https://www.restaurant-baieta-paris.fr/
- Quatrehomme Fromagerie in Paris
I fell in love with Paris as a college junior studying at the Sorbonne many years ago, and have been returned to the City of Light ever since.
I spend close to two months of every year there, and never miss an opportunity to try the city’s amazing restaurants, sip tea in their fabulous tea rooms, or do what every female visitor does in Paris—shop.
These are my current favorites in the capital— restaurants and bistros, patisseries and more . . . and of course, shops for clothing and shoes.
Chez l’Ami Jean
27, rue Malar
Paris 7
01-47-05-86-89
Metro: Invalides or La Tour Maubourg
Book ahead for the hearty, inventive dishes from the southwest of France served in a rustic ambience. It’s always crowded, but service is good and prices too. We ate there several years ago on a Saturday night and saw Catherine Deneuve at a table in the corner.
Le Bon Saint Pourçain
10 bis, rue Servandoni
Paris 6
01 42 01 78 24
Metro: Mabillon, Saint-Sulpice
Located near the Place Saint-Sulpice, this "bistro ancien" has recently come into the hands of talented young chef, Mathieu Techer. The restaurant is petite but the dishes, which are classics done up with fresh innovative touches, are big winners. A three-course meal on my visit came to around 50 euros and was definitely worth the price. Book ahead as it’s very popular.
Le Casse Noix
56, rue de la Fédération
Paris 15
Paris 01-45-66-09-01
Métro: Bir-Hakein or Dupleix
This bistro, located near the Eiffel Tower, is one I visit often when in Paris. The chef, an alum of the celebrated La Régalade in the 14th, turns out exceptionally creative dishes all prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients. The ambience is warm and cozy and the prix fixe menu a real bargain.
Racines des Prés
1, rue de Gribeauval (near the Rue du Bac)
Paris 7
01.45.48.14.16
Metro: Rue de Bac
Located in the 7th arrondissment, this stylish Left Bank restaurant opened in 2017, offers beautifully presented, as well as creative dishes, all for a reasonable prix fixe at both lunch and dinner. From a distinctively seasoned slice of chicken terrine served with pickled vegetables to roasted orange-scented fillet of cod garnished with capers and fennel sorbet, everything was mouthwatering andprepared with fresh ingredients. Be sure to reserve in advance.
Semilla
54, rue de Seine
Paris 6
01-43-54-34-50
Metro: Mabillon
Original market-based cooking, a friendly staff, and a warm welcome are the reasons that this popular Left Bank restaurant is always full. The menu changes daily with many dishes available as an appetizer or a main. For dessert a golden choux pastry shell filled with an ethereally light caramel cream is always on the menu and a must. Dinner appetizers run 6 to15 euros, mains 22 to 30, and desserts 10 to 12. Another bonus is that Semilla is open every day (including Sunday!) for lunch and dinner.
Neva Cuisine
2, rue Berne
Paris 75008
01-45-22-18-91
Metro: Europe or Liège
Located in a far corner of the 8th arrondissement north of Gare St. Lazare, this restaurant opened in 2011. The food is exceptionally creative and presented in intricate arrangements, and the ambience simple yet stylish. Menus at dinner run around 38 to 45 euros with supplements for some dishes.
Baieta
5, rue de Pontoise
Paris 75005
01 42 02 59 19
Metro: Maubert-Mutualité
Located on the Left Bank in the same spot as the former Michelin-starred Les Itineraires, this new restaurant, opened in 2018, with Julia Sedefdjian at the helm is a winner. The young chef features Incredibly inventive and fresh dishes that reflect her roots in Provence. From the amuse bouches that included a tempting pissaladière topped with anchovies ,onions, and olives served with a cup to "tomato water" to the lemon tart with its fennel-scented sablé crust, topped with a lemon and mascarpone filling, and a scoop of lemon/Pernod sorbet, every dish was a delight. Prices are on the higher side, especially when ordering à la carte, but definitely worth the price. Be sure to reserve in advance.
L'Arcane
39 Rue Lamarck
Paris75018
01 46 06 86 00
On a quite street in Montmatre, you'll find this gem of a restaurant, which has already received a Michelin star. There's no black board or menu, you simply choose from one of the set lunch or dinner menus and wait for the parade of dishes to appear. The food is fresh, equisite, and modern. Among my favorites was a tartare of salmon topped with lemon grass sorbet and peanuts; a gorgeous roast veal medallion with pommes soufflés, eggplant, and roasted tomatoes; and a clever dessert of scoops of silken smooth apricot/rosemary ice cream served in a homemade waffle cone filled with apricot confiture and chocolate ganache. Fabulous food so be certain to reserve well ahead.
Quinsou
33 rue de l"Abbé Grégoire
Paris 75006
01-42-22-66-09
Métro: Sevres Babylone
This small, but tastefully appointed restaurant located just off rue du Cherche-Midi in the 6th arrondissement serves beautifully prepared and inventive dishes as part of a tasting meal at dinner.The 95 euro price for this is among the most reasonable..Service was warm and helpful too. This restaurant definitely deserves its Michelin star.
