You wouldn’t believe it, but this minuscule bistro just off the bustling Halles neighborhood is a delight. From the outside, with its tiny outdoor terrace, the place looks like any other bistro, despite its original 1919 façade classified as a historic monument. But once the front door opens, the setting jumps out: authentic XIXth century ceramics covers the walls, wooden seats are reminiscent of the old time Orient express and there’s even an old zinc bar.

Since the summer of 2008, Le cochon a l’oreille has been run and operated by Denis, the hard-working young owner who’s keen on keeping the place untouched and serving fresh products and very decent wines. His vegetable soups, vegetarian salads and tartare are fairly good. But you might prefer having an after-work glass of wine here instead, since the food, unlike your inimitable surroundings, is not outstanding.