What’s what? Cafes, Bistros, Brasseries…What’s the difference?
Cafés: There is a café at every turn in Paris. In a café, you can have your croissant and coffee breakfast, a salad and cold drink lunch, your before dinner drinks, dinner itself, and after the show nightcap. Cafés are a part of the Parisian lifestyle, and they are a great place to relax, to take in the locals, read, and refresh yourself with some of the best coffee you’ll ever have. Your waiter will bring you a bill with your coffee, and sometimes ask that you pay it immediately. This does not mean you need to leave, he’s just trying to stay ahead of the game. As long as you’ve got your drink, consider the table yours until you are ready to go.
Bistros: “Bistrot” is actually a Russian word for “hurry”. While it’s no longer considered to be “fast food”, bistros serve what we would consider French “comfort food” in a traditional atmosphere. You can get boeuf bourguignon, cassoulet, beef stew, great pâtés, and wonderful homemade tartes at a local bistro. Service and meal are both more casual than a restaurant.
Brasseries: Brasseries are open all day, serving all day long and typically until midnight. They are louder and more crowded than a restaurant or bistro. You can usually get into a brasserie without a reservation.
Restaurants: A restaurant in France will serve full meals (three courses) at set dining hours for lunch and dinner. They are more formal than the other dining choices, and offer a full menu and wine list. A typical French restaurant meal will require between two and three hours to complete, depending on how many Michelin stars it has!
Tearooms or “Salons de Thé”: A Parisian tearoom is the perfect place for a leisurely salad, sandwich, pastry and coffee or cup of tea. They are inviting and usually very attractive places. Think of them as the perfect place for a light meal or afternoon tea.
