PARIS: MY (VEGAN) FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS & FAVORITE (SECRET) SPOTS
Audrey Hepburn once said “Paris is always a good idea” - how true she was! Paris is way more than “just” the capital of France, it’s the epitome of “savoir vivre”, a unique place filled with tiny bookshops, cute bistros, beautiful gardens, historic buildings and cafés in the sun. If you haven’t been to Paris, it should really move up to your bucket list!
This has actually been my third time in Paris, so I was able to take it slow and experience this beautiful city the fullest. We of course also visited (from the outside) some of the major sights such as the Louvre, Tour Eiffel, Pantheon, Notre Dame etc. but we didn’t waste our time in lining up for them as I already visited some of the museums and sights a couple of years ago. Note, if you are a European citizen and below 26, it is the best time to go to Paris! Many of the museums and sights offer free entrance, so you can save quite a lot on your trip to Paris! :)
That’s why this is not a travel guide on what to do and see on your trip to Paris, but rather my recommendations for my favorite spots where to enjoy the authentic Parisian vibe. Of course, my guide focuses as well on food and restaurant recommendations! There are, however, so many great places that we could not even try them all - that’s why I provide a long list of additional places, which got recommended to me at the end of this blog post.
Favorite areas to visit in Paris
Marais, 3ème arrondissement
This is one of my favorite areas in Paris, as it is simply so non touristy but at the same time authentic Parisian. When you walk long the Rue de Bretagne you can find many small shops, a branch of the famous macaron manufacturer Ladurée and the vibrant Marché des Enfants Rouges. When you continue, you find the Square du Temple - Elie Wiesel, which is a hidden gem with a small pond and a lot of benches inviting you to take a rest (or a coffee to go from I.O Café). We returned that day again for dinner (next time I think I want to stay in this area!) and really enjoyed ourselves at the vegan/ vegetarian restaurant Persil (but see the culinary tips below for more).Île Saint-Louis & Île de la Cité , 4ème arrondissement
Although the two islands in the middle of the Seine can be very touristy, I still like to walk along the Seine, watch the sunset or simply see Paris from a slightly different angle. A slightly less touristy spot is the Place Dauphine which you reach via the historic Pont Neuf (out from 1607!). You can watch people playing Pétanque at the place dauphine & enjoy the French vibe.Quartier Latin, 5ème arrondissement
Home to the famous Sorbonne université, the Quartier Latin is well-known for it’s beautiful small alleys. One of my favorite spots in this district is the Place de la Contrescarpe with many cafés over to the Rue Mouffetard with more restaurants and cafés - it’s just beautiful to walk across this area!St. Germain, 6ème arrondissement
This quarter is one of the prettiest in Paris with many historic buildings and hidden squares. Make sure to visit the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg and bring some baguette & vine from the nearby supermarket for an easy and delicious picnic. Around the Rue de Buci are some nice cafés and we especially liked the hidden Cr du Commerce Saint-André in the evening for some French vine. Another truly fantastic place for an aperitif is the Place de l'Odéon in front of the Odéon Theatre,
As you can see, all my favorite spots are around the east part of Paris. That’s because the west part of Paris with the major sights around Tour Eiffel, le Louvre, L’Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées etc. is the most touristy part of the French capital. Although there are of course also cute little corners (I especially liked the charm of the covered passages and of course Montmartre for the view and Amélie vibe), for me personally the areas which I mentioned above are the best to visit in Paris. Of course also in these arrondissements there are toursity corners such as around the Notre Dame or next to the Seine, but I’m sure you will find the “authentic” Parisian joie de vivre in those corners!
Check out my brunch, lunch, dinner, speciality coffee and additional tips below for your perfect time in this magnifique city!
Let me know in case you have some insider recommendations which I should include in this guide as well, I will make sure to try them the next time I’m in this beautiful place, which will for sure be sooner than later!
Lots of love,
Magda
Favorite brunch, coffee, lunch and dinner places in Paris
Sain Pearl
The cute little café is located in 6th arrondissement and convinced with great coffee, matcha dessert & brunch options for every taste e.g. the vegan or vegetarian loaded avocado toast.
Location: 38 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 ParisLadurée
The famous patisserie is specialising in French macarons with many different flavours. You can enjoy them yourself (framboise is my favorite) or bring them as a gift to a special person!
Location: Multiple across Pairs e.g. 21 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 ParisPersil
We enjoyed delicious high-quality food at the vegan/ vegetarian restaurant Persil with friendly service and a great atmosphere. The sweet-potato gratin was especially tasty!
Location: 120 Rue Amelot, 75011 ParisI.O Café
The hip area around Rue de Bretagne was my favorite one in Paris, especially with the cute little I.O Café and it's spots in the sun. Check out their “library” for some Paris books and tips!
Location: 16 Rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003 ParisMarché des Enfants Rouges
The ancient market is actually from the 17th century and today is the home to many delicious food stands and restaurants. Come for lunch, ideally on a Saturday and just enjoy the vibe!
Location: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 ParisJozi Café
We actually came twice to this lovely café once for their speciality coffee and once for brunch. The place was already full for breakfast 15 Minutes after they opened so come early!
Location: 3 Rue Valette, 75005 ParisLe Relais Odéon
We found this place actually randomly and were amazed by the hidden café! There are several next to each other and the vibe of the small French alley is truly unique!
Location: 132 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 ParisLe Café de L'Odéon
Located in front of the Odéon Theatre you can enjoy a glass of wine surrounded by historic houses. The service is not the fastest, but they also need to run a lot across the square!
Location: Pl. de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris, FranceARABICA
Located in front of the Odéon Theatre you can enjoy a glass of wine surrounded by historic houses. The service is not the fastest, but they also need to run a lot across the square!
Location: Multiple locations e.g. 44-47 Pass. des Panoramas, 75002 Paris, FranceAu P'tit Grec Crêperie
Located in front of the Odéon Theatre you can enjoy a glass of wine surrounded by historic houses. The service is not the fastest, but they also need to run a lot across the square!
Location: 9 Rue Victor Cousin, 75005 Paris, FrancePita Paris
After our walk up Montmartre our bellies where screaming “food!”, so we had dinner at this small place, the israeli dishes were really good and the portion sizes also good for the price.
Location: 6 Rue des Trois Frères, 75018 Paris, FranceGlace Bachir
For a pistachio lover like me, this Lebanese ice cream shop is heaven! Of course I had to the the double pistachio load: pistachio ice cream coated in pistachio! Mhhhm!!
Location: 7 Rue Tardieu, 75018 Paris, France
Further (culinary) tips in Paris which we didn’t visit but were recommended to us:
Brunch
moeuf
Café Méricourt
Speciality coffee
Télescope Café
Le Peloton Café
Kott Café
Café Obrkof
(Vegan) dinner
Café Ginger
The friendly kitchen
Amore e Gusto
Daroco Bourse
Other
Level Coworking Café
Navigli Aperitivo
