christmas Day lunch menu, and New Year’s Eve dinner menu.
Le Coq & Fils
What used to be called Le Coq Rico is now Le Coq & Fils, the popular chicken restaurant across the road from the Moulin de la Galette in Montmartre. Special menu items for the holidays include a chapon gaulois (capon), pintade nubienne (guinea fowl), meatloaf, and a tarte de volaille à la truffe.
Martin
Martin is a buzzing all-day restaurant in the Canal Saint-Martin neighborhood. Their menus are committed to seasonal cuisine and the best local produce, featuring 100% French dishes with various veggie and vegan options, and spicy cocktails. They have a five-course Christmas Eve menu for 70€ as well as a five-course New Year’s Eve menu for 90€.
La Closerie des Lilas
Like Les Deux Magots, which is also open on Christmas Eve, La Closerie des Lilas was a popular haunt for famous writers and artists such as Verlaine, Hemingway, Picasso, and Gide. There is a restaurant, and a more affordable brasserie. Try the filet Hemingway or feast on one of their seafood platters.
Brasserie Thoumieux
This former Bouillon Chartier was bought in 1923 by Martial Thoumieux, who made it one of the must-visit addresses of the left bank. During summer this year, this traditional Parisian brasserie in the heart of the quartier des Invalides was revamped, complete with red velvet bench seats and green lamps.
Les Délices d’Aphrodite
If you feel like something other than French food, Les Délices d’Aphrodite is a tavern in the Latin Quarter serving up traditional Greek cuisine by the Mavrommatis brothers. There will be tzatziki, hummus, and Greek salad bien sûr, but also spanakopita, moussaka, souvlaki, and some baklava for dessert.
Bofinger
Emblematic Parisian brasserie Bofinger claims to serve up the best choucroute in the city. In addition to this winter favorite, other Alsatian specialities include flammenkueche, kougloff façon pain perdu (French toast-style kouglof) and forêt noire (Black Forest cake). You can also get seafood platters, and my personal favorite, soufflé au Grand Marnier.
Dessance
Located in a 17th-century private mansion in the Marais, Dessance is a gastronomic restaurant offering modern healthy food with seasonal vegetables, fruits and herbs, and drink pairings. They have an Irrésistible Végétarien menu and a Hédoniste Terre & Mer menu for Christmas. Not open on New Year’s Eve.
Related Links
- Read about how to celebrate a winter Christmas in Paris.
- Check out our French holiday gift guide.
- And, Sortiraparis’ guide to New Year’s Eve in Paris.
Written by Ali Postma for HiP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Haven In for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long-term or buy in France or Italy? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person (when possible)? Check out new marketplace shop and experiences.
