Best Restaurants in Paris: My Favorites After 18 Trips + What I’m Trying Next

Searching for the best restaurants in Paris? After 18 visits, I’ve got you covered!

If there is something you need to know about me, it is that I love eating in Paris. I love eating in France! I love finding great foodie spots around the world, but after living in France and visiting Paris often, I do miss my French comfort foods.

And Paris has French comfort food in spades. But they also have international food in spades. It’s a major capital city with a diverse population–of course the food is incredible!

So in this Paris restaurant guide, I’m sharing my favorite places including romantic restaurants in Paris, wine bars, hidden gems, and casual spots. I’m also covering my bucket list restaurants, where I’m planning to dine on my next visit, and giving you a map to find it all!

Let’s dig in!

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My Favorite Restaurants in Paris After 18 Visits

Here are my favorite places to eat in Paris after 18 visits and 14 years.

Best Bakeries in Paris

I will say that the best way to find a bakery (boulangerie in French) is to follow your nose. Years ago, I was walking around Paris with my sister and we smelled the most delicious fresh baguette smell. We immediately stopped what we were doing and had to find it. Find it we did. And it was still one of the best baguettes I’ve ever had. 

Sadly, I cannot for the life of me remember where we were, but still, I trust my nose and it hasn’t failed me yet.

Pro-Tip: Places that have “boulangerie” on their storefront mean that bread is made on site, not just heated up.

Here are a few faves of mine:

1. Maison d’Isabelle

47ter Bd Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris

Why I love it: I stumbled upon this years ago while staying at a hotel nearby and wanted breakfast. I saw a small line of people and went in. It was the best, flakiest croissant of my life. I became addicted. It won the Best Croissant in Paris and the Ile-de-France region in 2018, and they make a seriously delicious croissant.

Location: 5th arrondissement in the Latin Quarter.

What to order: A croissant, bien sur! But they do flaky pastries well. Also, they make great eclairs.

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: If you go earlier in the morning, the line isn’t as bad. But if the line is insane, just skip it. No place is worth standing an hour + in line when you’ve got limited time in Paris, and now that this has blown up on social media, the lines can be bad.

2. Sain Boulangerie

23 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris & 13 Rue Alibert, 75010 Paris

Why I love it: I happened upon this spot last winter when I desperately needed a coffee to fight some jetlag on the way to check out the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (one of the quirky, smaller museums in Paris) in Le Marais. The coffee here was delicious, as were the pastries that I devoured. If I see a huge case of pastries, I have zero self-control and can’t only get one. Thankfully, my friend was happy to share a few. 

Location: In the 3rd and 10th arrondissements.

What to order: Chausson aux pommes. This is basically an apple turnover. It’s so good! I also enjoyed their pain au chocolat. The coffee is lovely here too!

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: Sit down and stay a while! The one in Le Marais (3rd arrondissement location) has a lot of seating for relaxing and enjoying your coffee. The 10th arrondissement location is smaller but has a little seating. That location is close to Canal Saint-Martin, though!

3. Mamiche

45 Rue Condorcet, 75009 Paris, 32 rue du Château d’eau, 75010 Paris, & 19 rue Bouchardon 75010 Paris

Why I love it: I was staying by myself in Pigalle and wandered past this place one day. I followed my nose, got a croissant here and a pain au chocolat, and loved it! I loved it so much that I visited a couples times during my visit for baguettes to have for breakfast at my Airbnb.

Location: In the 9th and 10th arrondissements.

What to order: Baguette tradition, croissant, babka, and pastries.

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: I will say I went here when they didn’t have long lines. However, they have another location in the 10th arrondissement that will likely have fewer people. They have a sandwich shop too in the 10th!

4. Carton

6 Bd de Denain, 75010 Paris

Why I love it: Another first prize winner for the Best Croissant in Paris (but in 2025), this place is located just outside of Gare du Nord, making it a perfect place for a pick-me-up either before or after jumping on the Eurostar! But it really does make some delectable pastries (or viennoiseries in French)!

Location: 10th arrondissement.

What to order: Croissant and pistachio escargot pastry.

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: Yes, have the croissant, but the pistachio escargot was stunning too!

5. Artisan Boulanger M. Denis

26 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris

Why I love it: You may not hear about this one on social media or in the guidebooks. But again, this was just an instance of following my nose. I was walking from where I was staying in the 9th to the Carnavalet Museum and couldn’t resist the smell of baking bread. So I got a baguette and loved it!

Location: 9th arrondissement.

What to order: Baguette tradition!

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: Don’t just order a baguette at any boulangerie–get a baguette tradition! That is the traditional baguette made using just 4 ingredients: water, flour, yeast, and salt.

6. Tout Autour du Pain

134 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris

Why I love it: I went here on a food tour in 2019 of Le Marais. This place has won many awards, and the baguettes here are a thing of beauty! They also are known for their croissants.

