Paris 17 · To share · Casual
A convivial bistro in the 17th arrondissement where generous tapas, house-made tartares, and creative cocktails come together in a warm, vintage-inspired setting.
The full story
House-made tartares and generous tapas showcase fresh ingredients from land and sea, designed for sharing in true bistro tradition.
The cuisine at Chez Tartar celebrates the French bistro tradition with a contemporary focus on sharing and quality ingredients. At the heart of the menu lies the restaurant's namesake specialty: expertly prepared tartares that showcase the kitchen's commitment to freshness and technique. The beef tartare and salmon tartare stand as signature offerings, while the sea bass ceviche demonstrates the kitchen's skill with raw preparations and delicate seasoning.
Beyond the tartares, the menu embraces a tapas-style approach that encourages exploration and communal dining. These generous small plates draw inspiration from both land and sea, offering a diverse range of flavors and preparations that invite guests to sample widely and share freely. The house-made philosophy extends throughout the menu, with dishes prepared from scratch using quality ingredients that honor traditional French bistro cooking while embracing a more casual, contemporary presentation style.
The kitchen also offers a selection of salads, including options with frisée that provide lighter alternatives alongside the richer tartare and tapas offerings. Vegetarian options are available, ensuring that all guests can participate in the sharing experience. To complete the meal, the dessert menu features varied options including a notable chocolate moelleux (molten chocolate cake) that provides a satisfying sweet conclusion.
Complementing the food is an impressive selection of house-made fries that have become a point of pride, alongside an extensive wine list and creative cocktail program. The beverage offerings are carefully curated to pair with the diverse menu, with the daily happy hour from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM providing an excellent opportunity to explore these pairings at a more accessible price point. The overall culinary experience emphasizes quality, freshness, and the joy of sharing good food in good company.
A warm and animated bistro atmosphere where vintage charm meets contemporary conviviality, perfect for lingering over shared plates and cocktails.
Chez Tartar radiates the kind of authentic Parisian bistro energy that makes you want to settle in for the evening. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between lively and welcoming, with a convivial spirit that permeates every corner of the space. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in the warm buzz of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the animated rhythm of a neighborhood gathering spot that locals have embraced as their own.
The vibe remains consistently engaging throughout the day, transitioning seamlessly from relaxed lunch service to more spirited evening gatherings. There's an unpretentious friendliness here that encourages lingering—whether you're catching up with friends over tapas, enjoying a romantic dinner, or simply unwinding with a cocktail during happy hour. The vintage-inspired design elements create a sense of timeless charm while maintaining a decidedly modern sensibility, making the space feel both familiar and fresh.
During warmer months, the ephemeral terrace adds an outdoor dimension that captures the essence of Parisian café culture, allowing guests to enjoy their meals al fresco while soaking in the neighborhood atmosphere. The overall energy is animated without being overwhelming, creating an environment where conversation flows as freely as the wine. This is a place where you come to share—not just plates, but moments and experiences—in a setting that feels genuinely welcoming and authentically Parisian.
Vintage-inspired design meets modern bistro aesthetics, creating a warm and stylish setting that honors Parisian tradition with contemporary flair.
The interior of Chez Tartar reflects a thoughtful approach to bistro design, blending vintage elements with modern touches to create a space that feels both timeless and current. The décor pays homage to classic Parisian bistro aesthetics while incorporating contemporary design sensibilities that give the restaurant its distinctive character.
Vintage-inspired details throughout the space evoke the charm of traditional French establishments, creating a sense of warmth and authenticity that immediately puts guests at ease. These nostalgic elements are balanced with cleaner, more modern lines and finishes that prevent the space from feeling dated or overly themed. The result is an environment that honors bistro tradition while feeling fresh and relevant to today's dining culture.
The layout encourages the restaurant's convivial spirit, with seating arrangements that facilitate conversation and sharing. Lighting plays a crucial role in establishing the warm, inviting atmosphere, creating intimate pockets within the larger space while maintaining an overall sense of openness and energy. During pleasant weather, the ephemeral terrace extends the dining area outdoors, offering an additional setting that captures the quintessential Parisian experience of dining en plein air. The overall aesthetic successfully creates a backdrop that enhances the dining experience without overwhelming it, allowing the food, drinks, and company to take center stage.
A bistro that transforms the traditional tartare into an art form while fostering a culture of sharing through generous tapas and creative cocktails.
