The 22 Best Escargots in Paris, Garlic Butter and All
Escargots are the dish every visitor dares to try once, which is why tourist cafés get away with rubbery canned snails swimming in bland butter. Order them in the wrong place and you'll decide you don't like escargots, when you've just never had good ones.
So we lined up what Michelin, Le Fooding and Time Out say and kept 22 places for the best escargots in Paris, from market counters and bouillons to starred dining rooms. Build the full classic meal with our onion soup and œuf mayo picks, or browse the French restaurants that do it all.
A legendary Michelin-starred bistrot in the heart of Paris, serving authentic French cuisine in a Belle Époque setting since 1912.
TheFork Insider
Michelin 1-starMichelinTrès Très Bon50 Best
Chef Thibault Sombardier's elegant bistronomic restaurant in a 1930s-inspired setting, where seasonal French cuisine meets refined brasserie charm in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
TheFork InsiderMichelin
Fooding
A beloved neighborhood bistro near Place Vendôme serving authentic French terroir products and legendary sandwiches from morning until late night.
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The accessible sibling of legendary Tour d'Argent, serving timeless French bistro classics and signature roasted duck on a picturesque quai overlooking Notre-Dame.
Michelin 1-starMichelinTimeout
A lively counter-style wine bar serving refined small plates and natural wines in the heart of the historic Marché des Enfants Rouges.
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Chef David Rathgeber's elegant bistrot in the 14th arrondissement serves traditional French cuisine with a focus on authentic cassoulet and forgotten classics.
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A legendary Saint-Germain-des-Prés bistrot serving timeless French classics since 1932, where traditional cuisine meets authentic Parisian charm.
TheFork InsiderMichelin
A neighborhood institution where Jean Sévègnes crafts traditional French cuisine with seasonal vol-au-vent as the signature specialty.
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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 beloved Latin Quarter institution where a daily-changing market menu meets an exceptional wine cave with over 500 bottles sold at cost price.
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Since 1686, Le Procope stands as Paris's oldest café, where Voltaire, Rousseau, and revolutionaries once gathered, now serving classic French cuisine in an authentically preserved 18th-century setting.
A beloved neighborhood bistrot serving timeless French classics and exceptional wines in the charming Saint-Georges quarter since its opening.
A charming French bistro on Place du Tertre serving homemade cuisine with fresh, seasonal ingredients and natural wines in the artistic heart of Montmartre.
TimeoutFoodingTrès Très Bon
Chef Jason Gouzy's Michelin-starred restaurant delivers playful French gastronomy through innovative three-plate presentations in an opulent setting near the Palais Royal.
Michelin 1-starMichelin
A classified historic monument since 1997, Bouillon Julien serves traditional French brasserie cuisine in one of Paris's most spectacular Art Nouveau settings dating back to 1903.
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A historic Second Empire jewel serving classic French cuisine in an opulent Napoleon III setting, steps from the Opéra Garnier since 1862.
A refined bistronomic table in Le Marais where Chef Denis Groison celebrates authentic Burgundian traditions with seasonal market-driven cuisine and an impressive 200-label wine selection.
TheFork InsiderMichelinTrès Très Bon
A timeless Parisian brasserie serving authentic Burgundian specialties in a Belle Époque setting with an impressive wine selection.
A Belle Époque-inspired brasserie in Neuilly-sur-Seine celebrating French culinary classics and fresh seafood with an Écotable commitment to sustainable dining.
A historic Parisian brasserie serving traditional French cuisine in an authentic Belle Époque setting since 1900.
Where to eat the best escargots in Paris
The classic is escargots à la bourguignonne: Burgundy snails baked in their shells with butter, garlic and plenty of parsley, served sizzling in a dimpled dish with tongs and a tiny fork. The snails should be tender, never chewy, and the butter bright green, sharp with garlic and hot enough to bubble. Keep some bread: mopping up the butter is half the point. Each place page below lists what else is worth ordering, from the terrine to dessert.
Counters and bouillons
Inside the historic Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais, Les enfants du marché serves escargots à la bourguignonne at a busy counter with natural wine. It takes no reservations: arrive at noon, or come for Sunday lunch. Near Place Vendôme, Le Petit Vendôme puts escargots on a terroir menu that runs from morning until late. For the budget version, Bouillon Chartier serves them under an Art Nouveau ceiling at small prices, and Bouillon Julien is on the list too. See our cheap restaurants and wine bars for more.
Bistros with a twist
Some chefs take the snail somewhere new. At Les Parisiens, a 1930s-style bistro on the Left Bank, they come as ravioles d'escargots. In the 13th, Sellae, a Bib Gourmand bistro, fills its ravioli with them too, and Brasserie des Prés in Saint-Germain serves them en persillade. For more classic cooking, browse our traditional restaurants and Bib Gourmand picks.
Escargots with a Michelin star
The list also includes a few starred rooms: Benoit, a Belle Époque bistro since 1912 now with a Michelin star, and La Rôtisserie d'Argent, the Tour d'Argent's more relaxed sibling, on a quai facing Notre-Dame. In the 7th, Café des Ministères serves escargots next to its signature vol-au-vent. Book ahead, and try weekday lunch for gentler prices. See our Michelin 1-star selection.
Where to look
The 9th has the most escargots on this list, followed by the 2nd and Saint-Germain; start with the 9th arrondissement or the 6th. Prices lean high, because many of these places are historic bistros, but the counters and bouillons keep a plate of snails affordable. Filter by price above, then open the map to find the nearest sizzling dish.