apr 21, 2022
My favorite places to eat and drink in Paris
by Anne-Marie Leduc
Paris has A LOT to offer in terms of restaurants, bistros, bars, terasses, but contrary to what many people think, not all of them are good choices. Do some research and try booking ahead of time. There is nothing worse than having to choose a random restaurant after a long day walking and eating expensive bad food. Here are some of my favorite places so far.
La grande crèmerie
This is our go-to french local wine bar/restaurant when we want a date night, celebrate something or when we have friends who come to visit. I would go as far as to say that it is my favorite restaurant in Paris so far. It is very cozy, unpretentious, delicious and the prices are not excessive. I love going in autumn and winter when it is rainy or cold outside. This is a small restaurant and always full so reservations are recommended.
8 Rue Grégoire de Tours, 75006 Paris
Freddy’s
This wine bar/tapas restaurant is a hot spot in the 6th arrondissement. Trendy, cool and very good food and wine. It is located on the corner of Buci street, a busy pedestrian street. They don’t take reservations, so show up early to join the waiting list. You have to go in person, give your name and wait for them to text you. In the meantime, you can enjoy the many terasses nearby. I recommend going before 7:30pm if you want a spot for dinner, or during lunch time.
54 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris
Café de Flore
I love Café de Flore! Some say it is touristy, overpriced and overrated, but I don’t care. For me, this is a place with so much rich history that of course it will be all of the above. This literary and artistic café has been there since 1887 and was a go-to place for so many famous writers, poets, painters… For me, Café de Flore is a classic place for people watching and enjoying the best hot chocolate and croissants. It is an experience in itself and one of my favorite things to do in Saint-Germain.
172 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
Tekés
Forget what I said before, this is my newest favorite restaurant! I made a reservation after walking by one night as it was so beautiful outside and packed with people. Not knowing what to expect, was the best surprise. It is an Israeli vegetarian restaurant. We sat by the kitchen counter and had an almost-private chef choosing our courses (à la carte menu is also available). The ambiance was very trendy and the food fantastic. You must have their delectable homemade brioche bread. This is the perfect foodie experience if you want to try something out of the ordinary. They also have a Michelin-starred sister restaurant called Shabour next door that I might have to try next time…
4 bis Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002 Paris
Chez le libanais
Popular hole-in-the-wall for Lebanese wraps, meze & pastries to go on rue Saint-André-Des-Arts. This place is well known and loved by locals. You can watch them make your sandwich from the sidewalk. I recommend the takeaways only, you can then walk a short distance and eat on the Seine river.
35 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006 Paris
Pastavino
This little gem on rue du Bac is my go to when I want a fresh italian sandwich. The location is great and the staff is very friendly. The sandwiches are displayed in the window for you to see and choose and you order from the outside. They also have a very pretty delicatessen inside with Italian produce.
87 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris
La grande épicerie
technically in the 7th arrondissement, this is my favorite gourmet grocery store in Paris. If you are a foodie, you will be in heaven at La Grande Épicerie. They have multiple floors where you can find the most beautiful home goods, restaurants, delis and wine cellar.
38 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
*Disclaimer, the following restaurants are all Italian… That is our favorite type of food and Paris does it well so here's our selection :)
Marzo
A super cute intimate restaurant for good authentic wood-fired pizzas and other italian dishes. Homey atmosphere and packed with locals, this is the perfect place for a candle light date. I recommend sitting inside to enjoy the ambiance.
5 Rue Paul-Louis Courier, 75007 Paris
Anima
My favorite Italian restaurant in Paris. They have a great selection of wine and the food is authentic, fresh and delicious. The decor is beautiful, the service is friendly and the prices are reasonable. I recommend you book in advance to secure a table.
78 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris
Big mamma group
If you are not sure where to make a reservation at, I recommend choosing one of the 8 Big mamma restaurants. The atmosphere and decor of any of these trattorias are exceptional. The food is delicious as well as the cocktails and wines. Their signature truffle pasta dish is my favorite. Always full, reservations are preferable.
20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris
La Felicità
La Felicita is located in the 13th arrondissement, but is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. It is a very cool place to have spritz, authentic Italian pizzas, pastas and more in a market style setting. They have DJ sets/live music on Fridays and Saturdays. It is the perfect place when you don’t have a reservation. It is a gigantic space where you order at one of the stands and you sit where you want inside or outside.
5 Parv. Alan Turing, 75013 Paris
REŸS - Glaces Éternelles
Located in the famous Marais, this is not your typical ice cream shop. They offer craft ice creams and sorbets with natural ingredients and non traditional flavors. You can travel the world by tasting their beautiful nuances. This is truly an experience. My favorite flavor is called Un après-midi à Collioure. It is a peach sorbet with Rosé de Provence wine (how French is that).
4 Rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris
Maison Maison
Directly on the Seine under the pont Neuf this terrace has the perfect view. They serve locally sourced tapas and organic wine and beer. They also have a little restaurant in the staircase. During sunny days, it is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset. You can see the Eiffel tower from there, major plus!
63 voie Georges Pompidou, Dans l’escalier face au, 16 Quai du Louvre 75001 Paris
Le syndicat (the Union)
World-class cocktail bar where they serve only French fine spirits and ingredients. This bar is always full, has a great ambiance and cool DJ sets. The cocktails are well crafted, original and very fancy. They also have an amazing choice of French spirits like Calvados, Cognac, Chartreuse…
51 Rue Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris