I’ve read so many blog posts and searched so many Instagram tags looking for the best restaurants to eat at during the week I was in Paris. And would you believe it, I only visited one, and I don’t even think it counts!
The best thing about my time in Paris was definitely living like a local, I didn’t do or try any touristy things for the most part. But that's where this list comes in!
Having a friend that was raised in France and lived half her life there, I knew to trust wherever she took me to eat. I went to some typical French restaurants and ate things I normally would never try, if my 6 year old chicken nugget eating self could see me now haha!
Below are some of the best restaurants and food I tried. So if you’re planning your next or first trip to Paris take a look at these great places and make sure you add them to your list of places to visit!
LE GRAND COLBERT
Starting with my first restaurant in the city of love! This place was beyond amazing first off! I had never experienced real French dining before this trip. To be honest I never understood what “French Food'' was.
This great little restaurant is a short walk from the Louvre and not expensive either! A little fun fact, the movie Something’s Gotta Give was filmed here(if you haven’t seen it go watch it!).
I started with some escargots which I know, snails… Ewww. Sounds gross but hear me out! If you ever had pesto pasta, it tastes exactly like that. But chewier! Once you get past the texture I promise you’ll be in love!
For the main course, I’d go for the pork confit with mashed potatoes. Such a great meal I practically ate it all! My girlfriend was even eating off my plate it was that great!
For dessert, we shared the Profiteroles and they were phenomenal! Overall this restaurant is such a great place and not one of the traditional must-tries in Paris. It’s quiet, unique, and gives you the experience of dining like a true French person.
LE TRAIN BLEU
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Every influencer goes here and brags about it so much! But this is one spot I have to agree with the hype.
I have to be honest I made my friend get reservations because it has been on my bucket list forever. When it finally came time to eat at the restaurant I was like holy s***! I don’t see anything I like and this is an expensive place so I was freaking out!
But c'est la vie and I went with what I knew. We started with the pigeon moose and duck foie gras. It was alright… Was a bit uneasy eating pigeons so probably would not do that again haha!
Now my main course was lamb with potatoes. The waiters came with a cart to your table and serves you the lamb right then and there, it was honestly such a cool experience and it was DELICIOUS! Even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy this meal! My girlfriend claimed she hates lamb but once she tried this, I kid you not she finished my meal haha!
To end the night I opted for the crepes Suzette. This is a big thing here where they make your crepe with Grand Marnier. I will say I was a bit reluctant but it tasted phenomenal! The presentation itself was great because they cooked it right in front of you and it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. If you love the alcohol and an orangy flavor this dessert is for you!
CARETTE
Toward the end of my trip, I told my girlfriend I wanted to try authentic hot chocolate with a croissant. I know it's cliche but when in Paris do as the tourists do right?
I thought about Cafe Le Flore and Angelina but my friend was adamant about Carette! She said all the locals go here even though it is populated by tourists. I was intrigued so I trusted her!
We started with the egg and smoked salmon sandwich and it was pretty good if you're not into egg or creamy textures I say take a pass on this. It was delicious but after eating ¼ of the slices I was done.
Now we move on to the famous hot chocolate, whipped cream, and pastries! I recommend going for the mini pastries if you’re getting the hot chocolate because it's so heavy you will get full drinking it. It was the perfect size for me. As for the hot chocolate, the star of the show… It was the best I had ever had! It’s so rich, thick, and creamy that even if you’re traveling with kids or a picky eater you are sure to have a win with this! Adding the signature whip cream will make this spectacle that much better. It is all made in-house the day of and is better than anything in the states! If it's one thing the French know how to do is their sweets!
PIERRE HERME
Need I say more?! I’ve been obsessed with macaroons since I lived in NYC and would frequent Laduree almost weekly. I literally thought nothing can beat those macaroons. That is until I tried Pierre Herme…
These are definitely worth the hype and the money believe me. The texture is so soft and every flavor is so intense and rich, it makes you justify spending about $4 for one haha!
If you happen to go I recommend trying the Lychee Rose flavor one, it has to be my favorite!
BRASSERIE L’ALSACE
When shopping at Champs Elysse with my girlfriend's mom, she insisted we try this place. It is a restaurant on the Champs that serves food from a particular region in France called Normandy I believe.
If you’re conflicted about where to eat after a day of shopping this is the place! A quick side note that they are open for breakfast and close for about an hour to prepare for lunch so just keep that in mind when trying to plan your day!
If you’ve been wanting to try steak and frites this is your moment! I went for it and this was the only time on my vacation when I wiped my plate clean! This restaurant has very traditional french food so if you’re looking to explore your palette go for something less traditional than I did!
For dessert, I kept it basic and went for a creme brulee and it was *chef's kiss*. My girlfriend's mom went with an array of things which is the perfect sampler plate. It gives you 3 mini desserts and coffee should have gone with that lol!
FLORA DANICA
After a few days in France, I was missing a traditional American breakfast. Potatoes, pancakes, eggs, anything American! That is when I stumbled upon this little restaurant.
When you walk in, you are greeted with a traditional french bakery ensemble. Any dessert and coffee you can think of. But if you head towards the back there is a hostess station that will take you to a table. The decor reminds me of a place that would be on a tropical vacation or in Florida.
Nonetheless, this breakfast was extremely cheap for being in a tourist area and being as good as it was.
Figure this out, I got two pieces of toast with eggs, 2 slices of bacon, a bowl of fruit, 2 mini pastries, a glass of orange juice, and a coffee or hot chocolate. I think my total was less than $30.
The food itself was so amazingly delicious! There were tons of different options on the menu that sounded great but if you’ve never tried how the french do their eggs you need to! I had never experienced eggs as soft, fluffy, and flavorful as these, so do yourself a favor and take a visit to Flora Danica.
CAMILLE
My girlfriend and her mom found this place while we were shopping in one of the arrondissements. To be quite honest we were just trying to get out of the rain and stall until our dinner reservations. But I’m so glad we went in and enjoyed this typical French Brasserie.
We each had the soup of the day which was an onion soup and it was so flavorful and just what the doctor ordered! We followed with the duck foie gras, which surprisingly was not terrible but I probably wouldn’t order it voluntarily haha!
We kept our lunch simple this day and paired everything with a glass of white wine, but there are so many more great items on this menu you just have to try. Oh, and the best part is that there is a crepe place right next door! So if you have a sweet tooth, hop on over and grab a warm crepe to satisfy those cravings!
ENDING WITH...
The best thing about being in France is the culture. But what's even better is eating in a restaurant and knowing you’re surrounded by so much rich history while eating some of the best food of your life.
I’m a big foodie so getting to experience history and food together was such a magical experience.
Some tips I will say that helped me get a better all-around experience is to make reservations as soon as you know you will be traveling. If there is any advice I can give you is this! But I am sure you will have the best time exploring everything this wonderful city has to offer!