Location: Le Marais in the 3rd arrondissement.

What to order: Baguettes and croissants. 

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: Get a baguette tradition AND a baguette aux graines. I love a traditional baguette… but the graine has all the seeds in it, and it’s SO good! 

7. B&S Nation

24 Pl. de la Nation, 75012 Paris

Why I love it: I visited here recently and saw that it won 2nd place for its baguette tradition AND first place for its tarte au citron for 2026. So what did I get? Both. I had to! The baguette tradition is lovely (I can see why it placed!), and it was pas trop cuite, meaning it isn’t too cooked. It’s nice and chewy on the inside and outside and not too crunchy. Personally, I prefer them this way, so it was a win for me! Also, that tarte au citron was definitely worth it!

Location: 12th arrondissement.

What to order: Baguette and tarte au citron.

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: Great some salted butter at the store to slather on your baguette! Also, I couldn’t finish this, and it held up nicely the next morning for breakfast!

8. Victoire Boulangerie

12 Rue Cadet, 75009 Paris

Why I love it: I recently went here during a Devour Chocolate and Pastry Food Tour, and it did not disappoint. This place won 2nd place for their pain au chocolat in 2024, and that’s exactly what we got. I’ll be honest, pain au chocolat isn’t my favorite pastry, but this one was easily one of the best I’ve ever had, and I really enjoyed it!

Location: 9th arrondissement.

What to order: Pain au chocolat.

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: They’ve won several awards, which are proudly posted on their window. So taste whatever looks good!

9. Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Terroirs d’Avenir

3 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris

Why I love it: While I didn’t try anything here during the food tour, our guide highly recommended it for the brioche nature. So, later that day, I found myself nearby and couldn’t resist! I got the pain aux raisins and brioche nature, and it was just as delightful as she had said.

Location: 2nd arrondissement. Although, they have locations in other areas of Paris.

What to order: Pain aux raisins and brioche nature.

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: This whole street is small, but mighty for food! There are award winning restaurants on this street, and Terroirs d’Avenir has several shops here including this boulangerie, a fish shop, butcher, dairy, and grocery store. You seriously can’t go wrong with the food here.

10. La Parisienne

12 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris

Why I love it: They won best baguette tradition in 2025, so it’s definitely a bakery worth stopping in for tasty bread.

Location: 10th arrondissement.

What to order: Baguette tradition and baguette aux céréales.

Price range: Under €10.

Tip: I loved the baguette aux céréales, which was full of seeds and so savory!

Other Places For Sweet Treats

Here are a few other places to get a sweet treat in Paris.

1. Edwart Chocolatier

Multiple Locations in Paris

Why I love it: I actually went to this place during a food tour of Le Marais years ago, and it was then that I developed a theory: Chocolate shops in Paris make the best macarons. Yes, forget Ladurée and Pierre Hermé. Yes, their macarons are great! But for the best, according to my experiences in Paris, has to be the chocolate shops. And this place is no exception. 

Location: I loved the Le Marais location at 17 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris.

What to order: Chocolate and macarons.

Price range: €10-20.

Tip: Also try their various chocolate flavors because these are also scrumptious! 

2. Ladurée Bonaparte

21 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

Why I love it: For starters, Ladurée has many locations around Paris (and the world). But this particular location had something that I loved. I’m not saying that Ladurée isn’t a good macaron place, because it is. I’m just saying that their shop in Saint-Germain-des-Pres also makes a heck of a pastry. And to be honest, I actually like it more for that than anything else.

Location: Saint-Germain-des-Pres in the 6th arrondissement.

What to order: Their chocolate pistachio croissant was SO good! Get a few macarons, but definitely try this pastry if it’s there! 

Price range: €10-20.

Tip: This shop is a tea room as well!

3. Chapon 

Multiple Locations in Paris

Why I love it: I love chocolate mousse, and for chocolate mousse lovers who want to take it to go in a little cup, you’re going to love this place. They have various kinds of chocolate mousse based on percentages of cacao and locations where the beans are grown.

Location: I loved the location in the 6th at 34 Rue Saint-Sulpice, 75006 Paris.

What to order: Chocolate mousse! 

Price range: Under €10. 

Tip: They also have delicious chocolate treats to buy here too!

4. Stohrer

51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris

Why I love it: The oldest patisserie (pastry shop in English) in Paris, this place is stunning both in their craft and in their location. Enjoy any pastry here as it will be excellently done.

Location: 2nd arrondissement. 

What to order: They’re known for their baba au rhum, but I personally loved their Saint Honoré. It is little choux-based pastry. I also loved their Piedmont, which is a hazelnut chocolate cake. 

Price range: €10-20. 

Tip: It will be impossible to just get one thing. Just accept it.

