Paris Brasseries – Discovering the Heart of French Dining

After exploring the charming Cafés in Paris

in my previous post, let’s take a closer look at another iconic Parisian experience – the Brasserie. These beloved French spots offer a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere where you can enjoy delicious food and drink. While brasseries originally started as places to serve beer (bière), they’ve evolved into vibrant spots where you can sip everything from wine and cocktails to coffee.

In Paris, brasseries are everywhere,

and they’re just wonderful. Picture yourself in a spacious, lively setting where service is quick, and the staff welcomes you with a familiar warmth and genuine hospitality. It’s the kind of place where you can relax, chat, and enjoy a meal without the formality of a high-end restaurant. What’s even better is how approachable they are—you can pop in for a meal without any fuss. And the best part? You get to indulge in French classics like steak-frites (juicy steak with golden fries) and steak tartare. 

During my stay in Paris, I had dinner every night with my husband’s local friends, and I have to say, the meals I had at brasseries were some of the most memorable.

Steak tartare is my husband’s all-time favorite dish.

If you haven’t tried it before, you’re in for a treat! Imagine freshly ground beef, so tender it practically melts in your mouth, mixed with flavorful seasonings and topped with a luscious raw egg yolk. Each brasserie we visited had its own take on steak tartare, and it was delightful to see how the taste and presentation varied from place to place.

At one brasserie, the dish had a mustard sauce with a tangy kick, while at another, it was all about the rich, velvety flavor of the egg yolk. No two were alike, and that’s what made it so exciting—each bite was a new experience! Even though I was initially hesitant about the idea of raw beef, the freshness and quality of French ingredients quickly put me at ease. It reminded me a bit of enjoying sashimi back home in Japan—once you trust the ingredients, it’s a pleasure.

As for unforgettable dishes,

I have to tell you about the rabbit in mustard sauce (Lapin à la sauce moutarde) I had. Yes, you read that right—rabbit! While the idea of eating rabbit might surprise some, in France it’s as common as enjoying a roast chicken. The first time I tried it, I was convinced it was chicken because of its tenderness, and I was absolutely shocked when I learned it was rabbit. The meat was so soft and flavorful, and the creamy mustard sauce that accompanied it was simply divine. I couldn’t resist mopping up the sauce with bread, it was that good! The sauce had this smooth, rich flavor without any sharpness from the mustard—just pure, indulgent deliciousness. Honestly, I wish I could bottle that flavor and bring it back home

If I had the recipe, I’d be making it right now to share with you all. I’m determined to try recreating it, and when I get it right, I’ll post it here for sure. Until then, if you find yourself in France, this dish is an absolute must-try. While rabbit isn’t as commonly found outside of France (though you might spot it in Berlin around Easter), it’s a rare delicacy that’s worth experiencing at least once.

By the way, if you’ve been following my blog, you might remember the Chicken with Prunes (Poulet aux pruneaux) recipe I shared before. Fun fact: the original recipe was actually my mother-in-law’s, and she used rabbit instead of chicken. So if you’re feeling adventurous, you could give it a try with rabbit!

Parisian brasseries are the perfect place

to enjoy these kinds of authentic French flavors in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. Whether you’re craving a simple steak-frites, a fresh steak tartare, or something a bit more daring like rabbit in mustard sauce, you’ll find it all here. So, when you’re in Paris, don’t miss the chance to step into a brasserie and experience the magic for yourself. Bon appétit!