As the Olympic games take over Paris, the whole city is buzzing with tourists trying to catch a glimpse of the action. If you are one of them, why not take the moment to enjoy the brilliance of French gastronomy? From legendary cafés to bistros putting an innovative spin on elegant French classics, in Paris, the next best meal is always only a few steps away. And while that is true, fitting them into just a number of days can be difficult given the number of really, really good restaurants. So, here's our foolproof two-day guide to all the must-eats in the city of love.
Mornings in Paris are beautiful. Does the number of great (and iconic) breakfast spots have anything to do with it? Most likely so. Start your first day with a hearty meal at the famed Café de Flore, located on Saint-Germaine Boulevard. Having been around 1887, the café has welcomed many giants, such as Pablo Picasso, Descartes, Trotsky, and many more. The list literally exceeds their pretty extensive menu. So, the best way to go about it is to grab an outdoor table, order your choice of viennoiseries and coffee, and simply take in the historic charm of it all. It also makes for a great way to people-watch!
Paris is home to some of the world's best restaurants, and you will be surprised to know how many of them do not even serve French cuisine. Located on Rue Saint Bernard, Mokonuts is one such gem. Helmed by a Japanese-Lebanese wife and husband duo—namely, Moko Hirayama and Omar Koreitem—the restaurant has taken over the locals' hearts swiftly since it opened up in the summer of 2016.
With only 12 tables, the space is intimate and cosy, but don't be fooled by its size—the restaurant is always full and you will most likely have to put down your name for a table. The food, which fuses Japanese and Middle Eastern flavours with flair, is simply wholesome and fresh. The best part is that the menu is changed every day, so you will definitely be in for a surprise.
Located in the beautiful Montparnasse since 1927, this brasserie is one among Paris' many culinary institutions. Not only did Patti Smith once play guitar on the terrace, but it has been a haunt for greats like Henri Miller, Jane Birkin, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, James Joyce, and several others. Given its legacy, it is no secret that the restaurant never runs empty, but it is absolutely worth the wait (if you're asked to). The menu is heavy with seafood options, with a few other French classics in between. Vegetarian options are few, but enough. If you are a fan of Bourdeux, the menu boasts an incomparable collection.
After dinner, head for a nightcap to the much-loved Le Syndicat, a speakeasy that has carved an almost-permanent spot in the World's 50 Best Bars list. Located on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, the cocktail bar is hidden in plain sight behind hundreds of posters, and there's no nameplate to help you out. Once you are able to spot it, you enter a very tiny but cool and retro space that really feels like you're part of an arcane world. When it comes to why it is revered, the bar puts a spotlight on locally sourced French ingredients through its innovative cocktails. In addition, they also boast a great collection of vintage tipples. Note that the bar does not serve food, but it has great vibes with its hip-hop playlist.
If you wake up with quite an appetite, then Holybelly 19 is where you should head straight to. Around since 2013, at 19 Rue Lucien Sampaix, the restaurant is hands down a local favourite, and the beeline only proves it—yes, even in the mornings. Parisians, who take pleasure in their simple but indulgent breakfast of croissants and coffee, don't shy away from digging into their more elaborate but fine breakfast creations that are served all day. Besides their much-loved brews that use specially sourced and roasted coffee, HB19's menu features star dishes like soft-boiled eggs with buttery mouillettes, gravlax, and mini-donuts with dulce de leche. If you don't find a table here, try your luck at their sister cafe, Holybelly 5, down the street.
Located on 20 rue Saint-Martin since 1912, the one Michelin-starred Benoit promises a quintessential French bistro experience. The opulence and elegance of the older days are still intact, with the cutlery still sporting the beautiful "B" monogram, the velvet seatings looking just as plush, and desserts in silver serve wear. Their menu runs long with classics prepared using generational recipes, such as Pâté en croûte and blue lobster and green bean salad. Also, don't miss out on their vanilla millefiuelle.
Shakespeare and co is no stranger to anybody who's heading to Paris. Opened in 1951, the bookstore has gone on to achieve a cult status, welcoming a steady flow of tourists every day. While you can spend hours glossing through the many unique books stored here, stop by their outdoor café for a brew and bakes brought in by the local producers they've collaborated with.
While French bistros are the name of the game in Paris, the city brims with restaurants serving an elevated version of other cuisines as well. One such place is Passerini, known for serving the best Italian food in the city. Headed by Giovanni Passerini, who is touted to be the best Italian chef in the French capital, the restaurant is a modern take on a trattoria, and its menu features both Italian comfort foods and sleek, gourmet creations. While you can put your finger on anything on the menu and be assured a good meal, go for their carefully curated four-course menu to taste all the must-haves, especially the hand-rolled pasta.
For a fitting finale to your day of eating out and the trip, head to the iconic Bar Hemingway at Ritz Paris. The bar, housing many memoribilias and looking straight out of Gatsby's world, is named after its most loyal patron—author Ernst Hemingway, who whiled many nights away with his friends, Francis Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Like him, order the dry martini and or a stiff pour of one of the vintage cognacs.