5. Plaq Chocolat

4 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris & 57 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris

Why I love it: I actually stopped here twice on my recent visit. They roast their beans on site, and their chocolate is high quality. We had a small chocolate tarte thing, and it was SO good! But, I also had their hot chocolate and chocolate mousse at their 6th arrondissement location, and both were delectable!

Location: 2nd & 6th arrondissements. 

What to order: Literally anything, but I enjoyed their hot chocolate and chocolate mousse. If they have the little chocolate tarte, get that too!

Price range: €10-20. 

Tip: While their chocolate desserts are great, definitely taste their chocolate! And you’re lucky if you’re there during roasting!

6. Chocolat Foucher

134 rue du Bac, 75007 Paris & 30 avenue de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris

Why I love it: I happened upon this one afternoon on my recent stay, and it was amazing! My rule of thumb for Paris is that chocolate shops make the best macarons! This was no exception. The macarons were decadent, but the hot chocolate is the star.

Location: 2nd & 7th arrondissements. 

What to order: Chocolates, hot chocolate, and macarons.

Price range: €10-20. 

Tip: This hot chocolate is right on par with Les Deux Magots and Carette, making it a great place to go if you want to avoid those crowds!

7. Jacques Genin

133 rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris & 27 rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris

Why I love it: I was wondering around Le Marais and wanted to see if this shop had hot chocolate (I have been tasting different places). They didn’t but they let me try some fruit jellies, and a man walked in insisting that I had to get some chocolates and I did. I have no regrets. I got a lime one and orange and basil.

Location: 3rd (Le Marais) and 7th arrondissements.

What to order: Chocolates and fruit jellies. The man who frequents the place highly recommended the dark chocolate covered orange peels.

Price range: €10+.

Tip: Keep your wits about you, because you’ll want to buy everything, and it is fancy chocolate, meaning it can get pricey so fast!

8. La Galerie at Hotel George V

31 Av. George V, 75008 Paris

Why I love it: I was testing out various hot chocolates around Paris and stopped here to try arguably the fanciest one of them all. This hot chocolate comes with whipped cream with vanilla, crispy chocolates, and marshmallows with orange blossom. It’ll set you back €28, but it was a fun experience at this 5-star hotel.

Location: 8th arrondissement.

What to order: Hot chocolate.

Price range: €28+.

Tip: We didn’t need reservations. Just head to La Galerie, see if they have availability, and enjoy!

Casual Restaurants in Paris

This list includes cheap eats and easy spots to enjoy during your trip to Paris!

1. La Grande Épicerie de Paris

38 rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris & 80 rue de Passy 75016 Paris

Why I love it: Yes, this viral store in Paris is where many come to get their fancy butter fix. And while I recommend picking up some butter…I’ll be honest, I’m not a Beurre Bordier fan. I prefer Baysan Breton with Guerande sea salt or Grand Fermage with sea salt. You can actually get those in any old grocery store in France. BUT at La Grande Épicerie in the 7th, they have a whole section to purchase sandwiches, desserts, pastries, bread, etc. It is perfect for a picnic!

Location: The 7th arrondissement location is larger and has more options, but the 16th location is less crowded.

What to order: Any sandwich, pastry, baguette, cheese, butter, or sweet treat! They have booths selling all kinds of things! Note the 16th arrondissement location is more limited.

Price range: €10-20.

Tip: You can pick up goodies at the 7th arrondissement location and then head to Jardin du Luxembourg for a picnic!

2. Carette

25 Place des Vosges 75003 Paris & 4 Place du Trocadéro 75016 Paris

Why I love it: You’ve very likely heard of Carette. It is famous for its hot chocolate. But this place serves up a great little breakfast as well. And their hot chocolate? Amazing! Worth it. Yes, it is touristy, but it is touristy for a reason. 

Location: 3rd arrondissement (Le Marais), and 16th arrondissement (Trocadéro). They have a location in the 18th (Place du Tertre), but it is take away only. 

What to order: Hot chocolate with chantilly, strawberries, scrambled eggs, and pastries.

Price range: €20-35.

Tip: Go to their Place des Vosges location in Le Marais in the 3rd. It is typically less crowded than the Trocodero location. And get here early as it does get busy!

3. Les Deux Magots

6 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris

Why I love it: Another famous hot chocolate spot in Paris, this place is also one of the famous literary cafes. Yes, the likes of Hemingway spent time drinking here and contemplating his next novel. To be sure, he likely wasn’t having much hot chocolate, but this place has a great hot chocolate, and it is my favorite that I’ve tried in Paris so far! And while sitting outside in the morning as the world wakes up, I can see how Hemingway loved this spot. 

Location: 6th arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Pres).

What to order: Hot chocolate, filter coffee (it’s shockingly good!), pastries, and tartine. Basically, get their Classic breakfast and add on the coffee. 

Price range: €20-30.

