Les Antiquaires — Restaurant in Paris

Bistro Les Antiquaires: A Quintessential Parisian Dining Experience

Nestled at 13 Rue du Bac in Paris's chic 7th arrondissement, just steps from the Musée d'Orsay and the Seine, Bistro Les Antiquaires (often misspelled as "Les Antiquaires") embodies the timeless charm of a classic French brasserie. Opened over a decade ago under the stewardship of managers Julien and Mendhy Malbec, it draws both locals and tourists with its vintage decor—think leather banquettes, antique mirrors, polished wooden bars, and soft lighting that evokes old-world Paris.

The space hums with energy, offering indoor coziness, a lively terrace for people-watching, and even brunch on weekends, but it's the unpretentious yet refined vibe that makes it feel like a neighborhood gem rather than a tourist trap.

The Food: Traditional French Classics Done Right The menu sticks to bistro staples, emphasizing market-fresh ingredients and hearty portions without unnecessary fuss. Expect dishes like: Beef Bourguignon: Tender, slow-cooked beef in a rich red wine sauce, often hailed as one of the city's best—melt-in-your-mouth perfection with a side of creamy mashed potatoes.

Escargots de Bourgogne: Snails in garlicky herb butter, served bubbling hot— a garlicky delight that's buttery, not overly

Onion Soup Gratinée: Caramelized onions under a blanket of bubbly cheese—comforting and authentic, a must for rainy days.

Seafood Platters: Fresh oysters, shrimp, and lobster towers arrive chilled with silver buckets of ice and shellfish tools—vibrant and briny, though some note the oysters can push the bill higher if you're upsized.

Other Standouts: Porcini ravioli in truffle cream, magret de canard (duck breast) with herb-infused potatoes, ratatouille, and crème brûlée for dessert—crackly top, silky custard, and generous scoops that could serve two.

Vegetarian and vegan options like ratatouille or mushroom ravioli keep it inclusive, and the wine list leans French with solid picks like Chablis or Viognier at fair markups (no outrageous tourist pricing). Meals run €30–€60 per person, excluding drinks—reasonable for the location, though a full seafood feast can climb to €100+.

Portions are satisfying, not skimpy, and everything feels house-made with quality ingredients.

The Service: Where Antoine Shines This is where your query hits home—service is a highlight, and Antoine stands out as a star. Multiple diners rave about his engaging, personable style: "Antoine really interacted with us in a way no other server had done in the 2 weeks we’ve been here... all about the customer service."

He's described as "impeccable," friendly without being overbearing, and quick with wine recommendations or tips on specials, turning a meal into a genuine show.

The team overall is efficient and multilingual (English, Spanish), handling the bustle with French briskness but genuine warmth—no snooty attitudes here.

It's this "real experience" that elevates Les Antiquaires: not just food, but a welcoming immersion in Parisian hospitality, especially if Antoine's your server.

The Vibe and Practicalities Open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight, it's ideal for breakfast coffee, lunch escargots, or late-night profiteroles. The atmosphere buzzes—packed at peak times (reservations essential via their site or app), with a mix of suited locals and excited visitors.

Overall Verdict: 5/5 Stars—A True "Réal Expérience" Les Antiquaires nails the authentic bistro fantasy: flavorful classics, stellar service (shoutout to Antoine for making it personal), and an ambiance that feels like stepping into a French film.

It's not revolutionary cuisine, but for €40–50, it's a reliable, memorable spot that delivers on expectations—perfect after a museum stroll. Minor gripes? It can feel touristy (suggested gratuity on bills irks purists), and a few report inconsistent tenderness in meats or higher...

Short version: I’ve never left a 5* review before but food here was immaculate and service was really incredible. Reservation is recommended. Converted me into a fan of western food.

Long version: Made an impromptu decision to walk half an hour from our hotel to this restaurant during dinner time without a reservation and the whole restaurant was packed. Almost had to walk back in disappointment but one of the staff went back to check all the bookings and miraculously summoned us a really nice table in the restaurant.

