Paris has undergone a quiet burger revolution over the past decade. What was once the domain of fast-food chains and tourist traps has transformed into one of Europe's most exciting burger scenes. The city that gave us coq au vin and crème brûlée now takes the humble hamburger just as seriously, with chefs dry-aging beef, baking buns fresh daily, and treating burger construction with the same precision they'd apply to a Michelin-starred dish.
The turning point came around 2010 when a wave of chef-driven burger joints introduced Parisians to what an American-style burger could really be—thick, juicy patties cooked medium-rare, quality beef from renowned butchers, and toppings that actually enhanced rather than buried the meat. Today, Paris offers everything from smash burger specialists perfecting the crispy-edged technique to high-end establishments where a burger costs as much as a three-course meal elsewhere. These six spots represent the best of what's happening right now, each bringing something different to the table.
| Restaurant | Location | Price Range | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dumbo | Multiple locations | €10-13 | Classic smash burgers |
| Le Ruisseau | 18th & 3rd arrondissements | €15-18 | French-inspired burgers |
| Spécimen | Saint-Germain-des-Prés | €12.90 | Minimalist smash burgers |
| Blend | Multiple locations | €15 | Gourmet with Bourdonnec beef |
| PNY | Multiple locations | €13.50+ | Flame-grilled thick patties |
| Clover Grill | 1st arrondissement | €20-25 | Michelin-chef wood-fired burgers |
Dumbo: The Smash Burger Pioneer
| Address | Multiple locations: 64 Rue Jean Baptiste Pigalle (9th), 6 Rue de Poitou (3rd), 14 Rue des Petites Écuries (10th) |
|---|---|
| Website | dumboparis.com |
| Price Range | $ (Burgers €10-13, fries €4) |
| Specialty | New York-style smash burgers with dry-aged beef |
| Must-Try | Cheeseburger - €10-12 |
Dumbo deserves credit for bringing the smash burger technique to Paris and doing it so well that it won Le Fooding's Best Burger award in 2020. The concept is deceptively simple: take a ball of quality ground beef, smash it hard onto a screaming-hot griddle, and let physics do the work. The Maillard reaction creates those lacy, caramelized edges that shatter with each bite while the interior stays juicy.
What sets Dumbo apart is their commitment to the details that casual diners might not notice but absolutely taste. The beef is dry-aged, which concentrates flavor and adds a subtle funk that fresh beef simply can't match. They use proper American cheese—not the plastic-wrapped stuff, but real American cheese that melts into liquid gold and gets into every crevice of the burger. The potato buns are soft enough to compress but sturdy enough to handle the juice without disintegrating halfway through.
The menu keeps things refreshingly focused. You get a cheeseburger—dry-aged beef, American cheese, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard—and you can add another patty if you're hungry. There's also an Earth Burger for vegetarians with a plant-based patty that actually tastes good, plus buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and apple pie if you're feeling nostalgic for American diner food. The twice-cooked fries are mandatory, golden and crispy with just the right amount of salt.
Since opening, Dumbo has expanded to four locations across Paris, which speaks to both their popularity and their ability to maintain quality at scale. The Pigalle location tends to be the busiest, especially on weekend evenings when the line stretches down the block. The Marais spot in the 3rd arrondissement offers a slightly quieter experience without sacrificing anything in quality. They're open seven days a week from noon to 10:30 PM, and yes, you can get delivery, though eating it fresh off the griddle is always better.
Le Ruisseau: French Soul Meets American Burger
| Address | 65 Rue du Ruisseau, 75018 Paris (original); 22 Rue Rambuteau, 75003 Paris (Le Marais) |
|---|---|
| Website | leruisseauburger.com |
| Price Range | $$ (€15-18, combo with fries and drink €15) |
| Specialty | French-influenced burgers with regional cheeses |
| Must-Try | Blue Cheeseburger - €16-17 |
Le Ruisseau takes a different approach than the American-style purists—they're unapologetically French in their burger philosophy, and it works beautifully. While others import American cheese and potato buns, Le Ruisseau asks: what if we applied French culinary sensibilities to the burger format? The result is a menu of eleven different compositions that read like a tour of French gastronomy, from fish burgers with tartar sauce to creations featuring regional French cheeses you won't find anywhere else.
The Blue Cheeseburger exemplifies their approach. Instead of the standard cheddar or American cheese, they use actual blue cheese—creamy, pungent, and powerful enough to stand up to the beef without overwhelming it. The patty itself is thick and cooked to a perfect medium, with a char on the outside and a rosy center that bleeds into the bun. They bake their own buns daily, and you can taste the difference: slightly sweet, substantial enough to hold everything together, with a texture that's more artisanal bread than mass-produced softness.
