Stroll through the neighborhoods of Paris and you will discover the city's celebrated bistros, where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy hearty, home-style food and friendly conversation. Menus at these cozy restaurants typically feature simple plats du jour (daily specials) prepared using the season's freshest ingredients.

Here we feature recipes that make it easy to cook authentic bistro fare in your own kitchen. Steak au poivre served with crispy pommes frites is always a classic. Other favorites include a grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich topped with a fried egg, known as croque madam, and a warming pot-au-feu, a slow-cooked stew of beef and vegetables. Bon appétit!