Our worst dinner in Paris - Chez Omar

This is a "couscous" restaurant". One of the best-rated in Paris. Zagats loves it (see comments below). We were sitting between two tables of Brits who recommended the Couscous "Royale" for two and the Legumes (vegetarian). We should have known better. The Royale was sort of a "mixed grill of all the meats they serve. The vegetables were primarily carrots, chickpeas, zucchini and celery.


It was the worst meal we have had in Paris in years. The meat tasted like it had been boiled with the fat providing the only flavor. The only exception were two lambchops that had been grilled and were tasty. The six lamb sausages were so salty we couldn't them. The vegetables, not having any fat, were boiled beyond any taste or texture.

We did have fresh strawberries for dessert that were good.

I can't imagine where Zagats got its ratings. I can only believe tourists were drawn by the large portions at reasonable prices.

Chez Omar
47, rue de Bretagne

Paris 11, France

01 42 72 36 26

For “couscous at its most trendy”, check out this “casual” “fashion-industry favorite” in the 11th, where plates are “piled high” with “pleasant” Moroccan morsels, the “jovial” owner makes “you feel like a local on your first” visit and the “waiters never stop joking around”; the place is usually “packed” and they “don’t take reservations”, but “don’t be turned off by the line that often extends out the door” – it’s “worth the wait.”