Ktichen Ter(re)
26, boulevard St-Germain
Paris 5
01 42 39 47 48
Metro: Maubert Mutualité
This is the third restaurant opened by talented chef, William Ledeuil (of Ze Kitchen Galerie fame). As in his other restaurants, he inventively adds bright, Asian accents to French dishes. The menu is small with only 3 to 4 choices under entrees, mains, and desserts, but each dish is carefully prepared and bursts with flavor. On my visit my favorite was the Thai chicken bouillon--a great blend of tastes and textures. Prices are reasonable, especially the prix fixe at lunch.
Another Place of Interest
Cigale Récamier
4, rue Récamier (across from the Hotel Lutétia)
Paris 7
01-45-48-86-58
Metro: Sèvres-Babylone
If you love soufflés, this is the place to go. They make exquisite ones—both savory and sweet. My husband and I usually order a savory soufflé and a salad for our main course, then finish with a sweet airy creation. It’s a decadent, but fabulous experience.
Favorite Patisseries
Pierre Hermé
72, rue Bonaparte (at Place St. Sulpice)
Paris 6
01-43-54-47-77
Metro: Mabillon
I have NEVER had anything from this petite patisserie that I didn’t love. Not only are the pastries to die for, they are true works of art. It’s a small shop so you may have to wait in line to get inside.
Favorite Grocery
La Grande Epicerie at the Bon Marché
38, rue de Sèvres
Paris 7
01-44-39-81-00
Metro: Sèvres-Babylone
This is Paris’ answer to London’s Harrods, and in my opinion, the French grocery is more interesting and definitely more user-friendly. Don’t go home without walking through it and buying a treat to enjoy!
Favorite Tea Room
Mariage Frères
13, rue des Grands Augustins
Paris 6
01-40-51-82-50
Metro: Odéon or St. Michel
30, rue Bourg Tiborg
Paris 4
01-42-72-78-11
Metro: St. Paul
250, rue Faubourg St. Honoré
Paris 8
01-46-22-18-54
Metro: Ternes
There are 3 locations, but I visit the one on rue des Grands Augustins in the sixth most often. Another is in the Marais on rue Bourg Tibourg, and a third is in the 8th. If it is rainy or if you’re tired of sightseeing, go to one of these lovely places and order one of the 200 teas brewed to perfection. You might like to add some of their scones offered with thés gelées (tea jellies). It’s a little pricy, but so civilized and relaxing. Their packaged teas make great gifts to take home.
Hermès
17 rue de Sèvres
Paris 6
Metro: Sèvres-Babylone
Hermès’ new store located on the Left Bank is definitely worth a visit. The goods are pricey as expected, but you can certainly enjoy looking without pulling out your credit card. The interior architecture is exquisite, almost sculptural. The site was once an indoor swimming pool back in the 1930s, and the architects saved the tiled mosaics!
Shoes
In the 6th, the rue du Cherche Midi between Boulevard Raspail and the intersection of rue de Sèvres is one of Paris’ best blocks for shoes. (The celebrated Poilâne Bakery is right in the center of this block, so you can eat and shop at the same time.) The shoes in Paris are far more sophisticated than those on this side of the Atlantic. Also on the same street there are shops for clothing, costume jewelry, and handbags, all very chic.
Clothing
On the Left Bank (where I hang out), Le Bon Marché on rue de Sèvres has fabulous clothing and shoes. Handbags and scarves are on the ground floor (called in French the rez de chaussée) of the first building; shoes and boutique and designer clothing is on the next (actually the second floor for Americans, but called the first in France.) The grocery (La Grande Epicerie) is in the second store and the floor above it houses great bridge lines of clothing.
The rue des Saints-Pères, rue du Vieux Colombier, rue du Four, and rue de Rennes, all in the 6th arrondissement, are all good shopping streets.
Flea Markets
Although the Marché Cligancourt in the 18th and on the northern edge of Paris is the best known, I am a devotee of the Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves down in the 14th on the city’s southern edge. It’s open from about 8:45 AM until 1 PM on Saturdays and Sundays and worth a visit. You never know what you’ll find. I’ve bought prints, rugs, silver, dishes, picture frames, and more. I never miss a chance to go when I’m in the city.
John Talbot’s Paris
I find this terrific blog written by an American living in Paris to be very useful. This ex-pat dines nonstop in the City of Light and offers up-to-date reviews of restaurants in all parts of the city.
Hungry for Paris
This is a well written blog by food writer, Alexander Lobrano, an American who has lived in Paris since 1986. His book, Hungry for Paris, is a must for food lovers who want to discover memorable restaurants in France’s capital.
