My husband and I spent an incredible week in Paris at the beginning of September and managed to fill our days with an almost incomprehensible amount of food, craft cocktails, activities, and fun. Due to the fact that the sheer number of places I want to share with you in Paris is nearly twice as large as I planned on, I’m going to break up my posts about our trip up into a three-part series. First up, and most importantly, is the topic of food.
France is known around the world for their incredible cuisine and that reputation is apparent no more so than in Paris. The city is filled to the brim with fantastic foodie finds, from the falafel shops in the Marais to the Michelin star restaurants lining both sides of the Seine.
I did a lot of research prior to our trip and had multiple dining options planned out for each meal of each day. That equals a lot of delicious food! We didn’t have time to sample it all but we did manage to try out a very versatile selection that I have been dying to share with you all, along with a couple Parisian classics. You might want to grab a snack because this post about the best food deals in Paris is going to leave your stomach growling.
World famous deviled eggs from my favorite restaurant of all, Le Mary Celeste.
10 rue de la Grange aux Belles
10th Arrondissement
Ten Belles excels in good coffee.
This tiny coffee shop is tucked away down a quiet street in the 10th by Canal Saint-Martin. It may be a bit of a journey to reach depending on where in the city you are staying, but the cozy, hipster-vibe of the place makes it well worth any time spent on the Metro.
Not only does the shop offer the strongest espresso I’ve come across in Paris, it also sells a variety of delicious snacks ranging from sweet banana bread and cookies to savory sausage rolls (I highly recommend the latter).The drinks may be a bit pricey, but once you experience the jolt that comes from the strength of their coffee you will understand why. Ten Belles is hugely popular with expats and students alike, and you’ll find the little shop bustling with life just about any time of day.
Tip: If you’re looking for a secluded spot to read or write, climb the steep set of stairs next to the front counter and settle into one of the tables located in the shop’s tiny loft.
19 rue Lucien Sampaix
10th Arrondissement
A classic Holybelly stack.
Holybelly has developed quite the reputation for themselves and it’s no mystery why. Regardless of the time of day you head to this epic brunch/lunch spot you will likely encounter a line that stretches out the door and down the street. No matter how long the wait, Parisians and tourists alike continue to flock to the establishment in droves.
Best known for their pancakes topped in all manner of delightful additions, Holybelly has a bit of an American feel to it. The inside of the restaurant is bright, open, and always jam packed with hungry patrons. Their simple menu may be filled with moderately priced basic dishes, but your experience will be anything but ordinary.
Tip: Do yourself a favor and wake up early one morning to make the trek to Holybelly for what will likely be the most memorable meal you will have while in Paris.
21 rue Richard Lenoir
11th Arrondissement
Smoked salmon and goat cheese on gluten free bread.
If you think that Paris and gluten free are two things that simply don’t go together, you might want to visit Bears & Raccoons. The gluten free sandwich spot is doing more than their part to change that way of thinking by offering absolutely delectable meals that will have you asking, “Gluten, who? Gluten, what?”.
The charming sandwich shop makes every delicious reasonably priced menu item to order and is more than willing to offer alternatives and suggestions in order to tailor your sandwich to your personal tastes. You can’t go wrong with any item on the menu, as they are made with the softest and fluffiest gluten free bread you will ever have the opportunity to try. If you’re celiac and traveling, or just don’t enjoy the way gluten makes you feel, you MUST check out Bears & Raccoons.
Tip: Be sure to pick up an extra sandwich to go. You’ll be dreaming sweet gluten free dreams of the amazing sandwiches for days to come and regret the fact that you didn’t grab a spare to savor later.
1 rue Commines
3rd Arrondissement
A refreshing blend of tuna and nectarine.
If I were to recommend only one dining experience in Paris to a friend, I would recommend Le Mary Celeste. I could wax poetic about this Marais tapas/small plate restaurant for hours; the food and experience found at the restaurant are truly that spectacular.
Every inventive dish on Le Mary Celeste’s diverse menu is flavorful, satisfying and made with only the freshest local ingredients. The award winning restaurant is best known for their deviled eggs (as seen in the first photo of this post), and it’s easy to see why. The signature dish is absolutely phenomenal, and this is coming from the mouth of somebody who has historically despised deviled eggs.
