Chez Marianne, Paris

food in window looked very enticing , 4 of us came back for dinner next night on 26th may 2010.
We had the assortment of Mezes. We all got food poisoning.

Favorite Dish: The assortment of Mezes . Why it's going to give you vomiting & diarrhea for a couple of days.

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This place (like l’As du Fallafel) is located right around the corner from where we were staying (32 rue Vieille du Temple). Chez Marianne is a very busy restaurant and has outdoor seating. An enjoyable restaurant, packed with hungry diners. Reservations are not needed.

Favorite Dish: It was drizzling when Louisa and I went there to eat, so we sat inside. We had stopped by the day before to make reservations and the man at the counter said no need to. We arrived and there were just a few empty seats. The restaurant turns their tables quickly, so I understood his comment - people arrived, and left quickly. Chez Marianne serves Middle Eastern and Easter European dishes. Louisa and I ordered mezes (12€ per four mezes) to share. Wow, what wonderful food! We had fallafel, Kefte, hummus, sliced pastrami, tarama, feta cheese, grilled eggplant, olive tapenade, eggplant caviar (the waitress added this to our dish by mistake) and bread. Pita bread was extra, but the bread that was served to us was great: rye and a dark pumpernickle type bread. We shared a small bottle of wine. We walked away stuffed! 18€ per person. Highly recommended.

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Since arriving in Paris, I have wanted to eat at Chez Marianne. There is always a long line outside and that made me think the food was more than good. Recently I had a chance to try it as it must have been an off day and there was not even anyone eating inside. It is an adorable, charming little restaurant, for sure. The food, as you can see from the photo, is set up in a buffet fashion in the window, but you do not serve yourself. You select 4 or six items on the menu and it is brought to you. I ordered the pastrami, falafel, and couscous. As you will see the meat has a dyed pink color. I have no idea what they did to make it look like that. It was good in spite of the color. Also notice the large pickle. I haven't seen those in France. You usually find those little tiny cornichons. So with a large pickle like that and the pastrami, you could almost think you were in a deli.

The food was good and I would probably go back if I were in the mood for Middle Eastern food and in the neighborhood.

The long line outside, I discovered, is for the take out window.

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Lunchtime in the Marais so I checked out all the different falafel places. Lots of good ones: this one was open, looked really good & had the longest line, so I cued up at Chez Marianne.

Delicious falafel and the cheesecake was as good as it looks. A great lunch, just ate it out on the street. Really affordable too - qualifies as cheap eats.

Favorite Dish: Falafel, cheesecake. You get in line, pay inside then get in line again at the street window and pick up your food.

Chez Marianne is as close to a New York deli/middle eastern restaurant as Paris has, so if you're homesick for small wooden tables cramped together, lots of din and little elbow room, and good deli and middle eastern platters, this is the place for you.

You might even catch a glimpse of Marianne herself (you will immediately recognize the (not-so-naturally) blond hair on the same face that graces their house wine bottles.

Favorite Dish: The middle eastern platters are excellent- hummus, babaganoush, tabbouleh and falafel served not with pita but an overflowing basket of Jewish rye and pumpernickel bread!

Chez Marianne is the big gastronomical whirl of the jewish culture. From Vienna to Jerusalem, from Warsaw to Athens, the sensuality of this simple and genrous universal food is in your assorted plate.
For the atmosphere, it's mixed and joyful : Jewish community, gay community, families and tourists! From
Don't forget the mint tea at the end!

Favorite Dish: Feta, kefta, caviar d'aubergine, zazziki, viande de boeuf farcie, pastrami, falafel, saumon fumé, vodka, strudel aux pommes...

Wonderful little Middle Eastern restaurant full of colours and flavours. Varied menu, delicious dishes and reasonable prices. A little jewel at the heart of Le Marais.