In July I spent a week in Paris with Bryan. We rented an apartment in the Marais and basically ate our way through the city. I dream of moving to Paris—it really is the most beautiful city in the world. And it is full of the best food you’ll ever eat. Recently a friend moved to Paris for the year and I tried to compile a list of my favorite places to eat. This seemed like a good thing to share here because everyone needs to go and you all need to eat at these places.
La Palette (43, rue de seine, corner of rue j callot, 6th arr.)
La Pallette is a classic cafe, complete with grumpy but lovable waiters. It is the perfect place to stop for lunch or a drink. But to be honest, I would go to the cafe just to order a slice of their strawberry tart. It is perfection. The crust is baked separately and then spread with jam and topped with fresh strawberries. The slice is served with a pot of crème fraîche!
Le Comptoir (9 Carrefour de l’Odéon 6th Arr.)
Much has been written about Yves Camdeborde and the casual bistro he opened in the hotel Relais Saint-Germain. And it seems to all be true. The food was amazing, a real highlight being this cold melon soup. Reservations are difficult, waits are long, but it is worth it.
L’As du Fallafel (34, rue des rosiers, marais)
The best falafel on earth.
Higuma (32 bis rue st. anne, corner of rue villedo, 2nd arr., palais royal)
This Japanese noodle shop near Palais Royale was my favorite new find on this last trip to Paris. I could eat here every day. All of the noodle or rice dishes we tried were excellent, and the potstickers were especially delicious.
Rose Bakery (46 rue des martyrs, corner of rue navarin, 9th arr.)
Rose Carrarini (who is English) and her husband Jean-Charles (who is French) opened this lunch-only restaurant in 2002 and Paris fell in love. The place is packed at lunch, and with good reason. The food is simple and well made—quiches, tarts, salads, and sweets. The couple published a cookbook of their recipes back in 2006, so if you aren’t going to Paris anytime soon you can cook for yourself at home. The cookbook is really excellent and everything I have tried from it has turned out well. Rose Bakery also carries a small selection of British pantry items, which are worth a look. I bought a bottle of elderflower cordial while I was there that was excellent. Bryan’s favorite thing about the restaurant was that each table came with its own Brita water pitcher.
Berthillon (31, Rue St Louis en l’ile)
If you go to Paris, regardless of season, you need to enjoy some Berthillon ice cream. It is good ice cream, and the fact that you are eating it while walking around Paris makes it even better. (Favorite flavors: Cassis, Cinnamon, Salted Caramel, Rhubarb)
Bistro Paul Bert (18, rue Paul Bert, between faideherbe and rue chanzy in the 11th)
On our last night in Paris we decided to try this Bistro based on recommendations from friends as well as some trusted writers. It really lived up to expectations—one of the best meals I have ever had. An amazing steak, an herb salad, and sauteed cherries with ice cream for dessert. It was everything I dreamed dining in Paris would be. GO.