The original location on Rue du Ruisseau in the 18th arrondissement near Jules Joffrin Metro has the feel of a neighborhood bistro—locals drop in for lunch, couples come for dinner, and the staff remembers regulars' orders. The Le Marais location on Rue Rambuteau operates under the name "Burger Joint" and attracts a younger, trendier crowd, but the burgers are equally excellent at both spots.
Pricing sits in the middle range for Paris burgers. A combo with a burger, homemade fresh-cut fries, and a drink runs €15, which feels reasonable given the quality and portion size. Individual burgers range from €15.50 to €18 depending on toppings and ingredients. The fries deserve special mention—hand-cut, double-fried, and seasoned simply so they complement rather than compete with the burger.
Service can be slow during peak hours, but it's the good kind of slow—everything's made to order, and you can watch your burger being assembled with care. They're open daily for lunch and dinner, with nonstop service on weekends when you can walk in anytime between noon and 11 PM. If you're trying to decide between the two locations, go with whichever is more convenient; the quality is consistent.
Spécimen: Minimalism Done Right
| Address | 3 Rue Guisarde, 75006 Paris (Saint-Germain-des-Prés) |
|---|---|
| Website | specimenburger.com |
| Price Range | $ (Double cheeseburger €12.90, fries €4) |
| Specialty | Smash burgers with retro-futuristic design |
| Must-Try | Double Cheese Smash Burger - €12.90 |
Spécimen proves that constraints breed creativity. Their menu offers exactly two choices: a double cheeseburger made with beef, or a vegetarian version featuring a large breaded and fried portobello mushroom. That's it. No bacon add-ons, no "build your own" options, no menu fatigue. You decide between meat or mushroom, order your fries and drink, and trust that they've spent enough time perfecting these two burgers that you won't miss the options.
The double cheeseburger justifies this confidence immediately. Two thin patties get the full smash treatment on a flat-top griddle, creating maximum surface area for caramelization and those crispy, lacy edges that are the hallmark of a proper smash burger. The beef quality is excellent—you can taste that they're using good chuck with the right fat ratio. American cheese melts between and over the patties, creating layers of beefy, cheesy goodness. The toppings are minimal: onions, pickles, and their house sauce, which adds tang and richness without turning the burger into a sloppy mess.
The portobello burger deserves recognition for being more than an afterthought. The mushroom cap is substantial, breaded and fried until crispy outside while staying meaty and juicy inside. It's not trying to imitate beef; it's offering a completely different but equally satisfying experience.
Located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Spécimen attracts a mix of local office workers during lunch and tourists exploring the neighborhood in the evenings. The interior design lives up to the "retro-futuristic" description—think sleek surfaces, bold colors, and a vibe that's more design-forward than typical burger joints. It's small, so peak times can mean waiting for a table, but turnover is relatively quick since the menu is so streamlined.
They also take their drinks seriously. Skip the standard sodas and try the Bùho tamarind-chili soda (€5) for something different, or go for the Ocho Reales craft lager (€6) if you want beer. Frozen mezcal cocktails (€8) make an appearance for those who want something stronger, and their mezcal selection ranges from approachable to seriously high-end (€47-138).
The weekday lunch menu at €18.50 offers good value—burger, fries, and a drink for less than ordering à la carte. Hours are Monday through Friday from noon to 3 PM and 7 PM to 10:30 PM, with continuous service from noon to 10:30 PM on weekends.
Blend: The Butcher's Burger
| Address | Multiple locations: 44 Rue d'Argout, 75002 Paris; also La Madeleine, Beaumarchais, and Sentier |
|---|---|
| Website | blendhamburger.com |
| Price Range | $$ (Burgers ~€15) |
| Specialty | Beef from Yves-Marie Le Bourdonnec, Paris's legendary butcher |
| Must-Try | Classic Blend Burger - €15 |
When Blend opened in 2011 in the Sentier district, they helped launch the gourmet burger movement in Paris. Their secret weapon was—and remains—Yves-Marie Le Bourdonnec, the celebrated butcher known as the "boucher bohème" and an expert in dry-aging and meat maturation. Every burger at Blend starts with beef personally selected and ground by Le Bourdonnec from cuts he's dry-aged to develop complex, nutty flavors you simply can't get from fresh beef.
The difference is immediately noticeable. The patties have depth and character that goes beyond simple beefy flavor. There's a subtle funk from the aging process, a richness that coats your palate, and a texture that's tender but never mushy. They cook the burgers to order—if you don't specify, they'll ask your preference, and you should absolutely go medium-rare to appreciate the quality of the meat.
Everything else is made in-house with the same attention to detail. The buns come from their own pastry chefs who bake them fresh each morning. The fries are cut and cooked twice for optimal crispiness. Even the desserts are homemade, which is rare for a burger-focused restaurant. The result is a cohesive experience where every component meets the same high standard.
