A Local Girl’s Food Guide to Paris
After a recent Eurostar weekend in Paris, I was passed on the most incredible list of bar and restaurant recommendations by a friend who had lived in Paris for over two years. So now I have converted it to a food guide to Paris and bestow it upon you, The Travelista community.
Go forth, enjoy and eat like the coolest local in Paris.
A Local’s Food Guide to Paris
Paris is known for many things; the Eiffel Tower, the boutique shopping districts such as Saint German, fantastic museums and art galleries and of course, its world-renowned culinary scene. But when the foodie stake are so high, the choice of where to eat and spend your hard earned cash can almost feel overwhelming. Look no further than our Travelista food guide to Paris.
From quaint boulangeries and pavement cafes to fine dining and speak-easy bars, this local’s food guide to Paris has been converted from a humble list of recommendations given by.a local, to our Editor Jessica Ruth Gibson.
If you’re heading to Paris in the future and want to eat like a local, be sure to bookmark our guide to come back to time and time again.
We’ve got you covered in our huge food guide to Paris which includes everything you need to know about the best bars, coffee shops, high-end restaurants and traditional Parisian institutions.
Contents
1. Best High End Restaurants in Paris
2. Best Classic French Bistros in Paris
4. Best Casual Restaurants in Paris
5. Best Boulangeries and Cafes in Paris
Best High End Restaurants in Paris
In a city as magnificent as Paris, it would be rude not to start at the ‘high end’. There are some timeless favourites included here, as well as some lesser-known spots.
Loulou Restaurant
Loulou Restaurant is one of our top recommendations for the best places to eat in Paris thanks to its close proximity to the world-famous Louvre.
Affording astonishing views of the iconic art gallery and museum from its stunning outdoor terrace, Loulou Restaurant cannot be missed on a local food tour of Paris!
Address: 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France.
Hôtel Costes Restaurant
Situated inside the 5-star Hôtel Costes, this restaurant is just a stone’s throw from the Louvre and boasts a charming bar and restaurant.
While the bar is exclusively for hotel guests, the on-site restaurant beckons diners from all over the world with its simple, yet sophisticated seasonal menu with highlights such as foie gras, marinated beef and veal chop.
Address: Hôtel Costes, 7 Rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris, France.
L’Avenue – Editor’s Pick
This upscale bistro is another of our top recommendations for the best restaurants in Paris as we love the menu, the setting and the location. L’Avenue is our Editor’s top pick as this is where she ate at a recent weekend in Paris. Jessica Ruth Gibson said;
“L’Avenue is everything you’d want from a contemporary French bistro; the crowd is fashionable, the service is fantastic, the ambience is sexy but this place is not just style over substance. The food was fantastic. We tried the beef tatare and the steak followed by a chocolate dessert. I couldn’t fault any of it and would go back in a heartbeat.”
Other things on the menu include spicy lobster pasta and the spicy Thai beef. Cocktails don’t come cheap at €22+, but we think it’s worth it for a plush dinner in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Address: 41 Av. Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France.
Madame Reve
Another one of our favourite high-end haunts just a few minutes from the Louvre, Hotel Madame Reve boasts an incredible buffet brunch menu, complete with dozens of choices of hot and cold food and drink. At €75 per person, it’s not exactly friendly on the purse strings, but it is friendly on your stomach!
If you don’t feel like splashing out on an expensive brunch, opt for the cheaper à la carte menu.
Address: 48 Rue du Louvre, 75001 Paris, France.
Chateau Voltaire
Chateau Voltaire is a super luxurious hotel and restaurant that we’d highly recommend to anyone looking to eat like a local in Paris.
The menu at Chateau Voltaire offers dishes that will delight the senses for a relatively reasonable price, especially considering how upscale it is. Some of our personal favourites include lamb chops, steamed salmon and crème brulée for a truly decadent dessert.
Address: 55 Rue Saint-Roch, 75001 Paris, France.
Plaza Athénée
Part of The Dorchester Collection, Hôtel Plaza Athénée is one of the most renowned hotels in Paris and not only does it boast some seriously gorgeous rooms, but it also plays host to six different dining and drinking locations within the hotel itself!
