Belleville climbs the hills of the 19th and 20th as the most mixed and creative corner of east Paris, where natural wine rooms sit beside old dance halls and a rooftop that started a citywide trend. The list below covers the spots our editors return to. Compare them with our best wine bars in Paris and the full Paris bar guide.
Rue Boyer · $$
La Bellevilloise fills a former 1877 cooperative on Rue Boyer with a bar, a club, and concert rooms. The leafy Halle aux Oliviers terrace runs jazz brunches under olive trees. It is the cultural anchor of upper Belleville.
Rue Denoyez · $$
Le Grand Bain pairs small plates with natural wine and cocktails on graffiti lined Rue Denoyez. The kitchen has earned wide praise and the room stays busy late. Book ahead on weekends.
Boulevard de Belleville · $$
La Commune serves shared punch bowls and Asian leaning small plates on Boulevard de Belleville. The team behind it also runs the wider Quixotic Projects bar group. It suits a group settling in for the night.
Rue du Faubourg du Temple · $$
La Java hides a historic dance hall off Rue du Faubourg du Temple where Edith Piaf once sang. Today it runs cumbia, electro, and live nights. It is a late club stop rather than an early bar.
Rue Crespin du Gast · $$$
Le Perchoir Menilmontant opened the Paris rooftop wave from a perch above Rue Crespin du Gast. The wide view over east Paris draws long queues at sunset. Arrive early for a terrace seat.