Le Cornichon

The story

Le Cornichon: Neo-Bistro in Paris 14th – Michelin Recommended Modern Cuisine

At the corner of rue Gassendi and rue Liancourt, in the lively Daguerre quarter of Paris’s 14th arrondissement, Le Cornichon has been a fixture since 2011. This is a "neo-bistro" in the truest sense – a place where chef Sébastien Dagoneau’s cooking is both grounded and inventive, earning the restaurant a Michelin Recommended distinction.

Dagoneau grew up in the hills of the Perche region, the child of epicurean parents and the grandchild of farmers. After training at the Lycée Hôtelier de Blois, he honed his craft in some of Paris’s most storied kitchens – Lucas Carton, the Ritz, Le Grand Véfour. That classical foundation is evident in his cooking, but the spirit here is anything but stiff.

A Cuisine of the Season

Dagoneau and his team describe their cooking as "néo-bistrot" – modern French cuisine built around produce grown with respect for the seasons and the environment. The result is a menu that changes regularly, always chasing what is best at the moment. A lunch menu starts at €35 and might include leeks with vadouvan, a creamy chocolate dessert with coffee emulsion and crumble, or braised pork shoulder with polenta and ginger. The dishes are conceived to be shared, and the wine list is equally lively, with bottles chosen to match the food’s energy.

The Setting

Step through the door and you find a calm, intimate bistro. The room seats 45, with oak tables and elegant forest-green banquettes. The name "Le Cornichon" – the gherkin – is a playful nod to the cuisine of sharing and conviviality. It is a place that feels like a local's secret, yet it has become a destination for anyone seeking a generous, well-crafted meal.

Gault & Millau has praised the restaurant for its "generous table" and "beautiful creativity," describing it as a true representative of the Daguerre neighbourhood – rooted in its popular traditions yet looking forward. That balance, between respect for the past and a modern, creative touch, is exactly what makes Le Cornichon a standout address for modern cuisine in Paris.