-2nd Le Tambour Open until 1.30 in the morning, this bistro is authentic Paris personified with its traditional French cuisine: pig’s trotters, andouillette sausage or steak. 20-25 euros per person. 41, rue Montmartre (2e) 01 42 33 06 90 www.restaurantletambour.com.

-3rd Les Enfants Rouges From the menu of this classic Parisian bistro: pistache sausage on a bed of warm potatoes, Côtes-du-Rhône and traditional buffet. Not forgetting the warm reception and a cheeky and charming hostess. 35 euros per person. 90, rue des Archives (3e). 01 48 87 80 61.

-4th L’Amuse-gueule A favourite with the Parisians. On the menu: large plates of cold meats and good natural wines. 20-25 euros à la carte (wine included). 10, boulevard Morland (4e). 01 44 59 85 51.

4th Les Piétons This Spanish restaurant offers a delicious paella in a comfortable setting. Both waiters and customers have been known to dance on the tables... 10 euros for paella, 3.50 euros for tapas. 8, Rue des Lombards (4e) 01 48 87 82 87 www.lespietons.com.

-5th La Brouette This restaurant in the Mouffetard district serves fondue and pierrade at big tables and in a vaulted basement. At the end of one of these hearty meals, the owner places the liqueur bottle directly on the table. 17 euros for a fondue bourguignonne. 41, rue Descartes (5e). 01 43 25 41 10.

-6th Au Père Louis This restaurant-wine-cellar in the heart of the Latin Quarter proposes duck confit and cassoulet, meat and bean casserole, as well as a quality wine list from the south-west at reasonable prices. Electric atmosphere at weekends. Dishes start at 17 euros. 38 rue Monsieur le Prince (6e) Paris. 01 43 26 54 14.

-9th Autour d’un Verre Some strong points of this wine bar run by an American and a Finn: good and affordable wines, a laid-back cuisine (huge salads, open sandwiches and savoury quiches) and a generous dose of humour. 20-25 euros à la carte. 21, rue de Trévise (9e). 01 48 24 43 74

10th Restaurant de Bourgogne (Chez Maurice) The owner of this typical bistro welcomes you with a ready smile. On the menu: traditional cooking (ox tongue in piquant sauce, Breton chicken) at good value for money in friendly surroundings. Fixed menu starter+main dish+dessert from 11 to 16 euros. 26, rue des Vinaigriers (10e) 01 46 07 07 91.

-11th Le Temps au Temps 11th Le Temps au Temps The cosy room of this local eatery is great for getting to know people over a chat. Original decor and imaginative cuisine: warm foie gras and salsify in hazelnut oil, fillet of duck in port sauce, pear sorbet with plum brandy. 25-35 euros à la carte. 13, rue Paul Bert (11e). 01 43 79 63 40.

-12th Les Zygomates This superior bistro proposes high-quality French cuisine (duck foie gras salad with pine nuts, stuffed pig’s tail with morel mushrooms) at affordable prices. The tables are placed close together, allowing for spontaneous conversation with your neighbours. 30-40 euros à la carte. 7, rue Capri (12e). 01 40 19 93 04.

-13rd Le Temps des Cerises Once through the door, all you have to do is sit down at the nearest available place along with the other customers. Nestled in the charming Butte aux Cailles district, this bar-restaurant awaits you with its meat dishes and lamb cassoulet. Set menu at 22.50 euros. 18 rue de la Butte aux Cailles, (13e). 01 45 89 69 48.

-14th Au Plomb du Cantal A balance of quality, quantity and price in this often packed restaurant from the Auvergne region, where you can sample specialities such as tripoux (sheep offal), potato and cheese-based aligot or truffade, and duck confit. From 20 euros à la carte. 3, rue de la Gaîté (14e). 01 43 35 16 92

-15th La Cave de l’Os à Moelle Here, if you fancy some more bread, all you have to do is get up and cut some. And once you’ve chosen your blanquette, you help yourself and take a seat next to some people you don’t know (yet!). For 20 euros, this restaurant popular with visitors presents a varied menu (soups, seafood, terrines, traditional dishes...)... as much as you like! 18, rue de Lourmel (15e). 01 45 57 28 28.

-17th Le Cercle du 17e Friendly and welcoming, this little reasonably-priced place serves a simple cuisine (soup of the day, braised knuckle of lamb). Young Parisians bring their friends for magic or numerology evenings. 20-25 euros à la carte. 5, rue Labie (17e) 01 45 74 22 98.

-18th Le Refuge A bistro mood and staple dishes (croque-monsieur, pepper steak) in this brasserie overlooking the Montmartre district. An ideal stopping-off point for visitors exploring this typical neighbourhood. Dish of the day at 10 euros. 72, rue Lamarck (18e). 01 42 55 27 58.

-20th Au Vieux Belleville Popular music and classic cooking in this family bistro frequented as much by Parisians as tourists. An essential venue in the Belleville district where conversations and sing-songs come easily. From 15 euros. 12, rue des Envierges (20e) 01 44 62 92 66. www.le-vieux-belleville.com

-Chez Papa Typical dishes from the south-west (vast potato salads, cassoulet gratiné) at affordable prices in these bistros adopted by the Parisians. Friendly environment and busy tables. 7 euros for the Boyarde salad, 15 euros for a cassoulet. Four restaurants in Paris:: 29, rue de l’Arcade (8e). 01 42 65 43 68. 206, rue Lafayette (10e). 01 42 09 53 87. 6, rue Gassendi (14e). 01 43 22 41 19 101, rue de la Croix-Nivert (15e) 01 48 28 31 88.