6 Lively Paris Restaurants: Where to Go For a Festive Night Out

In the past, there was a bigger divide between bars and restaurants in Paris. Restaurants had a more subdued ambiance dedicated to enjoying a meal, while festive times and music were reserved for bars. However, habits are changing, and more Parisians are looking for a venue that combines the best of both these worlds. Enjoy a great night out at one place at these new festive restaurants in Paris that offer excellent cuisine, top-quality drinks, and fun vibes.

Bonne Heure

Located on the most buzzing square in South Pigalle, Bonne Heure offers a fantastic modern take on the bistro du quartier, or neighborhood bistro. Come at lunch for classic French dishes with a contemporary twist, or in the evening, the terrace overflows with hip locals sipping on addictive cocktails and nibbling on creative tapas. My go-to cocktail is the Spicy Cactus, which goes exceptionally well with their hummus with zaatar and is served with a deep-fried egg and grilled squid with chimichurri.

Le Stock

If you’re looking for a place to gather friends together in the Opera district, book a table at Le Stock. A clever nod to the nearby former Stock Exchange of Paris, the restaurant was created by four friends, and the venue almost feels like you’re been invited over to a Parisian friend’s apartment – and a fun one. Spread over several rooms, it has cool red neon lighting, stylish art objects, and large tables for groups. When I went on a Wednesday, the ambiance was surprisingly hopping. Inspired by the Mediterranean, the menu has new items every week, but I loved the zucchini fritter with citrus ricotta, padron sauce, and hazelnuts, the tangy kohlrabi ravioli, and the decadent fondant au chocolat cake.

Carlota

This sleek Mexican-French fusion restaurant in South Pigalle is both romantic and festive. It’s got intimate candle-lit tables in the back section and an open area around the bar where locals pop in for a drink. The perfect place to start a night out in this lively part of Paris, the staff adds just the right amount of fiesta to the food, cocktails, and ambiance. I loved roasted cauliflower with roasted pepper sauce and portobellos stuffed with beans, corn, and cheddar, and my friend had a succulent plate of moscovado ribs with patatas bravas and salsa verde.

Dame

You can blend inventive seasonal cuisine and a retro vibe at this excellent restaurant in the 9th arrondissement and a short walk from Sacré-Coeur. The little sister of the renowned restaurant, Bonhomme, here at Dame you’ll find similar exquisitely prepared bistronomie cuisine. Amazing seasonal ingredients go into dishes like beetroot carpaccio and beef tataki with fennel, but no matter what you order, don’t miss out on their signature dessert, the surprisingly light pistachio donuts. Around 9 pm, the tempo picks up when the record player spins 1970s hits.

Magdalena

If you’re looking for a chic atmosphere with festive vibes, head to this new stylish brasserie in Place de la Madeleine. On either side of the swank bar are intimate sitting areas with white tablecloths, candelabras, and wispy plants. With different sections, it’s also possible to bring larger groups together for birthdays or events. The menu has refined dishes, such as deviled eggs with truffles, foie gras on homemade brioche, gourmet salads, and richer Chateaubriand steak and duck breast. During the week, it’s calmer and I think the ambiance is very romantic, but on weekends, the ambiance heats up with regular live music nights.

Journey

Well-located in the Montorgueil neighborhood, by day, this airy restaurant serves great brunch fare, coffee, and snacks, and by night, the cocktails get shaking, small plates are whipped up, and the ambiance picks up. In addition to two levels of table seating, it has a fantastic lounge that feels like you’re in a glamorous yurt, which you can privatize for special occasions. I went for a friend’s birthday and we feasted on roasted leeks with egg mimosa, “cacio e pepe” style pizzetta, grilled feta with thyme and honey, and salmon gravlax. The mixologist created fabulous custom cocktails to suit our tastes, and we finished off with a rich chocolate mousse with salted peanuts.

Addresses:

Bonne Heure – 25 rue de Douai, 75009 Paris

Le Stock – 88 rue de Richelieu, 75002 Paris

Carlota – 57 Rue Notre Dame de Lorette, 75009 Paris

Dame – 38 rue Condorcet, 75009 Paris

Magdalena – 16 place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris

Journey – 44 rue des Petits Carreaux, 75002 Paris