When we first traveled to Paris in the 1960s, couscous restaurants were plentiful, with some streets near St-Michel having many, side by side. As more variety in ethnic foods has come in, there seem to be fewer couscous restaurants.

Chez Bébert offers three locations in Paris for couscous, tajine, and other tasty dishes. We went to the one near Gare Montparnasse, and Chez Bébert also has locations at the Place de Clichy and the Palais des Congrès.

The first night we tried to go there was a line out the door. Rather than wait, we opted for a creperie that evening, and returned a bit earlier the next evening.

We started with a large platter of mixed appetizers for the table—various salads, olives, pistachios, and lots of pickled stuff.

I chose a couscous merguez, which was large enough (and good enough) to make me wish Parisians understood the concept of doggie bags! A large plate of couscous was topped with three merguez, a spicy North African sausage. Along with this came a huge bowl of vegetables—carrots, a couple types of summer squash, and tomatoes—plus a bowl of chick peas in spicy tomato sauce. I tried my best, but there was no way I could finish all that.

Tom and our friend Stephanie opted for tajines, stews cooked in a traditional clay dish topped with a cone-shaped dome. One had lamb, prunes, and grilled almonds, while the other was lamb with eggplant, or aubergine. Each was served with a side of couscous. Both diners were very pleased with their meals.

With a bottle of wine, dinner for three (no dessert—no way we had room!) came to about 85€. My craving for couscous now satisfied, I was glad to have a nice walk home to our apartment near Saint Sulpice church.

Métro: Montparnasse Bienvenüe

Chez Bébert
71, Blvd du Montparnasse
Paris 75006
Tel +33 1 42 22 55 31

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