![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1030608.jpg)
This oyster bar counter has always been our go-to restaurant in Paris for oysters, small bites, and crisp natural wines. We have been going there for years. Every time we go to Paris, it’s one of our first stops.
In addition to its oysters and wall of chilled white wine, we’ve always been fans of the butter at this establishment. There used to be a giant mound of butter on the bar served with crusty bread. I dream about this butter. Then above you, you’ll find hooks with pictures of different small dishes — almost like tapas.
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1006392.jpg)
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-restaurant-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1070958-scaled.jpg)
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1030609.jpg)
We also appreciate the hours at this oyster bar. It’s open nonstop from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. (last order) seven days a week, so you can stop in at any time, get something to eat, get something to drink. For this reason, we usually try to go mid-afternoon or late at night.
![](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1006391.jpg)
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1030607.jpg)
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-20201030611.jpg)
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-20201030612.jpg)
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris serves the best butter in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1030599.jpg)
Now that you’re excited about this great oyster bar, we are reluctant to recommend it. It’s recently been in the American press (you’ll see it in Saveur, Travel + Leisure, Eater, and David Lebovitz). On our last visit, the only other guests were several pretentious and rude Americans who seemed to be from the New York food and beverage industry. So if you are looking for an authentic Parisian experience, it seems like this is not the place right now, but you may see a copy of it in New York soon!
Also, our last visit may have been an “off” day, but it seemed like the oysters were a bit “Americanized” and not in a good way. We’ve learned that in France, typically oysters are not cut off of the bottom shell. You do that yourself, with a fork, while you are eating the oysters. This is different from the US, where the oysters are typically cut off the shell. So when we went here and ordered in French, they decided to cut the oysters off the shell, but they ended up looking a bit mangled. Contrast this to the gorgeous oysters at Huitrerie Regis, and I think your decision is made.
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1006382.jpg)
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-restaurant-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1070950-scaled.jpg)
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1030616.jpg)
![L'Avant Comptoir de la Mer Oyster Bar in Paris](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lavant-comptoir-de-la-mer-restaurant-paris-france-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1070952-scaled.jpg)
L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer is also part of a very small group of restaurants, including the most well known “Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain.” None of these restaurants take reservations, which is usually a non-starter for us. We will report back on the L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer as the situation evolves but are unlikely to suggest you spend your valuable time in Paris standing in line for any of these restaurants at this point.
L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer, 3 Carr de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris, France (no reservations)