Aux Deux Amis is the Oberkampf bar that helped write the rules for the Paris natural wine scene. A zinc bar, yellow Formica, and a loud, friendly crowd come with a list deep enough to keep sommeliers happy.
Published March 4, 2026 - By Daniel Okafor
Aux Deux Amis sits at 45 Rue Oberkampf in the 11th arrondissement, in the stretch that turned the street into a reference point for natural wine in Paris. The room keeps its old bistro bones: a zinc-topped bar, bright yellow Formica, and mirrored walls that have not chased a renovation trend. Raisin and Le Fooding both list it as a natural wine bar with a local, seasonal kitchen, and the place has held its reputation through a decade of newer arrivals on the same street.
The draw is a compelling list of grower wines poured in a room that stays loud and easy rather than precious. The food is built to drink alongside, with outstanding charcuterie and a short, changing run of small plates.
The room
The space is small and packed, with the bar as the social spine and a few tables along the wall. The vibe runs boisterous and fun, the opposite of a hushed tasting room, so it rewards a group as much as a pair. Seats turn over through the evening, and the pavement out front becomes part of the room when the weather allows.
What to order
Ask the team what is open and let them steer, since the by-the-glass list shifts with what the cellar is drinking well. Build a table from the charcuterie and a couple of the daily small plates, which in the evening lean toward tapas from Spain or Italy. The kitchen has been led by chef Sokunthear Vong, who trained at Leroy in London, and the cooking punches above the bar format. Prices stay in the $$ range, fair for the quality of the pours.
The crowd and best time to go
Wine trade regulars, Oberkampf locals, and visitors who came for the natural-wine reputation fill the room from the early evening. The bar opens at 4:30pm Tuesday to Saturday and runs to midnight, closed Sunday and Monday, and the window just after opening is the calm one. Later it gets full and noisy, which is the point on a weekend. Tables out on Rue Oberkampf go first when the weather turns, so a group that wants the pavement should arrive before the after-work rush builds.
What regulars say
Paris by Mouth has long pointed drinkers here for the natural-wine list and the charcuterie, and reviews on Yelp and Tripadvisor echo the friendly, no-fuss energy. The common caution is space: it is tight and loud, so a quiet conversation is easier early than late.
Who it is for
This is for the natural-wine drinker, the after-work group, and anyone who wants a real Paris bistro bar rather than a polished lounge. Skip it for a silent date or a guaranteed seat at peak hours. For more of the city, see our Paris wine bars guide and the wider Paris bar guide.
The verdict
Aux Deux Amis wins because it kept the formula that made Oberkampf a wine destination: great pours, sharp charcuterie, and a room with no pretension. Come at opening, grab a spot at the zinc, and drink whatever is open. For more Paris wine, compare the natural list at Le 6 Paul Bert, the cellar at Septime La Cave, and the grower focus at Frenchie Bar a Vins. Our wine bars guide rounds it out.
