Forget the aperitif plank that's just there to soak up your evening's drinking: in Paris, a number of bars and restaurants are elevating the aperitif plank to the status of a dish in its own right, made from carefully selected good produce. Cheeses, charcuterie, seafood and even more unexpected finds can now be shared with friends, without compromising on quality.
Gone are the days of vacuum-packed products, and here we're talking about mature cheeses from small producers, finely sliced charcuterie and homemade terrines with crunchy gherkins. We like our aperitif boards to be generous and varied, so you can pick and choose as you please from among the goodies on display.
Here, a piece of goat's cheese covered in honey, there a slice of melting ham, all accompanied by a good piece of farmhouse bread and a well-chosen glass of wine. It couldn't be simpler... or more effective! What's more, you can go off the beaten track with aperitif seafood platters, topped with mackerel rillettes, tarama, smoked trout...
In fact, it doesn't matter what's on it as long as it's good stuff to share with friends!
Le Flow: Paris's seasonal river barge with a rooftop and a nightclub on the Seine.
Sponsored - Flow is back at Port des Invalides, with its waterside terrace, the Cozy by Flow rooftop, and a hull-hugging club, blending street food, cocktails, DJ sets and summer nights on the Seine. [Read more]
At Alex's: an apéritif terrace on the banks of the Seine, with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Sponsored - At Alex’s, you’ll find a spot at the foot of the Pont Alexandre III, with an aperitif terrace open daily, offering sharing boards, cocktails, a view of the Seine, and a summery vibe facing the Eiffel Tower. [Read more]
Gaston unveils his new menu… and it’s going to have meat lovers talking.
Sponsored - Attention, connoisseurs of fine dishes: Gaston’s new menu is sure to have you salivating from the very first line. [Read more]
The Mama Shelter Paris La Défense sports bar, a pub for fans of all sports.
In La Défense, the Sports Bar at Mama Shelter Paris La Défense serves up giant screens, draught beers, foosball and live sports broadcasts in an atmosphere inspired by Anglo-Saxon pubs. [Read more]
Paris' FrogPubs bars, real hubs for supporters with live game broadcasts.
The six FrogPubs in Paris are quintessential British-style bars where you go for house-brewed craft beer, pub grub, watching the big games on the big screen, and a convivial moment with friends. [Read more]
A barge-turned-guinguette dedicated to the aperitif settles on the banks of the Seine this summer — our photos
The aperitif goes afloat with a floating guinguette on the banks of the Seine! From April 1 to September 30, 2026, this open-air hotspot, curated by the French Federation of Apéritif, blends local specialties, craft beers, and a festive atmosphere between Hôtel de Ville and Saint-Paul, to celebrate the return of sunny days. [Read more]
Osabaita, a friendly Basque restaurant blending tapas and traditional dishes in the 6th arrondissement.
In the 6th arrondissement, Osabaita serves hearty Basque fare, blending shareable tapas with traditional dishes. A welcoming spot, faithful to the produce and values of the Southwest. [Read more]
Currently, a stunning vegan restaurant that masterfully reimagines classic bistro dishes with flair and deliciousness
Following the success of their vegan concept store Aujourd'hui Demain, Cheyma Bourguiba and Raphaël Francisco are launching Présent, a plant-based bistro, also located in the 11th arrondissement. This new spot boldly reimagines traditional meat dishes in a fully plant-based format... and the results are truly impressive! [Read more]
Les Indécises, this 60's café-restaurant gets a second lease of life in the 11th arrondissement
Open since the 1960s in the heart of the 11th arrondissement, Café-Restaurant Les Indécises is experiencing a vibrant revival under the guidance of chef and owner Nicolas Schweri, embracing the timeless charm of classic Parisian bistros. [Read more]
Buenas, a warm Spanish restaurant with an Almodovar atmosphere
Enter an atmosphere worthy of an Almodovar film at Buenas, a particularly warm Spanish restaurant in Strasbourg Saint-Denis. [Read more]
Alma: the delicious Corsican tapas bar and restaurant in Montorgueil
Take a trip to Corsica at Alma, a restaurant and tapas bar typical of the island of beauty, in the Montorgueil district, where you can feast on good food in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. [Read more]
Quilles & coquilles, the seafood bar where you can enjoy oysters in Vincennes (94)
Feel like setting sail? The Quilles & coquilles restaurant awaits seafaring gourmets to sample seafood in its convivial Iode cellar in Vincennes. On the menu: oysters, whelks, razor clams and other seafood delights for a good value. [Read more]
Arbela, chef Juan Arbelaez's Basque tapas and wine bar
Between good bowling and hearty tapas, chef Juan Arbelaez unveils Arbela, a radiant dining cellar. [Read more]
P'tit Deux, the little bodega that honors Basque croquetas and taloas
Across the street from their first restaurant, Tiphaine Mollard and Romain Casas have opened P'tit Deux, a little bodega serving tapas and naughty croquetas, accompanied by cocktails and French wines. And for lunch, the duo unveil a Basque street-food specialty: taloas! [Read more]
Père Lacheese, Monbleu's all-you-can-eat raclette dairy and bar
Fancy an all-you-can-eat raclette? It's happening at Monbleu cheese dairies and restaurants! This is your chance to discover Père Lacheese, the new Monbleu fromagerie-buvette, just a stone's throw from Père-Lachaise! [Read more]
La Trincante: ultra-affordable oyster bar and hidden flea market in the 18th arrondissement of Paris
Good plan alert! La Trincante is the place to go for oyster lovers and Sunday bargain hunters. In this friendly neighborhood bar in Paris's 18th arrondissement, you can enjoy seafood platters at low prices and meet up in the basement to unearth great finds in a secret flea market. [Read more]
La Noceria, festive restaurant with authentic Iberian tapas and explosive cocktails
Le Sentier has recently opened a festive restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Iberian tapas and explosive cocktails, all in a friendly atmosphere: La Noceria. [Read more]
Vignes en Ville, bulk wine in a warm and friendly wine cellar.
Vignes en Ville is a new wine bar offering wine in bulk, to take home with you by sealing the bottle with wax, or to enjoy on the premises during an aperitif, accompanied by delicious charcuterie! [Read more]
Find the location of all these places by clicking on the map at the bottom of the article.
Wine bars and wine cellars in Paris, our top picks
If you'd like to spend some quality time with friends over fine food and wine, discover our top addresses for wine bars and wine cellars in Paris! [Read more]
There's nothing like a tapas bar for a toast and a treat. Here are the best addresses in Paris for a good time at aperitif time, with good plates to share (or not!). [Read more]
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.
Wine bars and wine cellars in Paris, our top picks
Paris restaurants and tapas bars, our top picks