Tip: Go early (before 9 am). That is my favorite time to go. Get coffee, a hot chocolate, and have breakfast while you watch the world go by. It is the most peaceful time to be there. 

4. Marché des Enfants Rouges

39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris

Why I love it: Located in Le Marais, this is the oldest covered market in Paris. It does have fruits and veggies to purchase, but it is more popular for its food stands. This is a popular place for tourists and locals alike to enjoy a lunch with friends! 

Location: 3rd arrondissement (Le Marais).

What to order: Go to any stand that looks good! I’ve had anything from a veggie burger and a smoothie to a Japanese bento box!

Price range: €30-40.

Tip: Sit at a restaurant here and take in the buzz of Paris! It’s one of those places where yes, tourists know about it, but there are still a lot of locals enjoying a meal. 

5. Le Récamier

4 Rue Juliette Récamier, 75007 Paris

Why I love it: This place is known for souffles! I had such a lovely lunch here ordering both a savory and sweet souffle! I enjoyed the cheese souffle and ended my meal with the chocolate pistachio souffle. 

Location: 7th arrondissement.

What to order: The souffles! They do sweet and savory ones!

Price range: €40ish.

Tip: Go for lunch! It’s a fun spot to stop in while exploring the 6th and 7th arrondissements. It’s also not far from La Grande Epicerie

6. L’As du Fallafel

34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris

Why I love it: These are honestly the best falafel sandwiches I’ve ever had. The falafel is flavorful, you can add hot sauce, and it’s just full of flavor. Get it with a lemonade with mint and it’s all perfect and very filling.

Location: 4th arrondissement (Le Marais).

What to order: Falafel sandwiches.

Price range: Around €20. 

Tip: They do both take away and seated dining. I’ve found that the line moves faster for dining there. 

7. Au Pied de Cochon

6 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris

Why I love it: This place is a great spot to check out in the 1st. It’s known for its pork dishes, especially with the name “cochon.” I really enjoyed the Echine de Cochon Confite with mashed potatoes. 

Location: 1st arrondissement.

What to order: Seafood, pork dishes.

Price range: €45-50. 

Tip: This place has such a vibe on its own! I loved getting drinks before dinner outside and watching the world go by! 

8. Peppe Pizzeria

Multiplate Locations in Paris

Why I love it: I mean it’s Neopolitan-style pizza, what’s not to love? We ordered take away from this place as it was near where we stayed in Pigalle while in Paris for the Grand Masked Ball at Versailles. Yes, we got takeaway because we were still recovering from that all-night rave, and it was too busy to get a table. But it was SO good! It helped a lot in recovering. 

Location: I preferred the location in Pigalle (9th arrondissement). It’s at 61 R. des Martyrs, 75009 Paris.

What to order: Neapolitan-style pizza.

Price range: Under €20.

Tip: They have several locations across the city for your pizza fix!

9. Bouillon Pigalle

22 Bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris

Why I love it: While no longer a hidden gem, this place is known for its tasty French food and ridiculously inexpensive prices. If you’re searching for where to eat in Paris on a budget, this is the place. Is it the best meal you’ll ever have in your life? No. But it’s actually really good and for the price point, it’s lovely!

Location: 18th arrondissements (Montmartre/Pigalle).

What to order: Typical French food, wine.

Price range: Under €30.

Tip: They have a sister restaurant called Bouillon République too!

10. Waly-Fay

6 Rue Godefroy Cavaignac, 75011 Paris

Why I love it: This is a restaurant specializing in West African cuisine, including Senegalese and Cameroonian. I had never had this before, and it came highly recommended by a friend of mine, @biancaenrogue. It was really good, and I highly recommend it, especially if you want to try West African food.

Location: 11th arrondissement.

What to order: West African food, like their Thiep bou dièn rouge, a fish dish served with delicious rice and a spicy sauce!

Price range: €30+.

Tip: This place serves up a lot of seafood, so enjoy!

11. Chez Cathy’s

66 Pass. Choiseul, 75002 Paris

Why I love it: I was out exploring and needed some lunch. So, while wandering through Passage Choiseul, I spotted this place. It looked delicious, and had a line, so I figured it must be good. I chose the bahn mi, and it was tasty! The sauce was a little spicy and sweet, but the pickled veg was nice as was the meat. Overall, a good sandwich!

Location: 2nd arrondissement.

What to order: Bahn mi!

Price range: €10-20.

Tip: Passage Choiseul has a lot of great food spots, so come here for lunch and go wherever looks good, including this place!

Need help planning your trip to Paris? I have an entire guide with EVERYTHING you need to know including itinerary ideas, hidden gems, restaurants, and more! Get it here!

Cozy Restaurants in Paris

For a fun, cozy, dining experience, check out these places. 

