When it comes to culinary arts, the French take it very seriously. Paris might be the city of love, but it's also a city that loves food - and that we love to eat in. There really are very few cities in the world that are better for eating. From the best French restaurants in Paris to boulangeries and patisseries bursting with yummy sweet treats, there are so many places to eat in Paris like a local.
In Paris, every cookie, eclair, and savory snack has been prepared so meticulously, that the food will seem simply too good to eat. All the deliciousness may seem a little overwhelming when you’re trying to work out exactly where to eat in Paris - especially with a hungry tummy! These are my favorite Paris foodie spots and must-eats you can't miss, so once you've enjoyed everything to see and do in Paris, you can concentrate on the most important part: eating all the best food.
Restaurant La Mosquée de Paris
First up is the non-touristy Great Mosque of Paris; a mosque which has been converted into a garden and café. A sweet smell of baklava, mint tea, and couscous fills the patio of the richly decorated, leafy green spot. An amazing garden patio to sit in, Restaurant La Mosquée de Paris is home to a beautiful mosque, a restaurant, a market, a hammam and a café, though it is primarily about the café and tearoom.
The décor is beautiful; think copper-plated tables, mosaics and ceramics, intricate ceilings, carved arches, detailed sofas and colorful geometrical shapes which take you on a journey to North Africa. It’s Paris, but not very Paris. Wondering where to eat like a local in Paris? Don’t miss the serene spot and fusion flavors of Restaurant La Mosquée de Paris.
Le Consulat
On top of Montmartre hill is a beautiful spot that serves up some of the best local food in Paris. At Le Consulat, you will need to book as it is extremely popular with locals. Scattered around the chalet-style space are 18th and 19th-century paintings. The mountain-style house has traditional Parisian and French food at its heart; such as charcuterie.
Snack on the small plates for lunch, or have a good, hearty dinner. One of the oldest houses in Montmartre, located on Rue Norvins, you’ll find the spot. Wander in and discover a menu of hand-selected French wines, an extensive beverage list and great cuisine, as well as vintage charm.
Walk in the footsteps of the greats such as Picasso, Sisley, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec and Monet who are said to have frequented the area.
Glace Bachir
A family business located just a few steps away from the Center Pompidou and Les Halles-Châtelet, Glace Bachir was the first glacier in Paris to offer organic ice cream made with a Lebanese touch. Try a scoop of kafe (coffee), choukoulata assouad (intense dark chocolate), laouz (almond) or farawla (strawberry).
If you want to try something completely different, ask for the star of the show; glace achta. It’s a creme de lait ice cream, which is churned with a drop of orange flower water. Once scooped into a cone, it is then rolled in pistachios and topped with a rosette of whipped cream.
With a slightly more chewy texture than normal ice cream, glace achta is made with mastic; a resin that gives it a pine-like flavor. So if you have a sweet tooth and are wondering where to eat in Paris, don’t miss Glace Bachir.
Marché des Enfants Rouges
An atmospheric historical market that takes its name from the 16th-century orphanage that used to occupy the site, Marché des Enfants Rouges is one of the best food markets in Paris. The space has roof coverage, and you can find pretty much everything there: a fromagerie, fish stalls, flower stand, fruit and veg aisles, and crab stands.
If you fancy something sweet, you can get typical French pancakes, a crepe or galette, sweet or savory: a must-try Parisian food experience. Now something of a culinary hub, the market is able to fill the emptiest of stomachs with its impressive range of Japanese, Italian, Lebanese, African, and other cuisine stalls.
If a quick takeaway dish doesn’t satisfy your tastebuds, there are plenty of artisanal and organic food stands at Marché des Enfants Rouges to soak up a few hours of shopping time.
L’éclair de Génie
One of the best patisseries in Paris, L’éclair de Génie has more than 100 artfully crafted éclairs. Each of the ‘genius éclair’s has been prepared so meticulously that they really are works of art. Reinventing the classic French patisserie to great effect.
The Marais-based baker has been specializing in éclairs; filling them with everything from mascarpone cream flavored with Andulasian wild strawberries to passion fruit and fresh raspberries, for many years.
In summer, why not try the unusual frozen éclair popsicles. Or for Epiphany, the éclair des rois with frangipane is a great shout. It even has a toy inside! The most popular are the year-round passion fruit and strawberry, and salted butter caramel. Don’t miss the delicious L’éclair de Génie when searching for sweet places to eat in Paris.
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