Why Le Coq & Fils Is One of the Most Special Meals We’ve Had in Paris

The outside of the restaurant Le Coq & Fils on Rue Lepic in Paris.

A Hidden Gem in Montmartre

Tables inside the famous Le Coq & Fils in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris.

Looking through the window to the inside at Le Coq & Fils.

Some meals stay with you long after the table is cleared, and our lunch at Le Coq & Fils was absolutely one of those. Tucked into Paris’ Montmartre neighborhood, this small, poultry-focused restaurant feels like a bit of a hidden gem. Even before stepping inside, you know that you’re in for something special — beneath the name on the façade, it simply reads The Poultry House. Inside, the atmosphere is calm and unhurried, the kind of place that immediately makes you relax and think, yes, this is going to be good. From the moment we opened the menu, we knew this wasn’t just another great Parisian meal, but a thoughtful one, built around respect for really good ingredients.

The Michelin-Starred Chef Behind Le Coq & Fils

Part of what makes Le Coq & Fils so special is the experience behind it. The restaurant was founded by Chef Antoine Westermann, a name that carries serious weight in French cooking. Before opening his own place in Paris, Westermann earned three Michelin stars at his restaurant Le Buerehiesel in Strasbourg — and held them for more than a decade. It’s a background that instantly gets your attention, even if the restaurant itself feels refreshingly low-key.

After years of cooking at the very highest level, Westermann made a conscious shift. Instead of chasing trends or complicated plates, he chose to focus on something deeply French and close to his heart: exceptional poultry. At Le Coq & Fils, that Michelin-level skill is there, but it’s subtle. Nothing feels showy or overworked. The dishes are simple in the best possible way, letting the quality of the chicken and the care behind the cooking shine through.

You can find that experience in all the little details. From the sourcing of heritage birds to the way flavors are balanced on the plate, everything feels intentional and quietly confident. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you why French cuisine is so beloved — not because it’s flashy, but because when it’s done well, it’s comforting, soulful, and deeply satisfying. Knowing the story behind the kitchen just makes the experience feel even more special.

What We Ordered at Le Coq & Fils

A look inside the kitchen at Le Coq & Fils in Paris.

One of us opted for the daily special — Le Coq & Fils offers a different poultry-focused dish each weekday — while the other ordered the quarter-roasted chicken. It felt like the right thing to do: try one of the chef’s specials, but also experience the kitchen’s take on a simple, classic dish.

The Daily Special

The Thursday special was Chicken with Riesling mushrooms in a creamy sauce and Creole rice. It was rich but beautifully balanced, with the Riesling added to the sauce kept it from feeling heavy. The mushrooms were savory, the chicken tender, and the Creole rice soaked up every bit of that creamy sauce. It was the kind of dish that is both elegant and homey — exactly what you hope for in a Paris lunch.

The perfectly roasted chicken

The quarter-roasted chicken was, in a word, perfect. The skin was crisp, the meat juicy and full of flavor, and the jus rich without being overwhelming. The garlic added just enough sweetness, and the potato purée was smooth, buttery, and impossible to resist. It’s a simple meal in concept, but executed with the kind of care that makes you savor every bite.

By the end of the meal, we both agreed this was one of those Paris lunches that stays with you. Not flashy, not complicated, just incredibly well done. Le Coq & Fils is the kind of place that reminds you how special food can be when it’s made with experience, intention, and a real love of cooking.

Chocolate truffles and a check

A small plate of chocolate truffles is served at the end of the meal at Le Coq & Fils in Paris.

Too full and satisfied, we decided not to have dessert. However, to our surprise, the check arrived along with a small plate of chocolate truffles. Are you ever too full for a few decadent chocolate truffles? We were not.

Necessary things to know before heading to Le Coq & Fils

The outside of Le Coq & Fils, The Ppoultry House, in the Montmartre neighborhood of Pars.

Address: 98 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris
Hours of operation: Lunch 12:00 to 2:30, Dinner 6:30 to 10:00
Reservations recommended
In addition to regular menu items the Chef’s Specials change daily Monday through Friday

A Post-Lunch Stroll Through Montmartre

One of the most famous streets in Paris winds its way up the hill to Sacré Coueur.

People strolling toward the iconic Bistro Le Consulat in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris.

One of the best things about eating at Le Coq & Fils is that it gives you the perfect excuse to linger in Montmartre afterward. A long, unhurried walk feels like the only proper follow-up to such a wonderful meal. So we wandered uphill toward Sacré-Cœur through narrow, winding streets, past small restaurants and cafés buzzing with life. These are the kind of neighborhood scenes that make Paris feel endlessly romantic. Eventually, we made our way back down toward the famous Love Wall. It’s currently undergoing renovations, but still a meaningful stop nonetheless. It was the kind of afternoon that reminds you why meals in Paris are never just about the food, but about everything that unfolds around it, too.