La Fontaine de Mars

The Eiffel Tower is just 500m away, and this place gives it a run for its money as a national icon. With its ageless wooden façade, its red and white Vichy check napkins, its large mirrors, its burgundy bench seats and so on, La Fontaine de Mars epitomises the essence of an early 20th century Paris brasserie.

Founded in 1908, it is remarkably reliable in its ability to conjure up delicacies that never go out of fashion. Its menu features all the classics of the genre: egg mayonnaise, leeks vinaigrette, foie gras, homemade duck confit, veal stew, sole meunière, gratin dauphinois or homemade mashed potato, floating islands, crème brûlée, millefeuille, rum baba, prunes with Armagnac… It’s all there!

When the sun is out, don’t hesitate to sit out on the terrace, nestled on a pretty little square framed with arcades, and listen to the gurgling of the beautiful historic fountain (built in 1808) to which the restaurant owes its name. Sheer bliss.