Where to Eat in Montmartre (And What to Avoid)
Dining in Montmartre can be tricky. The district is full of tourist-friendly eateries that look inviting but deliver overpriced, bland food. To find truly good meals, you need to know what to look out for.
How to Spot and Avoid Tourist Traps
Restaurants with menus displayed in multiple languages are a common warning sign. These places typically prioritize convenience for tourists over fresh, quality ingredients.
Another red flag is staff who approach passersby, urging them to come inside. Quality restaurants rarely need to hustle diners in from the street.
Be especially cautious around major landmarks like the Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre. Restaurants located directly next to tourist attractions often charge inflated prices for average or below-average food.
For a better dining experience, head a street or two away from the most crowded areas.
A Few Reliable Places to Eat in Montmartre
Le Cépage Montmartrois
This cozy local spot on Rue Caulaincourt serves traditional French cuisine without pretense. Their goat cheese salad (chèvre chaud) is consistently praised, and the mi-cuit au chocolat (molten chocolate cake) is rich and satisfying.
Prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere feels genuinely Parisian.
Marinette
On Rue Marcadet, Marinette specializes in pizzas that locals swear by. The ingredients are fresh, the crust perfectly baked, and the prices affordable.
It’s an ideal spot for an easy, relaxed meal. Takeout is also popular if you’d rather eat in your hotel or at a nearby park.
La Maison Rose
Though famously photographed and once considered touristy, recent management changes have dramatically improved the food quality. The small but thoughtful menu emphasizes fresh ingredients and creative dishes.
Staff are friendly and attentive, working hard to shake off its tourist-trap reputation. Booking ahead is highly recommended.
La Rughetta
For excellent Italian dishes, La Rughetta on Rue Lepic is the standout choice. Their handmade pasta, authentic sauces, and welcoming service earn glowing reviews. Many visitors return multiple times during their stay.
Signature Montmartre
This small, innovative restaurant combines French and Korean influences. The result is a memorable dining experience with unique dishes and intense flavors. It’s compact and popular, so reservations are advisable.
Great if you’re seeking something beyond typical French fare.
Les 5 Marches
Located close to Rue de l’Abreuvoir, this charming café offers a quiet, pleasant escape from Montmartre’s crowds. The small menu changes seasonally and emphasizes freshness and simplicity.
A relaxing spot ideal for a casual lunch or leisurely coffee break.
Le Consulat
Near Place du Tertre, Le Consulat is well-known and photogenic, yet manages to offer genuinely good French dishes at fair prices. Despite the historic setting, the place doesn’t fall into touristy clichés.
Expect classics like onion soup, steak frites, and quiche Lorraine, all reliably tasty.
Some Places to Avoid (According to Travelers)
Place du Tertre Area
Though visually attractive, almost all eateries surrounding this famous artist square have overpriced, underwhelming meals. You’re paying for location. If you must dine nearby, choose carefully, or just opt for a drink to enjoy the atmosphere without overspending.
Le Vrai Paris
Despite its charming appearance and favorable online ratings, some visitors have found this place to be more style than substance. For example, a diner said “We went to Le Vrai Paris for dinner which is beautiful and has decent Google ratings but I found it to be a bit of an overpriced tourist trap unfortunately.”
Café des Deux Moulins
Famed for its appearance in the film “Amélie,” this café attracts numerous tourists. While the ambiance is nostalgic, some visitors feel that the food and service do not justify the higher prices.
Chez Plumeau
Located near Place du Tertre, this restaurant has a charming setting. However, diners find the quality of the food does not match the picturesque environment, with prices on the high side.
La Mère Catherine
Though it’s one of the oldest restaurants in Montmartre, some reviews suggest say that the dining experience doesn’t live up to its past, both for food quality and prices.