The brainchild of super-chef Yves de Camdeborde, this small and scrumptious bistro set below the Relais Saint-Germain hotel is still bringing in the crowds more than a decade after its opening in 2005. Camdeborde is often credited with starting the bistronomy movement in the 1990s, when he walked out on the Crillon and opened his own bistro. He wanted to offer the French equivalent of “down home” cooking, using the best ingredients and charging affordable prices. During the day, Le Comptoir is a bistro, serving relatively traditional fare, like a slice of lamb with thyme sauce or panier de cochonaille, a basket of the Camdeborde family’s own brand of sliced smoked ham, dried sausage, and other pork-based delectables. On weeknights, it’s a temple to haute cuisine, with a tasting menu that includes as many as five different dishes. Reserve weeks in advance for this fixed-price meal, which changes nightly. If you can’t get a seat, try L’Avant Comptoir, the restaurant’s adjacent wine bar/counter serving small plates of charcuterie and seafood.
Paris› Restaurant
Le Comptoir du Relais
9 carrefour de l’Odéon, 6th arrond.
Our Rating
Neighborhood
St-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement)
Hours
Daily noon–11pm
Transportation
Métro: Odéon
Phone
01-44-27-07-50
Prices
Main courses weekends and weekdays 24€–39€; fixed-price dinner Mon-Fri 70€
Cuisine Type
Traditional French/Bistro
Web site
Le Comptoir du Relais
Map
9 carrefour de l’Odéon, 6th arrond. ParisNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.