The Crocs des Halles, the little brother of L’Ogre (75016) and Les Crocs de l’Ogre (75007), is a haven for meat lovers that has just set up shop in the historic belly of Paris, a stone’s throw from Les Halles.

This new carnivorous table spread over 3 floors, where they celebrate quality meats matured on-site, also features a butcher shop area where you can choose your meat according to your taste, with no less than 8 to 10 different breeds.

On the ground floor, at the back of the restaurant, there is a cozy smoking room with a prohibition-era bar vibe, dedicated to cigar aficionados, and in front of the establishment, a nice little terrace for sunny days, to sit back in peace and quiet.

Upstairs, you’ll find wooden tables for the restaurant area and serving trolleys for on-the-spot carving of large cuts of meat.

In the basement, the wine bar offers no less than 400 references from a rich and eclectic cellar, composed of fine wines and more confidential productions.

You must also discover the dim lighting of this vaulted room, furnished with chesterfield armchairs, as well as the psychedelic frieze by Mygalo, ensuring a street-art atmosphere.

Vegans and gluten-free folks should abstain; here we come in search of strictly selected meat (the supply comes, among others, from the Nivernaises and Marguerite butcher shops), matured on-site and offered by connoisseurs for enthusiasts.

To taste:

• The Iberian egg, in a succulent chorizo sauce (€11).

• The bone marrow, a dish for discerning palates and stomachs (€12).

• The hanger steak, accompanied by fresh vegetables, homemade butter-mashed potatoes, homemade fries (€28).

• In addition to the regular menu, you can go choose your meat upstairs at a butcher’s stall, offering daily arrivals and connoisseur-grade meats (Wagyu, Galician, etc.).

Prices per 100g are displayed, so you can compose a plate according to your taste and, above all, your appetite! I particularly appreciated the tailor-made advice from the butcher. I was able to choose a meat according to my cravings and in a small quantity (a well-matured beef fillet), which allowed me to finish it completely without any waste, and at a lower cost too, since my dish came out to about €15, with the same sides as the hanger steak!

• The dessert of the day: praline cream puffs (€7), accompanied by a small coffee (€2.80).

The little extra: the bread from Jean Luc Poujauran, with its dense crumb and brown crust that perfectly accompanies the meal.

Another very good point of the house is the wide selection of wines and, above all, the very wise advice from the staff who obviously know their stuff in this area. And, when it comes to quality meat, it is important to be able to let yourself be guided by expert and original recommendations. So, don’t be timid and let yourself be tempted by appellations or estates that you know less about and that will go perfectly with your meat; you won’t be disappointed!

Les Crocs des Halles
49 rue Berger 75001 Paris

Closed on Mondays
From Tuesday to Sunday / 12pm-2:30pm 8pm-10:30pm / Brunch from 12pm to 4pm.

Basement bar: Thursday-Saturday from 8pm to 1am

Price: A la carte from €40 to €80; glass of white wine about €6.60; lunch set menu at €20 with 1 glass of wine + 1 choice of salad + 1 coffee

Edit April 15, 2020: this address is now permanently closed

Find all my restaurant reviews in Paris below:
⇒ My restaurant reviews in Paris
⇒ My addresses for meat lovers in Paris

MY GOOD MEAT ADDRESSES IN PARIS
⇒ Bang !
⇒ Rhino Rouge
⇒ Comptoir la Brigade
⇒ Canard Street Paris
⇒ Le Cochon Gaulois

Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan
Photos not royalty-free, photographer's authorization mandatory before any use