The first thing that comes to mind when people think of Paris is food. And it's no wonder, as the city is known for its legendary restaurants and chefs. In fact, the French are so obsessed with dining that they even have an expression for it: "La joie de manger" — which translates as "the joy of eating." But how do you make sure you're getting your money's worth on your trip? You don't want to waste time or money on bad food! So, here's our guide on where to eat in Paris (plus some tips).
Dine like the French at Le Petit Bofinger.
Le Petit Bofinger
That’s right—you can dine like the French at Le Petit Bofinger. This cozy café, located on Rue du Cirque in the 9th arrondissement, is owned by Chef Philippe Legendre and his wife, Marie-Pierre. The menu at this restaurant offers classic French cuisine that's perfect for sharing with friends or family; signature dishes include foie gras terrine with fig chutney and fried quail eggs. If you're feeling adventurous, try their version of steak tartare (beef tartar) made with raw filet mignon served with radishes and mustard sauce on toast points. Perfect for visitors who aren't sure what they want!
If you're looking to eat something less fancy while still getting some great food in Paris: Le Petit Bofinger also serves croissants as well as pastries from Pierre Hermé Chocolate Shop (located just down the street). They also have an assortment of coffees from local artisanal roasters such as Café de Flore. And don't forget about the desserts! Chocolates from Jacques Genin will tempt your taste buds into oblivion—and his chocolate bar is right next door!
Grab a quick box of croissants from Au Levain du Marais.
You'll want to stop by Au Levain du Marais for breakfast or lunch, as they have a great selection of pastries and sandwiches. You can grab a box of croissants for later or just enjoy some fresh bread with your coffee. They also have a nice selection of soups, salads, quiches and other cold dishes that are perfect for meals on the go.
Grab a cup of coffee from Cafe Lomi and sit outside.
If you're looking for an easy place to grab a cup of coffee and sit outside, Cafe Lomi is your spot. This small cafe in the Marais district is great if you want to get some work done or simply relax with some friends.
The best part? The outdoor area has a great view of rue de Rivoli and Place des Vosges! It's also right across from Le Procope (the oldest cafe in Paris) so you can pop inside afterwards for more sightseeing.
Eat vegan at Gentle Gourmet.
Gentle Gourmet is a vegan restaurant with excellent vegetarian and vegan options. The staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the food they serve. The location is perfect for exploring nearby attractions while you eat.
The menu includes many healthy dishes made from fresh vegetables, legumes and grains. There are also some great desserts at Gentle Gourmet that we would recommend trying!
Eat pasta at Chez Janou.
Your first stop is Chez Janou, a cozy Italian restaurant with delicious pasta. The place has a great atmosphere, and you can sit at the bar or in one of the comfy booths to watch your food being made.
To start, get some Bruschetta (tomato and basil) or Crostini (creamy goat cheese). Then try their Spaghetti Frutti di Mare; it’s topped with clams, mussels and shrimp in a light tomato sauce. For dessert, try their chocolate cake!
Chez Janou is open daily from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm except on Sundays when it closes at 6:00 pm. The best time to visit this restaurant is either early afternoon or late evening when it gets less busy—this way you can enjoy yourself without having to wait too long for your food!
Wine at The Wine Lab Paris.
The Wine Lab Paris is a wine bar with a modern, industrial feel. They say it's all about the wine, but you can also get food there if you want (and trust us, you'll want to). The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, and their prices are reasonable. It's definitely a great place to go with friends or family—a place where everyone will feel comfortable ordering what they like without breaking the bank. If you're looking for a place that has something for everyone in your party, this is it!
Grab a pastry at Stohrer bakery.
If you're looking for a place to grab lunch, Stohrer bakery is a Parisian institution that has been serving up fresh pastries and bread since 1730.
Located on Rue Montorgueil, this tiny shop makes some of the most delicious pastries in all of Paris. You'll find everything from their famous chocolate-filled éclairs (which can be eaten on their own or dipped in tea) and fruit tarts to more traditional French desserts like millefeuille and croissants.
You can't go wrong with anything you choose here—everything is delicious! But if you need some guidance, I recommend trying one of these:
Chocolate mousse-filled éclair (pictured above). This is my personal favorite because it's so creamy and decadent without being too rich or overwhelming; just eating one will put a smile on your face! Travel Jember Malang
Éclair au chocolat et lait à la crème fraîche (pictured below). This is another classic that combines two great things: chocolatey goodness with soft fluffy creaminess inside. It tastes just as good as it sounds!
Eat crepes at Breizh Cafe.
Address: 15 Rue des Petits-Champs, 75002 Paris
What to order: The caramelized apple crepe is the best one on the menu. It's sweet, but not too sweet!
Why it's a great place to eat: You can choose which of their many crepe options you want and make sure it has what you like. The service is also very friendly!
How long it takes to get there: About ten minutes by foot from Place de la Concorde (right next door). Or take the Metro Line 1 or 2 to Havre-Caumartin station; walk east along Boulevard Haussmann until you reach Rue Neuve des Petits Champs; cross over Boulevard Haussmann heading south toward Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore'e for about three blocks until you reach #15 on your left.
Dine at La Maison Bleue for Moroccan food.
La Maison Bleue is a small Moroccan restaurant in the Marais. The atmosphere is intimate and cozy, with attentive service and friendly staff. It's also a great option for vegetarians and vegans, as they have many options that cater to both—but if you're not vegetarian or vegan, you'll still find plenty of tasty dishes to choose from on their menu! Travel Jember Surabaya
The highlight? Definitely the food! You'll want to try ordering some mint tea with your meal—it's served hot, and it has a wonderful aroma (and flavor!). There are also several different types of couscous available here: brown rice couscous which gives texture without making your body feel heavy afterwards; white meat chicken couscous; fish couscous served with vegetables; and vegetarian green bean couscous made from chickpeas instead of beans so it won't upset sensitive stomachs like normal beans might do after eating too much spicy food at once. All in all I would definitely recommend checking out La Maison Bleue if you're looking for delicious Moroccan cuisine while visiting Paris!
For dessert, visit Merce & the Muse for ice cream!
This is a great place for a dessert. They have so many flavors!
You can get ice cream in cones or cups. There are also different sizes and prices, so you can choose what you want!
Eating in Paris is an art form and you should plan ahead to make the most of your trip
Eating in Paris is an art form. You must plan ahead. There are so many restaurants, bakeries, cafes and ice cream shops to choose from! Here's our guide to making the most of your trip with some great tips on where to eat/drink:
Eat at the best restaurants - we love Le Chateaubriand for delicious steak frites or Chez Paul for classic French cuisine.
Eat at the best bakeries - if you have a sweet tooth then go straight to Ladurée which has around 100 different types of macarons on offer (all made by hand). Or if cake is more your thing then try Pâtisserie Sadaharu Aoki for their matcha chocolate éclair!
Eat at the best cafes - there are plenty of options but we love La Caféothèque because they serve delicious coffee made by top baristas with beans sourced from around the world (including Australia!). They also have free wifi so you can work while drinking it!
Eat at ice cream shops - Berthillon makes some of the creamiest gelato in town (and it's actually quite healthy). Alternatively, Ben & Jerrys does a mean Cookie Dough flavour which tastes just like cookie dough but without any sugar whatsoever – not so bad after all…
Conclusion
If you've ever dreamed of visiting Paris, then this post is for you. I've shared all my favorite places to eat in Paris so that when you visit there won't be any surprises. Now go grab a baguette and enjoy!