The Paris dining scene. I find it a bit daunting.
First you've got your très branché type places that get the anglophone message boards all in a buzz and are the "must go" restaurants for seemingly every American foodie coming to Paris. They're usually impossible to get in to and I'm just not that interested in eating at the trendy places. But that's just me.
Then you've got your (misguided in my opinion) chefs who love to dollop savory foam on everything. Non, merci.
And we can't forget to mention the classic, old world restaurants like La Tour d'Argent and Taillevent. I would love to try these places, but I simply can't afford them.
What I really want when I visit is delicious, honest food at a correct price. Nothing makes me happier than a great meal at a lively neighborhood bistro or finding a little restaurant to satisfy my Chinese and Mexican food cravings.
However, you could spend a fortnight researching where to eat in the French capital, a city famous (and sometimes infamous) for its cuisine, and there are dozens of websites dedicated to the Parisian resto scene.
When I need advice I go to Paris By Mouth, my current favorite. I also trust and recommend Resto-de-Paris (in French), David Lebovitz's My Paris page, which offers an extensive list of his favorites places, and love Camille's Google map of her recommended Paris spots for food lovers. Another good one is Barbra Austin's personal website.
My most recent visit was a delicious success!
I noshed on tacos at Candelaria, had tea and pastries in the Marais at the charming Le Loir dans la Théière, was blown away by our Chinese meal at l'Orient d'Or, enjoyed both the food and the ambiance at le Colibri in Montmartre, had a sizzling bowl of bibimbap at Guibine, indulged in tartelettes from Coquelicot, and, thanks to Camille, purchased some heavenly Selles-sur-Cher from the UCG (ultimate cheese guy) at the Sunday La Motte-Picquet Grenelle market.
I highly recommend all of these places.
Especially if you're sharing a meal with old friends, dining with new ones, or introducing your mom to Paris, one of your most favorite cities.
Candelaria
52 rue de Saintonge
75003
01 42 74 41 28
Le Loir dans la Théière
3, rue des Rosiers
75004
01 42 72 90 61
L'Orient d'Or
22 rue de Trevise
75009
01 48 00 07 73
Le Colibri
35, rue Véron
75018
01 46 06 07 90
Guibine
44 rue Sainte Anne
75002
01 40 20 45 83
Coquelicot
24 rue des Abesses
75018
01 46 06 18 77
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14 comments:
I KNEW you'd like L'Orient D'Or!!!
Thank you for your recommendations. I am French, lived in Paris for 10 years and have gone back every year since I emigrated to the US, and, like you, I can find the restaurant scene daunting. So thank you for all your recommendations. They are much appreciated. I only knew a couple of these places, and will check out some of the others when I go back. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Great- now I have a good Mexican restaurant to try! Have been looking for a good one lately. Merci!
Thanks for all the recommendations, I have ear marked them for our next visit to Paris. Generally when we go anywhere, we see where the locals like to eat. Last time In Paris a Parisian friend took us to a restaurant hidden the back streets. It was huge and packed, we were lucky to get a table. Very reasonable and great food, if I want to go there again we will have to ask my friend! Diane
oh my, yes, it can be very stressful. especially when eating partners are vegetarian, which my hubby is.
but i have to say that one of the best meals i've ever had in paris was from a traiteur on the rue de buci with a split of piper heidseck on a bench at pere lachaise.........until les flics came and chased us off! interdit de piqueniquer dans la cimetiere!!!! (who knew?)
i've heard that les papilles on the rue gay lussac is v. good and very affordable.
I agree I call these places "grown up" restaurants!
We had a favourite falafel restautant in the Marias UNTIL Lenny Kravitz wrote about it being The Best in Paris.............now we go to the one up the road as the lineup is ridiculous!
Carla x
Just landed in Paris 3 months ago. Will eat my way through your list....definately. Thanks for sharing!
I was a little disappointed in Taillevent when I went in 2007--so you're not necessarily missing anything there!
Lindsey
It was fabulous!
Véronique
Glad I was able to help someone who knows Paris much better than I do with a few suggestions and hope you get the chance to try 1 or 2 of them.
La Mom
It is a great little place and the tacos were delicious!
Diane
It's always great to go with a local who knows some of the "hidden" places. Do you remember the name of the restaurant?
Mlle Paradis
never knew that picnicking in a cemetery was interdit! -good to know!
I've also heard that les Papilles is good and would love to try it one day.
Carla
If only Lenny had kept his mouth shut! :)
Expat
Bienvenue and enjoy! Hope you love living in Paris.
fashion survivor
Thanks for letting me know and sorry it wasn't as good as you were expecting.
Thanks for the shout-out, I had a great time eating through Paris with you! :)
Love some of these spots (Candelaria in particular) and will be sure to try the others you mentioned.
Hope to meet you on your next visit to Paris!
Camille
Me too! Hope we can do it again soon. :)
Kasia
I'll make it a priority. I had so little time before my mom arrived, and then it was impossible to see friends/meet new ones once she was there. Next time! Definitely!
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