Local Delights: Dining and Drinking in Paris

While Paris originated haute cuisine, the local dining landscape has evolved significantly over the past decade. Social media, globalization, and changing dining preferences have led to a more casual, fun, and accessible dining experience. This shift has also opened doors for international cuisines previously absent from the scene.

You might recognize some of these spots from social media; others could be fresh finds that spark your curiosity.

Here’s a curated list of dining and drinking venues that blend traditional favorites with newer hotspots that are beloved by locals like me.

Breakfast

Traditionally, the French prefer lighter breakfasts, often starting their day with coffee or tea alongside a viennoiserie (such as a croissant or pain au chocolat) or a tartine (baguette with butter and jam).

Recently, Paris has embraced brunch culture, leading to numerous all-day brunch spots across the city. In the 7th arrondissement, visit Saint Pearl, a cozy café featuring rustic wooden tables and rattan light fixtures. Their menu includes French brioche toast topped with vanilla ice cream, poached pear, and a variety of berries, as well as bacon and eggs Benedict with caramelized onions and roasted tomatoes.

At Keopi (which translates to coffee in Korean), brunch offers a Korean twist in a bright and airy setting at Passage Verdeau. Enjoy waffles topped with Korean fried chicken, eggs Benedict with bulgogi, or the croffle (a croissant-waffle hybrid) served with vanilla mascarpone, strawberries, or injeolmi (Korean rice cakes dusted with roasted soybean powder).

For a light start to your day, visit Georges Ducet in the 12th arrondissement, known for winning the Best Croissant in 2024, awarded by the bakers' union of Greater Paris.

Coffee (and a sweet treat)

To recharge during your long walks, you might crave a caffeine boost or a sweet snack. Book lovers should check out Maison Fleuret, a charming 'literary coffee shop' located in a former bookstore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. With shelves brimming with French literature and a spiral staircase leading to a cozy nook, it's the perfect spot to unwind with matcha, coffee, homemade cookies, or a slice of lemon poppyseed cake.

For a unique twist on French pastries, visit any of the six French Bastards bakeries, created by a trio of innovative young bakers. Indulge in a cruffin (a delightful croissant-muffin hybrid) or their striking charcoal-black roll filled with pink praline.

If you prefer a more refined pastry experience, don’t miss Des Gâteaux et du Pain, Claire Damon’s fruit-centric pastry shops located in the 15th and 7th arrondissements. Each season, Damon unveils a stunning collection of pastries that transform strawberries, rhubarb, grapefruit, pears, and figs into an elegant feast for the senses.

Paris has experienced a boom in coffee culture, offering plenty of choices. Seek out artisanal coffee shops like Noir, Nuances, Coutume, Artesano, and Terres de Café, all renowned for their specialty brews.

Lunch 

For a satisfying lunch in Paris, savory buckwheat crêpes or galettes are a top choice. One of the most beloved crêperies is Breizh Café, with several locations around the city. However, my personal favorite is La Crêperie de Josselin, nestled in the Breton district of the 14th arrondissement, where I spent my first year in Paris 14 years ago. This area is lined with about a dozen crêperies, filling the air with the irresistible aroma of melting butter. While many offer similar menus, La Crêperie de Josselin (not to be confused with the nearby Crêperie Le Petit Josselin) distinguishes itself by layering its savory galettes generously. The Josselin classic features egg, ham, cheese, and mushroom.

I’m ready to boldly declare that the pork katsu sandwich from the Japanese bakery Carré Pain de Mie is among the best in the city. It features moist, juicy, deep-fried pork cutlets nestled between slices of soft, fluffy Japanese milk bread, with shredded cabbage providing a delightful crunch in every bite.

On the east side of the city, Paloma offers one of the best-value lunch experiences. This cozy neighborhood bistro in Belleville, a vibrant area for food and drink, often fills up during lunchtime. Its €16 three-course prix fixe menu draws in locals, featuring honest, straightforward home cooking. Start with a red cabbage salad paired with herbed faisselle (fresh soft cheese) and buckwheat crumble, followed by a risotto-style fregola pasta with spinach and mushrooms, and conclude with a delightful chocolate and cardamom cake.

Aperitivo

In Paris, you’ll find an abundance of wine bars perfect for lounging, people-watching, and biding your time until dinner. Consider visiting Le Dénicheur, a relaxed neighborhood bar in the 2nd arrondissement known for its selection of natural and organic wines alongside a tempting small plates menu. Alternatively, check out Les Caves Legrand located in the historic covered passage Galerie Vivienne, which dates back to 1880 and boasts bottles from 350 winemakers throughout France.

Dinner

This gem is easily overlooked, giving it an air of delicious secrecy. Nestled within the covered passage Passage des Panoramas, in what was once a 19th-century chocolaterie, is Canard et Champagne (Duck and Champagne), a restaurant dedicated to duck dishes paired with Champagne. Choose from succulent duck breast, flavorful duck confit, or duck Parmentier, and savor your meal with a glass of bubbly for an affordable yet special dining experience in a charming ambiance.

For a contemporary French dining experience away from the crowds, visit Jouvence in the 12th arrondissement. This restaurant may not be widely recognized on social media—an aspect I find appealing—but it enjoys a dedicated local following for its high-quality, modern cuisine offered at reasonable prices. A three-course dinner costs €45 and features dishes like grilled Angus beef paired with potato-lemon gnocchi and mushroom jus, or grilled sea bream with hollandaise and saffron shallots.

One indulgent French dish I can't resist is aligot, a cheesy, garlicky mashed potato delight made with Tomme cheese. At Le Plomb du Cantal, the serving is a theatrical affair, as servers elegantly pour the elastic mashed potatoes from vintage copper pots right at your table, creating a delightful cascade. Aligot is traditionally served with steak, sausage, and cabbage rolls.

When I seek the comforting flavors of Asian cuisine, I have a few favorite spots around the city. At Mr Zhao, I can't help but order the biang biang noodles—seven feet of chewy, wide, hand-pulled noodles served with slow-cooked pork or beef. For a spicy kick that French cuisine lacks, I turn to TranTranZai for their hand-made noodle soups, where you can select your spice level (be warned, even the boldest spice lovers may be challenged).

Bar

Nestled in the charming 6th arrondissement of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Cravan is the largest cocktail bar in Paris, spread across three floors of a historic 17th-century structure. Its extensive drink menu features Champagne-based cocktails (in collaboration with Moët Hennessy) and bottled cocktails available on the third floor for you to take home at the end of your visit. The building also hosts a bookshop.

Another prominent cocktail hotspot is Little Red Door, frequently listed among the World's 50 Best Bars for its innovative and sustainable drink offerings crafted in collaboration with local French farmers and producers.