With four locations now across Paris, Blend has managed to scale without sacrificing quality. The Argout location near the Bourse gets busy with the business lunch crowd, while the Madeleine spot offers American-style breakfast in addition to their regular burger menu—think pancakes, eggs, and bacon alongside burgers. The Beaumarchais location between République and Bastille tends to attract a younger, more casual crowd.
Pricing around €15 for a burger positions Blend in the mid-to-upper range for Paris, but the quality justifies it. These aren't cheap burgers, but they're also not trying to be. They're competing with bistros and casual restaurants, not fast food, and on that field, they hold their own. The meat quality alone sets them apart from most competitors.
They're open Monday through Sunday from noon to 11 PM at most locations, making them a reliable option for both lunch and dinner. Some locations offer reservations through TheFork, though walk-ins are usually accommodated unless you're trying to eat during peak Friday or Saturday dinner service.
PNY: The Original Paris Gourmet Burger
| Address | Multiple Paris locations including 1 Rue Perrée (Marais), 50 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 96 Rue Oberkampf |
|---|---|
| Website | pnyburger.com |
| Price Range | $$ (Starting at €13.50) |
| Specialty | Thick patties flame-grilled at 650°F |
| Must-Try | Original PNY Burger - €13.50+ |
PNY stands for "Paris New York," and the name captures their mission: bringing authentic New York-style burgers to Paris. They were among the first wave of chef-driven burger restaurants that opened in 2012, and they took a different path than the smash burger crowd. Instead of thin, crispy patties, PNY serves thick, juicy burgers flame-grilled at 650 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to char the exterior while keeping the interior pink and juicy.
The cooking method makes a significant difference in flavor. Flame-grilling adds smokiness and creates those dark char marks that bring a slight bitterness to balance the rich fat. The high heat also renders fat quickly, keeping the meat moist while developing a crust. PNY cooks their burgers to medium-rare unless you request otherwise, and you should trust them on this—well-done defeats the purpose of using quality beef.
Their success has led to serious expansion. What started as a single location has grown to multiple spots across Paris and expanded to other French cities including Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille, Reims, Nantes, and Strasbourg. This kind of growth could easily lead to quality decline, but PNY has maintained consistency by standardizing their processes without sacrificing the fundamentals.
The menu offers variety without overwhelming—classic beef burgers, chicken options, and several vegetarian and vegan choices that go beyond the typical afterthought veggie patty. The ingredients are fresh, the toppings are creative without being gimmicky, and portion sizes are generous enough that you'll probably struggle to finish your fries.
Prices start around €13.50 and go up from there depending on toppings and proteins, putting them squarely in the mid-range for Paris burgers. The average meal with a burger, fries, and drink will run you €10-20 per person, which aligns with casual dining expectations in the city.
All locations are open seven days a week and offer dine-in, delivery, and click-and-collect options. The Marais location on Rue Perrée tends to be the busiest, especially on weekends when the neighborhood fills with shoppers and tourists. If you're looking for a slightly calmer experience, the Faubourg Saint-Denis or Oberkampf locations might be better bets.
Clover Grill: The Michelin Touch
| Address | 6 Rue Bailleul, 75001 Paris |
|---|---|
| Website | clover-grill.com |
| Price Range | $$$ (Burger ~€20-25, average meal €70) |
| Specialty | Wood-fired burger with blend of Salers, Prime Angus, and Noire de Baltique beef |
| Must-Try | The Clover Burger - €20-25 |
Clover Grill represents what happens when a twice-Michelin-starred chef turns his attention to burgers. Jean-François Piège opened this restaurant in 2016 as a more casual counterpart to his fine-dining establishments, but "casual" is relative when you're talking about a chef of this caliber. Yes, there's a burger on the menu. No, it's not like any other burger in Paris.
The beef blend alone tells you this is different: Salers (an ancient French breed known for complex flavor), Prime Angus (for its marbling and tenderness), and Noire de Baltique (a Baltic breed prized by top chefs). This isn't just mixing different cuts; it's composing a burger from three distinct beef profiles, each contributing something unique. The result is a patty with extraordinary depth—sweet, savory, slightly funky, with a texture that's both tender and satisfying.
Everything at Clover Grill is cooked over charcoal or on the rotisserie, including the burger. Wood-fire cooking adds subtle smoke and creates uneven charring that brings complexity you don't get from a flat-top griddle or gas grill. The bun is custom-made, sturdy enough to contain the substantial patty and its juices without falling apart. Toppings are minimal—they're here to enhance, not distract from, the main event.
