Where to Eat the Best Coq au Vin in Paris

Where to Eat the Best Coq au Vin in Paris

Coq au vin is a traditional French dish that consists of chicken that has been braised with wine. Different variations of this dish exist, and are constantly being explored, and it’s typically a very rich meal that offers many layers of flavor. 

Coq au vin – by Geoff Peters – Wikimedia Commons

Coq au vin can be made using either white or red wine, so it’s always a good time sampling the choices of different chefs around Paris. It goes without saying that this is a meat eater’s dish, and it’s important to note that although the basis is chicken, the flavor does start by first parboiling bacon. 

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A La Biche Au Bois in Paris

There are many fantastic places to enjoy coq au vin in Paris; almost too many to count. This is a charming restaurant close to the Gare de Lyon train station, in Paris east. 

It’s one of those special places where the menu doesn’t change for decades, but everything on offer is always utterly superb. A la Biche au Bois makes one of the top coq au vin dishes in the French capital, and I’m not the only person who will attest to this. 

A La Biche Au Bois in Paris – by A La Biche Au Bois – Uploaded by them

A quick read through the reviews and experiences of previous patrons, you’ll see that this is a crowdpleaser for all who make it their meal of choice at the establishment. Five stars! 

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday — 12pm to 2pm // 7pm to 10:30pm

ADDRESS: 45 Av. Ledru Rollin, 75012 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Gare de Lyon

Chez René in Paris

Chez Rene is a famous establishment situated on the left bank, just across from the Notre Dame. The best way to reach it is to actually get off at the Pont Marie metro stop, and then walk right across the bridges and island to get to the other side. 

At Chez Rene, the coq au vin dish is world famous. Foodies from all over the world come to try it, as it’s been reviewed by some of the harshest food critics in the game. 

Chez René in Paris – by Chez René – Uploaded by them

Many describe the experience as one to remember, proclaiming that the sauce of the dish is “smooth like velvet”. Also, five stars!

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday — 12pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: 14 Bd Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Pont Marie   

La Jacobine in Paris

Dinner at la Jacobine is always a good time. It’s been top of the tourist radar for quite some time, so locals tend to avoid it, but the food is worthy of any local palate and always a memorable experience. 

The coq au vin at la Jacobine is, quite simply, “to die for”. Those aren’t even my words, but rather a direct quote from the British lady at the table next to me after her first bite. 

La Jacobine in Paris – Sourced from Google Earth

Don’t dine here without tasting the Nutella tiramisu come time for dessert — another showstopper indeed. 

Note: If you don’t arrive before 7:30pm, a reservation becomes essential. This is a very popular spot!

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 12pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: 59-61 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Mabillon    

Louise Cafe in Paris

This is another dining institution in Paris for those who want the authentic French experience. The cafe is very close to the entrance of the Louvre, so you can totally combine these two excursions — museum in the morning, coq au vin for lunch!

Louise Cafe in Paris – by Louise Cafe – Uploaded by them

Speaking of, this particular rendition of the dish is another that has seen food critics coming from all over the world. The chicken is said to fall right off the bone in the best possible way. The rich gravy is served with a mountain of potatoes, but nearly every diner ends up ordering extra baguette so they can mop up every last drop. 

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday — 9:30am to 10:30pm

ADDRESS: 8 Rue Croix des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Palais Royal   

Le Procopein Paris

Eating coq au vin while in Paris doesn’t get much more historic than a visit to le Procopein. Having opened their doors in 1686, this is the oldest café of Paris in continuous operation — officially!

During the 18th and 19th centuries, this cafe was known to be the hub for artists and literary greats who wanted to spend their time sipping wine and networking like there was no tomorrow. 

Le Procopein Paris – by Le Procopein – Uploaded by them

The coq au vin is a menu standard, and it goes without saying that they’ve perfected this recipe to withstand the test of time. The dish is hearty as hell, and features more vegetables than other classic rendition. 

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I would recommend visiting le Procopein just for the vibe, if not anything else. There truly is nowhere like it in existence. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Call for hours

ADDRESS: 13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Mabillon     

Best wine to pair with coq au vin

Red Wines to Serve with Coq Au Vin

Pinot Noir – Burgundy: As a general rule, you can’t go wrong by pairing the drinking wine with the same wine that was used to prepare the food. The typical Coq Au Vin pairing is red Burgundy. Burgundy is a fresh, fruity, but nuanced Pinot Noir from France that will complement the mushrooms, lardons, and herbs in your red wine sauce.

e_calamar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Meanwhile, the milder fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry add a lot of flavor without overpowering the poultry.  The minerality of an Old World Pinot Noir would be preferred to the fruitiness of a New World bottling.

St Laurent: This rare wine may be more difficult to locate, but it is well worth the effort. It has the delicacy of a Burgundy Pinot Noir and the rowdiness of a Rhonê. Consider it a tattooed Burgundy Pinot riding a Harley with a cigarette tucked behind its ear.

Beaujolais: Beaujolais Villages is a light and fruity French red wine created from the Gamay Noir grape. It is a light and fruity red wine with bright aromas of cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. Beaujolais Villages pairs well with lighter varieties of Coq Au Vin in which the chicken is the star, rather than the lardons or herbs and spices because a heavier Coq Au Vin will overpower the lighter Beaujolais flavors.

kenji mori, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Côtes du Rhône: Côtes-du-Rhone is a Grenache-based blend from France’s Rhone Valley that often includes Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre. Côtes du Rhône is a beautiful pairing with Coq Au Vin since it doesn’t overshadow the fowl flavors but has enough personality to accompany the mushrooms and lardons. Côtes-du-Rhone wines come in a variety of styles and flavors, but the most common are black pepper, earth, spice, smoke, strawberry, raspberry, and plum. It is essentially a medium-bodied fruity red wine with an earthy veil.

White Wines to Serve with Coq Au Vin

Sauvignon Blanc: The herbaceousness of this wine is well-known. This trait works well with the herbs and vegetables in the dish. These wines will have greater minerality and lower acidity than their New World counterparts, such as those from New Zealand’s Marlborough Region. This region’s wine is recognized for its robust aromatics and intense herbaceous tastes.

Jonathan Harker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chardonnay: A Chardonnay would be a good way to finish out the mix. It would combine nicely with the meal’s flavors because of its dry sweetness, medium body, and moderate acidity. An unoaked Chardonnay would be a better choice for experiencing the grape’s fresh and brilliant characteristics.

Pinot Grigio: Pinot Grigio would be a safe bet with its light-bodied dryness and modest medium plus acidity. Just make sure you purchase a Grigio and not a Gris. While they are made from the same grape, the winemaking processes differ, and the Gris is often richer, fuller, and occasionally sweeter.

brett jordan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons