No visit to Paris is complete without great meals! Here are my favorite restaurants in Paris.
Everything here is my own opinion and I received no compensation for this post. It also contains affiliate links. If you have any questions about this, just click here! All content copyright Teaspoon of Nose 2012-2024.
Paris is magical, period. From the architecture and history to the art and people, there’s so much to love. Also not to be missed is the food! Here are some of my favorite spots I’ve found so far in Paris!
Planning for Paris in General
Remember that Paris is MASSIVE. Plan to use the Metro to get around – it’s very helpful, runs regularly and goes to a ton of places. I’ve never felt the need to use taxis in Paris because the Metro is so reliable.
If you have a few must-try restaurants, the easiest thing is to plan an afternoon or at least a few hours to wander in that neighborhood – every area has its own flavor, so if you’re already heading there for food, give yourself some time to wander.
That being said: make reservations. I know most of us hate picking up the phone, but planning ahead will be important if there are places you really want to try
On my most recent trip, we focused on the Grenelle neighborhood, so many of these are over here. I found it to be a great area. It’s a bit more local but has major Metro stops making it easy to get around. It’s also close to the Eiffel Tower, meaning you can walk five minutes and see it sparkle every night! So many of my restaurant recommendations are in the 15th or 7th arrondissement or in major areas worth visiting.
You Should Know About Restaurants in Paris
I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but it’s so true: the general quality of food in Paris is insanely good. The quality of an average restaurant in Paris is so far above an equivalent one in the US. A random boulangerie will have croissants to make you swoon. Almost any cafe or bistro will have delicious food. While you still have to keep an eye out for getting overpriced meals, the food is almost always amazing.
If you’re trying to eat on the cheap, you totally can. Eat breakfast at boulangeries, which offer insanely good pastries and bread. If you’re craving savory, many offer croque monsieur and even salads or sandwiches for simple lunches!
Creperies are also insanely delicious and filling meal options! Typically if I go with another person, we’ll order one savory and two sweet to share, and leave stuffed. Don’t skip the cider too, a traditional drink to accompany crepes. Bonus: Breton crepes are traditionally made with buckwheat flour, meaning they’re gluten-free for anyone looking for that.
With that in mind, here are a few of the restaurants I love in Paris!
Bistrots and Restaurants in Paris
Cafe du Marche was our first meal in Paris on my recent trip with my mom, and it set a high bar for the rest of our meals! With delicious wine and cocktails and a giant cheese plate, we could’ve called the meal a success after the appetizer. But the duck confit was also amazing! It had that perfect balance of savory and succulent, with crispy skin and perfectly moist duck.
Cafe Central is another rue Cler institution. We stopped in for a leisurely breakfast. We got a combination of the basics – bread, croissant, fried eggs. After living in Italy for so long, it was nice to be able to order protein for breakfast!
Cafe Jade sits just off the Ile de la Cite. They serve classic bistro fare, but it claims my heart for the most incredible boeuf bourguignon I’ve ever tasted! Seriously, I’ve been thinking about that bowl of goodness for months now, and it’s inspired me to master the dish. I also tried croque madame here and it was also delish.
Le Rostand is good for breakfast. There is nothing quite so lovely as eating amazing bread, croissant and butter in Paris, and this place steps it up by being across the street from the Luxembourg Gardens! Seriously, butter tastes better in France. Don’t believe me? Order just bread and butter for breakfast. It’ll blow your mind.
Aux Ministeres has a view of the Eiffel Tower! It’s tucked away from the crowds, meaning you can enjoy a quiet evening like the locals do. Their cheese and charcuterie plate is gigantic, more than enough for two for dinner! Split a rosé and soak up the best of the Parisian je ne sais quoi.
La Terrasse sits not far from the Ecole Militaire and has a good menu of classic French dishes. My favorite thing there was actually the creme brulee! The meal and wine were both delicious too, but no French trip is complete without excellent creme brulee and this place delivered.
Le Bouquet de Grenelle sits just off a major shopping street for locals and next to our main Metro stop, so after walking by four times a day we had to try it! It was good, a solid lunch choice if you’re in the area.
Le Cafe Primerose is another Grenelle spot that was packed with locals catching up! After seeing it full every night, we managed to grab a table and loved everything! The food was classic bistrot with several plates on the menu having a bit of a twist – an unexpected sauce or amazing condiment.
Creperies
Chez Suzette has to be my favorite creperie. Perched on the corner of a busy street, it’s a perfect spot for people-watching. Their options run the spectrum from simple and classic to piled high with toppings! We had a hard time narrowing down what we wanted to order and loved every bite.
Another great crepe place I love is also called Chez Suzette – no connection to the above location though. This one sits on the edge of the Latin Quarter and is a great option if you need something quick because they offer crepes to go from the front window.
Breizh Cafe is a great creperie that has multiple locations. You can find one in Montmartre, just outside the Latin Quarter, in the Marais, and two other spots. Their vibe is modern and a bit funky, but the food stays classic. They also serve good cocktails and have a bit of a bar feel if you don’t need a full meal. Don’t forget to ask if they have any specials that day!
Boulangeries and Patisseries
Merci Jerome was a great little spot where we ate breakfast almost every day. They had a good selection of pastries and desserts. I wanted one of everything, and everything I tasted was amazing! Please please please resist the urge to go the Starbucks next door. But if you’re jonesing for a fancy latte, still come next door for their pastries!
Lucia & Marcelo is another excellent pattisserie and boulongerie in Grenelle. This one sits right on the boulevard de Grenelle and has a large selection of classic pastries and desserts. They also offer a good selection of sandwiches, quiches, and salads that make for a perfect quick and cheap lunch if you need some lighter fare!
If you’re looking for more upscale, Angelina is a don’t miss destination. Sitting in their dining room alone is an experience! It’s ornate and beautiful, perfect for a treat. They offer a menu, but I’ve only been for coffee or tea and dessert. They’re famous for two things: hot chocolate (the lovely thick European version) and the Mont Blanc, a signature sweet made with meringue and chestnut cream. Both are worth a try. There’s also a location inside the Louvre if you want to take a break from soaking up all that art!
I can’t write this and not mention macarons specifically. While many bakeries will have them, and they’re often amazing, there are two spots worth naming for macarons! The obvious one is Laduree: they’re famous for macaron for a reason. They have a few locations, including in CDG airport and the shopping center next to the Louvre. The other patisserie I especially recommend for macarons is Pierre Herme – they sell other modern elegant patisserie options, but don’t skip the macarons!
These are just a few of the amazing restaurants in Paris! If you’re planning your trip and want to organize this in a quick list, try using Thatch. Thatch is a travel planning app where you can save and organize your ideas, as well as get recommendations from travel creatives!
Everything in this article is on my Tasting Paris list and it’s free – just click the link to grab it! Want more suggestions covering more areas? Grab my full list of great restaurants in Paris by messaging me!
