Best of Paris: Food Edition
VIRAL SPOTS
BO&MIE
Location: Multiple | Rating: 7.5 out of 10
A trendy cafe chain with a tempting array of pastries and desserts on display. They look Instagram-worthy, but come at a price - You have to pay extra to eat in, and they're not that cheap compared to other bakeries in Paris. Overall a nice treat, but not a must-try.
Pierre Hermé
Location: Multiple | Rating: 8 out of 10
Definitely lives up to the hype - it's macaroons and cakes are not to be missed! Despite being on the slightly pricier end, the consistently high quality desserts and service, as well as the range of options, make Pierre Herme one of the best patisseries in Paris. Despite not having the greatest sweet tooth myself, I make it a point to pop by Pierre Herme every trip to Paris.
Le relais de l'entrecôte
Location: Multiple | Rating: 7 out of 10
A unique restaurant that only serves one dish: salad, fries and steak (with optional wine). The sauce and fries are delicious and the service is fast. While the ‘unlimited chips’ as advertised by many tiktok influencers are not quite true, they serve you two portions of steak and chips (keeping the second portion warm while you have the first), which I found to be more than enough. The downside was that despite being famous for its steak-frites, their steak was not as tender as I expected. In addition, due to its popularity, you may have to wait in long queues to get a seat. My recommendation would be to arrive 10 minutes before the opening time.
Brasserie Dubillot
Location: 2 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 | Rating: 8 out of 10
A cute and quirky place for brunch, with a circus-themed decor. The food is fresh and tasty, the service is friendly, and I found it quite value for money, given its popularity and central location in Paris. While you would probably have to queue if you’re thinking of walking in, it was quite easy to book a table online, which I would recommend. Overall, each dish had its unique taste and flavour, though there was no one dish that blew me away.
L'as du falafel
Location: 34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 | Rating: 7.5 out of 10
A simple and authentic spot for falafels and shawarmas, and it lives up to the hype on TikTok. It's perfect for a budget-friendly and satisfying meal. The downside is that the queues can be crazy long, and the portions are not huge (though it was enough for me given my small appetite). It's worth the wait, though, espeically if you love falafel
MICHELIN GUIDE
Sallae
Location: 18 Rue des Wallons, 75013 | Rating: 7.5 out of 10
L'Hommage
This is my top recommendation in Paris, and probably the best value for money meal I've had. The only drawback is that it's a bit far from the city centre, in Chinatown. But it's worth the trip, trust me. They give you complimentary appetiser and dessert bites, and the dishes are beautifully presented and delicious. Each main comes with a paired side, and we spent about 60 euros per person. It was a memorable and satisfying experience.
L'avant comptoir du marché
Location: 14 Rue Lobineau, 75006 | Rating: 8 out of 10
This is a cozy and casual place for tapas, next to the Marché Saint-Germain. I loved every single dish, and there was no queue, which was a bonus. I'd recommend it for lunch, as there are only standing tables, so it's not best suited for a formal or extravagant date. However, it's well-decorated, showcasing the seasonal and fresh ingredients and dishes.
Bouillon
Location: Multiple | Rating: 7 out of 10
For a classic Parisian meal, head to one of the many Bouillons around the city. They have a lot of dishes to choose from, and they're all cooked to decent standards, especially considering the price and speed. However, you get what you pay for in terms of quality, and queues can be insane (we queued around the building even at 9.30pm)!
Happy Caffe
Location: 214 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 | Rating: 8 out of 10
This is a great place to stop by for lunch, especially if you're visiting some of the main attractions in the centre, like the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Louvre. It's just a small shop on the street, so it's not very spacious or clean, but it's worth visiting for the affordable and fresh crepes (both savoury and sweet) and desserts. The owner and server are very friendly and chatty, and they gave us a free cake when they long long to serve our order, as well as a free post-meal espresso to go.
Tesoro d'Italia
Location: 7 rue Rougemont, 75009 | Rating: 8.5 out of 10
We randomly chanced upon this place one night and it turned out to be an amazing meal. While situated near Montmartre alongside many other highly-rated restaurants, this restaurant was very cozy and has high quality and seasonal pastas. I'm not usually a fan of cold meats for starters, but this was the best I've ever had and I was craving for more. Service was excellent, with friendly staff who could introduce every dish and their origins. I would struggle to find fault with this restaurant, except that it’s not very fancy or lively. This would definitely be top of my list to recommend for a comfortable and satisfying meal!
Not sure what to do in Paris besides enjoy its culinary scene? Now that the stomach is sorted, head over to my recommended itinerary to tick the iconic Paris sights off your bucket list!
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