Le Cardinal
16th Arrondissement, Paris
Restaurant in Paris, France
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Le Cardinal is a practical Paris pick near Porte de Saint-Cloud, strongest for an easy meal, casual celebration, or business plan that needs flexibility. It is less compelling as a destination restaurant because no cuisine, chef, price, or awards signal is listed, so compare it with Les Petits Princes or Disciples if the meal needs a clearer culinary identity.
About Le Cardinal
Le Cardinal is a Paris venue with a broad daily schedule and a smart-casual dress code. It is a practical option, rather than a restaurant to choose for a confirmed cuisine, chef, award, menu format, or specific occasion setup.
A practical Paris choice for an unfussy occasion
The case for considering Le Cardinal is simple: it is in Paris and is listed as open every day from 7 AM to 1 AM. That gives it useful timing flexibility for plans that may shift, especially when you want a venue that is not limited to a narrow evening window.
Do not treat this as the place to chase a named chef, awards, a specific price tier, or a tightly defined cuisine style. For planning purposes, expect the basics: Paris location, daily long hours, and smart-casual dress.
Where the decision gets easier
If you are comparing options, consider Le Cardinal alongside Les Petits Princes, Marius, Alegria, Vin&Mar;ée, or Disciples. Le Cardinal makes most sense when the priority is a Paris venue with broad daily hours rather than a booking chosen around a specific kitchen identity, price level, or dining format.
Solo diners can consider it when the priority is timing flexibility in Paris. Larger groups should confirm practical details directly before committing, because seat count, private-room availability, phone details, or a group booking policy are not available. For broader planning, use Pearl's Paris restaurants guide alongside the Paris hotels guide, Paris bars guide, Paris wineries guide, and Paris experiences guide to build the rest of the evening.
Quick reference: choose Le Cardinal for Paris practicality, daily 7 AM to 1 AM hours, and smart-casual dress; choose another venue when you need confirmed cuisine, price, group, or format details in advance.
Planning details
- Location
- 5 Pl. de la Prte de Saint-Cloud, 75016 Paris, France
- Website
- lecardinalparis.com
- Phone
- +33145273863
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Le Cardinal reads like a quietly assured neighbourhood French restaurant. It sits firmly in the residential tenor of the 16th arrondissement, trading theatrical presentation for steady, well-practised cooking and a loyal local clientele. The room is understated rather than showy, and the experience favors consistency: diners come for familiar classics executed without fuss. Expect a polite, composed dining atmosphere that privileges reliability over spectacle—an elegant, comfortable place where the food and the steady rhythm of service do the work rather than elaborate staging.
Best For
This is a neighbourhood anchor that fits best for straightforward, well-paced meals—particularly dinner and weekend brunch. The signature dishes (Beef Bourguignon, Beef Tartare, Croque Monsieur, Crème Brûlée) point to a menu of French standards that read well at the evening table and during relaxed daytime service. The 16th’s residential character also makes Le Cardinal a sensible choice for business dinners among locals or a calm brunch away from tourist‑heavy spots: dependable cooking in a quietly refined setting.
Ordering Tips
Plan bookings with the restaurant’s local logic in mind: unlike headline-grabbing Paris institutions, Le Cardinal rarely requires the six- to eight-week advance reservation that major destination rooms often do. That said, it remains a neighbourhood favourite, so reservations are prudent for peak times. Stick to the classics on the menu—the house Beef Bourguignon and Beef Tartare reflect the kitchen’s strengths, while Croque Monsieur and Crème Brûlée are reliable choices for daytime or dessert. Treat the visit as part of a measured Paris itinerary rather than a spectacle-driven splurge.
Venue details
Ambiance
Chic and cosy decor with comfortable armchairs, vast room, and heated terrace offering a refined, convivial atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- Beef Bourguignon
- Croque Monsieur
- Crème Brûlée
- Beef Tartare
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 5 Pl. de la Prte de Saint-Cloud, 75016 Paris, France
Planning details
Location
Restaurant context
How Le Cardinal compares in Paris
Choose Le Cardinal when ease matters more than a defined culinary brief. Against Les Petits Princes, the tradeoff is clarity: Les Petits Princes gives you Modern Cuisine and a €€ price signal, which makes it easier to judge value before booking. Le Cardinal is the more practical choice if the 16th-arrondissement location is the reason for the meal.
For a more formal traditional dinner, Disciples is the better match on paper because it has Traditional Cuisine and a €€€ tier. That higher positioning makes sense for diners who want a more deliberate occasion. Le Cardinal is better for lower-friction plans where booking difficulty and timing matter more than a named format.
Marius, Alegria, and Vin&Mar;ée are worth cross-shopping if the exact neighborhood, group fit, or room feel is the deciding factor. If the meal is a celebration, start with Disciples; if value clarity matters, start with Les Petits Princes; if convenience near Porte de Saint-Cloud drives the plan, Le Cardinal is the easier call.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Le Cardinal guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Le Cardinal
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Cardinal | Paris | , | , | No published awards |
| Les Petits Princes | Paris | Modern Cuisine | €€ | No published awards |
| Marius | Paris | , | , | Michelin Guide France & Monaco 20262025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
| Disciples | Paris | Traditional Cuisine | €€€ | Michelin Guide France & Monaco 20262025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
| Alegria | Paris | , | , | No published awards |
| Vin&Marée | Paris | , | , | No published awards |
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How Le Cardinal Paris: Hours, Dress Code, Practical Verdict compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are alternatives to Le Cardinal in Paris?
Other options to compare include Les Petits Princes, Marius, Disciples, Alegria, and Vin&Mar;ée. Use them as comparison points if you want to weigh Le Cardinal against other venues before deciding.
Is Le Cardinal good for solo dining?
It can be a practical solo choice if timing flexibility matters. The schedule is daily from 7 AM to 1 AM, which gives more planning range than venues with shorter listed hours.
What should a first-timer know about Le Cardinal?
Treat it as a practical Paris venue rather than a confirmed chef-driven or cuisine-specific destination. It is in Paris, has a smart-casual dress code, and is open every day from 7 AM to 1 AM.
Is Le Cardinal good for a special occasion?
It may suit a low-key occasion if Paris location, long daily hours, and smart-casual dress are enough for your plans. If you need confirmed cuisine, format, price, or group details, compare it with another venue before booking.
