Bouillon République

Bouillon République is one of Paris's Bouillon restaurants — a revival of the traditional French workers' canteen concept that dates back to the 19th century. The idea: generous portions of classic French cooking at prices that won't clear out your wallet. This outpost on Boulevard du Temple near Place de la République delivers on that promise with a 4.

7 Google rating and constant lines at the door.

For families, the Bouillon concept is nearly perfect. The space is huge and loud, so kids fit right in without stress. The menu is a masterclass in French comfort food: oeuf mayo, soupe à l'oignon, steak frites, roasted chicken, crème caramel.

There's no kids' menu per se, but the portions are reasonable and the prices are low enough that ordering two mains per adult and sharing with kids is the obvious move.

The decor is faithful to the historic brasserie style — mirrors, bentwood chairs, white-aproned staff, marble-topped tables. It's an experience as much as a meal, and kids who've been eating mostly sandwiches on a Paris trip tend to sit up and pay attention when the steak frites arrive.

No reservations taken — it's first-come, first-served. Arrive just before opening (noon for lunch, 7pm for dinner) to minimize the wait. The line moves faster than it looks.