14 Spots Serving the Best Duck Confit in Paris
Confit de canard is on half the bistro menus in Paris, and a surprising number of them come out of a vacuum pack, reheated until the skin goes soft and the meat dries out. Near the sights, you'll pay full price for it too.
We weighed what Michelin, Le Fooding and local critics say and kept 14 places for the best duck confit in Paris, and duck in all its forms, from cheap bouillons to Southwestern cooking and a starred table by the Eiffel Tower. Duck fan? Pair it with our foie gras picks, or browse the traditional restaurants that keep the classics alive.
A Michelin-starred celebration of Southwestern French gastronomy in an elegant yet welcoming setting steps from the Eiffel Tower.
TheFork Insider
Michelin 1-starMichelin50 Best
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.
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Fooding50 Best
A beloved Parisian institution serving authentic French bistrot classics in a charming vintage setting near the Eiffel Tower for nearly three decades.
Fooding
A legendary Parisian institution where Art Nouveau splendor meets affordable French bistro classics in a bustling, timeless atmosphere.
A welcoming Saint-Germain brasserie serving timeless French classics with sustainable practices and an Écotable certification.
A modern bistrot in the 13th arrondissement where Chef Thibault Sombardier crafts Franco-Italian cuisine with seasonal Southern influences, earning an 11.5/20 Gault&Millau rating.
TheFork InsiderMichelin Bib GourmandMichelinFooding
A Belle Époque masterpiece serving generous French classics in a monument historique setting since 1906.
A beloved neighborhood bistrot serving timeless French classics and exceptional wines in the charming Saint-Georges quarter since its opening.
A historic Belle Époque bouillon serving traditional French cuisine at remarkably affordable prices in a stunning Monument Historique setting.
A beloved Parisian institution serving generous portions of authentic Basque and Southwest French cuisine at unbeatable prices.
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Chef Benjamin Schmitt's acclaimed restaurant in the 9th arrondissement celebrates the robust flavors of Southwest France through refined, locally-sourced cuisine in a warm, contemporary setting.
A convivial neighborhood bistro serving authentic French comfort food with over 90 carefully selected wines, just steps from Montmartre.
A historic Parisian brasserie serving traditional French cuisine in an authentic Belle Époque setting since 1900.
A beloved Montmartre institution serving natural wines and seasonal French plates in an authentic, convivial atmosphere since 1950.
Where to eat the best duck confit in Paris
Confit is a Southwestern technique: duck legs are salted, then cooked slowly in their own fat until the meat is tender enough to pull apart with a fork. A good kitchen crisps the leg just before serving, so the skin crackles. The classic side is pommes sarladaises, potatoes fried in duck fat with garlic and parsley. If the skin is pale or the meat stringy, it was reheated. Each place page below tells you which duck dish is the house signature, from confit to canard à l'orange.
Cheap classics
The bouillons are the easiest way into a proper confit. Bouillon Chartier, in the 9th, lists confit de canard among its must-try dishes, at bouillon prices under an Art Nouveau ceiling; Chartier Montparnasse and Bouillon Racine are on the list too. In Saint-Germain, L'Avant Comptoir de la Terre, Yves Camdeborde's tapas counter, serves a hot dog made with confit duck sausage and natural wine; no reservations, so avoid the peak hours. See our cheap restaurants and small plates for more.
Southwestern and bistro cooking
Le Violon d'Ingres, a starred restaurant steps from the Eiffel Tower, cooks Southwestern classics, including a cassoulet with duck confit; its lunch menu is the best value. La Fontaine de Mars, a vintage bistro nearby, serves cassoulet and canard à l'orange. Steps from Montmartre, Titi Graille, a convivial bistro with over 90 wines, puts confit de canard first on its list of must-tries. For more, see the 7th arrondissement and our French restaurants.
The Southwest, cheap or chef-driven
In the 13th, Chez Gladines is the budget Southwestern address: poulet basquaise, generous portions and a gâteau basque at unbeatable prices. At the other end, Benjamin Schmitt, in the 9th, cooks refined Southwestern food, including a cassoulet de Castelnaudary. Le Bon Georges, a neighborhood bistro in the Saint-Georges quarter, keeps the other classics going, from pâté en croûte to coq au vin. See the 13th arrondissement and our authentic restaurants.
Where to look
The 6th and the 9th have the most duck on this list, followed by the 13th. Prices are evenly spread, so if you want a confit without the bill, stick to the bouillons and Chez Gladines. Duck confit is a rich winter dish; save room, and open the map to find the closest crackling leg.