Our personal favourite is Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée where you can enjoy a spectacle of French fare, but the price is high. For something a little less expensive, but still equally wonderful, opt for The Relais Plaza.
Address: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, 25 Av. Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France.
Girafe
Boasting an opulent dining terrace that overlooks the infamous Eiffel Tower and Epicurean seafood dishes with comparatively reasonable prices, especially considering its incredible location, Girafe is the number one place to be. It is, however, extremely difficult to get a reservation and it’s common practice to book weeks or even months in advance.
The outdoor terrace is a remarkable sight in itself, but with the Eiffel Tower twinkling in the background, it really is one of our top recommendations in our food guide to Paris.
Address: 1 Pl. du Trocadéro, 75016 Paris, France.
Ferdi
For one of our most highly rated burgers in the whole of Paris, look no further than Ferdi.
Situated just over the road from Jardin des Tuileries, the menu at Ferdi is classic and rather sensibly priced. Go for the Angus beef pastrami and thank us later!
Address: 32 Rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris, France.
Septime
Septime is a little out of the way from most of the city’s top sights and attractions, but it’s well worth the journey to the 11th Arrondissement to dine here.
Offering a lunch and dinner tasting menu, as well as dedicated food and wine pairings, the menu at Septime varies depending on seasonality, but if you enjoy fine dining experiences with an exquisite selection of wines, you’ll be in for a real treat!
Address: 80 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris, France
Best Classic French Bistros in Paris
If you’re after more traditional French fare rather than haute cuisine, check out our recommendations for classic Parisian restaurants below.
Café de Flore
Café de Flore is one of our favourite local restaurants in Paris for people-watching. It’s super popular with celebrities and elite Parisians, so if you’re looking to rub shoulders with famous people, Café de Flore is the place to be! Be sure to arrive early or avoid peak times as this place almost always has a queue outside.
We also love the coffee, hot chocolate and croissants here, so it’s worth taking a seat in this charming corner cafe for the food, drink and ambient location.
Address: 172 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France.
Chez Janou
The chocolate mousse at Chez Janou is world-famous which is why we’ve included it on our ultimate food guide to Paris!
If you’re not partial to sweet treats, there are still plenty of wonderful savoury items on the menu at Chez Janou, including rib steak, tagliatelle with snails (if you fancy partaking in traditional French cuisine!) and braised duck breast.
Address: 2 Rue Roger Verlomme, 75003 Paris, France.
Bistrot Paul Bert
This old-fashioned joint is one of our top recommendations if you want to eat like a local in Paris.
Largely specialising in beef and seafood dishes, you’ll feel just like a local at Bistrot Paul Bert, a cosy, quintessentially French bistro.
Address: 18 Rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris, France.
Chez L’Ami Louis
Chez L’Ami Louis can be found not too far from the highly sought-after Le Marais neighbourhood.
It’s been cited as “the world’s most famous bistro” by culinary connoisseurs and while many of the dishes on the menu come with a fairly hefty price tag, we think it’s worth it to dine at one of the best authentic French restaurants in Paris.
Address: 32 Rue du Vertbois, 75003 Paris, France.
La Poule au Pot
La Poule au Pot specialises in traditional French cuisines such as foie gras, French onion soup, beef and escargot.
It’s not one of the cheapest restaurants in Paris, but it is one of the best if you’re looking to indulge in quintessential Parisian dishes.
Address: 9 Rue Vauvilliers, 75001 Paris, France.
Le Relais de Venise
Dating all the way back to 1959 and situated just a 10-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe, Le Relais de Venise is an unorthodox restaurant as it only offers one main dish; steak-frites.
They pride themselves on serving “one of the best steak-frites in town” and we can happily vouch for that claim because it’s one of our top recommendations in our food guide to Paris.
Address: 271 Bd Pereire, 75017 Paris, France.
Le Grand Colbert
Just over the road from Jardin du Palais Royal, you’ll find an elegant brasserie menu consisting of dishes such as oysters, veal and Chateaubriand at Le Grand Colbert.
