Located near the town hall of the 11th arrondissement of Paris, À La Renaissance, a café-restaurant-bar, is one of the historic bistros in East Paris. Open since 1919 (!) and a pioneer in natural wine, it’s experiencing a renaissance thanks to the team at Quixotic Projects. The place offers a French cuisine that’s (very) affordable and maintains an authentic decor that stays true to its roots.
While the restaurant doesn’t pretend to be a Parisian bistro, it embodies a classic one—timeless in its charm and unpretentious in its authenticity. It has weathered the years without resorting to flashy renovations, instead choosing to preserve its original character through careful upkeep. A restaurant in its original style, featuring tarnished mirrors, vintage mosaics, a spacious corner counter, cozy banquettes, and small tiled floors, all of which have been subtly refreshed with a few modern touches by architect Johanna Etournel.
Long associated with Régine, a beloved local figure, the spot has now been taken over by Carina Soto Velásquez and Joshua Fontaine. They are the creative forces behind hotspots like La Candelaria, Mary Céleste, and the Grands Verres. Their goal is to honor the venue’s legacy while maintaining its authentic spirit. The blend of past and present here is delicately balanced: A La Renaissance feels lived-in and genuine without feeling outdated!
Open around the clock from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week, this charming spot with timeless appeal welcomes early risers with a classic Parisian breakfast: Ten Belles coffee, flaky pastries, buttered toast with homemade jam, ham, soft-boiled eggs, and today’s newspapers displayed on the counter.
For both lunch and dinner, Chef Min Wou Choi (former at Mary Céleste, Le Dauphin, J-F Piège, Saturne) presents a menu that pays tribute to the French and Parisian classics. While the evening menu offers a broader selection of bistro favorites, A La Renaissance focuses on minimalism during lunchtime... paired with reasonable prices!
Starting with a buffet of hot and cold appetizers served buffet-style, an increasingly rare find these days, where guests can help themselves as often as they like from the three daily options. On the day of our visit, there was a beet salad, a chicken salad, and a butternut squash velouté. All fairly traditional choices, but thoughtfully prepared.
To keep things simple, the menu offers just two main courses and a dessert each lunchtime, with options changing daily. That day, the plate featured a perfectly caramelized onion tatin, a crispy battered pork cutlet resembling a beignet, and a light Basque-style cheesecake that was as airy as a fresh cheese tart.
Nothing really breaks the mold here, but that’s not the point anyway. This isn’t a place to dine for the experience, but rather for the excellent value for money: €17 for the daily special, €21 for a starter/main or main/dessert combo, and €23 for a full menu including starter, main, and dessert. It’s hard to find something more budget-friendly, which is definitely a major highlight.
As the afternoon gently transitions into happy hour, the atmosphere is filled with snacks, alongside cocktails, ciders, and beers. Mocktails and natural wines also take their place—this spot was one of the first to champion this genre, long before it became trendy. With the welcoming vibe aimed at all generations, it's easy to see why adulescents mingle effortlessly with young professionals and seniors alike, all leaning casually at the bar, raising glasses, and sharing lively conversations.
With its incredibly warm welcome and heartfelt service, A La Renaissance embodies exactly the kind of bistro one envisions from a bygone era of last century.
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
Location
Renaissance
87 Rue de la Roquette
75011 Paris 11
Official website
www.alarenaissance.com
