Congrès Maillot: the authentic Parisian brasserie where the art of living is still savoured
What is it that makes a restaurant a trusted address, one that you recommend without hesitation, one to which you return with the impression that you’ll never tire of it?
Congrès Maillot is just that. A reassuring institution, discreet but essential, which since 1975 has preserved a certain idea of the Parisian brasserie. A plush decor, a seafood bench that would make the ports of Brittany pale. But above all, a solid menu and service that knows its regulars.
A family story turned into a Parisian adventure
It all began in 1975, when Gérard Joulie, an entrepreneur from Aveyron, opened what was then just a modest neighborhood bistro next to the brand-new Palais des Congrès at Porte Maillot. He didn’t know it yet, but he had just laid the cornerstone of a French-style gourmet empire. Congrès Maillot became the first address in a great family adventure.
The timeless allure of a well-established brasserie
Gently renovated, the décor of the Congrès Maillot remains true to its identity. Dark wood panelling, red leather upholstered banquettes, gold lighting, impeccable tablecloths and Directoire chairs. The atmosphere exudes elegance without ostentation. Upstairs, an Orient Express-style room, with its compartmentalized cubicles, overlooks the business district and offers perfect privacy for business meetings or confidential meals.
The whole evokes old-fashioned luxury, far removed from noisy trends. A corner terrace completes the experience, ideal for sunny days.
A la carte at Congrès Maillot? Land, sea… and tradition
Here, the product is king. And the show begins with the seafood display: fine oysters from claires, Gillardeau, ultra-fresh shellfish, blue lobster, shrimp, whelks… Take-away platters are a house classic.
In terms of dishes, the menu alternates between masterful classics (gratinée à l’oignon maison, chateaubriand sauce béarnaise, sole meunière) and well-calibrated creations, such as poêlée de saint-jacques or foie de veau aux oignons. The individual entrecôte, rare in Paris, is one of the restaurant’s best-sellers.
The finale is just right: chocolate profiteroles, rum baba generously drizzled with homemade crème caramel. Old-fashioned desserts that remind us that true indulgence never goes out of fashion.
For every profile… and every budget
Where other brasseries fall into caricature or excess, Congrès Maillot cultivates moderation. In addition to its well-stocked menu, it offers formulas designed to suit all appetites. Starting with the Congrès menu (starter + main course or main course + dessert) at €28. For professionals in a hurry or for leisurely lunches, this is an excellent compromise.
The Club Affaires menu ( €40, all-inclusive with aperitif, wine, starter, main course, dessert and coffee) is the epitome of affordable refinement. And families haven’t been forgotten: a children’s menu at €10, even free for children under 6. Rare in Paris, and sincerely appreciated.
A place of passage turned landmark
With over 200 place settings, valet parking, long opening hours ( 7am to midnight, until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays) and a strategic location, Congrès Maillot attracts an eclectic clientele. Tourists on their way to the convention center, local regulars, customers on their way out of an opera or show… there’s something for everyone.
The private mezzanine and modular spaces also appeal to companies looking for an elegant yet practical venue for tailor-made lunches or dinners.
Why return to Congrès Maillot?
Because it’s a chic, unpretentious refuge. Because the service is efficient, friendly without being intrusive. Because time seems to stand still, between the light of the bay windows on the first floor and the hushed ambience of the second floor. Because this is a Parisian brasserie at its noblest: reassuring, generous, elegant and, above all, deeply alive.
Also read: The best places to eat seafood in Paris
