Moules Frites in Paris: 11 Spots for Mussels Done Right
A pot of mussels looks foolproof, which is exactly why so many cafés get away with a gritty, overcooked version swimming in watery broth. Near the big boulevards, the frites on the side are often frozen too.
We went looking for moules frites in Paris that are worth the napkins: 11 spots, cross-checked across the guides locals trust, from a 19th-century brasserie to a market counter and a late-night cocktail bar. Want more from the sea? Try our seafood platters and oysters, or look for a relaxed pot of mussels at one of our wine bars.
A trendy cocktail bar in the heart of Haut-Marais where inventive drinks meet creative Asian-French fusion cuisine and an exceptional natural wine selection.
Fooding AwardFooding50 Best
A lively counter-style wine bar serving refined small plates and natural wines in the heart of the historic Marché des Enfants Rouges.
TimeoutFooding
Paris's oldest brasserie serves authentic Alsatian specialties under a stunning Belle Époque glass dome in the heart of the Marais.
A modern brasserie on the banks of the Seine serving exceptional seafood and seasonal French dishes in a convivial waterfront setting.
Timeout
A neighborhood bistrot in Belleville where daily market finds meet marine inspiration, paired with natural wines in a convivial setting.
TimeoutFooding
A refined bistro in a beautifully preserved 1900s pharmacy, where Chef Romain Thibault crafts modern French cuisine with seasonal ingredients and natural wines.
Michelin Bib GourmandMichelinFooding
A beloved neighborhood bistrot serving timeless French classics and exceptional wines in the charming Saint-Georges quarter since its opening.
A stylish neo-bistrot designed by Luke Edward Hall, serving seasonal French cuisine and natural wines from morning until midnight near Paris's major train stations.
Fooding AwardFooding
A Belle Époque-inspired brasserie in Neuilly-sur-Seine celebrating French culinary classics and fresh seafood with an Écotable commitment to sustainable dining.
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.
Where to eat moules frites in Paris
Good mussels are small, plump and sweet, cooked to order just until the shells open, never a minute more. The broth should taste of the sea, white wine and shallots, and deserve the bread you dip in it. Paris kitchens love to play with the recipe, so the list below mixes the classic marinière with some very un-Belgian ideas. Each place page shows which mussel dish is the must-try, the price range and when the kitchen is open.
The classics, brasserie style
Bofinger, Paris's oldest brasserie, founded in 1864 between the Place des Vosges and Bastille, cooks its mussels in Riesling under a Belle Époque glass dome, a nod to its Alsatian menu. In the 9th, Wilton, a Belle Époque brasserie since 1900, keeps the old-school menu going. Just outside the city, Polpo Brasserie, on the Seine quays in Levallois-Perret, makes several mussel preparations, with a weekday lunch menu at €19.90, and Brasserie Charlie in Neuilly-sur-Seine is on the list too; see more addresses just outside Paris.
Creative takes worth trying
In the Marché des Enfants Rouges, the counter at Les Enfants du marché serves mussels with gorgonzola and natural wine, no reservations. Browse our food markets for more. Also in the Haut-Marais, Le Mary Celeste turns them into moules chili-shiso and stays open until 2am; find more in our late-night bars. Near two of the city's big train stations, Café les Deux Gares serves moules de Groix in a room designed by Luke Edward Hall, from morning coffee to late drinks. In Belleville, Le Jourdain sautés its mussels and adds tapas in the evening.
Where to look, and how much
The 9th and the Marais have the most mussels on this list, with Le Bon Georges and Wilton in the 9th: start with the 9th arrondissement or Le Marais. Most places are mid-priced, and mussels are usually one of the gentler lines on the menu. For value, Jouvence, a Bib Gourmand bistro in a 1900s pharmacy, has lunch formulas from 19€. Le Bon Georges is open seven days a week, handy when your first choice is shut; see our restaurants open on Sunday. Then use the map to find the nearest pot.