Paris, like many cities, is one that takes years to truly explore. Even though I’ve been to the City of Light several times, I haven’t even scratched the surface of wonderful places to eat and drink.

To avoid this being a massive ‘brain dump’ of everything I’ve eaten/drank and enjoyed while in Paris, I’m only going to share my top 5 recos in each category [plus a few bonus recos ;)]. As far as I’m concerned, these are not to be missed places, most of which I tend to frequent whenever I’m in Paris.

As I explore more of Paris on future trips, I’ll add to this list. If you have any recos, feel free to send them my way 🙂

Where to Eat

• Frenchie / Frenchie Wine Bar / Frenchie to Go: I’ve had the tasting menu at Frenchie (incredible), and eaten at Frenchie Wine Bar (the low-key wine bar outpost serving up phenom eats), and can confidently say either should be at the top of your list. If you’re looking for a more indulgent (and expensive) meal, try to have lunch or dinner at Frenchie (be sure to make a reservation!). If you’re out exploring and looking for a great meal to end the day with, pop into Frenchie Wine Bar or Frenchie to Go (try the lobster roll!). The wine bar is a little pricey, but I can honestly say I’m always blown away by the quality of food- each bite is unbelievable

• Hollybelly: American breakfast done right in Paris. If you’re not there early, prepare for a wait. The seasonal fruit pancakes and hash browns are awesome

• Breizh Cafe: I didn’t realise I hadn’t had proper crepes until coming here. Come during brunch or dinner, and order a savoury buckwheat crepe to start, and a sweet crepe (my fav is the salted caramel pear) for dessert. Whatever you do, don’t forget the carafe of cider

• L’As du Falafel: Some of the best falafel I’ve ever had. And, coming it at €6 for a wrap packed with cabbage, slaw, tomatoes, cucumber, eggplant, falafel and tahini, it’s a good, cheap eat. If there’s a line when you visit, don’t worry- it moves quick

• Ober Mamma: Authentic Italian food, easily the best pizza in Paris. This place gets busy, but if you’re traveling solo or with one other person, you’ll likely be able to find a seat at the beautiful bar

• Bonus: Cafe Oberkampf: Fab avo toast and shakshuka with feta- basically, the stuff brunch dreams are made of
• Another Bonus: Cafe Charlot: A quaint French bistro with plenty of patio seats and a rotating menu. I’ve been here for breakfast a few times, and loved noshing on croissants, boiled eggs and fresh juice while watching the city wake up

Where to Have Dessert

• Angelina: The hot chocolate, thick and decadent, is famous for a reason. The pastries are also beautiful- the salted caramel eclair sure didn’t disappoint. The pain au chocolat is also super good. If you don’t want to wait for a table, there’s a takeaway counter inside the front of the restaurant- grab your goods and head to the nearby Jardin des Tuileries

• Berthillon: Known as the ‘best ice cream in Paris’ because it is. Order the salted butter caramel and one of the fruit flavors. The fruit flavors are so good, it’s almost better than eating the real thing

• Ble Sucre: Come for the croissant (voted the best in Paris), and stay for dessert. The croissant shells are crispy on the outside, and inside, there’s nothing but buttery layers. You’ll see what I mean about the desserts when you get here- they’re gorgeous

• Pierre Herme: No dessert list in Paris is complete without a mention of macarons! Yes Laduree is famed for having ‘the best’ macarons, but I’m preferential to Pierre Herme for their inventive flavours (my favs: rose, salted caramel butter, salted caramel apple, carrot cinnamon, strawberry rhubarb and dark chocolate)

• Liberte: The croissants and pain au chocolat are both great, but the citrus tart was the real standout for me. Also dug the aesthetics of this bakery- it’s unlike any other patisserie I’ve been to in Paris

• Bonus: Boneshaker Doughnuts: Thick, fluffy doughnuts coated with great flavours- I’m particularly a fan of the salted caramel
• Another Bonus: Du Pain et des Idees: The fruit flavored and rum raisin escargots are ah-may-zing. They’re known for the pistachio and chocolate escargot, but I wasn’t able to try that because #nutallergies

Where to Drink Wine

• L’Avant Comptoir: French tapas and lovely wine. Pro-tip: The creperie next-door is turning out some seriously great dessert crepes in case you need a snack post-drink

• Le Wood: Love this wine bar in the heart of Le Marais, pull up a seat at an outdoor table and savour a few glasses of wine while people watching

• Le Barav: Another cute wine bar tucked down a side street in Le Marais. Perfect for people watching or whiling away a lazy afternoon

• Colonel Moustache: Normally I wouldn’t recommend a wine bar near the Eiffel Tower because I think they’re all too touristy, but this place is a bit further back from the tower and usually pretty chill. I like having a glass of wine here, then popping in a market to pick up picnic essentials before visiting Trocadero to lounge on the lawn while enjoying a great view of the tower

Where to Have a Cocktail

• Experimental Cocktail Club: Credited with the cocktail resurgence in Paris, the drinks are ECC are eclectic and delicious. I’ve had the Old Cuban and Los Feliz, both were fantastic. Also love the area ECC is in, it’s nearby other good cocktail bars, Lockwood and Jefrey’s, as well as Frenchie

• Le Mary Celeste: Tapas, oysters and cocktails, what more could you need?
• Candelaria: Hidden in the back of a taco (!) shop, you’ll find a lively Mexican bar. The tacos are great and the cocktails don’t disappoint either
• Little Red Door: Much like ECC, this place is turning out cocktails as good as the ones I’ve had from world-class mixologists in New York. The perfect place for a nightcap, although it can be crowded so be prepared to wait, especially on a Friday or Saturday night
• Danico: Situated in the back of the bustling Daraco restaurant, this beautiful cocktail bar has a fun, quirky menu and expertly made drinks. This is nearby Frenchie and ECC- a great place to stop on your way to dinner or before settling in for a few drinks at ECC

Where to Have Coffee

• Telescope: Coffee purist’s heaven. The espresso is some of the best in Paris, and it doesn’t hurt the banana bread is killer too

• Ob-La-Di: Super cozy cafe. Avo toast and cafe creme are the best way to start a day (in my opinion)

• Loustic: Loved this uber-cute cafe in Le Marais. Plenty of big, comfy cushions and a great cafe creme

• Cafe Suedois: Naturally, I found a Swedish cafe in Paris. Good espresso drinks and a huge, lovely garden space to enjoy said drinks in. It’s the kind of place that makes it easy to get lost in a book on a sunny afternoon

• Boot Cafe: Perfect espresso makes for a perfect cafe creme. So cozy and beautiful, pop in for a pick-me-up and then continue your wandering. PS. Nearby Fragments has great aeropress if you need an extra boost of caffeine

• Bonus: If you’re not a coffee drinker, Wild & The Moon may be up your alley. The smoothies and juices are a great way to start the day- I had one called The Tiger, which was packed with sweet potato, carrot, cinnamon, cardamom and black pepper- spicy sweet perfection
• Also, if you find yourself asking, ‘what is a cafe creme?”, you’re not alone. The term/coffee output varies throughout Europe, but in the North of France, it will usually be an espresso coffee with double the amount of water and a little fresh cream or milk

Other Posts You May Like

• Paris: 10 Things to Do
• 5 Places to See the Eiffel Tower
• Descending Into the Catacombs of Paris 
• Day Trip to Versailles from Paris
• Visiting Monet’s Gardens From Paris