The setting matches the ambition. Located in the 1st arrondissement, Clover Grill occupies a handsome space with an open kitchen where you can watch your burger being prepared. The atmosphere is upscale-casual: nice enough for a date or business lunch, relaxed enough that you won't feel out of place in jeans.
Here's the reality check: you're paying for the pedigree. The burger costs €20-25 depending on market prices, and the average bill per person is around €70 once you add fries, a drink, and maybe an appetizer or dessert. That's steep for a burger meal, even by Paris standards. But it's also half the price of Piège's fine-dining restaurants, and you're getting food prepared with the same philosophy and attention to detail.
The menu extends beyond burgers to include other charcoal-grilled items: calamari carbonara, salmon, lamb, ribeye steaks, and various cuts of premium beef including Salers and Noire de Baltique ribeyes that can run €45-71 per person depending on the cut. If you're coming for the burger, though, make that your focus—it's what Piège does better than almost anyone.
Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner service. You can book through their website or by calling 01 40 41 59 59. If you show up without a reservation, weekday lunch is your best bet for getting a table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the average price for a burger in Paris?
Most quality burgers in Paris fall into the €12-18 range, with budget-friendly options around €10-13 and high-end gourmet burgers reaching €20-25. Add €4-5 for fries and another €3-5 for a drink, and you're looking at €17-30 for a complete meal depending on where you go. The sweet spot for excellent quality without breaking the bank is typically €14-16 for just the burger.
Do these restaurants accept reservations?
It varies by restaurant. Casual spots like Dumbo, Spécimen, and most PNY locations operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Blend's Madeleine location accepts reservations through TheFork. Clover Grill strongly recommends reservations, especially for dinner. Le Ruisseau accepts walk-ins but can have waits during peak hours. If reservations aren't available, arriving during off-peak times (2-3 PM for lunch, before 7 PM for dinner) usually means shorter waits.
Are there good vegetarian burger options in Paris?
Absolutely. Spécimen's portobello burger is genuinely excellent—a breaded, fried mushroom cap that's satisfying without trying to imitate meat. Dumbo offers an Earth Burger with a quality plant-based patty that actually tastes good. PNY has multiple vegetarian and vegan options on their menu. Most of these restaurants recognize that vegetarian burgers need to be craveable in their own right, not just sad substitutes, and they've stepped up accordingly.
Which burger place is best for a quick lunch?
Dumbo and Spécimen are your best bets for speed. Both have streamlined menus that allow for quick ordering and fast service, and their burgers come out in 5-10 minutes. Spécimen especially—with only two burger options—is optimized for efficiency. Blend and PNY are slightly slower during peak lunch hours but still manageable if you're not in a huge rush. Clover Grill is best avoided if you're pressed for time; it's more of a leisurely experience.
What's the difference between smash burgers and regular burgers?
Smash burgers (like Dumbo and Spécimen) use thin patties that are literally smashed onto a very hot griddle, creating maximum surface contact. This produces crispy, caramelized edges with intense beefy flavor and a thin profile that stacks well for double or triple burgers. Regular burgers (like PNY and Clover Grill) use thicker patties that stay juicier inside and can be cooked to temperature—medium-rare, medium, etc. Smash burgers prioritize crispy texture and char flavor; thick burgers prioritize juiciness and showcasing quality beef. Both are excellent; it's a matter of preference.
Conclusion
Paris's burger scene has come into its own, offering variety that would have seemed impossible fifteen years ago. Whether you're craving the crispy-edged simplicity of a smash burger at Dumbo, the French-influenced creativity of Le Ruisseau, or the high-end luxury of Clover Grill's Michelin-touched creation, you'll find burgers in Paris that rival—and often surpass—what you'd get in burger-obsessed American cities.
The beauty of this list is that there's no wrong choice. Each restaurant excels at what it's trying to do. Dumbo nails the smash burger technique. Le Ruisseau proves that French culinary traditions enhance rather than conflict with American burger fundamentals. Spécimen shows how minimalism and focus can produce something perfect. Blend demonstrates the difference that exceptional beef makes. PNY delivers reliable quality across multiple locations. And Clover Grill reveals what happens when a master chef applies fine-dining principles to casual food.
If you're visiting Paris and only have time for one burger, let your budget and mood guide you. Want the quintessential Paris smash burger experience? Dumbo. Feeling adventurous and want to try French cheese on your burger? Le Ruisseau. Looking for design-forward minimalism? Spécimen. Want the best beef available? Blend. Need multiple locations and consistent quality? PNY. Ready to splurge on a once-in-a-visit luxury burger? Clover Grill.
And if you have time for more than one—which you should—work your way through the list and taste how each restaurant interprets the humble hamburger through its own particular lens. Paris has earned its place among the world's great burger cities, and these six spots prove it.