Tour Guide Dan’s Favorite Paris Cafés and Pâtisseries
If you join “San Fran Dan” on tour, then you can expect some great recommendations. The same goes for all of our tour guides but today we are sharing Dan’s top Paris spots. PSA: Don’t miss the last recommendation if you have a sweet tooth!
Bouillon Chartier
7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009
Closest Metro Stop: Line 9/8 Grand Boulevard
This restaurant, built inside of an old train station, has been around since 1896 and was originally a cheap workers’ eatery that sold stew. Much of the architecture has been preserved, and the long Belle Epoque dining room with high ceilings and brass coat racks gives you the feeling of being transported to a different era. It’s also affordable. You can get a steak and fries with pepper sauce, salad with roquefort cheese, and delicious vanilla ice cream covered in melted chocolate for about €20. The house red wine is cheap and tasty as well. Local Tip: You don’t need a reservation but it can get pretty busy weekend nights. I recommend going in the afternoon on the weekend or any week night to avoid the crowd.
Chez Prune
36 Rue Beaurepaire, 75010
Closet Metro Stop: Line 9/ 8/5, République
Chez Prune is one of my favorite cafes in Paris, and it’s located in Canal St. Martin, one of the hippest, artsy neighborhoods full of thrift stores, record shops, bars and restaurants. I normally sit outside, drink coffee and watch people walking by the canal, but the interior is also really nice and they have a small, affordable menu that changes depending on the season, so the ingredients are always fresh! I’ve been happy with everything I’ve ate here, including salmon with a side of red quinoa and pickled carrots, braised beef with mushrooms and roquette drizzled with vinaigrette, as well as a superb Sunday brunch menu. This is a very popular spot for locals and not at all touristy. Local Tip: The menu may not be written in English, but every time I’ve gone there with friends visiting, the waiters were happy to provide a translation.
L’As du Fallafel
34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004
Closest Metro Stop: Line 1, Saint-Paul
This hole-in-the-wall serves one of the most delicious falafels I’ve ever had in my life! It’s located on a tiny street called Rue des Rosiers which runs through the heart of the old Jewish quarter, and the surrounding neighborhood, Le Marais, is one of the most chic and dynamic in all of Paris. Don’t worry if the line is long, it normally moves fast! Local Tip: Once you get your falafels, you can continue down the road a few minutes until you see a small archway to your left. Enter les Jardins des Rosiers, a small rose garden, and you can have lunch amongst the flowers sitting on a bench or in the green, green grass.
Le Valentin
30 Passage Jouffroy, 75009
Closest Metro Stop: Line 9/8, Grand Boulevard
The pastries at this place are extraordinary! It’s located in a beautiful, closed passageway lined with cute shops, Passage Jouffroy, and you have the feeling inside of sitting in a quaint living room in the French countryside. My favorite is the palmerosa which has fresh grapefruit surrounded by a delicious, light cream with a raspberry on top, but the petit cœur orange is also divine with dark chocolate and orange marmelade in the middle, as well as the Saint Honoré, a traditional puff pastry with butter cream, caramel and whipped cream on top!
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