Paris food guide – How to plan your ultimate foodie trip to Paris

Headed to Paris and want to know where to eat? 

Paris is usually on the top of any self-respecting foodie’s must-visit destinations. And for good reason. The city of lights is full of the most amazing foodie experiences. 

We created our guide to where and what to eat in Paris to help you plan your ultimate food adventure. 

Paris food guide

In this article, we cover the process of choosing what and where to eat on a trip to Paris instead of focusing on one-off experiences. The food scene changes quickly in the French capital and there are many comprehensive resources to help you choose where to eat.

I’ll outline those at the end of the article but in the meantime here are my tips on how you can plan your ultimate foodie trip with my Paris food guide.

The practicalities of your foodie trip to Paris

The amount of time you have and your budget will drive many of your choices of where to eat in Paris.

You can pay upwards of €300 per head without wine at some of the top restaurants so make your choices wisely.

Pacing yourself is a good idea too. I typically skip a huge hotel breakfast in favor of a pastry or baguette mid morning so I can eat a little bit sensibly.

From there you can set about constructing an eating itinerary that takes in the best the city of light has to offer.

From Michelin starred restaurants to street food and bistro fare. Here is a list of must-try food experiences in Paris.

Michelin starred restaurants in Paris

Home to over 100 Michelin starred restaurants there certainly is no shortage of choice if you love haute cuisine in Paris.

The Michelin guide can be contentious and considered a little old-fashioned (per Anthony Bourdain’s comments) however they do have a long history and a trusted methodology.

Where we ate:  L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Etoile

We arrived in Paris just before lunch time and I wanted to try somewhere fun and fancy for our first meal. 

Joël Robuchon is a giant of French cooking with a global empire of restaurants. This restaurant has an open kitchen where you can see the chefs very calmly preparing your meal.

My favorite dish was the scallops or Saint Jacques – plump and sweet and cooked to perfection with a lovely buttery sauce.

The presentation of the dishes and quality of the produce were as you would expect for a restaurant of this caliber and we very much enjoyed the experience.

> Click here to read reviews and book online

Further reading – Why Some of the World’s Most Famous Chefs Don’t Want a Michelin Star via Vanity Fair

Wish list – Top restaurants in Paris

Here is my wish list of top restaurants in Paris I would like to eat at one day.

I’ve provided direct links to their pages on Tripadvisor where so you can read reviews and book online. I love this option so I don’t need to stumble around with my rusty French.

Le Cinq – 3 Michelin Stars

> Click here to read reviews of Le Cinq and book online

Le Dalí – 2 Michelin stars

A giant of French cuisine, Alain Ducasse has many restaurants in Paris. Le Dalí at Le Meurice Hotel is famous for classic French and Mediterranean cuisine. It is named for the artist who regularly dined there. 

The desserts are created by Cedric Grolet who was recently named best pastry chef in the world.

> Click here to read reviews of Le Dalí and book online

Pur’ – 1 Michelin star

The word exquisite has been used many times in reviews of this restaurant. Head chef Jean-Francois Roquette brought Japanese wagyu beef to France and has continued to innovate ever since. 

As you can see from the example below the dishes at Pur’ are works of art in their own right.

> Click to read reviews of Pur’ and book online

Traditional Parisian bistro or brasserie

You’re in Paris so you definitely want to try traditional French cuisine with no airs and graces. For this experience head to a brasserie or bistrot. In my opinion, they are some of the best restaurants in Paris.

My husband loves “french” onion soup with a thick layer of Gruyère (cheese) so we canceled a reservation at a more upmarket restaurant and took a recommendation for a place that specialized in French classics.

Where we ate: Chez Flottes 

Just across the road from the Tuileries Gardens, Chez Flottes is a little more touristy than our usual choice of restaurant. An art deco brasserie, chefs from this establishment have no doubt been making soup l’oignon for many decades.

I was happy with my soup l’oignon but hubby would have preferred more cheese. I also tried the lobster baguette. Delicious!

> Click to read reviews of Chez Flottes and book online

Up and coming chefs in Paris

There is more cooking talent in a square mile of Paris than most places in the world so why not try something new and not necessarily Michelin rated.

Chances are the chef has had impeccable training and is driven by the intense local competition. We chose a restaurant because the chef had trained with our favorite chef – Tetsuya Wakuda – and we had read some excellent reviews.

Where we ate: Oka

In a city full to bursting with food experiences this was our favorite. Tiny Oka seats only 16 people and serves a secret prix fixe menu of 9 courses.

Best described as Brazilian/French fusion cuisine, chef Raphael Rego takes you on a culinary journey of his homeland from the coast to the hills. The standout for me was the coriander/cilantro ice-cream with chocolate crumb.

Neighborhood Favorites in Paris

Sit back and relax with a lovely bottle of Bordeaux and pretend you live in Paris. Seek out a recommendation for a favorite neighborhood restaurant, mix it with the locals. I doubt you will be disappointed.

