BRUNCH & LUNCH

Frenchie to Go (2nd): Good, upscale to-go lunch food
Carette (3rd)*: Awesome spot for lunch right on Places Des Vosges. Great salad and sandwich options…. and incredible chocolate croissants!
Mandarine (3rd & others): Formerly “Juice Lab”; your classic juice bar with juices, smoothies, grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, healthy snacks, and delicious daily hot plates. Great option if you’re looking for something to break up all the meals out!
Eggs & Co (6th): I’m pretty sure we took every. single. visitor. here. It has an amazing 22-Euro prix fixe brunch and is so cute on the top floor!
Paperboy (3rd): Small and cute, hipster
Hank Burger (3rd): oh MY. I am not vegan but this was one of the best burgers i’ve had in my life. Fast casual restaurant!

L’As Du Falafel (3rd)*: Everything you’ve heard about this place is true, amazing family establishment in the heart of the Jewish district, perfect for yummy/fast lunch
Ralph Lauren (7th): a parent / mom spot. gorgeous outdoor patio with American fare.
Merci (10th)*: Cute library-like café in the concept store near République
Holybelly (10th): Holyshit this place is amazing, always super busy though!

Oni coffee shop (10th) Best value brunch, PANCAKES
Cafe Mericourt (11th) :Granola, eggs, green bowl, Perfect brunch spot
Republique de Coffee (10th): UNREAL avo toast, millennial vibes lmao
Kitchen (3rd): Vegetarian, Vegan options, Veggie stew and chia pudding YUM

DINNER

Quintessential French

Chez Julien (1st): Right along the Seine, White table cloth, waiters in tuxedos, great food and ambiance if you want a special meal
Frenchie (2nd): Upscale (place people went when their parents came to visit)
Le Saint-Regis (4th)*: Must-go classic French bistro right on Il St. Louis. It’s conveniently located right next to Berthillon so grab a scoop after and walk along the Seine <3
Beau Regard (6th)*: Yummy café with good people watching (around the corner from iconic cafes - Les Deux Magots et Café de Flore, which I also recommend)

Huguettes, Bistro de la mer (6th): On my favorite street in Paris at night, Rue de Seine; Have dinner outside (need a reservation) or split a bottle of wine and people watch
Le Relais de L’Entrecôte (multiple locations): Only thing on the menu is steak frites but they are PERFECTED; Fixed menu comes with salad, two rounds of steak frites and dessert; a must do if you are only there for a few days
Bouillon Chartier (9th): Recommended by my host parents because it is a well oiled machine and the quintessential Parisian experience (warning: the waiters might be snarky lol); Get your classic french dishes (steak frites, escargots, boeuf bourguignon etc.) for cheap. It’s a converted train station and very cool!
Septime (11th)*: Amazing tasting menu for a special meal you won’t forget.

Girafe (16th): Most ‘grammable meal for your trip - hands down. Girafe is situated directly across from the Eiffel tower and while it’s a hot spot for bougie tourists (and not Parisians), it’s worth doing one time. Enjoy rose under umbrellas during the day, or go at night and watch the Eiffel tower sparkle on the hour from the comfort of the restaurant.
Big Mama Restaurant Group*: Multiple locations (East Mama, Pink Mama, Pizza Populare, Obermama, etc.) Best pasta and pizza in Paris. Must haves: Burrata pizza and Truffle pasta.

Ferdi (1st) THE BURGER (apparently Kim K gets her burgers sent from here lmao); Spanish food, really good service, intimate quirky setting
Dalia (2nd): Yummy Mediterranean with kind staff. Non-touristy spot for Parisians - great to break up French food and explore the Opera area.
Liza (2nd): Lebanese food; also good non-touristy option in the Opera
Derriere (3rd)*: A MUST. Nicer, funky, hip restaurant with great food (spins on classic french food; lots of good seafood). Amazing cocktails and unique ambiance.
Tavline (4th): Delicious Israeli food in an intimate setting. And the location is prime!

HAPPY HOUR/SPEAKEASIES

Sherry Butt (3rd): Intimate setting; Unique flavored cocktails; Relaxing speakeasy vibes
Andy Wahloo (3rd): On the side of the restaurant Derriere; Bumpin’ on the weekends (load music and sceney); LONG book of cocktails (endless choices); Fun for a date or girls night
Le Perchoir (4th)*: MUST GO HERE THE BEST VIEWS OF THE CITY; Top of BHV in Le Marais; plan to be there when the Eiffel Tower sparkles at the top of the hour :)
Mezcalaria (3rd): Strong margaritas (bang for your buck!); You walk through a hotel lobby, through the kitchen and into a speakeasy (trust me, be confident - it’s back there)
Candelaria (3rd): Taco shop in the front, speakeasy in the back (I recommend doing both); Order tortilla chips to have with your drinks before the kitchen closes at 11!
Prescription (6th): Iconic “take your friends here when they visit” place; Amazing, trendy vibes; They “prescribe” a custom cocktail based on your preferences
Lavomatic (10th): Speakeasy that looks like a laundromat from the outside and you quite literally walk through a washing machine to enter the small upstairs lounge bar; I recommend going right as it opens

BARS

Rue Princesse (6th): Lots of fun sports bars around Rue Princesse -- go during soccer games to get a classic Parisian experience
Rue Mouffetard (5th): Very local which makes it fun; Student area
Le Hibou/Odéon area (6th): Good place for getting a glass of wine with a friend, sit outside and face the street!

