The BEST Dish I Ate In Paris, France
This was the meal that made the whole trip worth it.
This was the bite…
The one that shocks your taste buds in a magical, overwhelmingly delicious way. The one that introduces you to new flavors you didn’t even know existed (even when you thought you’d tried it all).
The one that makes the whole trip worth it.
The best dish I ate in Paris, France was a medium-rare, French beef tenderloin with a daringly delicious tarragon sauce.
More commonly known as steak frites, this dish is a French classic you must try when you’re in Paris.
What is Steak Frites?
Steak frites is a traditional French dish that’s stunningly simple. It’s made up of:
Steak—Typically entrecôte (rib-eye), a premium beef cut that’s very tender and intensely flavorful. It’s cooked rare or medium-rare, which highlights its tenderness.
Fries—French fries (cause, duh, we’re in France!), but not just any French fries. These are thinly cut fries that are crispy yet soft inside.
Sauce—Every restaurant’s steak frites sauce is a little different. Often, it’s a variation of a béarnaise sauce (made with butter, egg yolk, and tarragon). I’ve also seen menus that have a dreamy blue cheese sauce (and unfortunately, some menus that don’t have a sauce at all—shame on them).
These three elements combine magically. Yes, it’s simple—but before you think you’ve had steak at home and don’t need to try this… Hear me out: this isn’t just any old steak. This is a must-try dish when you’re in Paris.
And if you try it in the right place, it might just be the best thing you eat during your entire time in France.
How To Decide Where To Eat Steak Frites in Paris
I knew I wanted to try this dish when I was in Paris, so I did a LOT (and I mean A LOT) of research to find the best restaurant for affordable, authentic, and unforgettable steak frites.
There are many options. You’ve probably seen on social media influencers raving about the steak frites from Relais de l’Entrecôte—everyone and their grandma’s dog says this is the “best” place to try this dish—or the super cheap version from Bouillon Chartier.
I considered many places in my search for the perfect place to try my first steak frites:
Relais de l’Entrecôte—Mentioned above, a 29€ double-service meal (meaning two rounds of steak and fries). But… after seeing a few more honest reviews (and seeing that it often has over 2-hour wait times) I decided it was overhyped and didn’t want to risk it.
Le Relais de Venise—Very similar to the first option, it also had long lines and wait times for the same 30€ double-service meal. Deemed overhyped, didn’t make the cut.
Le Bistrot Paul Bert—Recommended by Les Frenchies as one of the most flavorful steak frites dishes. However, after seeing reviews on Google and pictures of a very small steak dish for 48€, I decided it was too much for too little.
Bistrot Victoires—At 13.90€, this was a very affordable option, but the pictures I saw in Google reviews didn’t have a sauce. No sauce, no go.
The final contenders were:
Black Angus—A more modern, hip version of the classic steak frites. With drool-worthy photos, great reviews, and at 29€ per plate, this was a very convincing option.
Brasserie Des Prés—An affordable 20€ steak frites with the option of garlic parsley butter or bearnaise sauce.
L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille—A 19.90€ lunch menu option of a single-pass steak frites, or a 29€ double-pass version with unlimited fries and the signature house sauce.
And after spending weeks investigating restaurant recommendations, travel guides, and scouring social media, I found it: The perfect way to try authentic steak frites at an affordable price in a cute Parisian restaurant…
Where I Recommend Eating Steak Frites in Paris
I decided on L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille, and I’m so glad I did. This was the most incredible steak frites dish—the meat was perfectly tender, the fries were crispy (and all-you-can-eat!), and the sauce was absolutely mind-blowing.
First, they start you off with slices of French bread. And a fresh salad with oak leaves, radishes, and hazelnuts along with a tangy mustardy sauce that wakes up your taste buds and prepares them for the main dish.
Then, out comes the first glowing dish of steak frites. Four slices of medium-rare meat alongside a pile of fries. And the sauce! The green signature sauce is served in an elegant gravy-boat sauce cup.
The sauce is what really takes this dish to the next level. For me, it had flavors I had never experienced before—the waiter told me the tarragon is what really makes it stand out. But whatever magical secret ingredients they use, it works. The sauce combines magically with the fries and the steak. You’ll want to pick up your plate and gluttonously lick off every last drop.
After you polish off your first dish, your waiter will come around and serve you another round—more perfectly tender, flavorful meat and another pile of crispy French fries. And more sauce, of course.
What to Know About L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille
L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille has four different locations in Paris—I went to the Bastille location. (Besides the fantastic food, the restaurant is also adorable! I fell in love with the Parisian chairs that are all over the city—they’re colorful, woven from rattan, and absolutely charming.)
Things to keep in mind:
The 19.90€ steak frites lunch option (one pass instead of a double pass) is available from Monday to Friday and not on holidays.
The double service deal is 29€ and is served with unlimited fries and sauce.
If you’re traveling with kiddos, they also have a smash burger option (and a chicken option) that might be good for the little ones.
If you ask for water at restaurants in Paris, they’ll bring you bottled water and you’ll have to pay for it. If you say you don’t want anything to drink, they’ll bring you free tap water.
I also tried the crème brûlée here—and wow—it was great. It had the thinnest layer of glass-like caramelized sugar and the creamiest, vanilla custard base. Also recommend trying that (if you’re not too full).
Steak frites are unforgettable. I enjoyed every single bite. My mouth waters just writing this. I 100% recommend the steak frites from L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille—try it; you will not be disappointed.
This is the meal worth flying to Paris for.
L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille Information*
Address: 21 Bd Beaumarchais, 75004 Paris, France
Website: https://latelierev.com/notre-formule#bastille
Operating Hours: 11:45 am–2:30 pm, 6:30–10:30 pm
Average Cost Per Person: €20-35
*This information (along with the prices mentioned for the other restaurants above) is accurate as of June 2026. Make sure to double-check the website to find the latest details and possible changes.