5 Best Eateries And Pubs In Paris As Recommended By Award-Winning Bartender Harrison Kenney

Bar Nouveau in Paris is ranked number 39 on the World’s 50 Best Bars. Located on Rue des Haudriettes in the French capital, the bar is managed by award-winning bartender Harrison Kenney, who is known for his artistic approach to cocktail-making that explores the relationship between nature and a post-technological world. Kenney travelled to India last month for a series of events in cities such as Bengaluru, Gurugram, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Goa. This tour was a collaboration between Bar Nouveau Paris and the beverage education and experiences academy, Tulleeho.

Kenney began his bartending career to earn money for travel. “The irony is that now I bartend, and I get to travel the world because of it. So, it’s been an amazing journey,” he shares. “I’ve explored multiple cities globally and even lived in a few. Currently, I reside in Paris, which I believe is objectively the best city in the world. My journey has been quite successful so far. I started by polishing glasses, then moved to bar-backing, poured pints, shook cocktails, and now I’m pouring drinks.”

Outlook Traveller caught up with Kenney for his recommendations on eateries and pubs in Paris that travellers should visit.

Best Eateries And Bars In Paris

Song Heng

Song Heng is a small Vietnamese restaurant located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. It has a laid-back and authentic atmosphere, making it a great spot for a quick and satisfying meal before exploring the city. Despite its tiny size, this popular eatery is well-known for its generous portions of pho and bún bò Huế soups. The menu is simple, offering only these two options, and you can choose between two sizes: Grand or Petit. "I’d wake up and head to Song Heng, a Vietnamese restaurant, for a big bowl of Pho," says Kenney. "Paris is quite a multi-cultural city, so you can get really good Asian flavours."

Address: 3 Rue Volta, 75003 Paris, France

Bar Nouveau

Ranked 39th on the World's 50 Best Bars list, the charming Bar Nouveau is inspired by the Art Nouveau movement and pays tribute to a bygone era. The bar is divided into two distinct areas. The ground floor revisits the historical context of Art Nouveau, imagining what the space would have looked like 130 years ago. In contrast, the downstairs area focuses on reintroducing nature into a post-technological world through the use of modern technology. They have a carefully curated menu with six cocktails offering refined interpretations of classic cocktails, bistro staples, and inventive signature creations. The bar also has the world's largest private collection of Bimini glasses, a type of decorative glassware produced by the Bimini glassworks in Austria from 1923 to 1937. "I’d recommend having a Fine À L’eau here, and really enjoying the afternoon light shining into the Art Nouveau facade among the busy, bustling streets," says Kenney.

Address: 5 Rue des Haudriettes, 75003 Paris, France

De Vie

De Vie was founded by a renowned bartending duo known for their work at Little Red Door, a bar in the Marais that has ranked among the top bars in the world. Located in Paris’ Montorgueil quarter, De Vie has two distinct offerings. On one side, you can enjoy cocktails on draught. On the other side, a table d'hôte presents a seasonal tasting menu featuring signature cocktails that pay homage to the great classics of mixology. "I would recommend De Vie because I have one of my best friends there," says Kenney. "And it’s one of the most anticipated openings of 2025 globally, so you have to go eat and have a drink here."

Address: 22 Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002 Paris, France

Le Cheval d'Or

This two-star Michelin restaurant in the Jourdain neighbourhood of Upper Belleville features an eye-catching oriental red façade, soaring ceilings, and whitewashed walls. A vintage fridge has been repurposed to store wine, and the open-plan kitchen adds to the inviting atmosphere. "I would get dinner at Cheval D’or because I love a little bit of Chinese and French fusion—they have the most insane menu currently," says Kenney. The menu is eclectic and Asian-inspired, with several Gallic influences. Highlights include mapo ragu made with fresh pasta, tofu and caviar consommé à la royale, barbajuan ravioli in sweet pepper sauce, tofu and shiitake tortellini, and stuffed duck à l’orange. The wine list primarily focuses on natural and biodynamic selections sourced from European producers.

Address: 21 Rue de la Villette, 75019 Paris, France

Le Syndicat

"I would finish the night at Le Syndicat Paris because I love a bit of French hip-hop and late-night dive bar action," says Kenney. Le Syndicat has consistently ranked among the top 100 bars in the world, placing 24th on the 2018 World’s Best Bars list. Their Instagram tagline is “Where grandpa spirits go gangsta.” The bar's full name is "Le Syndicat: Organisation de Défense des Spiritueux Français," highlighting its focus on drinks crafted exclusively from French spirits and liqueurs. The cocktail menu is always evolving; for example, you can try "Drop the Beet," made with Normandy Calvados, beet purée, honey syrup, and fresh lemon juice, or the "Saix en Provence," featuring brandy from Armagnac, spicy watermelon syrup, and lavender essence.

Address: 51 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris, France

Bonus: Harrison Kenney's Favourite Cocktail

When asked about his favorite cocktails, Kenney mentioned the Fine À L’eau from Bar Nouveau's menu. This delicate and refreshing take on a French café classic combines the smooth depth of whisky with the crisp acidity of verjus and a touch of sweetness, all softened with pure water. “It’s the one I consume daily. It’s a hit everywhere. It has a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, and it’s tall and sparkling.”