Mercure's travel guides

Savour the tastes of Paris: a coffee and croissant in a neighbourhood patisserie; perhaps steak tartare or moules frites in a bistro around arty Place des Vosges; sample oysters and buttery lobster in the chandeliered brasseries surrounding Place de la Bastille; dine supreme in world-famous restaurants such as La Tour d'Argent and Le Meurice; or snack on a crêpe au chocolat from a street stall in Montmartre. The world's top chefs train in this city – over 60 restaurants have Michelin stars! And don't worry if you need a break from rich French food: in this cosmopolitan city you're more likely to find sushi and risotto than frog's legs and snails.

Brasserie Bofinger

7, rue de la Bastille, Paris, 75004
01 42 72 87 82
http://www.bofingerparis.com/en/

Description:

Since its premiere in 1864, this brasserie has cultivated a strong local following. Inside, polished wood, gleaming brass and a stained-glass dome (all Belle Epoque Style) distinguish the dining room, where hundreds of patrons are served daily. Choucroute garnie à l'alsacienne (sauerkraut presented the Alsatian way, accompanied by cured meats) is a tribute to the original owner. It, along with ocean-fresh shellfish, are Bofinger classics, served to politicians, literati and city regulars. METRO: Bastille (lines 1, 5, 8)
Sun-Thu Noon-3pm, 6:30pm-Midnight; Fri-Sat Noon-3pm, 6:30pm-12:30am
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club

Marius

82, bd Murat, Paris, 75016
01 46 51 67 80

Description:

A bit off the beaten path of Paris's high-visibility dining scene, this restaurant courts a strong following of locals, who appreciate the quiet neighbourhood and the kitchen's talent with seafood. As a result, the place stays busy, and folks tuck into classic grilled sardines with herbs, a rich bouillabaisse, the day's fresh catch, and even unusual offerings like skate. Since it's without pretence, the place is as good for a daily dinner as for a special night out. METRO: Porte de St-Cloud
Mon-Fri Noon-2:30pm, 7:30pm-10:30pm; Sat 7:30pm-10:30pm
Visa, MasterCard, American Express

Jules Verne

La Tour Eiffel, 2nd floor, Paris, 75007
01 45 55 61 44
http://www.lejulesverne-paris.com

Description:

No other Parisian restaurant can boast the views that Jules Verne does, especially since it's located 400 feet up in the Eiffel Tower! Chef Pascal Féraud has taken over from Alain Ducasse and ensures fabulous French fare such as pigeon, chicken from the Bresse region and lobster. The wine list is equally superb, and a sommelier is on hand to answer any questions you may have. As far as décor goes, it's fabulously detailed: note the sculpted plates whose design is inspired by the Eiffel Tower itself. METRO: Bir-Hakeim
Daily 12:15pm-1:30pm, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club