Adorned with towering plants and elegant light fixtures, the romantic atmosphere at Le Grand Colbert is one of our favourites for date night in Paris.
Address: 2 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France.
Best Bars in Paris
While many of the eateries above also double up as bars, we wanted to include a dedicated section to the best bars in the city in our ultimate food guide to Paris.
Bar Joséphine
You’ll find Bar Joséphine inside Hôtel Lutetia in the 6th Arrondissement, not too far from the Palais du Luxembourg.
Inside this sophisticated bar, you’ll find locals and tourists enjoying a luxurious tipple; think fancy cocktails, flutes of champagne and an assortment of gourmet nibbles such as oysters and sushi to complement your beverage of choice.
Address: 45 Bd Raspail, 75006 Paris, France.
Hotel Amour
Not too far from Gare du Nord train station, Hotel Amour boasts an incredible bar inside the hotel’s restaurant that’s perfect for after-dinner drinks.
Open from 6 PM, the cocktail bar at Hotel Amour is one of our favourites for casual cocktails in an opulent setting.
Address: 8 Rue de Navarin, 75009 Paris, France.
Le Collier de la Reine
You’ll find Le Collier de la Reine in the 3rd Arrondissement, not too far from the hip Le Marais neighbourhood.
It might not be the most aesthetically pleasing bar in Paris, especially compared to some of the super-sophisticated establishments we’ve already included in this food guide to Paris, but the food and drink at Le Collier de la Reine make it worth the visit. The cocktail menu is also vast and extensive; we always go for the Espresso Martini!
Address: 57 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France.
Le Marta
Hotel Fouquet, less than 650m from the Arc de Triomphe, boasts not one but two of our favourite bars in Paris.
Le Marta is an intimate speakeasy hidden behind a secret door which provides intoxicating cocktails and an elegant and cosy atmosphere. On the rooftop of Hotel Fouquet, you’ll discover The Rooftop Marta, a spectacular outdoor terrace that’s perfect for those balmy Parisian summer nights.
Address: Hotel Fouquet, 46 Av. George V, 75008 Paris, France.
Septime La Cave
You can’t visit Paris without experiencing at least one fancy wine bar and Septime La Cave is one of our top recommendations for the best wine bars in Paris.
It’s a cosy establishment with a vast vino selection and an assortment of charcuterie accompaniments to complement your grape of choice.
Address: 3 Rue Basfroi, 75011 Paris, France.
Best Casual Restaurants in Paris
We’ve spilt the tea on the best boujee restaurants in Paris, the best places to eat like a local in Paris and the best plush bars in the city and now it’s time to share our favourite casual restaurants if you feel like enjoying a more relaxed atmosphere when dining in one of the best food cities in the world!
Bouche
We love everything about Bouche; the relaxed atmosphere, the simple decorum, the pretty street views if you dine at one of the window tables and, of course, the food and drink!
The menu at Bouche is fairly limited, with a few highlights such as duck tartare, BBQ mackerel and rack of pork taking our fancy, but the insane flavours of the food more than makeup for the lack of choice.
Address: 85 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France.
Déviant
Déviant is one of our favourite casual restaurants in Paris if you’re looking for a cosy, intimate date night in the city.
With an incredible selection of small sharing plates and dozens of wines and cocktails to choose from, Déviant is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic dinner in Paris.
Address: 39 R. des Petites Écuries, 75010 Paris, France.
Early June
Early June is one of the most intriguing wine bars and restaurants in Paris as it acts as a host restaurant for travelling chefs from all over the world. It’s an incredibly exciting concept and it means that you’ll always enjoy something different each time you visit.
We also love the relaxed atmosphere inside the Early June restaurant and we could happily spend hours sampling the many different wines on offer!
Address: 19 Rue Jean Poulmarch, 75010 Paris, France.
The Hoxton
The Hoxton Hotel company are world-renowned for their remarkable “open-house hotels” and while we love The Hoxton franchises in Shoreditch, London and Williamsburg, New York, The Hoxton in Paris might just be our number one choice!
