Joséphine Chez Dumonet is a long-running Parisian bistro at 117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris, in France’s Left Bank 6th arrondissement, near Vaneau and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Tracing its identity to 1888, the address began as a bougnat—an Auvergne café and coal merchant—before Joséphine made it a restaurant; Jean Dumonet took over in 1965. Travelers come for an unhurried, distinctly traditional meal: foie gras, bœuf bourguignon, Wednesday roast lamb and a Grand Marnier soufflé ordered at the start.
What to Expect at Joséphine Chez Dumonet
This is a meal built around the enduring codes of the Paris bistro rather than a quick café stop. The kitchen describes its approach as French bistronomy: market-led seasonal cooking alongside house classics, prepared with generosity and precision. The headline dishes are unusually specific: bœuf bourguignon is the dining room’s classic, filet de bœuf arrives with béarnaise and house fries, and the Wednesday gigot is the house lamb ritual. The menu also identifies chocolate mousse as a bistro dessert.
Allow the pace of a proper lunch or dinner. The Grand Marnier soufflé must be requested at the beginning of the meal, so mention it as soon as you are seated. The historic dining room is central to the experience: this is an address shaped by regulars, neighborhood diners and a long succession of Paris meals, rather than a themed recreation of old Paris. A regional French wine list provides the natural pairing for rich sauces, roast lamb and slow-cooked beef.
- Bœuf bourguignon: The house’s classic braised-beef dish and one of the clearest reasons to choose this traditional menu.
- Wednesday gigot: A weekly lamb specialty, best reserved for a Wednesday lunch or dinner.
- Grand Marnier soufflé: Order this signature dessert when you place the meal order, not after the main course.
- Filet de bœuf béarnaise: Beef fillet with béarnaise and house fries for diners seeking a more direct brasserie-style main.
- 1888 heritage: A Rue du Cherche-Midi institution with roots as a late-19th-century bougnat and a restaurant history tied to Joséphine and Jean Dumonet.
Joséphine Chez Dumonet at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris, France |
| Neighborhood / Area | 6th arrondissement, Left Bank; between the Vaneau and Saint-Germain-des-Prés areas |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 12:00–14:30 and 19:00–22:30; check the official site before traveling |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission fee; diners pay for food and drink. Current menu pricing is available from the restaurant. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a seated lunch or dinner, especially with soufflé |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Vaneau Métro (Line 10) is about a 5-minute walk; Duroc (Lines 10 and 13) is roughly 8 minutes away. Limited paid street parking is available nearby. |
| Official Website / Phone | chezdumonet.com / +33 1 45 48 52 40 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve ahead, particularly for Friday dinner and for the Wednesday lamb service. Use the restaurant’s official website or call directly; booking is essential for travelers on a tight schedule. For a quieter, more flexible experience, aim for the beginning of weekday lunch service or an early dinner seating. There are no tickets to buy, but reservations secure a table; ask when booking about the day’s market dishes and confirm that soufflé is available if it is a priority.
Take Line 10 to Vaneau and walk east along Rue de Vaugirard and Rue du Cherche-Midi, or use Duroc for Lines 10 and 13. Paris pavements in this area are generally level but can be narrow and busy at crossings. The restaurant’s published visitor information does not detail step-free entry, an elevator or adapted restroom facilities, so wheelchair users and families with strollers should call ahead to confirm entrance access, table placement and restroom suitability. Combine lunch with Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, about 8 minutes away on foot; Musée Rodin is around 12 minutes away; and the Luxembourg Gardens are roughly a 15-minute walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Joséphine Chez Dumonet’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
The restaurant is open daily from 12:00 to 14:30 and from 19:00 to 22:30. Arrive at the opening of weekday lunch or book an early dinner for the best chance of a more measured meal. Visit on Wednesday for the celebrated gigot.
Does Joséphine Chez Dumonet charge admission or require reservations?
There is no admission charge: it is a full-service restaurant, and diners pay for food and drinks. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner, Fridays and Wednesday lamb. Book through the official website or by phone.
How much time should I budget for a meal?
Plan on 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Budget toward the longer end for multiple courses, wine and the Grand Marnier soufflé, which is ordered at the beginning of the meal and baked during service.
Is Joséphine Chez Dumonet suitable for children or wheelchair users?
Families are welcome to reserve a table, though the experience is best suited to a leisurely seated meal. Because detailed accessibility facilities are not published, wheelchair users should call +33 1 45 48 52 40 in advance to confirm step-free entry, space for mobility devices and restroom access.
Travelers exploring Paris often pair this stop with nearby highlights including Poni (3.7 km away) and Resto (0.2 km away).
