Home

Download

NO BAD **RECOMMENDATIONS**.

London, United Kingdom

Red Room

New York, USA

La Esquina Brasserie

Tokyo, Japan

Don-Don

The most popular restaurants in Nova Circle right now

TRENDING NOW

Guide to

- you book them just for the pool

Europe's most spectacular pool hotels

EAT & STAY

Summer in Europe

in Sweden

The Most Unique Spas

Beaches, Clubs, Hotels & Things to Do

Ibiza 

Explore curated travel guides filled with hidden gems and top recommendations to inspire your next adventure.

TRAVEL GUIDES

Discover standout moments and top picks from our vibrant community of travelers and explorers.

USER HIGHLIGHTS

Meet our most active and inspiring community members sharing unique recommendations and insights.

TOP USERS

New Launch: August 2025

Zimbabwe

Mpala Jena Private Villas

for Your Next Long Haul Flight

Beauty Hacks

Luxury Travel on a Budget

How To:

for a Stress-Free Trip

Top 10 Travel Hacks

with 30% discount

Get Lounge Access

Stay updated with the latest travel tips, trends, and exciting updates from the Nova Circle community.

NEWS

Discover

10 things to do in Stockholm

Stockholm

Dog Friendly Dining

Eat & Do

Hidden gems in Marbella

Explore

Koh Samui

A Tropical Getaway

 Find fresh ideas and experiences to discover, from must-visit spots to unique activities.

MORE INSPIRATION

Connect with trusted partners who share our passion for unforgettable experiences and quality travel.

OUR SELECTED PARTNERS

Nova Circle is your single space for saving and sharing top recommendations around the world while getting inspired by likeminded people.

Nova Circle - No Bad Recommendations

As a valued Nova Circle member you can enjoy our exclusive partner discounts. Simply just sign in to claim the deals.

Partner Discounts

Enjoy exclusive travel partner discounts with Nova Circle.

Nova Circle Benefits - Travel Partner Discounts

Benefits

Le Touquet-Paris-Plage

Europe

France

Nestled in the charming streets of Paris, L'Encrier offers a quintessential French dining experience that captures the essence of traditional cuisine with a cozy, authentic atmosphere. This hidden gem, located at 55 rue Traversière, is renowned for its warm ambiance, seasonal menus, and exceptional value, making it a favorite among locals and travelers alike.

L'Encrier excels in delivering authentic French flavors with a modern twist. The menu features a variety of seasonal dishes crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Standout offerings include a rich duck confit, with crispy, golden skin and tender meat that melts in your mouth, and a decadent profiteroles, filled with creamy ice cream and drizzled with luscious fudge, offering a perfect sweet ending to your meal.

A fun fact about L'Encrier is its history as a neighborhood staple, where generations have gathered to enjoy hearty French cuisine in a setting that feels like a home away from home. The restaurant's kitchen, visible from the dining area, is a hive of activity, with chefs passionately preparing each dish with care and precision, ensuring every plate served is a work of art.

Q: What is L'Encrier best known for? A: It is celebrated for its traditional French dishes like duck confit and its delightful profiteroles, all served in a cozy neighborhood setting.

Indulge in a genuine French culinary journey at L'Encrier, where every dish is a celebration of seasonality and tradition. Whether you're seeking a hearty lunch or a memorable dinner, this restaurant promises a warm welcome, exceptional flavors, and an authentic Parisian ambiance. Make your reservation today and discover why locals cherish this neighborhood treasure.

5b0b4266-7585-49c4-bcec-0297e4dc8499

L'Encrier was recommended to me by my program coordinators, so on the night of Bastille Day, I decided to give it a try with a friend (opened on a holiday; that's a good sign!).

The waiter was kind enough to explain each special on the menu (in English). In addition, my friend was vegetarian, and the place happened to have vegetarian options (a plus!).

I dived in and ordered a terrine for starters. I have no clue what kind of meat was used, but it was like pâté (thick and meaty), and studded with peppercorns. Interesting taste- not sure what to make of it.

Duck confit (duck leg) for my main dish. The skin was crackling and crispy, only to be ripped apart (by yours truly) to unearth the most tender and juiciest meat my mouth has ever touched upon.

