This family-run brasserie, wonderfully situated on the Île Saint-Louis, has been around since the 1920s. The room’s decor actually dates back to that era, giving it the old-fashioned charm of a place frozen in time—but that is precisely what draws me to this type of establishment.
The Brasserie de L’Isle Saint-Louis has been run by the Kappe family since 1953 and ranks among the oldest addresses in Paris. You’ll encounter a lovely crowd of regulars who fondly recall their frequent visits to this restaurant when they were just toddlers…
Seated in this place steeped in the history of Paris, like a remnant of a city and an atmosphere that has almost disappeared today, I greedily listened to the neighborhood stories and well-kept secrets shared by the younger generation of the Kappe family.
While it is a culinary establishment for people who love good food, the Brasserie de L’Isle Saint-Louis is also a place for connection with a very rich past.
On the menu, you will find traditional cuisine with national specialties from several French regions, featuring well-prepared dishes made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. No frozen food here, and you can really taste it on the plate.
It is also the perfect spot for big eaters, as the portions are more than generous (proof in pictures just below).
To taste:
- As a starter, to keep things light (and save some room for the rest), we opted for 6 oysters (Fines de Claires No. 2 Marennes Oléron) to share (€18). They were presented without their iodized juice, and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen that… Personally, I think I prefer them with the brine because I love drinking it after eating my oyster, but hey, it’s a matter of taste…
- To continue, we enjoyed the daily special, roasted pheasant with autumn mushrooms and Brussels sprouts (€26), a recipe from yesteryear that is rarely found on restaurant menus, and we loved it!
- We also wanted to try the house’s classic choucroute garnie (€22), with cabbage cooked and fermented Alsatian-style on-site. Furthermore, it is apparently one of the last choucroutes still prepared in the kitchens of the restaurant where it is served. The cabbage was delicious, and I really appreciated the presence of an excellent blood sausage in the dish (because I love it!).
- For dessert, we shared the house’s generous Rum Baba (€8), which was the dessert of the day. It was very good, but I found it a little too soaked in rum for my taste…
The wine list: a lovely selection of Alsatian wines of course, and that day we tried an Alsatian Pinot Gris, the René Dopff cuvée from Dopff and Irion.
The little extra: a very pleasant terrace overlooking the Pont Saint-Louis, which is crowded even in winter!
Thanks to the Brasserie de l’Isle Saint-Louis for this invitation.
Brasserie de L'Isle Saint-Louis 55, quai de Bourbon 75004 Paris open every day except Wednesday from 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM no reservations
Find all my restaurant reviews in Paris below:
⇒ My restaurant reviews in Paris
⇒ My brasseries in Paris
MY BRASSERIES IN PARIS
⇒ Brasserie Coquin
⇒ Bistrot de la Gare
⇒ Brasserie Cézanne
⇒ Bouillon Chartier
⇒ Polpo, the brasserie on the water
⇒ Brasserie Bellanger
⇒ Brasserie de l’Isle Saint-Louis
⇒ Brasserie La Coupole
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MAP OF MY FAVORITE FOOD SPOTS IN PARIS AND THE ILE-DE-FRANCE REGION
Restaurant 
Bar 
Pastry Shop / Bakery 
Tea Room / Coffee Shop
Brunch 
Ice Cream Shop
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free; photographer's authorization required before any use
