Snap a photograph of the iconic Eiffel Tower, enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Seine, and admire the timeless Mona Lisa. For London residents, one of the great advantages is the relative ease of popping over to France for a quick getaway. However, once you have checked off all the essential must-visit attractions on Paris's well-trodden tourist path, where should you venture next? In my opinion, you can only truly understand a city through its culinary offerings, and much like London, Paris continuously sees new venues emerging across its neighbourhoods.
Exploring Paris Through Its Food Scene
I recently dedicated seventy-two hours to exploring the French capital, making it my personal mission to eat my way around various districts. From traditional comfort food to contemporary hipster favourites, here are my top five favourite discoveries from my latest Parisian adventure. Should you disagree with my selections, I am more than happy to road-test additional recommendations on my next visit.
Bistro Des Augustins: Authentic French Comfort Food
If you are not quite adventurous enough for escargot or foie gras, potato gratin represents the ultimate in authentic French comfort cuisine. Bistro Des Augustins specialises in this creamy potato dish, offering a range of options that include gratin with duck or salmon. It is hearty, filling, and deliciously cheesy—you will undoubtedly require a nap after finishing your meal.
The restaurant itself is charmingly tiny, featuring wooden chairs and a stereotypically moody Parisian waiter. However, the best seat in the establishment is actually outside. Secure a pavement table where you can enjoy your food on the banks of the Seine, with Notre Dame Cathedral visible in the distance. If you are not hungry enough for a full gratin, they also serve a generous cheese and cold meat board, which pairs perfectly with a glass of red wine.
Perfect for: Quintessential French fare that avoids escargot.
39 Quai des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris
Paperboy: Trendy Sandwiches in Le Marais
After a friend recommended the lunchtime favourite Paperboy, located in the trendy Le Marais district of Paris, I naturally checked their Instagram profile. One glance at images of their chunky, fully loaded sandwiches was sufficient to convince me. This venue is painfully cool, with stainless steel tables, white tiled walls, and stylish French waiters strolling nonchalantly around the premises in athleisure wear.
I was directed to a seat at the bar and promptly selected the chicken roll from their straightforward menu, having been torn between that and the pastrami sandwich. It is fuss-free yet flavourful food, and their homemade juices are both nutritious and delicious. Be advised, however, that it is slightly on the pricey side, costing nearly twenty pounds for a roll and a smoothie. Interestingly, I overheard a conversation between what I assumed was the manager and a restaurateur based in Dubai who seemed eager to collaborate with Paperboy, suggesting that UAE residents might soon access these French sandwiches without needing to book a flight.
Perfect for: Fuss-free comfort food with a distinct hipster edge.
137 Rue Amelot, 75011 Paris
Mamiche: Exceptional Boulangerie Finds
I must confess that I discovered Mamiche on TikTok, where creator Gabs asserted, If you are looking for the best bakery in Paris, you need to go to Mamiche. There is literally nothing else like it. I dutifully followed this advice, opting for the branch near Canal St Martin—a laid-back area favoured by locals, though there is also one in the 9th arrondissement.
Upon noticing a queue outside, I was initially deterred until realising it comprised French people of all ages rather than TikTok influencers. Inside the compact bakery, I was spoilt for choice with pastries of every shape and size piled high. Acting on impulse, I selected a Nutella beignet, a classic pain au chocolat, and a slice of Galette des Rois, or King Cake—a puff pastry dessert filled with almond frangipane traditionally consumed during January to celebrate Epiphany.
My small haul cost just eight pounds and fifty-three pence, and although I intended to save the treats for later, they were entirely consumed within an hour. While I would happily eat all of them again, my favourite was undoubtedly the pain au chocolat, which was exceptionally buttery with countless delicate layers.
Perfect for: Those irresistible French pastries you simply cannot leave without trying.
32 Rue du Château d'Eau, 75010 Paris
L'Art Brut Bistrot: Bohemian Wine and Cheese Bar
When in Paris on a Friday evening, you naturally desire a cosy spot with dim lighting and dark wood, where you can enjoy wine and cheese. That is precisely what I encountered when I stumbled upon L'Art Brut Bistrot, situated near the Pompidou Centre in Le Marais. This rustic bar exudes a bohemian atmosphere, with posters plastered across the walls and an eclectic playlist spanning reggae to French rap.
There is no snooty ambiance here; cheerful waiters remain attentive even while doing shots with regulars and seating the constant influx of patrons—both tourists and locals. The wine is delicious yet affordable, with a carafe of white wine starting at just thirteen euros. Although the owners are now French, the venue was originally Serbian, and you can still sample Balkan spirits or imported wines and beers from Serbia and Montenegro. The cheese and charcuterie plate is no-frills but generous, costing a mere five euros.
Perfect for: Enjoying cheese and wine on a budget while mingling with friendly Parisians.
78 Rue Quincampoix, 75003 Paris
Rue du Montparnasse: The Ultimate Crêpe Destination
If you crave a traditional French crêpe, there is only one place to visit: Rue du Montparnasse. This is not merely a single restaurant but an entire street lined with crêperies, each as delightful as the last. I sincerely recommend choosing any that captures your fancy, and while you can opt for the classic lemon and sugar combination, I would suggest ordering a traditional galette.
These are savoury buckwheat pancakes originating from Brittany, filled with various combinations such as cheese, eggs, bacon, and potatoes. I am not particularly loyal to specific galette fillings, but my favourites typically include some form of oozing, melting raclette cheese. If you still have room for dessert, a crêpe with simple melted French butter is the ideal choice, tasting remarkably like a croissant-flavoured pancake.
Perfect for: Authentic galettes, obviously.
Rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris
