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With the Olympics taking place in Paris this year, I’ve been reminiscing about our culinary adventures in this beautiful city. This updated Paris Food Guide highlights those noteworthy foodie destinations, and I hope you have a chance to visit a few on the list.
Ever since Joe and I met, we have been talking about a trip to Paris, France. After more years than I care to mention, we finally made it to the City of Light, Love, and Food in 2014. Months leading up to our trip, we researched places to eat in Paris and asked friends and family for recommendations. Below are some of our favorite restaurants in Paris, many of which we discovered while exploring the city and meeting locals.
Paris Food Guide
Table of Contents
Falafel Sandwich at L’As Du Fallafel
After we dropped off our luggage at the hotel, Joe and I walked over to L’As Du Fallafel for our first meal in Paris. We knew we were in the right place when we spotted dozens of people feasting on sandwiches in the middle of the street. I ordered the falafel special (vegetarian) and Joe ordered the shawarma sandwich.
Each sandwich was loaded with our main ingredient of choice plus hummus, cabbage, cucumbers, fried eggplant, and harissa. We weren’t quite prepared for the delicious mess that followed, but it was totally worth it. The crispy and garlicky chickpea falafels were delicious, but the soft and creamy fried eggplant stole the show.
Address: 34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004
Croissants at 134 RDT (now Tout Autour du Pain
A trip to Paris would not be complete without eating at least one croissant. We had some trouble sleeping one night, so we decided to get up and walk over to 134 RDT right as they opened. The lady behind the counter seemed a bit shocked to see us walk up. We ordered two croissants to go and ate them on the park bench outside.
The croissants were light, flaky, and buttery—definitely the best I’ve ever tasted. Joe thought they were good, but he had better when he was living in southern France, where the local baker would deliver them every morning.
Address: 134, rue de Turenne, 75003
Crepe at Cafe de la Place
Paris has more than its fair share of creperies. There are entire streets, such as the Rue du Montparnasse, dedicated to creperies like the famous Creperie Josselin. While walking around Paris, we tried several savory crepes from different places and found ourselves going back to the walk-up window at the Cafe de la Place for their egg, ham and cheese crepe.
The warm crepe had a crispy edge with a generous amount of fillings. We could taste the savory ham, creamy cheese, and scrambled egg in each bite.
Address: 23 Rue d’Odessa, 75014
Beef Pho at Pho Banh Cuon 14
Those who know me well, know that I can’t go very long without having noodles. When the craving hits, it’s all I can think about. So when we were half way through our trip, I found myself dreaming about noodle soup. We ended up at Pho Banh Cuon 14 slurping on beef pho.
To our surprise, the beef broth was rich and intense—some of the best pho broth we have tasted. The noodles and fixings were standard, but the broth left us craving more.
Address: 129 Av. de Choisy, 75013
Hand Pulled Beef Noodle Soup at Happy Nouilles
Once I have a bowl of noodles, it’s hard to stop there. The next day, we ended up at Happy Nouilles, a Chinese noodle restaurant in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. The minute we spotted the chef in the kitchen pulling noodles, we knew we were in the right place. One of the fondest food memories I have of growing up in Beijing was sitting outside our neighborhood noodle shop slurping on spicy beef noodle soup. The owner would pull the noodles to order, and it was the most comforting and delicious bowl of noodle soup.
Happy Nouilles’ version of hand-pulled beef noodle soup was good and hit the spot, but I’m still on the hunt for a bowl that captures the flavors of my childhood.
Address: 95 Rue Beaubourg, 75003
Four Course Meal at Les Papilles
When we moved to our second hotel in the 6th arrondissement, we made a reservation at Les Papilles. The bistro and grocery store serves a set four-course dinner menu that changes daily. On the menu during our visit was the most delicious carrot soup with crispy bacon, followed by tender pork loin served with creamy polenta, a goat cheese course, and concluded with a rich chocolate cream topped with chocolate crumble.
The bistro sells wine by the bottle, and the chef helped us select a bottle that paired well with our meal. The additional cost to open and drink the wine there was 7 euros on top of the cost of the bottle. If I were to revisit Paris, this restaurant would be at the top of my list.
Address: 30 Rue Gay-Lussac, 75005
Michelin Food & Wine Pair at Frenchie
Out of all the restaurants in Paris, the one I worked the hardest to get a reservation for was Frenchie. It was worth the effort. Joe was feeling under the weather and ended up watching me enjoy one of my favorite meals in Paris.
The small and intimate restaurant serves dishes focused on the flavors of market-fresh ingredients. The playful, balanced, and thoughtful food makes this a must-visit in Paris. One of my favorite food and wine pairings was duck foie gras with sweet fig chutney and lightly pickled chanterelles, complemented by a cherry liqueur from the artisanal distillery Cazottes.
Address: 5 Rue du Nil, 75002
Ultimate Splurge at Passage 53
Last but not least, our favorite “worth the splurge” restaurant is Passage 53. From the handcrafted ceramic pieces hanging on the walls to the well-dressed wait staff in their black bow ties, to the layout of the dining room and, most importantly, the dishes that came out of the kitchen, there was harmony.
We still remember every dish we ate—that’s how memorable they were. Every time we talk about Passage 53, our mouths water. Langoustine carpaccio, scallops with porcini mushrooms, baby veal with chanterelles, and pigeon were some of the dishes we enjoyed.
The six-course chef’s tasting menu set us back 140 euros per person and was well worth it. This was many years ago, so I can only imagine what a meal would cost today. After a quick search for the restaurant, it is unclear to me if they have renamed or if the restaurant has closed its doors.
Reflecting on our culinary journey through Paris brings back a flood of delicious memories, from the mouthwatering croissants to the exquisite tasting menus. Whether it’s savoring street food or dining at high-end restaurants, each experience has left us with rich memories to look back on. As the Paris Olympics rekindle our wanderlust, we’re already dreaming of our next trip to the City of Light, where we’ll continue our quest for unforgettable food experiences. If you find yourself in Paris, I hope this guide helps you discover the culinary treasures that await. Bon appétit!
Good post. It reminds me of my trip to Spain. The old coffee houses of Paris are amazing. Very good pictures
NY state is beautiful and varied: the Adirondack State Forest, the Finger Lakes and wineries, the many state parks, the state has much to enjoy. Oh—Many microbreweries with fine IPAs and small coffee shops which grind their own beans, too.