The seat that we got was spacious even though the restaurant was filled with people and traditional restaurant design was really lovely. We were attended to by one of the waitresses almost immediately after we entered. Even though restaurant was crowded, the waitress that served us was extremely attentive (always checking on us in case we wanted to order or needed to refill drinks, etc.) We didn’t speak French but there were no communication issues at all because all the staff were fluent in English.

Food might seem expensive but prices were actually extremely reasonable for the portion sizes and quality of food. Ordered oysters, onion soup and three mains with a wine for the total to come up to only around 100€ for four people.

The food here was amazing. After touring England, Germany and Paris for the past three weeks, I can confirm this was the meal I enjoyed the most.

I will be having dreams of the french onion soup for the next few months because we don’t have that in my country and it was the most indulgent, warm and hearty soup I ever ate. Cheese wasn’t too overpowering and there were lots of herbs that gave the soup depth of flavors instead of being just salty. Very sinful soup that felt like comfort food and warm hugs.

Burger was the most juicy we ever had and the fries that it came with were super well seasoned and not soggy at all. In the words of my sister, a fries connoisseur, “These fries are the yummiest fries ever” Got medium burger since my sister couldn’t stand the beefy taste of rare meat but it came rarer than expected (~medium rare). My sister took one bite and said she was never going back to medium beef again. No meaty aftertaste, just tender and buttery deliciousness that we devoured in less than 10 minutes because it was too good.

I didn’t try the oysters but my parents said they were very huge and delicious. If you are there, also try the sea urchin because they look extremely huge and fresh. Prices for the seafood was also cheaper than anywhere you could find in my home country.

Truffle pasta was cooked to perfect texture and was easy to down despite being of cream base. They weren’t skimpy on the truffle at all and it tasted super flavorful while not becoming too rich or oily like most creamy pastas. It was really good pasta, but if you do go there, I would suggest skipping it and going for the other mains because the pasta was not as out of this world as the other dishes that we were served.

Also ordered the marinated octopus (which also had the most gorgeous plating ever) and it made my sister who doesn’t usually eat octopus to go back for more after trying a little piece (it was our parents food so we were taking small bites to try everything) + I couldn’t try the wine because underage but my parents said that it was good wine.

Safe to say that we were stuffed after clearing all the food but imo it was really the best meal we had during our travels in Europe so if you do come to this area you should try it !!

(Plus, not to be creepy, but our waitress was gorgeous with the most beautiful smile which made the whole experience that much better so you...

A Parisian Gem – 5 Stars

Les Antiquaires is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with Paris all over again. Located just a short walk from the Seine and the Musée d’Orsay, this charming bistro effortlessly blends classic French elegance with a warm and inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this restaurant offers an authentic Parisian dining experience that feels both special and familiar.

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with genuine warmth. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and a relaxed, welcoming vibe. Despite the restaurant being busy, service was prompt, and we never felt rushed—just well taken care of.

Now, let’s talk about the food—absolutely phenomenal. Both of our meals were rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced.. For the main course, I had the cheeseburger, which was cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside. My partner chose the ratatouille, which was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, with a deep, comforting sauce that paired wonderfully with the fresh bread provided.

The wine selection was equally impressive, with a well-curated list of French wines to complement every dish.

To finish, we indulged in the crème brûlée, which had the perfect caramelized top and a smooth, velvety custard underneath. We also shared a tarte Tatin, and it was easily one of the best I’ve had in Paris—sweet, buttery, and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that made every bite heavenly.

Beyond the incredible food, the ambiance was just as memorable. The cozy, vintage-inspired decor, soft lighting, and lively but intimate atmosphere made it the perfect setting for a relaxed evening in the city. The bistro has that unmistakable Parisian charm that feels effortlessly chic yet completely unpretentious.

If you’re looking for an authentic and unforgettable dining experience in Paris, Les Antiquaires is a must-visit. Whether for a romantic dinner, a casual lunch, or just a glass of wine and some people-watching, this place delivers on every level. I can’t...