French bistro€€Mon-Fri 12:00-05:00, Closed Sat-SunUntil Open until 05:00
Chez Denise (La Tour de Montlhéry) in Paris's 1er is the all-night bistro that fed Les Halles porters until 1969 and now feeds the night-out crowd.
Try: Steak tartare, andouillette
Tip: Closed weekends. Arrive after midnight for the quieter second-wind crowd; tartare is the order.
West African€€Tue-Wed 18:00-01:00, Thu-Fri 18:00-02:00, Sat 15:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-21:00, Closed MonUntil Open until 02:00
Le Comptoir Général in Paris's 10e is the canal-side African-themed bar-restaurant in a converted warehouse, with West African plates and a hibiscus bar.
Try: Bissap juice and West African plates
Tip: Open from 18:00 Tue-Sun; live DJ Thu-Sat from 22:00. The kitchen serves until 01:00 nightly.
French bistro€€Mon-Fri 12:00-14:30 18:30-23:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-15:00 18:30-23:00Until Open until 23:30
Le Relais de l'Entrecôte in Paris is the 6e steak-frites room that queues until 23:00. At 20 Rue Saint-Benoît. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Try: Steak frites with house butter sauce
Tip: Queue from 21:00 for the late seating; tables turn every 45 minutes after the dinner rush.
French bistro€€Daily 12:00-00:00Until Open until 00:00
Bouillon Pigalle in Paris pours classic bouillon dishes until midnight. At 22 Boulevard de Clichy. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Try: Bouillon classics
Tip: After 22:30 the queue thins. Order onion soup, steak tartare and île flottante for the late triple.
French bistro€€Daily 12:00-14:00 19:00-23:00Until Open until 02:00
La Poule au Pot in Paris's 1er Les Halles cooks classic grand-mère bistro until 02:00. At 9 Rue Vauvilliers. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Try: Poule au pot Henri IV
Tip: After midnight the room thins to regulars; the soufflé Grand Marnier is the order for a late dessert.
Spanish tapas€€Daily 12:00-23:00Until Open until 23:30
Yves Camdeborde's L'Avant-Comptoir in Paris is the stand-up tapas-bar next to Le Comptoir du Relais. Twenty plates on hanging menus, no seats.
Try: Stand-up tapas-style plates
Tip: Open until 23:30. The grilled pâté en croûte plates run €8; pair with a glass of Beaujolais cru.