Famed for their dashi-soaked veal brains and sunny Belle Époque decor, this monument historique is perennially packed with expats and tourists tucking into classic French dishes with a distinctly Japanese touch. Don’t let the crowd deter you: this is one of the most perfect meals in the city, especially when washed down with a glass of natural wine at the zinc bar or out on the terrace (if you don’t mind second-hand smoke). Come here for a full meal, or for a bite-sized portion of what might be the best beef tartare in Paris, served on a crispy cracker of nori and puffed rice.

It might be a few years now since the peak of its powers but this decadently lit bar is still a worthy pit stop. While Clown’s signature brain dish always takes the spotlight, the rest of the menu is worth exploring too – try the veal head croquettes and the sweetbreads. Back vintages of top winemakers from interesting regions such as the Auvergne and Alsace such as Patrick Bouju and Bruno Schueller is reason enough for me to stop by when I am in town.

Sous un plafond de céramiques circassiennes aussi centenaire que classé, cet auguste bistrot – qui fut longtemps la cantine des saltimbanques du Cirque d’Hiver voisin – délivre une enthousiasmante cuisine bien dans son temps, sans fard ni blague qui tombe à plat. Le Coréen Jung Yonghoon régale son public avec un numéro de petites assiettes équilibristes. Et en étoile en haut du chapiteau, on trouve une des plus belles cartes de vins nature de Paris.

Our list includes 14, some of which we recommend mostly for the wine (e.g. Repaire de Cartouche) and others for the food (e.g. Clown Bar at least before the chef left). We also included three higher-flying restaurants (Chateaubriand, Septime, Frenchie) that serve natural wine, and one that serves conventional wine (Tour d’Argent). For wine shops where one can drink we included Vin au Vert for natural wine and Legrand Filles et Fils for conventional.

No joke, Clown Bar was once the staff dining room for the clowns who performed a few doors down at winter circus, Cirque d'Hiver, a historic building dedicated to the circus, built in 1852. The interior of the bar is decorated with Belle Epoque tiles depicting — you guessed it — clowns. The building itself is an official monument historique, and has been around since 1902, but the clown motif didn't arrive until the 1920s.

Perfect for adventurous foodies and those looking for upscale, modern French fare. Just minutes from Paris' Cirque d'Hiver, the city's winter circus, Clown Bar is one of Paris' finest contemporary bistros. With a seasonal menu and a wine menu focussed on that of the natural variety, Clown Bar is ideal for those looking to expand their culinary palettes and dig deep into the ever-modernising French food scene.

For when it comes to giv­ing a unique din­ing expe­ri­ence, Le Clown Bar does not clown around (get it? Ha ha….I’ll see myself out now). In 1907, this was the place for all the local and world­wide clowns to gath­er and enjoy some down­time in Paris. Its loca­tion has been declared a nation­al mon­u­ment since 1995 and has one of the largest “nat­ur­al” wine cel­lars out there.

Okay, so Clown Bar, while having “Bar” in the name, is a full-on restaurant, but it does have a bar that you can sit at, so we’ll let it slide. Especially since they do have such a great selection of natural wines to go with their fantastic food. If an Eater article entitled “ This is the Most Thrilling Restaurant in Paris” doesn’t peak your interest, I don’t know what will.

In 2016, the team from Saturne took over a historic bar near the Cirque d’Hiver and installed chef Sota Atsumi (ex-Vivant) in the kitchen. Atsumi’s dishes dominated Instagram for a solid two years, and Clown Bar became one of the town’s most difficult reservations to snag. The Saturne team (and restaurant) has since dissolved amid rumors of wine theft and partner animosity.

This bistrot (which in times gone by was a gathering place for the clowns of the Cirque d'Hiver) has attracted a lot of attention since being taken over by the team behind Saturne wine bar and restaurant. "Xavier Lacaud in the front of house and Sota Atsumi in the kitchen are a great team," Frenchie's Marchand says. "They serve great natural wine and tasty bistronomy food.

Dans son drolatique décor rétro fait de faïences ornées de clowns colorés, le Clown bar propose une cuisine de bistrot parisien twistée avec quelques influences japonaise : pigeon sucré-salé, truite à la ricotta et aux abricots, crème brûlée glace verveine. Du multicolore et des acrobaties des murs à l’assiette. Clown Bar114 rue Amelot, Paris 11

Perhaps the most well known ‘underground’ Parisian restaurant in the foodie world, Clown Bar is certainly worth a mention. Well known for their out-there, experimental dishes such as veal brain in a dashi based broth infused with yuzu and ginger. It’s a real gem of a restaurant and a prime example of modern, forward thinking French cuisine.

Enjoy seasonal bistro cuisine in a vintage clown meeting room. Yes, starting in 1907, this building served as the official rendezvous for circus artists from around the world. The walls are still decorated with original ceramic depictions of clowns and the building was established as a historic monument in 1995.

Le Clown Bar sits in a historic spot in Paris and serves a straightforward style of cooking that highlights fresh, local ingredients. Its relaxed yet lively atmosphere invites you to settle in and enjoy a comfortable meal. You’ll also find a remarkable selection of natural wines to round out the experience.

Since 2013, Le Clown bar has offered up stylish French fare in a setting which has been classed as a historic building of importance. The cellar boasts one of the largest collections of natural wines in paris and so you’ll never be short of a wine to choose from.

The food served at Clown Bar was hands down the most adventurous eating I have ever done. Located right next door to the Cirque d’hiver Bouglione in the third arrondissement, this tiny gem is enhanced tastefully in clown decor. The food however, is no joke.

Le Clown Bar, ravissant restaurant bistronomique classé aux monuments historiques de la ville de Paris, propose en entrée un l’un des meilleurs tartares de Paris: bœuf de race limousine taillé au couteau dans le faux-filet, dans un esprit fusion asiatique.

The historic bar near the former Cirque d’Hiver retains its beautiful Belle Epoque flair (tastefully) decorated with clowns; wines are heavily natural, with good options by the glass as well as the bottle. Get there early or book well ahead.

Clown Bar: Arguably Paris' most talked-about hot spot in the foodie-centric 11th arrondissement with a Belle Epoque dining room and delectable small plates.

Buvette 🍽️🍷: A charming wine bar and restaurant known for its rustic yet refined menu, featuring French and international dishes.