Late-night solo dining in Paris?

May 26, 2008 5:27 PM

Where can I comfortably get dinner in Paris, by myself, late on a weeknight?

I don't get much sympathy for my predicament, but these days I sometimes find myself alone in Paris and in need of dinner around 9 or 10 p.m. Are there any good places in Central Paris where I can find a decent meal late on a weeknight where I can either get the food to take away or where I will not feel uncomfortable or look out of place eating alone?

I really don't like eating in restaurants alone, although I feel relatively comfortable eating at NY-style diners and fast-food-style places on my own. The hotel in which I usually stay, which is otherwise fantastic, does not serve hot food in the evenings.

Ideally this would be in or near the western part of the 2e arrondissement.

posted by sueinnyc to food & drink (10 comments total)

I have no idea where these places are, and they sound expensive, but this article seemed pretty on point.
posted by girlpublisher at 5:32 PM on May 26 [1 favorite]

I used to get late dinner alone in a little place very like an American diner which I remember as being on a corner in the Rue Jacob not far from the Rue de Seine - don't know if it's still there though!
posted by nicwolff at 6:42 PM on May 26

Oh, but that's in the 6ème...
posted by nicwolff at 6:44 PM on May 26

There's an American style diner in the 8th on Rue Montalivet which serves hot food until 11 or so. I forget the name, but it's near the corner of Montalivet and Rue des Saussaies. The burgers are good.

I'm pretty sure it's called Bugsy's.
posted by fantasticninety at 7:12 PM on May 26

Chez Marianne is the kind of place you're looking for, I think. It's crowded, casual, and comfortable, with a dark, tavern-like interior. They also do takeaway. It serves Ashkenazi Jewish food, lots of small plates/appetizer/mezze type stuff, all delicious. It's in the Marais, in the 4ème arrondissement, but it's very close (comfortable walking distance, IMO) to the 2ème.

Address: 2, Rue Hospitalières St Gervais
Telephone: [phone]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:47 PM on May 26 [1 favorite]

How central? You shouldn't have a problem finding somewhere just by strolling around until you see somewhere that you feel comfortable in. You could try Bistrot Marguerite. It's directly opposite the Hotel de Ville on the river and has free wi-fi. The menu is basic but it's quiet and friendly at night and you won't feel out of place catching a late meal.
posted by fire&wings at 3:11 AM on May 27

There are some unusual biodynamic wines you should check out at Racines, a small wine bar with good food in Passage des Panorma.

Also, Chez Georges on rue de Mail is a friend's favourite. Then there is Willi's Wine Bar on rue de Grandchamps and Aux Lyyinaisse by the Bourse.

One of the greatest restaurants I have ever been to (I went late on a sunday evening, on my own) is called maison blanche. I had a tasting menu, I think, but I remember that it was very expensive. It's on top of what I think is called the theatre de champs elysee, though it's not on the champs elysee. It's a stunning view, a super-sleek, sexy, minimalist room. If you were thinking of doing expensive, this is the place. The food was excellent. Ask for a booth.

Au pied de cochon specialises in offal, though does all the standard stuff, is pretty good and, very attractively, is fully open 24hrs. You can go there at three in the morning, and there's middle aged American ladies having salads and the signature dish (pied de cochon) as if it were lunchtime. Weird, and fun, if you happen to be up and hungry in the middle of the night.

Finally, and off topic, the best patissier in the world is Pierre Herme. His shop is on the Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. Don't buy anything but macaroons. The signature one is called Isfahan, and is rose scented. Get this in the large size, but one of at least half a dozen of the other flavours in the the smallest size. That's all you need. The staff will be medium-supercilious, so be ready for them, and don't take any nonsense.
posted by baggymp at 1:05 PM on May 27

I ate by myself mostly in bistros (with a book or newspaper) when I was there and didn't have any problems. The only place where I had real attitude--as opposed to aloofness-- was at a Thai place on the Quai D'Orsay.
posted by brujita at 11:48 PM on May 27

willi's wine bar is a nice place in the 1er arr., on rue des petits champs. kind of a funny, sleepy location but it's warm and cozy and i thought the food and wine list were lovely. bring a book or a paper, sit at the bar, snack on the crispy little fried veggies that they put out as bar snacks. also, i've heard that the takeout shop/crêperie at Le Comptoir (9 carr. de l'odeon, 6) is soo so good, so it's probably worth the hike across the river.
posted by pieliza at 12:49 PM on May 29

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am quite excited about a number of them, and would mark everything as best answer if that wouldn't seem over the top. I will post follow-ups if the thread is still open to let you know how things go when I try out suggested spots.
posted by sueinnyc at 3:48 PM on May 29