This time we asked a friend who had done a lot of business travel to Paris over the years for a recommendation and she did not let us down.

Where we ate: Hôtel du Nord

Steeped in history and the inspiration for the film of the same name, Hôtel du Nord is a favorite of the 10th arrondissement along the pretty Canal Saint-Martin. I would describe the menu as classics with a twist. I had a very tasty salmon tartare with wasabi but you can also try classics such as cassoulet or cuisses de grenouilles/frogs legs.

The atmosphere is great with groups of friends laughing and joking next to couples on a romantic night out. What I love about this type of restaurant is the diversity of clients enjoying each other’s company and great food.

Markets in Paris

Fresh produce markets are a way of life in France and a wonderful source of tastes and local food experiences. At the markets, you find an abundance of in-season fruits and vegetables as well as cakes, seafood, meat and of course cheese and charcuterie.

My favorite is the poulet rôti stall where locals buy roasted chickens and potatoes basted in the chicken fat. So delicious. 

Where we ate: Marché Raspail – 6th arrondissement

Stretching along Boulevard Raspail, the market operates three times a week and on Sundays is focused on organic produce. It is not a large market but you will experience market shopping like a Parisian.

We munched on delicious custard-filled canelés while wishing we could somehow take some of the freshest-looking seafood back on the train to London.

Where we ate: Rue Mouffetard – 5th arrondissement

I can never resist a walk down Rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter. This gorgeous street has medieval charm and a daily produce market (Tuesdays to Saturdays) beloved by Parisians and visitors alike. 

If you are in town on a Wednesday, Friday or Sunday, you can also check out the Marché Monge farmers market. There are around 40 stalls featuring local cheese, fruits and vegetables. Find the market near the Place Monge metro between 07:00 and 14:30 (13:30 on Wednesday).

Patisserie and chocolate in Paris

Many foodies head straight to Ladurée for their famous macarons. They are undeniably good but seeing as you can now get them in London, and major US cities, it is less of a Parisian experience to eat there.

Instead, try some of the smaller or lesser-known boutique patisseries and chocolatiers. We stayed around the corner from the jaw-dropping Patrick Roger and Pierre Hermé. Impossible to resist!

What we ate – Paris-Brest

 

This delicate choux pastry is a delicacy of Paris. The light and fluffy pastry is filled with hazelnut praline cream and topped with powdered sugar and slivered almonds. Difficult to eat just one, you can find the best Paris-Brest at Pâtisserie des Rêves – there are 3 venues across town.

Food and wine activities in Paris

Here is a list of food-related activities I have been compiling for my next visit – may it be very soon!  From food and wine tours to cooking classes and market visits, you are sure to find the perfect activity to complement the rest of your eating agenda.

Cooking classes in Paris

• Le Cordon Bleu – the ultimate cooking school. Alumni include Julia Child and Mary Berry, two of my cooking heroines. The school offers short courses as well as their year-long programs
• Combining a Paris market visit with a cooking class with a chef sounds like the perfect way to discover traditional food in Paris – click for more info
• Macaron making class – learn how to make macarons at this 2 hour class in the Latin Quarter – click for more info

Paris food tours

Croissants, cheese, chocolate and charcuterie – all the major food groups covered in this ultimate food tour of Paris or if that sounds too indulgent join a culinary bike tour

• Pastry and chocolate tour – How about spending a few hours discovering the pastry and chocolate secrets of the Marais? Oui please! – click for more info 
• Gourmet Marais – this 3-4 hour tour pairs food and wine experiences (including one of the best baguettes in Paris) with a guide to this fascinating area of Paris – click for more info
• Miss Lunch offers classes and tours around Paris and they all look fascinating
• Boulangerie (Bakery) tour – discover the secrets of your favourite croissants and baguettes – with tastings! yum > click for more info

Picnic in Paris

How about a romantic ‘pique-nique’? This company will set up a surprise picnic in the shade of the Eiffel Tower and other classic locations

Coffee in Paris

I hope I am not the one to break this news to you but French coffee is not particularly good. Sorry.

This being the case make sure you have mapped out the nearest Australian/Kiwi style cafe closest to your accommodation. There are some good suggestions here. 

Otherwise, if you are an arabica obsessive like me, you may be in a spot of bother. 

Your Paris food trip planning resources

•  Paris by mouth – from the best baguette in Paris to fancy cocktails with a view, this site has some fantastic suggestions
• The Fork – can’t speak French, no problem. Book many top Paris restaurants online via this app
• A list of fresh produce markets in Paris with arrondissement/neighborhood
• An American pastry chef living the good life in Paris – David Lebovitz has amazing suggestions on all things food related
• A great collection of Paris food and wine tours you can book online
• French menus a little confusing? Read these tips on navigating a French menu
• Get your cooking souvenirs at EDehillerin – an amazing array of cookware stacked floor to ceiling

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