But it was the profiteroles that nearly killed me. Essentially, it was an ice cream sundae wrapped in tender, flaky pastry and drenched in thick, decadent fudge. That bowled me over; after that, I was finished.

Overall, L'Encrier is a solid place to try out "traditional French food," without having to bust your wallet (although it did nearly bust my gut). Especially in good company, you will have a good time.

76aed300-0695-481b-9596-9a95192bcacf

This was a neighborhood restaurant was so phenomenal we went twice during our six-day trip. With tons of choices in Paris, we did not hesitate to come back to L'Encrier.  First of all, Idio was the best.  He helped us with the menu as much as he can (based on on his limited English he said) and he was extremely pleasant and hospitable the entire time.  Second, the set menu was worth it.  For 27 euros, I got an appetizer, main course and dessert.  Incredible value.  Please see the pictures.  Every dish was amazing!  Even the wine we had was amazing.  Lastly, the atmosphere was perfect.  The place may be small for some but that is what we loved about the place - very cozy and homey.  I will definitely go back during my return trip to Paris.

92abefd9-5772-47b3-b3fe-acaf45ba2d89

This was a wonderful little place near our apartment. The food was exactly what you expected and the waitstaff was absolutely charming. Our reservation was for 8 and we stayed until 11pm.

We ordered the suggestions and the waiter spoke flawless English, as he guided us through the the menu.

Very lovely, very French. Totally unpretentious, quiet and enjoyable.

Why then, only a 3 star rating...I'm begging to think that I don't care for French food all that much. But, the experience was wonderful and my husband bought me flowers during dinner.

162588cb-70d4-474e-8224-34329d59cb84

The food here is a solid 3-star, but the value/portion-size is about 5-star, which is why I'm giving it a 4-star review overall.

My wife and I dined here last night and had a good experience. When we walked through the door at 9:30pm, we were pleased to see that it was packed with locals. There was only one other English-speaking table near us.

The menu was only available in French. We couldn't understand much of it (and Google Translate wasn't always the most helpful), so we ordered mainly based on the waitress's recommendations. 

L'Encrier offers pre-fix menus that are very reasonably priced (25.5 euros for an appetizer, main course, and dessert/cheese plate). The food is what I assume to be traditional French. My wife started with a "BLT salad" while I ordered a foie gras tatin? (seared foie gras with poached pears and a balsamic reduction). The temperature of the foie gras was very uneven. Some parts seemed nicely seared and hot, while other parts were cold. I enjoyed it nevertheless. The flavors of both appetizers were good.

My wife ordered a whole fish, while I ordered the duck confit. I would have preferred for the skin on my duck to be a bit crispier. My wife's fish was cooked fairly well. Both dishes were served with vegetables and a starch. The highlight was actually the fried potato slices (seasoned with butter, parsley, and garlic) that came with my dish. My wife described them as being a French version of garlic fries. And if you've ever had garlic fries, you know they're freaking good.

We ordered the profiteroles and pistachio crime brûlée. By this point in the meal, we were almost too full to enjoy them. But we forced ourselves to do so nevertheless. 

The food here isn't the best we've ever had, but it is very solid. The portion sizes here are ridiculous though, especially by French standards. I hadn't been this full since my last visit to a Vegas buffet. (To be fair, my wife was very full on a half-portion, so I essentially ate 1.5 portions).

All-in-all, L'Encrier is a good, non-touristy option in the Gare de Lyon neighborhood.

cd7a515f-6dd9-47a0-95ca-7719b389ad92

In a few words,

This was great: 
* Really nice restaurant (small room yet lots of tables, with the kitchen in the center which gives a great atmosphere to the room),
* Good meal, and the menu changes frequently according to seasons/markets,
* Really interesting lunch menu,
* Great efficient staff.

To sum up: If you're looking for a lunch menu around Gare de Lyon, away from the touristic area, this is the place to go. Tips: Go for the "profiteroles" if you want to nap in the afternoon.

