Le Blainville

This faux-old Parisian bistro is one of the coolest spots on a street that has become surprisingly respectable over the years. You can settle in from the very first coffee of the morning to the final drink of the evening—the one you order because no one wants the night to end, and which inevitably makes you miss the last métro. In between, Le Blainville serves inventive and flavourful dishes such as polenta topped with aubergine caviar, roasted tomatoes and a rich tomato sauce. The lightly seared albacore tuna with fennel and roasted courgettes is also well worth trying. Prices remain refreshingly reasonable, and the terrace offers a front-row seat to the life and energy of Rue Saint-Denis.