See what it’s like to eat at Frenchie, an iconic Michelin starred restaurant in Paris’ 2nd arrondissement.
More than ‘just’ a Michelin starred restaurant in Paris, the Frenchie restaurant empire includes a casual eatery and wine bar in addition to its flagship restaurant.
In recent years, Frenchie has expanded beyond its 2nd arrondissement headquarters on Rue de Nil. Not only is there a Frenchie in the Grand Pigalle Hôtel in Paris’ 9th, but there’s also a Frenchie in London.
Despite those newer Frenchie locations, Chef Grégory Marchand’s original Frenchie on Rue de Nil books up every day that it’s open. This is the location with the star and it’s where most diners want to make a weekday reservation.
Frenchie in Paris
We first encountered Frenchie in 2016, seven years after it opened and three years before Marchand, who’s grown to elite status since his days cooking for Alain Ducasse in Paris, Jean-George Vongerichten in Hong Kong and Jamie Oliver in London, received his first Michelin star.
Fun Fact
Marchand received the nickname “Frenchie” while working at Oliver’s now closed Fifteen in London. Over the past two decades, the cheeky moniker has grown into a dining legend.
We didn’t actually eat at the restaurant in 2016. Instead, we ate at Marchand’s casual FTG (Frenchie To Go) as part of a whirlwind weekend of eating American food in Paris. Years later, we finally ate at Frenchie as part of our deeper dive into the city’s best restaurants and patisseries.
Described as a ‘micro-restaurant’ by Marchand, Frenchie serves a seasonal prix-fixe menu that combines the best of global and local cuisine. After working around the world, the acclaimed chef is adept at sourcing local product and adding international flavors.
Despite its notoriety, Frenchie is a small space with a fairly limited schedule that doesn’t include weekend meals. The restaurant’s five-course menu cost 88€ at the time of our visit, with a lunchtime three-course option available for 50€. Prices are subject to change.
You won’t find Frenchie’s menu online since it changes frequently. Expect dishes like foie gras with caramelized pecans and grilled guinea fowl, both featured on our February lunch menu.
Our Lunch at Frenchie
Our Frenchie lunch started with gougères made with French Comté cheese and ended with a British cheese selection sourced from London’s Neal’s Yard Dairy. Highlights included a ridiculously tasty truffled potato and celeriac feuillete and smoked salmon brightly flavored with Meyer lemons and pickled turnips.
Glasses of locally-produced Grenache Blanc from Les Vignerons completed our culinary experience with panache. Les Vignerons, a unique local Paris winery, offers wine tastings in the Marais for those seeking a Parisian wine experience that doesn’t involve wine bars. However, if you’re into wine bars, Frenchie has one of those too.
The original Frenchie is located at 5 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris, France.
Frenchie in Paris FAQs
The easiest option is to make an online reservation a couple weeks before your visit. Frenchie’s reservation system accepts reservations for up to six people.
At the time of our 2020 visit, Frenchie’s five-course lunch was priced at 88€ and its three-course lunch was priced at 50€. As always, prices are subject to change.
No. Tipping is optional throughout France.
Frenchie doesn’t have a dress code. Most guests including us were dressed in a style best described as smart casual.
Depending on where you’re located in Paris, you can walk or you can take a bus, car share, taxi or the metro.
At the time of our lunch time visit, Frenchie offered two options – a three course menu and a five-course menu.
We found the three-course menu to be a good value based on the quality and quantity of the food .
Hungry for More Top Restaurants?
Check out our dining experiences at Belcanto, Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace, Florilege, French Laundry, L’Arpège, Maison Bras, Maison Lameloise, Noma, Pepe in Grani, Septime and Willie Mae’s Scotch House.
About the Authors
Daryl & Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website and YouTube. The married Food and Travel content creators live in Lisbon, Portugal.
Original Publication Date: March 27, 2022
Allie
Friday 16th of September 2022
Hi! Do you know exactly what time Frenchie opens up slots for their reservations? I am hoping to score a table and very willing to log on at the perfect time - just unsure what it is!!!
Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Monday 19th of September 2022
According to the site, reservations open three weeks in advance. You should probably check at midnight Paris time exactly three weeks before you plan to reserve. That being said, some restaurants open up their reservation line randomly and, unfortunately, you'll probably have to keep an eye on their reservation page. Another option is to call the restaurant directly. Good luck!!