David Lebovitz- Living the Sweet Life in Paris
A former pastry chef at Chez Panisse, David lives in Paris full time. I find his blog filled with interesting culinary musings. His recent book, My Sweet Life in Paris, is a food-based memoir.
Paris By Mouth
This is a site I have used often. A group of very talented reviewers, both American and French, offer their opinions of restaurants, wine bars, pastry and bakery shops, and much more. You can even sign up for their popular food-related tours.
French-Word-A-Day
Kristin Espinasse, an American married to a French wine-maker in the South of France, recounts her daily life with her husband and two teenagers. In each of her three weekly posts, she includes French words and expressions in touching stories. At the end of each narrative, she lists the vocabulary words with definitions and an audio for pronunciation. I love her honest, direct style and have become one of more than 30,000 people reading her tales of French life.
Where to Stay in Paris
If you have enough time, try renting an apartment in Paris and live like the Parisians. One of the nicest and most responsive agencies in the city is I Love Paris Apartment Rentals. They have a wide selection and will help you find just the right place.
The dynamic team at 56 Paris Real Estate, a full service realty company, offers lovely apartment rentals, plus more. If you've always wanted a "pied à terre" in Paris, they specialize in helping foreign buyers. They also sell properties and provide property management in the city.
Fun catching up on all you are doing! Wonderful. Hi, from Ohio, Betty, Carole
Hi Carole,
I’ve been in Paris so am just now catching up on notes. So glad you’ve found my blog, and hope you’ll try some of the recipes!
Hi Betty,we are spending July in Paris. We’ll be sure to check out some oc your recommendations.
-Susan
Hope you have a fabulous time and that you eat well!
We are heading to Paris in June 2014 for a big birthday. I just discovered your blog, which I now subscribe too, and looking forward to using it as a reference as I plan the trip. And we live in Yellow Springs, Ohio, about 40 minutes from Columbus.
I just returned and hope you’ll have a fabulous stay. Had great meals again at Le Casse Noix and loved two new places, Le six Paul Bert and also Pierre Sang Boyer which I’ll add to my restaurant list soon! Safe Travels.
Hi Betty and Ron. wonderful clients are traveling to Paris and i showed them your site and blog. i look forward to seeing you in the fall. Very interested now in making pain au levain (miche Poilane) in my soon-to-receive mobile wood oven. happy days, jim
Hi Jim,
So good to hear from you, and thrilled that you mentioned my site to your clients. The restaurants on my Paris page are all faves. Looking forward to being in Columbus this fall-working with Mary and Steve on my class! Betty
Loved your blog. I have been taking groups of friends to Paris for the past three years and wish I would have checked out your website way before this. I am taking another group in March so will hit some of these restaurants. Is Ron’s book coming out this fall? Is it still titled When Paris Went Dark? I hear you will be in Columbus soon. Of course, we will all want to see you.
So great to hear from you. Glad you like the Paris page–I update it after every stay there. Check my site under “Betty Classes” to see where and when I’ll be in Cols. Would love to see you at one of these events.
Ron’s book is coming out next Aug in time for the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Paris. It’s called When Paris Went Dark and Little Brown is publishing it! More details when I see you!
So glad my/our friend Sheri Lisak told me about your site! My husband and I leave Wednesday for Paris and I’ve noted all your recommendations for our trip. Looking forward to eating our way through the city! Bienvenue à Columbus en novembre!
Hi hope you have a wonderful trip! Safe travels!
Just read your comments on being in Paris during the Charlie attacks. Stay safe and enjoy all that is Paris.
Thank you.
Betty, I am so glad to hear of you once more! My travelin days are limited so it’s especially nice to hear of your trips , activities and new books! Continued success, Fondly Sue p.s. I miss your classes!
Thanks so much, Sue! So nice to hear from you!!
I’ll be back in Paris this spring. I’ve used your restaurant recommendations on previous visits with great success. Any new suggestions?
Hi Rae, I added three new places to my restaurant list under “Betty’s Paris.” Although very small and simple, I loved le Bon Saint Pourcain in the 6th. The new chef is very creative and add creative touches to familiar dishes. The service was lovely too. Cézembre is also very plain and with only one menu but the food was exceptionally good and the price very reasonable. Tomy’s is the new hot restaurant in town and we had a great lunch there with friends. Hope this helps and that you are well and good!
Hi Betty, I really enjoy your blog. I took classes at la Belle Pomme years ago and my signed copy of American Favorites is still a “go to” cookbook. Love: peppered salmon and corn chowder, stuffed beef, corn and wild rice soup and Waldorf of sorts salad! Eager to try your mushroom and Roquefort tarts. We also spend a month in France each year now that we have a little French granddaughter in the Loire Valley. And, of course, a few days in Paris. Love your list of restaurants and shops. Hugs from Colorado!
Thank you! Merci for such a nice note. It’s so nice to hear that you you are still using my recipes! Nothing could please a cookbook author more!
Happy to hear you spend time in France. We love our stays in Paris!