Visiting Paris? What follows is a list of the restaurants that you must try when visiting the City of Light.
And don’t worry about the price. The list is not limited to fancy or expensive restaurants. Among these food and beverage outlets are hole-in-the-wall eateries that are easy on the wallet but impressive to the most discerning of palates.
The list was compiled by Belinda Leong of 2 Michelin Star restaurant Manresa and written up by this week’s Guest Blogger, Amy Chan, who publishes a blog called Amy Fabulous. It is republished here with the permission of the Kiwi Collection, where Amy is Director of Marketing.
1. Le Comptoir Du Relais
If you can only try one place on this list, make it Le Comptoir, where you may just experience the best meal of your life. If you go for dinner, you must make reservations in advance and be prepared to have the set menu. However, you can walk in for lunch (between 12 noon and 3 pm) and order a la carte. The chef is Yves Camdeborde and the GM is Daniel Boulud’s nephew.
Must Try: Pig’s feet, sliced pork belly, brandade, cochon de lait, fois gras and haricot vert salad, soups, charcuterie, and beef cheek.
Address: 9, Carrefour de l’Odéon
2. L’Avant Comptoir
This is an excellent place for French tapas. It has limited seating and is located next door to Le Comptoir.
Must Try: pig’s feet stuffed with oxtail, brandade, charcuterie, ribs, croquettes.
Address: 9, Carrefour de l’Odéon
3. L’Ami Jean
A must-try for dinner, but make sure you call ahead to make a reservation. Get the three courses for 34 EU. The chef is Stephan Lego.
Address: 27,rue Malar, 75007 Paris, France
4. Bistrot Paul Bert
This is a quaint, classic French brasserie. The menu changes regularly on the blackboard. Get the 34-euro, three-course menu. Chef also came from the Michelin star restaurant, Le Regalade.
Address: 18, rue Paul Bert, 11e, Paris, 75011
5. L’as Du Falafel
This is the most popular falafel spot. You can order at the window, which is just 5 euros, or if you eat inside for 7 euros. This place is CLOSED Friday and Saturday.
Must try: Get a falafel with everything in it (two types of cabbage, hummus, tzatziki, eggplant, spicy sauce, falafel) Also, try the chicken (this isn’t called falafel, just order chicken and they will know. It has everything the same as a falafel, but with chicken instead).
Address: 34 rue des Rosiers
6. Pierre Herme
Known as “The King of French Pastry”. Be prepared to wait in line to get your fix of macarons, cakes and croissants.
Must Try: Litchi Raspberry Croissant, Tarte Vanille, Tarte Cafe, 2000 Millefeuille, Isaphan, Croissant, and Kouign-Aman
7. Breizh Cafe
Regarded as one of the best creperies. Try the galettes (savoury crêpes made out of buckwheat flour).
Address: 109, rue Vieille du Temple
8. Le Chateaubriand
This is another great French brasserie for dinner, in fact, one of the most popular brasseries amongst “chefs” right now. The brasserie offers a fixed five-course menu every night.
Make sure you call ahead for a reservation. Phone: +33 1 43 57 45 95
Address: 129 Avenue Parmentier, 75011 Paris, France
9. Laduree
The pioneers of the double decker Macaroon since 1862, you will find yourself in macaroon heaven upon setting foot in this patisserie. There are shops throughout Paris, and you can also get great gifts like caramel black tea and hot chocolate in their iconic pastel green packaging.
Must Try: Caramel macaron is splendid, and they are one of the only shops that use real caramel.>
10. Berthillon
MOST popular ice cream shop/tea salon in Paris. Delightfully good. Located near the Notre Dame.
Must Try: There are over 60 flavours to choose from, but two of my favourites included the Caramel au beurre salé (salted butter caramel) and Café Dauphinoix (coffee and chocolate).
Address: 31 Rue St Louis en l’ile
I stayed at two different hotels so that I could explore different neighborhoods. I absolutely loved the charming, old Parisian feel of L’hotel (not to mention it’s a block away from Laduree).
If boutique isn’t your preference, you may like the second hotel, Le Royal Monceau. 149 rooms and designed by Phillippe Stark, this hotel is what I’d call the epitome of Parisian luxury.
Amy Chan is a columnist, food enthusiast, and avid traveler. She works for luxury hotel reviewer, Kiwi Collection, and has her own blog, Amy Fabulous.
Pictured: Le Royal Monceau, Paris Photo Credit: the Kiwi Collection