This century-old Montmartre bistro has been quietly reinvented by a young chef who trained at some of Paris's finest kitchens. The concise, seasonal menu changes regularly — think vadouvan-spiced squash mille-feuille, pan-fried squid with beetroot, or sage ice cream — and always includes a few vegetarian options. With a 5.0 Google rating and a Michelin mention, it's the kind of neighborhood spot that locals guard jealously.
A century-old Montmartre bistro reborn by a young chef serving playful, seasonal dishes — 5.0 stars and Michelin-noticed.
Book ahead for weekend lunch — the 5-course menu is the best value and the room fills up fast with locals.
A century-old Montmartre bistro reborn under a talented young chef
Tucked at the foot of Montmartre on Rue Francœur, Les Collonges is the kind of place you walk past a hundred times before someone finally drags you inside — and then you can't stop going back. The bistro itself is over a century old, but the current iteration belongs to a young chef (Pierre-Étienne Leseute) who cut his teeth at some of Paris's top restaurants and clearly decided to bring all that technique to a neighborhood joint. The result is a short, seasonal menu that changes regularly, built around produce from small producers. Dishes like vadouvan-spiced squash mille-feuille, pan-fried squid with beetroot, and sage ice cream are playful without being precious — colorful, inventive, and genuinely delicious, as the Google reviewers enthusiastically confirm.
The dining room is medium-sized, with a lovely mix of marble and wood that feels both old-world and freshly updated. You can go à la carte or opt for the 5-course menu, which is the move if you want the full experience. Vegetarians are actually catered to here, not just tolerated — there are always a few dedicated options on the menu. Service is warm and unhurried, the kind of place where they remember your face. It's no surprise Le Figaro called it the discreet restaurant revelation of the season, and the Michelin Guide has taken notice too.
With a perfect 5.0 rating across 143 Google reviews (and counting), Les Collonges is doing something right. It's not cheap, but the quality-to-price ratio feels fair for what you're getting — seasonal, carefully crafted cooking in one of Paris's most charming neighborhoods. Book ahead, because the word is out.