018ee320-6dc0-462e-b279-d89a5631209b

A bit pricey, but I guess this is Paris. My bill came out to over 60€ for 2 apps and 2 entrees. I would recommend the escargot ouef but not the Pâté, it's a waste of money. The lamb is good as an entree it cost around 20€. The antricout steak was okay; it had a lot of tendons ( the steak looked big but not all of it was eatable). There are no English menus so if you don't know French or want a real French experience come here. There are other places in the area that are a bit more pricey but the food is better, as well as a better atmosphere.

faf86145-fb5b-46ff-b62a-4bb315ddf218

Didn't get to eat here because the posted hours on Yelp said dinner service started at 5pm. Upon arriving at 6, they told us to come back at 7:30pm. Indeed, their hours posted now say dinner at 7:30. Hoping Yelp will amend the listing.

fdf1f793-be06-4a66-af69-e84e5a92d096

Excellent food and service! I enjoyed the aperitif maison (sweet). All of the food was excellent. We got two entrees and two mains and we left full, buzzed, and very satisfied. The menu is small but full of great french fare. Our waiter helped translate but was also nice and willing to speak French with me. I strongly recommend this restaurant.

3ab5a481-019f-40d4-b6bc-7103646a9ed3

An unassuming little restaurant, in a small street leading off the Boulevard Diderot, L'Encrier is well screened from the outside world with its half-veiled windows and modest exterior.  During summer a few metal tables and chairs give space for the smokers, or those who prefer to indulge in the open air.  So unremarkable from the street that you would probably not look twice.

Once through the very ordinary doorway, everything changes.  The first thing you notice is the tall bar in the centre of the room, behind which is the working kitchen, in full view of the clientele.  A very small but necessarily well-coordinated operation given the number of white-tunic'd chefs crammed into extremely limited working space.

The tables are small, classic wood in oak tones, with matching chairs.  Comfortable enough for an extended lunch time and of dimensions to allow the right balance of intimacy / personal space.  The eye is then taken to the walls, free of ornamentation apart from a couple of small blackboards displaying the current special menu and the wines of the week.  An unusual dark brick, exposed to complement the plain flagged floor and the occasional hint of pale stonework, off-sets to perfection the high and evidently very ancient undulated ceiling, in pale slatted wood.

The greeting from who I take to be the restaurant owners is warm and enthusiastic, the same approach for every person who walks through the door.  The two-man reception, or rather, one-woman-one-man reception, meeting and greeting and putting everyone at ease, whilst gathering up empties and efficiently directing new clients to vacant tables - of which there are usually very few - is a well-oiled machine which squeaks very little!  A friendly quip, a smile or a wink for those who care to seek them out, belies the intense attention this particular table-waiting game requires. Bread for table three, water for number seven.....   There are many years of experience behind this team; there is barely need to raise your hand before you know the attention you seek has been attracted.

The food is very French.  The menu du jour typically has four starters and probably eight main courses, all depending on the availability of the fresh produce of the day.  The quality is high, fresh, crispy salads and crusty bread to accompany the Terrine Aveyronnaise and the most marvellous garlic-sautéed potato slices to soak up the pink pepper sauce with the juicy onglet de boeuf.  The taste buds are most satisfied at this point, so now to choose the dessert from the mouthwatering selection on the board.  But how?  The crème brulée can be recommended, a perfect end to a delicious meal.   And the cost of this personal attention and first-class lunch? 15 euros.  No wonder then that to be assured a seat you need to be there shortly after 12h00; less than five minutes after we sat down, the place was full.  The constant stream of people escaping the workplace to indulge in a Friday lunchtime treat speaks for itself.

e48b257f-ea58-4091-8964-ddabd569b3d7

Good, solid French cooking and atmosphere. Not designed for tourists, but the staff is very friendly and helpful if your French is not up to the finer points of le menu. The portions aren't huge, but neither are they small, and the prix-fixe menus are a good deal; you won't walk away hungry. Poulet et pommes frites? Delicieux! Really, the pommes frites are great. As are the profiteroles. Bonus: it's located just under the Coulee verte Rene-Dumont, so you can walk off your lunch. A few bites, anyway.

L'Encrier: Authentic French Dining Near Gare de Lyon, Paris

Dine at L'Encrier in Paris for a delightful culinary experience. Savor authentic flavors in a charming setting. Book your table today!

L'Encrier: Authentic French Dining Near Gare de Lyon, Paris

Culinary Delights

Behind the Scenes

FAQs

Experience L'Encrier

L'Annexe

Pause Bobun

Chai Muraz