1. L’Avant Comptoir du Marché

14 Rue Lobineau, 75006 Paris

Why I love it: We decided to meet up with my local friend here during the Olympics as it was close by before we hopped on the metro to the next event! And this turned out to be amazing. It’s a French small plates place, complete with a giant slab of butter you’re welcome to help yourself to! We split anything that looked good, and everything was great! When in doubt, just ask the people working there. They gave us all the great suggestions.

Location: 6th arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Pres).

What to order: Any small plates.

Price range: €30-40.

Tip: They also have restaurants called L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer (specializing in seafood) and L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre (which focuses on meat). 

2. Le Coq et Fils

98 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris

Why I love it: France knows how to make a darn-good roast chicken. And this place knows how to make it shine even more. They have whole chickens for a group to share (including the coveted Poulet de Bresse) or you can get an individual portion of roast chicken. Either way, everything here is delicious from the oeuf mayo to the chicken.

Location: 18th arrondissement (Montmartre).

What to order: Roast chicken.

Price range: €60+.

Tip: This is a great spot to go to with a group as you can split the highest quality chicken (Poulet de Bresse) together and it comes with a side.

3. Chez Janou

2 Rue Roger Verlomme, 75003 Paris

Why I love it: This place has certainly blown up on social media in recent years. And that is definitely because their chocolate mousse is the best. And yes, it is still the best I’ve ever had. I’ve tried making it at home, eating chocolate mousse at other places, and even found a really good contender at the grocery store in France…but it doesn’t compare. And their brandade de haddock with aioli is also delicious! 

Location: 3rd arrondissement (Le Marais).

What to order: Chocolate mousse, brandade de haddock and aioli. 

Price range: €50ish.

Tip: If you want to try their famous chocolate mousse without the craziness of the restaurant, check out Le Petit Italien. They serve their mousse for dessert!

4. La Jacobine

59-61 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006 Paris

Why I love it: I love this place so much! It’s tucked away in Cour du Commerce Saint-André with its cobblestones. This place is tiny and packed, but for good reason! The restaurant serves up classic French dishes done exceptionally well. I still dream about their onion soup, and every part of the meal I had was divine.

Location: 6th arrondissement (Odeon). 

What to order: Onion soup, confit conard, coq au vin, classic French dishes.

Price range: €50ish.

Tip: They now accept reservations online! This place was impossible to get reservations for the longest time without going in person and hoping to get in that evening or the next day. Make reservations here!

5. Le Poulbot

3 Rue Poulbot, 75018 Paris

Why I love it: Probably the most charming hole-in-the-wall spot in the 18th, this place is also serving up incredible French cuisine. Duck confit, boeuf bourguignon, beef carpaccio, onion soup… I could go on and on with its classic dishes to try. But this restaurant just screams “cozy” with its wood beam ceilings and small dining area.

Location: 18th arrondissement (Montmartre). 

What to order: Onion soup, confit conard, coq au vin, classic French dishes.

Price range: €60ish.

Tip: For the ultimate cozy-effect, sit inside!

Romantic Restaurants in Paris For Date Night

Whether you want an epic view, a bit more upscale spot, or endless charm, these are some great spots for a date night in Paris!

1. Bonnie Restaurant

10 Rue Agrippa d’Aubigné, 75004 Paris

Why I love it: I was actually recommended this restaurant by a couple of Paris locals while on a boat tour in Corsica. They said it was a great chic date-night spot! And they were so right! It is in a high rise for starters, so it overlooks the city, including the Eiffel Tower. It is more upscale, so wear something nice, but the food is good (not the best I’ve had but still pretty good, and the place is incredible), the drinks are tasty, and that view is unforgettable! Go for dinner and sunset! They have indoor and outdoor seating. 

Location: 4th arrondissement. 

What to order: Seafood, cordon bleu, steak, and cocktails.

Price range: €85+.

Tip: Try to sit outside if possible! It’s stunning when the sun sets over the city!

2. Le Train Bleu

Gare de Lyon, Pl. Louis Armand hall 1, 75012 Paris

Why I love it: Located within Gare de Lyon, this restaurant was once where people would stop in for a nice meal before their lengthy train journey south. And even today, it keeps its over-the-top turn-of-the-century charm. It’s a place that draws in a crowd for its beauty, and it truly is a worthwhile place to eat. I had an amazing meal here with a friend last year and had the best time.

Location: 12th arrondissement (inside of Gare de Lyon).

What to order: It’s most known for the roasted lamb leg! But I loved the cordon bleu and their crêpes suzette. 

Price range: €100.

Tip: You can also just go for drinks as they have a lovely bar menu! 

3. Faubourg Daimant

20 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris

Why I love it: Romantic and fun restaurants don’t always need to include the butter and cheeses that France is known for. This is a vegan restaurant in Paris! And it’s SO good! I went here a couple of years ago with my husband and in-laws, and we had a delicious meal. The stuffed cabbage is so delectable. And definitely get the Snickers Daimant for dessert! It has chocolate cake, peanut cream, and caramel. 