What sets Chez Tartar apart in Paris's crowded bistro landscape is its focused celebration of tartare preparations combined with a tapas-driven approach to dining. While many bistros offer tartare as a single menu item, Chez Tartar elevates it to a central theme, showcasing multiple variations that demonstrate the kitchen's expertise with raw preparations. This specialization, paired with the restaurant's commitment to house-made dishes, creates a distinctive culinary identity that goes beyond typical bistro fare.
The restaurant's embrace of sharing culture through generous tapas portions represents another unique aspect of its concept. Rather than following the traditional French service model of individual plates, Chez Tartar encourages a more convivial, exploratory dining style where guests can sample multiple dishes and share discoveries. This approach, combined with the extensive wine selection and creative cocktail program, positions the restaurant as much as a social gathering space as a dining destination.
The vintage-inspired design aesthetic, while honoring Parisian bistro tradition, brings a distinctive visual identity that sets the space apart from more conventional establishments. Since opening in October 2021, Chez Tartar has quickly established itself as a neighborhood fixture, offering privatization options for events that transform the space into an intimate venue for celebrations and professional gatherings.
The daily happy hour from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM provides an accessible entry point to the restaurant's offerings, while the ephemeral summer terrace adds a seasonal dimension that captures the essence of Parisian outdoor dining culture. These elements combine to create an experience that feels both authentically Parisian and refreshingly contemporary, making Chez Tartar a distinctive addition to the 17th arrondissement's dining scene.
Book ahead for dinner service, arrive during happy hour for the best cocktail values, and don't miss the ephemeral terrace during warmer months.
To make the most of your experience at Chez Tartar, we recommend making a reservation, especially for dinner service when the restaurant fills quickly with neighborhood regulars and those in the know. You can easily book online through their reservation system, ensuring you secure a table during your preferred time slot.
The daily happy hour from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM offers exceptional value on the restaurant's creative cocktail program, making it an ideal time to arrive if you want to explore their beverage offerings before committing to dinner. This early evening window also tends to have a slightly more relaxed atmosphere before the dinner rush intensifies.
During warmer months, request a table on the ephemeral terrace if you want to embrace the full Parisian bistro experience of dining outdoors. The terrace captures the neighborhood's charm and provides a lovely setting for leisurely meals, though availability is weather-dependent and seasonal.
Given the restaurant's focus on sharing, we suggest coming with a group of friends or family to fully appreciate the tapas-style menu. Ordering multiple dishes allows you to sample the range of tartares and tapas offerings, creating a more dynamic and satisfying dining experience. The house-made fries are a must-order to accompany your tartares, and save room for the chocolate moelleux if you have a sweet tooth.
Note that the restaurant is closed on Sundays, so plan your visit accordingly. The lunch service from noon to 2:30 PM offers a more tranquil experience if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, while evening service from 6:30 PM to midnight captures the full animated bistro energy that makes Chez Tartar special.
Beef tartare, Salmon tartare, Sea bass ceviche, House-made fries, Chocolate moelleux
A taste of what awaits
Find your way there
You might also like
Chef Yves Camdeborde's lively no-reservation comptoir serves 60-70 mini-portions of meat-focused French tapas alongside natural wines in the heart of Saint-Germain.
Timeout
Fooding50 Best
A vibrant neighborhood bistrot in Belleville serving seasonal, organic cuisine with Catalan influences and an exceptional natural wine selection.
TimeoutFoodingTrès Très Bon
A beloved Oberkampf institution serving natural wines and European-inspired small plates in a retro 1960s setting that's been drawing crowds for years.
TimeoutFooding
A lively tapas bar where French conviviality meets sharing plates, cocktails, and festive evenings in the 2nd arrondissement.
A vibrant Basque tapas bar in Tolbiac serving authentic sharing plates and regional wines in a contemporary, festive atmosphere.
A neighborhood Italian gem in the 18th arrondissement serving artisanal Neapolitan pizzas and handmade fresh pasta with seasonal, local ingredients.
Fooding
A casual seafood bistro in the 16th arrondissement where Chef Florian Giacalone celebrates Breton maritime traditions with fresh catches and sharing plates.
TheFork InsiderTimeoutFooding
A vibrant Spanish tapas bar and restaurant in Le Marais serving authentic paella, jamón ibérico, and flamenco-inspired ambiance from breakfast through late night.