The attention to detail in the restaurant’s decor, hand crafted cocktail selection, and to each lovingly made plate is apparent. The restaurant’s staff only add an extra layer of excellence to one’s dining experience. Each staff member you encounter is not only hospitable but also incredibly passionate about giving patrons the highest quality of experience possible. Though the restaurant is at a slightly higher price point than you would expect for the size of dishes offered, it is well worth spending a bit extra on because from start to finish, Le Mary Celeste will give you a dining experience to remember.
Tip: Be sure to sample Le Mary Celeste’s unique and lovingly made cocktails. Ask the bartender about which specialty cocktail will best compliment your dish to enjoy a perfect pairing.
52 rue de Saintonge
3rd Arrondissement
The best tacos east of the Atlantic.
Yes, we traveled all the way to Paris from Southern California and ate Mexican food. Let me just tell you, this little taqueria packs a spicy punch and offers a dining adventure that is quite different from the one you get in Los Angeles. Owned by the same group as Le Mary Celeste, this tiny spot in the Marais is worth a visit whether you’re used to authentic Mexican food or not.
The menu at Candelaria is a bit of a departure from traditional Mexican, incorporating fresh ingredients and spices that you scarcely see used in Southern California. Their main dishes are all bursting with flavor and, even after three tacos, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself wanting more. The prices at Candelaria may be a bit steeper than what you’d find at a classic taqueria, but keep in mind that you’re paying for a complete experience rather than for just a meal.
Tip: Be sure to walk as far to the back of the restaurant as it appears you can go, into what at first glance looks like a kitchen, and keep on walking. A surprise awaits.
1 bis passage Saint Sébastien
11th Arrondissement
One of Au Passage’s ever changing menu offerings.
Au Passage was initially recommended by a bartender at a craft cocktail spot after he was asked where his favorite place in the city to eat was. Without missing a beat, the bartender began singing the praises of Au Passage, and only Au Passage.
The restaurant is off the beaten path and is tucked away in the labyrinth of streets and alleys that make up the heart of the 11th. You can expect to spend a good ten minutes mistakenly turning up and down five different streets before finally encountering the restaurant…that is, IF you can find it at all.
Assuming you eventually encounter the small establishment, you will be treated to a unique dining experience that you will never be able to recreate because the menu changes by the day based on what is in season and what the kitchen is able to purchase locally. Don’t be deceived by the casual manner in which the day’s menu offerings are scribbled across a chalkboard; there is nothing about Au Passage’s moderately priced small dishes that is anything less than completely deliberate.
Tip: If you know you want to check out Au Passage, book a reservation several days in advance. The little bistro fills up with locals as well as off-duty cooks and bartenders each and every night.
La Maison Rose
2 rue de l’Abreuvoir
18th Arrondissement
La Maison Rose is a piece of Parisian history.
La Maison Rose is the only bit of nostalgia I’m including in this roundup and that is largely because it is such a classic, photo-worthy piece of Paris. The charming rose colored establishment has been situated on the same cobbled corner of Montmartre since the early 1900s and was at one time frequented by Pablo Picasso himself.
The menu doesn’t feature anything spectacular and the prices are typical for the touristy area, but you’re not going there for the food, you’re going there to soak in a taste of charming Montmartre of yesteryear.
Tip: Give your weary feet a break, linger over a bottle of wine and watch the world go by at one of the restaurant’s outdoor tables.
A colorful macaron selection from Pierre Hermé.
There is great debate as to who makes the best macarons in Paris. As far as I am concerned, I am firmly, and permanently, on team Pierre Hermé. With over a dozen locations situated across the city of Paris, you’re never more than a stone’s throw away from these gorgeous and delicious macarons.
Pierre Hermé is known for their inventive, ever-changing rotation of flavors such as jasmine, flaky hazelnut praline and, my favorite, salted-butter caramel. No trip of mine to Paris is complete without a stop off at Pierre Hermé for an assorted box of delicate, flavorful delights.
Tip: Pick up an assorted box early in your stay in Paris and carry them with you for spontaneous, picturesque macaron picnics.
I hope this guide to the best food deals in Paris shines a light on all of the amazing culinary finds the city has to offer that you don’t necessarily hear about every day. From farm fresh to gluten free to Mexican, Paris is a city that truly has it all. If this culinary trip to Paris doesn’t make you want to book the next flight available to the City of Lights, I don’t know what will!