What should I eat on a first trip to Paris?

A few experiences sum up the city: a working-class bouillon at Bouillon Pigalle, a Marais falafel at L'As du Fallafel and a Berthillon ice cream on the Île Saint-Louis.

Where to eat traditional French food on a budget in Paris?

Bouillon Pigalle serves traditional French cooking in generous portions with a light bill, in the spirit of the Parisian bouillons.

Which ice cream should I try in Paris?

Berthillon, faithful to the Île Saint-Louis since 1954, remains the reference for artisan ice cream.

Do I need to book popular tables like Septime?

Septime, an icon of Parisian bistronomy, needs to be booked well in advance, while its sibling Clamato takes no reservations.

First time in Paris: the essential food experiences

Places in this guide

N°1Fine dining restaurant
Septime
The icon of Parisian new bistronomy, acclaimed worldwide.
« The dishes rely on quality ingredients with original pairings and particular attention to delicate flavours and varied textures. »
— Google
28 mentions
See the full place file
N°2Restaurant
Le Baratin
The Parisian bistro beloved by chefs, where classics are executed with purity.
« The classic dishes are executed with care: delicate tartare, meaty fish, melting meats, elevated vegetables. The flavours are pure and well balanced, without excess salt or sauce. »
— Google
21 mentions
See the full place file
N°3Bistro
Bouillon Pigalle
The Parisian bouillon experience in its modern, popular form: traditional French cooking, generous portions and a light bill.
« Traditional French dishes (duck confit, onion soup, cote de boeuf) arrive in hearty, well-executed portions. »
— Google
18 mentions
See the full place file
N°4Ice cream shop
Berthillon
The reference for artisan ice cream, faithful to the Île Saint-Louis since 1954.
« The ice creams and sorbets offer rich, balanced flavour profiles, from classics like vanilla and chocolate to original creations like marron glace or passion-banana-pineapple. »
— Google
12 mentions
See the full place file
N°5Seafood restaurant
Clamato
Septime's seafood little brother, no reservations, with remarkably fresh fish and shellfish to share.
« The quality and freshness of the fish and shellfish are evident in every bite, with a natural sweetness that stands out. »
— Google
14 mentions
See the full place file
N°6Falafel shop
L'As du Fallafel
The legendary rue des Rosiers falafel, creamy inside with roasted aubergine, a Marais institution.
« The falafels are made on site, creamy inside, and served with roasted aubergine that comes up constantly in positive reviews. »
— Google
7 mentions
See the full place file
N°7Brasserie
Au Pied de Cochon
The historic Les Halles brasserie, open around the clock for decades, keeping the tradition of onion soup and escargots.
« The onion soup and the escargots come up constantly as must-haves, richly flavourful and true to tradition. »
— Google
5 mentions
See the full place file
N°8Crêperie
Breizh Café
The crêperie that reinvented the Breton galette, crisp and filled with good produce.
« The buckwheat galettes are especially successful, with a crisp texture that stands apart from what you find elsewhere in Paris. »
— Google
4 mentionsRating rising
See the full place file
N°9Bakery and pastry shop
Du Pain et des Idées
One of the most renowned bakeries in Paris, its croissants and pistachio-chocolate escargot the stuff of cult.
« The croissants are crisp outside and soft inside, and the pistachio-chocolate escargot is regularly cited as one of the best in Paris. »
— Google
6 mentions
See the full place file
N°10Tea house
Angelina
The legendary tea room of thick, decadent hot chocolate, often called the best ever tasted.
« The hot chocolate is described as decadent and unique, often cited as the best customers have ever tasted. »
— Google
4 mentionsRating rising
See the full place file