Location: 10th arrondissement. 

What to order: Stuffed cabbage and their Snickers dessert called Snickers Daimant. 

Price range: €35-45.

Tip: They also have a great alcohol-free menu as well with 0.0 wines!

4. La Boîte aux Lettres

108 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris

Why I love it: Did it feel like a climb to get to this restaurant? Yes. But do I still remember and dream about the food I had? Also, yes! I had the best hummus egg dish that I loved, and their steak is solid (and I don’t even eat or like steak that much). They have a small menu, and what they make, they make it well. 

Location: 18th arrondissement (Montmartre). 

What to order: They change their menu, but their steak is honestly really good! I also enjoyed their pain perdu! 

Price range: €24-50.

Tip: Sit outside if you can! You have a lovely view of the windmill at Le Moulin de la Galette.

Hidden Gem Restaurants in Paris That I Love

While there are restaurants that are famous and touristy for a really good reason…sometimes you also want to go to spots where you see fewer tourists, the menu may be written on a chalkboard and changed daily, and/or you hear more French than English. 

1. Ramdam le Comptoir

15 Rue de Trévise, 75009 Paris

Why I love it: I randomly found this restaurant in my research (which I’ll share below). I had a group of 5 of us women who were going to Paris for the Grand Masked Ball of Versailles and we needed a good place to eat the evening before that event. And this place was perfect! It is a small plates restaurant with a fun menu. So just order what looks delicious to split with friends or a group! 

Location: 9th arrondissement. 

What to order: Any and all the small plates and cheeses! 

Price range: €30-40.

Tip: Typically, if the restaurant has “comptoir” in the title, it is a small plates kind of place. Comptoir means “counter” so it’s casual and fun and the dishes are usually for sharing. 

2. La Petite Périgourdine

39 Rue des Écoles, 75005 Paris

Why I love it: A while back, I found this restaurant that was full and I really wanted to try it. Sadly, they didn’t have availability but directed me to their sister restaurant down the street called L’Authre Petite Perigourdine. It was here that I tasted aligot (mashed potatoes made with tons of cheese–so much so that it is stretchy)! I fell in love. I left determined to go to the original restaurant, which I did. It was amazing. They have a menu, but they also came around with their specials on a chalkboard. It was full of locals. It was so much fun, and that aligot was a dream. 

Location: 5th arrondissement (Latin Quarter).

What to order: Aligot, roast chicken, and duck confit. 

Price range: €50-60.

Tip: If you can’t get into this restaurant (definitely make a reservation in advance if you can!), they have sister restaurants called En Face de la Petite Perigourdine and L’Authre Petite Perigourdine. They also have aligot. 

3. La Felicità

5 Parv. Alan Turing, 75013 Paris

Why I love it: One restaurant that I have yet to try and kind of refuse to is Pink Mamma. It’s a famous Instagram restaurant in the 9th. But it is actually owned by the Big Mamma Group. They have restaurants all over the city and other areas of Europe. Their food is good, I won’t lie, but not worth waiting in line or trying to get a reservation at Pink Mamma. Instead, I love their Italian food hall called La Felicita. This place has a more local feel, and you can get pizza, pasta (including the famous truffle pasta), spritzes, gelato, etc. And it’s all so good! 

Location: 13th arrondissement. 

What to order: Neapolitan pizza, truffle pasta, tiramisu, and gelato. 

Price range: €20-30.

Tip: You can get the famous viral truffle pasta here that people rave about at Pink Mamma!

4. Dame Nation

2 Rue Guénot, 75011 Paris

Why I love it: My local friend who is originally from Normandy found this place and suggested we eat here one night! It is a restaurant known for Norman dishes! I had the pork and it was delicious!

Location: 11th arrondissement. 

What to order: Any of their pork or Norman dishes. 

Price range: €40-50. 

Tip: They also have another little bistrot/wine cave nearby! 

5. Poni

24 Rue Saint-Lazare, 75009 Paris

Why I love it: This is just a fun bistrot where the kitchen is open from lunch until late in the evening, serving up delicious food. I had the Belle Omelette with ham and cheese for lunch and it was amazing. They also have delicious drinks. I also loved how lively it was for lunch with locals having a great time!

Location: 9th arrondissement. 

What to order: Omelette, fun drinks, and burgers. 

Price range: €30-45. 

Tip: They have fun mocktails too! We went there during our mocktail crawl of Paris!

6. Le Vieux Bistrot

54 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris

Why I love it: Fun fact: when I lived in France, I lived in Grenoble, in the French Alps. And I spent my time eating a healthy amount of fondue, tartiflette, and raclette (in between learning, of course). I miss it so much. But Paris is a city with food from around the world and throughout France. So I came here to get my fondue and tartiflette fix, and it satisfied exactly what I wanted!