There are three different casual bars and restaurants to enjoy at The Hoxton Paris, with our favourite being Rivié for its wonderful food and drink selection, as well as its charming, yet relaxed atmosphere.
Address: 30-32 Rue du Sentier, 75002 Paris, France.
Bambini
Bambini is a breathtakingly beautiful Italian restaurant situated inside the Palais de Tokyo Museum. Whether you dine inside the stunning restaurant or outside on the square that resembles a traditional Italian piazza in front of the museum, we’re sure you’ll love dining at Bambini!
You can expect all the Italian classics such as pizza, arancini, meatball pasta and tiramisu on the menu, all accompanied by an excellent wine selection.
Address: Palais de Tokyo, 13 Av. du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, France.
Best Boulangeries and Cafes in Paris
Paris is renowned for its boulangeries and coffee shops and while we could easily write an entire food guide to Paris dedicated to the city’s best bakeries, we’ve managed to narrow it down to our absolute must-visits.
Boulangerie Mamiche
Boulangerie Mamiche has two branches in Paris, one in the 9th Arrondissement and one in the 10th.
You’ll find everything from doughnuts to cookies to baguettes and much more at Mamiche. As both branches of this boulangerie are so highly rated, there are often long queues to get the good stuff, but we promise it’s worth the wait!
Address: 45 Rue Condorcet, 75009 & 32 Rue du Château d’Eau, 75010 Paris, France.
Du Pain et Des Idées
Less than a 5-minute walk from the Boulangerie de Quartier branch of Mamiche, you’ll discover another one of our favourite bakeries in Paris; Du Pain et Des Idées.
Set inside the most beautiful building, Du Pain et Des Idées serves some of the best French pastries in the city. The apple turnover and the chocolate pistachio swirl are our usual go-to orders whenever we visit!
Address: 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris, France.
Boulangerie du Sentier
For one of our most recommended croissants in Paris (and that’s a very tough choice to make in a city known for its pastries!), head to Boulangerie du Sentier in the 2nd Arrondissement.
There’s a small seating area outside where you can indulge in a hot cup of coffee and a smorgasbord of decadent pastries and sweet treats.
Address: 47 Rue du Caire, 75002 Paris, France.
Café Kitsuné
Café Kitsuné is another one of our top bakery recommendations on our ultimate food guide to Paris that has multiple branches all over the city, as well as in Japan, South Korea, New York, China, Thailand and London!
There are four branches in Paris and three of them are in super close proximity to the Louvre. On the menu, you’ll find excellent coffee and hot chocolate, luxury cupcakes and cookies, as well as a fantastic breakfast menu.
Address: 2 Pl. André Malraux, 75001 Paris, France.
Le Café Marly
If you want to enjoy a cup of coffee and an assortment of patisserie sweet treats with an unparalleled view of the famous Pyramide du Louvre, make sure to add Le Café Marly to your list of places to eat like a local in Paris.
Of course, due to its pristine location right next to the Louvre, you’ll pay a hefty price for breakfast or lunch at Le Café Marly, but for the opportunity to dine with a view of one of the most famous museums in the world, we think it’s worth it.
Address: 93 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France.
Patisserie atAlain Ducasse at Le Meurice
For something extra special, head to the patisserie within Le Meurice. It’s one of the most sought-after in the whole of Paris.
You can also dine inside the luxurious restaurant inside the hotel, but be prepared for unparalleled opulence and a menu with an extravagant price tag.
Address: 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France.
Terroirs d’Avenir
It’s a tight squeeze to get inside the bakery at Terroirs d’Avenir, but once you’re in, you’ll discover a plethora of delightful treats such as cinnamon swirls, croissants, Danish pastries, cookies, pain au raisin and so much more.
Once you’ve collected your goods, it’s just a short 10-minute walk to the Jardin du Palais Royal where you can enjoy a romantic setting while you tuck into your delicacies.
Address: 3 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris, France.
Our tip: pin these Paris restaurants and plan your trip via Google Maps. This way you can see which places you are near at any given time.
This local’s food guide to Paris features the very best of the best, so be sure to book mark this page for next time you are in the city of lights.
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