Beyond its popularity in France, onion soup is also known throughout the world. An iconic dish of French cuisine, and in particular of the Paris region, onion soup is traditionally served in Parisian bistros and brasseries, mostly late in the evening or even in the early hours of the morning.
Onion soup is made from finely sliced onions, slowly cooked in butter until caramelized. Chefs then add meat broth and white wine, and the soup simmers for several hours.
At the last minute, toasted croutons and grated cheese are added on top, and the soup is placed in the oven to brown to perfection—it is sometimes called "gratinée à l'oignon" on restaurant menus. A comforting and flavorful dish par excellence, onion soup is also known for its healing properties, especially for colds.
A simple but excellent dish that perfectly embodies traditional French cuisine. Here are our top picks for enjoying a hot onion soup at a restaurant in Paris!
Le Cochon à l'Oreille, a stylish French bistro at Les Halles
Less well known than some of the institutions at Les Halles, Le Cochon à l'Oreille is nonetheless a French bistro with a lot going for it, embodied by an equally impressive owner. [Read more]
La Riotte, a lively French bistro and fine vintages in the cellar
Opened by Caves Carrière, La Riotte is a lively French bistro that inevitably revolves around the cellar's fine vintages. [Read more]
Le Dali, Le Meurice's elegant gourmet restaurant, serving fine French cuisine
In the heart of the Le Meurice palace, the Le Dali restaurant, with its imposing Philippe Starck decor, invites you to relax and indulge, without the fuss. Chef Clémentine Bouchon unveils seasonal French cuisine, with a sprinkling of classic French dishes, ending with a farandole of pastries by chef Cédric Grolet. [Read more]
L'Entente, the excellent English brasserie a stone's throw from the Opéra Garnier
The avant-garde L'Entente has been a fixture at the Opéra Garnier for many years. Under the aegis of Oliver Woodhead, the English restaurant pays tribute to the greatest British specialties. [Read more]
Attabler, authentic Parisian bistro cuisine by the Gemellus team
Brothers Clément and Maxime Le Meur open a second address, Attabler, which honors true Parisian bistro cuisine. [Read more]
Le Moulin de la Galette, the legendary Montmartre restaurant in Paris
Le Moulin de la Galette is a legendary Montmartre institution. Immortalized by painters such as Van Gogh and Renoir, the restaurant now invites us to savor comforting recipes typical of French brasserie. [Read more]
Le Tout-Paris at Cheval Blanc Paris
Le Tout-Paris, the sublime restaurant that rules the capital, wins its first Michelin star. Located on the 7ᵉ floor of the Cheval Blanc Paris, with a terrace boasting breathtaking views of the Seine and the capital's iconic monuments, you'll discover William Bequin's beautiful contemporary French cuisine, generous and well mastered. [Read more]
Brasserie Martin, the restless brewery of the Nouvelle Garde
In the La Nouvelle Garde family, we ask for Brasserie Martin, that big bistro with its colorful decor and winter garden, where gangs of friends and local families flock. [Read more]
Le Procope: rediscover Paris' oldest café
Do you know Procope, the oldest Café in Paris? It's undoubtedly one of the capital's finest restaurants, listed as a Monument Historique. We'll take you through its history, its menu and what's new to discover. [Read more]
La Brasserie des Arts, authentic Parisian brasserie by the book
With its own take on the great French classics, Brasserie des Arts is fast becoming an institution in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. A true Parisian brasserie, with attentive service to boot! [Read more]
Le Grand Colbert, the legendary Parisian brasserie listed as a historic monument
Just a stone's throw from the sublime gardens of the Palais-Royal, the Grand Colbert is a well-known Parisian restaurant for tourists and locals alike. Listed as a historic monument, this brasserie plunges us back into the Paris of yesteryear and delights us with a menu that puts French gastronomy in the spotlight. A gourmet embodiment of what makes Paris so charming! [Read more]
Le Minet Galant, a charming French bistro a stone's throw from the Bouffes Parisiens theater
A charming French bistro a stone's throw from the Bouffes Parisiens theater, Le Minet Galant declaims its love of bistro-style cooking. [Read more]
Au Pied de Cochon, gourmet cuisine at Les Halles day and night
Day or night, the brasserie Au Pied de Cochon delights Parisians and tourists alike with its traditional, generous French cuisine. A legendary address to try at least once in your life. [Read more]
Petit Bouillon Versailles, the affordable bouillon just 2 steps from the Château de Versailles, takes shape
A bouillon (the city's first!) awaits you a stone's throw from the Château de Versailles: Le Petit Bouillon Versailles! We're off to discover it, and reveal what's in store for you in terms of decor and menu. [Read more]
Le Café de la Paix: the sublime historic restaurant in Paris with a renovated setting
The Café de la Paix, this world-famous restaurant classified as a historical monument, is without a doubt one of the most beautiful restaurants in Paris. The emblematic Parisian restaurant, ideally located on the magnificent Place de l'Opéra, welcomes you since its renovation in its two bright and airy spaces, entirely redesigned by the architect Pierre-Yves Rochon in 2021. [Read more]
Bouillon Pigalle, great French classics at low prices
From midday to midnight, Bouillon Pigalle delivers the great classics of bistro cuisine at low prices. It's the perfect place for those on a budget. [Read more]
L'Escargot Montorgueil, the Parisian institution still delighting, 200 years later
Located in the Halles district of Paris, L'Escargot Montorgueil showcases Burgundy snails in original recipes, and brilliantly executes the great classics of French gastronomy. [Read more]
Le Saint-Régis, the 100% Parisian brasserie on the Ile-Saint-Louis
Looking for the very best in Parisian bistronomy? Let's go to Saint-Régis, a typical bistro in the Ile-Saint-Louis district, offering the very best in bistronomic cuisine right in the heart of Paris. Eggs Benedict, warm goat's cheese salad, croque monsieur, salmon and avocado tartare... A real treat! [Read more]
Bouillon République, the bubbling French address
Bouillon République has finally opened its doors and, like its big brother Bouillon Pigalle, offers a host of traditional French dishes at very affordable prices. [Read more]
Le Petit Bouillon Vavin, the lively broth in Montparnasse
In the purest tradition of cheerfully noisy Parisian bouillons, Petit Bouillon Vavin opens its doors on Boulevard du Montparnasse. On the menu are traditional French recipes, generous and invigorating, accessible to all budgets. [Read more]
Loup, the 1st arrondissement brasserie that celebrates homemade food
At Chez Loup, the large brasserie in the 1st arrondissement open all day, a young chef has chosen to give pride of place to home-made products, prepared with organic, seasonal and well-sourced ingredients. [Read more]
L'Alsace, the mythical brasserie on the Champs-Elysées
L'Alsace has its own address in Paris, on the Champs-Élysées to be precise. While the address has existed since 1968, in 2017 the brasserie received a facelift by Laura Gonzalez (no less!). Open all day, the brasserie serves quiches from Lorraine, flammekueches and spätzle gratins, not forgetting the region's must-try sauerkraut in winter! [Read more]
Le Vaudeville: traditional cuisine and seafood for the century-old Parisian brasserie
Few Parisian brasseries can boast of celebrating their 100 years. This is the case of the Brasserie Le Vaudeville, a true institution nestled in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, just opposite the Bourse. With its classic Parisian brasserie dishes and its seafood, Le Vaudeville has not finished seducing the taste buds of Parisians. [Read more]
Find the location of all these addresses by clicking on the map at the bottom of the article.
