Le Vieux Bistrot — Restaurant in Paris

Disappointing Experience at an Overbooked Restaurant

This restaurant serves average French food and is poorly managed—I can’t understand the glowing 5-star reviews.

We arrived at 8:25 for an 8:30 reservation and were told a table would be ready shortly. After a brief walk, we returned at 8:35, only to find two other groups also waiting outside. We were all left standing outside for 30 minutes. When finally seated, it became clear the restaurant didn’t have enough tables and had hastily brought one out from the back. Our table was awkwardly joined to another where customers were having raclette, with only a small gap on the other side for waiters to squeeze through.

I mentioned the discomfort and asked to move when another table became available. The waiter agreed but seated new customers multiple times before addressing us. By the time we finished our starters, the heat from the raclette and the constant jostling from waiters squeezing past became unbearable. At one point, a waiter knocked into me, spilling our drinks. Clearly, they had overbooked and should have been honest about not being able to seat us properly.

We were eventually moved just in time for our mains, but service remained slow, and the food was underwhelming. The French onion soup was decent, but the king prawns in garlic butter hadn’t even been deveined. Our mains—duck and steak—were fine but unremarkable.

The restaurant is cramped and uncomfortably hot, largely due to the fondue and raclette served at nearly every table. The windows were so fogged with condensation you couldn’t see out. I suspect the high ratings come from tourists who mistake this for a “traditional” French bistro experience or from those who...

The decor was fantastic and had a very classic French bistro feel, and service was fine. However, the food left us fairly disappointed.

The starters (we got escargot, foie gras w/ fig jam, French onion soup) were great. Escargot was well cooked with a nice parsley sauce, and the French onion soup as not too cheesy, nicely hot and flavorful. However, it’s on the milder side compared to most French onion soups I’ve had, if that’s an issue for you.

The entrees were where things went downhill. 3 out of the 4 entrees we ordered were duds. Steak with pepper sauce was incredibly tough and chewy, and evident that the meat was not very good quality with little juice. The lack of juice could’ve been fixed with the sauce, but it couldn’t fix the meat itself. The meat was so tough it was shocking after seeing all the reviews before coming here. Same goes for the lamb.

Baked prawns - sauce was good but sadly the prawns were overcooked and tough.

Beef bourguignon - sauce was flavorful and carrots and potatoes cooked very nicely, and the texture of the beef was great. However, if you ate the beef by itself, it had no taste of its own. Even with that it was the best of the 4.

Honestly very disappointed after coming with high expectations due to seeing glowing reviews, but this just wasn’t it for our first...

My girlfriend and I had the pleasure of dining at this charming family-owned restaurant, and it was truly an exceptional experience. From the moment we stepped in, the warm and inviting atmosphere made us feel like we were enjoying a meal in the comfort of our own home.

The highlight of our evening was undoubtedly the Raclette, a delightful culinary adventure that not only satisfied our taste buds but also provided an entertaining spectacle as we watched the cheese melt before our eyes.

What truly sets this place apart, however, is the friendly and attentive staff. Their genuine warmth and hospitality added an extra layer of enjoyment to our dining experience. It's evident that this restaurant is not just about serving delicious food; it's about creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of community.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a place to enjoy exceptional food in a cozy and welcoming environment, this family-owned gem is a must-visit. It's not just a restaurant; it's a haven where you can share wonderful moments with your loved ones. We left with full stomachs and hearts, eager to return for another delightful...