Location: 5th arrondissement (Latin Quarter). 

What to order: Fondue Savoyarde, tartiflette, and raclette. 

Price range: €50-60.

Tip: A lot of dishes like the fondue, tartiflette, and raclette are meant to be split by 2 people.

7. Joia

39 Rue des Jeuneurs, 75002 Paris

Why I love it: This newer restaurant takes traditional cuisine inspired from places like London, New York, and Italy, and it’s very good! The day we went, they made this amazing arugula salad and delicious pasta with sweet peas.

Location: 2nd arrondissement. 

What to order: Their prix fixe menu.

Price range: €35+.

Tip: Get their prix fixe menu, which changes all the time based on the seasons!

8. Comptoir du Commerce

1 Rue des Petits Carreaux, 75002 Paris

Why I love it: I went here during a food tour, and it was SO good! We had the crêpe with butter, sugar, and lemon juice, and it was nothing short of fresh and delicious! You can taste the butter! 10/10. But they also have galettes (or savory crêpes too).

Location: 2nd arrondissement. 

What to order: Crêpes and galettes.

Price range: €8-20.

Tip: This is a great spot for lunch while exploring Montorgueil.

My Favorite Wine Bars in Paris

Here are some great wine bars to enjoy while in Paris.

1. Le Barav

6 Rue Charles-François Dupuis, 75003 Paris

Why I love it: This is such a cute spot with plenty of seating both inside and outside for a drink before dinner. This is the place for a little apero complete with a cheese board to split with friends, glasses of wine, and just a fun time chatting. 

Location: 3rd arrondissement (Le Marais).

What to order: Wine and cheese plates.

Price range: €20-30.

Tip: Get there early enough to get good seating outside! It’s a great people-watching spot!

2. Soif, la Cave à Pigalle

35 Rue Victor Massé, 75009 Paris

Why I love it: I actually came here one evening for a drink as it was right next to the apartment I was staying in during a solo trip to Paris. I went inside and chatted with the owner, who was very excited to talk about the natural wines here. I enjoyed some wine and cheese and had the best time. It’s a tucked away wine bar in Pigalle, and I loved it so much! 

Location: 9th arrondissement (Pigalle). 

What to order: Wine and small plates.

Price range: €20-30.

Tip: Check out their calendar as they have a lot of fun events! 

3. Juveniles

47 Rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris

Why I love it: This place serves up French dishes as a bistrot, but they also have fabulous wines to pair it with. This bistrot a vins is less a wine bar exactly, but a wine-focused foodie spot for dinner. And it is incredible. 

Location: 1st arrondissement. 

What to order: Wine, lamb, magret de canard, steak. 

Price range: €50-60. 

Tip: Ask your server which wines they’d pair with the dishes before ordering! Also, check their specials too. 

Map of the Best Restaurants of Paris

Here is a map to keep track of the best restaurants in Paris that I love!

Paris Restaurants I’m Planning to Dine at Next Time

I’ve spent countless hours scouring the web on great places to eat. Here are restaurants I’m hoping to go to on my next trip that will hopefully end up on this list of my favorite restaurants.

1. Le Baron Rouge

1 Rue Théophile Roussel, 75012 Paris

Why it’s on my list: This is a local wine bar that I cannot wait to try! I found this from David Lebovitz.

Location: 12th arrondissement.

Price range: €15-30.

2. Les Canailles

25 Rue la Bruyère, 75009 Paris

Why it’s on my list: Again, I do love dining at French restaurants in France. And this place is modern French. So, of course, I’d love to try it! This is also on the Bib Gourmand list on the Michelin Guide. 

Location: 9th arrondissement.

Price range: €39-45. 

3. Les Enfants Perdus

9 Rue des Récollets, 75010 Paris

Why it’s on my list: I actually spotted this on the way to another place for dinner while around Canal Saint-Martin. It was full of locals, and I was curious. It looks delicious, so I had to add it to my future list!

Location: 9th arrondissement.

Price range: €40-50.

My Paris Restaurant Bucket List

Okay, these are on my bucket list simply because 1) I just can’t eat everywhere and everything in Paris in just 7 days for my next visit, and 2) some of these are pricey. I can’t put everything here, but these are places I’d love to go to in the near future.

1. Robert et Louise

64 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris

Why it’s on my list: I mean, it’s an Anthony Bourdain recommendation… How can I resist? Food is cooked over a wood fire, and it looks so cozy. It’s gotten some mixed reviews over the years, but I’d still love to try it if I had the time.

Location: 3rd arrondissement (Le Marais).

Price range: €50. 

2. Arpège

84 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris

Why it’s on my list: I actually heard of this from I’ll Have What Phil’s Having with Phil Rosenthal. And this place is actually vegetarian! I haven’t been to this 3-star Michelin restaurant quite yet because…€420 for dinner or even €260 for lunch feels a little too much. Maybe another time when I’ve saved up, but not anytime soon (content creation doesn’t pay that much)!

