Looking for a good traditional Breton restaurant and creperie in Paris without even a hint of pretention or formality? Ti Jos is just the place for you. This warm, casual pub serving simple and tasty fare from France's Brittany region offers especially hearty versions of traditional savory buckwheat galettes, and their delicious dessert crepes are equally generous. Recipes are simple and eschew all pretentions of catering to "fusion" tastes or complicated ingredients.


You can also taste a good cider or Breton beer and, on certain evenings, enjoy traditional Breton and Irish music. For all of these reasons, we count this friendly spot as one of Paris' best creperies. 

Location and Contact Info: 

The restaurant is located in the bustling Montparnasse district south of the Seine river, on the left bank. 

• Address: 30 rue delambre, 14th arrondissement
• Metro: Edgar Quinet, Vavin, or Montparnasse-Bienvenue
• Tel: +33 (0)143 22 5769
• Read reviews from other travelers (at TripAdvisor)

Opening Times, Dress Codes, Etc

The restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner except for Tuesdays; and is closed for lunchtime on the weekends. 

Dress code: This casual pub has no dress code-- come as you are, even in jeans and a sweatshirt!

Kid-friendly? Yes, this is a family-style restaurant that travelers with kids should feel comfortable bringing the children to. The simple but tasty crepe options should please many finicky young eaters, too, with basic combinations like mushrooms and cheese or tomato and cheese.

 

Read related:Eating Out With Kids in Paris

Sights and Attractions Nearby

Before or after a meal here, take advantage of the Montparnasse district to visit some of the area's charming but frequently neglected sites, some of which include:

• Paris Catacombs
• Montparnasse Cemetery
• Fondation Cartier for Contemporary Arts
• Gaite theatre district (rue de la Gaite)
• Parc Montsouris
• Tour Montparnasse: a tall building affording great panoramic views of Paris

My Full Review: From Buckwheat to Salted Butter Caramel Sauce

My visit to Ti Jos confirmed my impression that this was a Parisian restaurant with an unusually relaxed atmosphere, far closer to a pub format than a formal restaurant (and as its name, "Pub Breton", advertises). The warm, simple setting features heavy dark wood tables and chairs, old armoires, and a little smattering of Breton paraphernalia, but not as much kitschy decor as you often see in creperies catering to tourists. 

Sticking to our traditions, my partner and I ordered one savory buckwheat crepe and one dessert crepe each, plus a small jug of brut cider to pour into the traditional round little ceramic cups.

On the savory side, my tomato and goat's cheese galette was presented in a generous heap on the plate--if many creperies daintily tuck the edges of the crepe over and present the filling face-up, at Ti Jos, the hearty filling is to be discovered only once cut into. The galette itself was deliciously buttery (I guessed it must have been made in the pan with salted Breton butter), and the goat's cheese-tomato combination was quite tasty, if a tad too simple for my tastes-- a bit of onion might have lent a bit more flavor. Still, it was very satisfying, especially with a crunchy side salad. My partner ordered a cheese and mushroom galette, reporting that it was simple but also very good. 

For dessert, I had a crepe with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream-- delicious all around, although the ice cream quickly melted, leaving a pool of the addictive stuff floating on my plate. I appreciated it when the server asked if I wanted a spoon to get the rest of it, although I declined.

Read related: Best Ice Cream and Gelato in Paris

My partner's chocolate crepe was doused in rich sauce, which was appreciated, although some might prefer a little less filling and sauce. 

Overall, this was a solid, simple, affordable, and tasty meal-- again, not for those who prefer complex ingredients or crepes that use a little less filling, but a good choice if you're big on generous portions and simple, traditional cuisine.