If you are here looking for Paris sightseeing suggestions, I am afraid you are going to be disappointed.
There are no photos of the spectacular view from Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, no tales from Paris’s underground catacombs, and no deep dive into the incredible museums that populate the city.
Le sigh.
Rather than take you on a sightseeing tour of the city, I’m going to take you on a culinary tour of Paris, sharing some of the best foodie experiences I’ve had in Paris over the years, and not just in restaurants, bistros, and brasseries. These are just a few of my favorites; they barely scratch the surface of all the culinary treasures that Paris has to offer foodies from around the world.
We’ve got some delicious eats ahead, so buckle up (actually, maybe unbuckle, there’s a lot of food involved).
BREAD AND PASTRIES IN PARIS – BOULANGERIES AND PATISSERIES
Freshly baked breads and pastries in Paris are among the finest in the world, so visiting a boulangerie (bakery) and patisserie (pastry shop) or five is absolutely a good idea. There’s a lot of overlap in the offerings between a boulangerie and a patisserie, so many establishments contain both words in their names.
Boulangerie Murciano – located in Le Marais, this Kosher boulangerie is almost hidden in plain sight. On one trip to Paris, I purchased two loaves of pain au chocolat at Murciano to bring with me on the train to Amsterdam: one for my husband and I to enjoy during our stay in Amsterdam, and one to gift to my cousin who lives there. We were blown away by the richness of the chocolate swirl that ran throughout the entire loaf (which was unlike any other chocolate I’ve ever tasted), and the gift was very popular with my cousin, her family, and their neighbors (when I say they came RUNNING to enjoy the pain au chocolat that had just arrived from Paris, I am not exaggerating).
Du Pain et Des Idées – You will find this boulangerie on the list of many a foodie who visits Paris, and it’s easy to see why. From the beautiful ceiling to the wide variety of both sweet and savory offerings, Du Pain et Des Idées is a must visit. One of their signature sweets is the escargot pistache chocolat, a snail-shaped pastry with a swirl of chocolate and pistachio deliciousness. We also enjoyed a slice of their galette des rois (King’s cake), which contained a small bear inside it, and a mini-pavé, a savory small bite made with mimolette (a cheese that is forbidden in the U.S.) and lardons, which are incredibly similar to bacon. It had a very strong flavor that was a nice contrast to the sweets, and when I overheard a nearby American say it tasted “like a fancy Hot Pocket,” I couldn’t even argue.
Liberté – The bread and pastries offered at Liberté are so top-notch that when a high-powered Japanese businessman tried their bread, he was so impressed that he invested the money to open a Liberté in both Tokyo and Kyoto. One of the things they are best known for is le pavé au chocolat, which I can best describe as a chocolate baguette. This is very different than pain au chocolat, which is clearly a dessert; this, on the other hand, tasted like a loaf of bread but make it chocolate flavored. I still don’t know whether I would consider this as dessert (because it’s chocolate) or not (because it’s bread), but either way, it is something you need to try.
Yann Couvreur Pâtisserie – This modern patisserie offers a wide variety of beautifully crafted pastries, each one more appetizing than the next. One of their specialties are chouquettes a la crème vanille, which contain the most delicate and delicious Madagascar vanilla cream I’ve ever tasted. It was such a delightful explosion of flavor; I could’ve eaten all six of them.
WHERE TO ENJOY FRENCH CUISINE IN PARIS
Whether you’re seeking a fancy dinner in a restaurant, a slightly less formal brasserie, or a more casual bistro or café, Paris has nothing but wonderful options for you to choose from when it comes to enjoying a sit-down lunch or dinner.
Au Petit Fer à Cheval – This charming bistro gets its name from its horseshoe-shaped bar and is a small gem in Le Marais. On our first trip to Paris together, my husband Matt and I sat at a table outside, enjoyed some wine, bread, and a delicious salad that contained both tartines with goat cheese and smoked duck (one of my favorites), and watched the city go by. We were half awake from jetlag and it’s one of my favorite memories of Paris. We came here for dinner one night on our second trip together to Paris five years later and the food did not disappoint.
Brasserie Flo – Her full name is Brasserie Floderer 1909, and she is a Paris institution. Brasserie Flo has been serving Alsatian cuisine in an incredibly warm and elegant setting since 1909 and has been the haunt of many a Parisian over the years. French cooking techniques are on full display (you’re bound to see something getting flambéed), and if you’re lucky you might get to see the large music cabinet, Le Roi de As, in action (it’s basically a giant music box that got the entire restaurant clapping along).
Chameleon Restaurant – A non-pretentious, airy, laid-back vibe with great food and a welcoming atmosphere. Their menu is ever-changing, but I had lamb with polenta that was absolutely delicious. This restaurant did not have the same formal vibe that you may find in other restaurants in Paris, making us feel very comfortable and relaxed. While the environment is more relaxed, there was nothing casual about the high-quality food.
Chez Prune – Chez Prune is a casual bistro with more of a laid-back bar or café vibe than anything else. Sure, it’s technically French cuisine but this isn’t where you are coming for escargot and Crepes Suzette. This is a great place to enjoy a casual lunch and do some people-watching along Canal St. Martin, one of the neighborhoods in Paris that many tourists skip altogether. Seeing a man shucking fresh oysters by the entrance let me know exactly what type of experience I was going to have here, and it did not disappoint.
Bofinger – Another great option serving classic French cuisine with an emphasis on Alsatian food. If you’ve never tried escargot, this is a great place to do so (if you don’t think you’d like escargot, ask yourself if you like butter and garlic). Since they serve Alsatian cuisine, their menu offers several excellent sauerkrauts which include delicious sausages and pork knuckle. France’s Alsace region used to be part of Germany and it is quite evident in the cuisine. Bofinger is centrally located near Opera Bastille and is a bustling and popular spot for lunch.
BEYOND FRENCH FOOD IN PARIS
Gros Bao Paris – one of the most popular food spots in Paris is Gros Bao, a Chinese restaurant serving some of the best soup dumplings I’ve ever tried. We got ours to go, sat and ate alongside the canal, watching the long line of people waiting to get in (that line of locals waiting speaks for itself).
La Strada Rossa – After all that French food, sometimes you just want a good pizza, and La Strada Rossa is a great spot to do so. This is a very small and casual spot with only a handful of tables, but don’t be fooled—they offer a wide variety of pizzas for all tastes including some with French flair (I’m looking at you, raspberry jam and goat cheese pizza). If there’s no room inside, get your pizza to go and enjoy it while people-watching along the canal (a running theme for this district).
L’As du Fallafel – Another spot in Le Marais that always has a long line is L’As du Fallafel, and it’s easy to see why. The falafel here is just incredible and has been a neighborhood staple since 1979. Lenny Kravitz is one of many celebrities who has endorsed the hot spot, and countless foodies have followed in his footsteps to find out for themselves firsthand.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this mini culinary tour as much as I enjoyed this walk down memory lane. There is so much more of France to see and taste, well beyond just Paris (although Paris is always a good idea).
I guess that means I’ll have to go back. Perhaps you’ll join me next time!