Location: 7th arrondissement.

Price range: €200+.

3. Mắm From Hanoï

39 Rue de Cléry, 75002 Paris

Why it’s on my list: This restaurant is getting a lot of attention! It’s on Bib Gourmand on the Michelin Guide, and it’s actually affordable. I’d love to get here at some point to have pho or bun.

Location: 2nd arrondissement.

Price range: €17-25.

4. La Tour d’Argent

15 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris

Why it’s on my list: This has been recommended by chefs the world over. It even has a Michelin star. But that isn’t why I want to try it. This past Christmas, I was at home, and we found some of my late grandma’s cookbooks. And one of them was called A Treasury of Great Recipes by Mary and Vincent Price. It’s from the 1960s, and they highlight restaurants around the world with good food and include recipes on how to make some of their famous dishes. The book was filled with pictures and news clippings my grandma stashed away, and they end even has a place to write down your own recipes, in which she included her iconic peanut butter cookie recipe.

But I’d love to visit a place that has been iconic for decades! Oh, and the view is equally iconic. 

Location: 5th arrondissement (Latin Quarter).

Price range: €175+.

5. Lasserre

17 Av. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008 Paris

Why it’s on my list: This is another find in my grandmother’s book from the 1960s so, of course, this 1-star Michelin restaurant is on my list. It even has the most beautiful dining room. Sadly, though, the budget doesn’t allow for it this upcoming trip. 

Location: 8th arrondissement. 

Price range: €185+.

How I Find Restaurants in Paris & How to Avoid Tourist Traps

I want to start out this section saying that just because a place is popular amongst tourists does NOT mean that it is a tourist trap. 

A tourist trap is a low quality place that is solely meant to bring in tourists, give them low quality stuff, and rip them off. And yes, there are many restaurants that do that.

But there are many restaurants in Paris that have earned their popular reputation, and because of their reputation, they’ll bring in a crowd of tourists. Sometimes that means there will be fewer locals, and sometimes that means you’ll just notice more people speaking English. It happens.

That’s why I stand by Chez Janou and some of the other popular spots on this list. They are popular to be sure, but they are popular for a reason.

But here are key things to do in Paris to avoid tourist traps (places actually trying to rip you off and give you bad food):

How I Find Restaurants

Okay, now that you know what to avoid, here are the ways I find great places to eat in Paris.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few answers to questions about the best places to eat in Paris.

1. Do you need reservations for restaurants in Paris?

I rarely make reservations for lunch, but I now almost always make dinner reservations in Paris. In France, meals are not rushed and most restaurants only do 1-2 seatings per night. As such, they don’t just churn people in and out.

That means reservations are crucial to get a seat. Now I’ve been squeezed into spots as a solo traveler or while traveling with my husband, but I’ve also been turned away in the past. So, if the place takes reservations, make them.

Many do online reservations, so you can easily book online. If they don’t, you can also reach out to your hotel to call and make it on your behalf!

2. How much should you budget for eating out in Paris?

I typically budget around €10-15ish for breakfast, €25-35 for lunch, and €50-60 for dinner per person, per day. Some days I am vastly under this, and some days I go over for a nicer meal. So that is about €85-110 per person, per day. This is a more mid-range budget.

For budget, you could do takeaway sandwiches for lunch and a casual spot for dinner and get away with €55 or less per day. 

3. Where are some budget-friendly restaurants in Paris?

Aside from boulangeries, L’As du Fallafel, La Felicita, Bouillon Pigalle, Marche des Enfants Rouges, and Peppe Pizzeria are great budget-friendly spots in Paris!

4. What time do Parisians eat dinner?

Many restaurants in France don’t open for dinner until 7-7:30 pm. However, Parisians typically eat starting at 8 or 8:30 pm.

5. How can you avoid tourist trap restaurants in Paris?

I discuss this in detail above, but avoiding places right next to tourist attractions, restaurants where someone stands out front and tries to convince you to eat there, it serves dinner before 7 pm (and it isn’t a place that’s a typical service continu like a brasserie AND it’s in a touristy area), and if the menu out front is giant and in several languages in a touristy spot helps.

6. What neighborhood has the best food scene in Paris?

That is TOUGH! I mean there are great foodie spots all over Paris! But, currently, I’m loving the 9th and 11th arrondissements for food.

7. Are restaurants open all day in Paris?

Not typically. Places in touristy areas may stay open all day, but they are typically serving okay food for tourists. And again, there are some service continu (continual service) places like brasseries, cafes, and bistrots, that remain open all day.

But overall, a lot of restaurants close between lunch and dinner and reopen around 7 pm.

There you have it! These are my favorite restaurants in Paris, places I hope to dine at next time, and my bucket list restaurants! Where would you like to eat in Paris?