DANCING

Wanderlust (13th): Club RIGHT along the Seine
QUEEN (8th): Ladies Night on Wednesdays (no cover); Normal night - $20
Le Comptoir General (10th): Trendy, fun Parisian club; You can get in depending on the night
L'aquarium - Le Club (16th): Yup, a real aquirium. If you want to get hammered while hammer head sharks swim by, this is your opportunity! Warning: It’s a bit of a weird vibe to get in because it’s a literal aquarium during the day (lol) but if you’re with a big group

STUDY SPOTS/COFFEE PLACES

Hubsy - Cafe & Coworking (3rd & 11th): 5 euros for first hour, 2 euros for each half hour after, 20 euros for full day; Unlimited coffee (not black, fancy drinks) and snacks (nutella, crackers, apples, trail mix, toast, cereal, fruit snacks); Ambiance: Trendy decor, really nice staff and DEAD silent, easy to concentrate, not a place to chat with friends people mean business; Recommendations: matcha latte, sit on the second floor on the comfy couch

Oh de Lally (12th): Small; Good wifi, friendly service
Wild and the Moon (3rd): Vegan; “Too expensive for its own good but very aesthetic you forget how much your coffee is”
Merci: (3rd): My favorite spot to do work (a part of the shop), a “library-style” cafe; so fun to walk around the store after or before
Shakespeare and Company (5th)*: English bookstore with little cafe area; Iconic/historical store right across from the Notre Dame

PICNIC LOCATIONS

Of course, my favorite past time. Collect goodies from the many Parisian farmers market (I like the one in the Bastille), a baguette and a bottle of wine and you’re all set!

Champs de Mars (7th): Right in front of the Eiffel Tower; Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and 12pm; Fair warning: a bit of a tourist trap and lots of people selling you stuff, but you still can’t miss the view
Place des Vosges (3rd and 4th)*: Oldest, historical planned area in the city; Designed to be the “perfect park”; A little square with plenty of activity; Picnic here and wander around the marais after
Montmartre Steps (18th): Split a bottle of wine on the steps at sunset and enjoy great views of the city from above; also a bit of a tourist trap Jardin du Luxembourg (6th): Where I ate lunch everyday :’); Beautiful views of the palace and plenty of chairs around the fountains; Perfect place to read a book; In the summer little kids are playing with little boats, soak it alllllll in
Le square du Vert-Galant (6th)*: Right in between la Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris et la Sainte-Chapelle; A little island-esque thing along the Seine; Sit at picnic bench!

TREATS

Ice Cream: Berthillon (Everywhere)
Croissant: Les Pains des Idées (10th)
Crepes: Highly debated topic because there are lots of good options but here are the ones that stand out:

Crêperie de St. Germain (6th)
Crêperie Hewi (11th)
La Droguerie (4th)

Madeleines: Mademoiselles Madeleines (9th)

Cheese: Barthélémy (7th)
Hot Chocolate: Les Deux Magots - better view, the most classic French cafe (7th); Angelina's - “ladies brunch style”; I recommend you try both and form your own opinion but I am team Les Deux Magots ;)
Macarons: Pierre Marcolini, Le Maison du Chocolat, Fauchon, Hugo Victor

MUST-DO THINGS (BEYOND THE USUAL LISTS)

Musée Marmottan Monet (16th): This was by FAR my favorite museum in Paris and I went my literal last week; Very worth the trip -- home to some of Monet’s most famous pieces
Giverny: An hour long train ride to Monet’s garden and home; Very doable in a day; Choose a day with good weather and the gardens/lily ponds will literally GLOW
Versailles: Another day trip if you have not been. Definitely do the tour, especially if you are interested in French history; If you have been before or are not that interested in the history, picnic in the gardens or rent bikes and ride around
Sainte-Chapelle: Quick, but mind-blowing how beautiful the windows are; Worth a quick trip especially because it’s in such a central location
Foundation Louis Vuitton (16th): Paris’ “newest” monument; Amazing architectural piece with with interesting rotating expositions and views of the city; Go if you have the time but it’s a little out of the way
Dynamo Cycling: SoulCycle…but French. Get your sweat on with local Parisians and enjoy the challenge of keeping rhythm to French techno. Seriously such a fun truly local experience!

WHERE TO STAY

I always recommend people stay in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th arrondissements. A quick rundown of what you’ll get in each neighborhood:

2nd: Super central and walkable. Bustling with cool and hip restaurants and home to some of the best high-end shopping in Paris. Close proximity to key attractions like Palais Royal, the Louvre Museum, lovely Jardin des Tuileries, and Place de la Concorde.
3rd and 4th: Aka “Le Marais” aka my favorite “quartier.” This is the oldest and most charming section of Paris - with uneven gravel paths, trendy shops and yummy restaurants and food markets - including “Les Enfants Rouges.” “Le Marais” is the home to Paris’ Jewish community and the smallest park in Paris - Place de Vosges.
5th: The heart of Paris’ “The Latin Quarter” - where you’ll find most of the French universities and thus… young people. Great vintage shopping and food markets - and fun bar scene on Rue Mouffetard.
6th: “Saint-Germain-des-Prés” is another iconic shopping and restaurants neighborhood and the spot for the best people watching in the entire city (perhaps from the iconic cafe Les Deux Magots or in the Jardin du Luxembourg).
7th: This is your chance to get an “Eiffel Tower” view option. This neighborhood not only has prime time access to the evening Eiffel Tower sparkle, it is filled with gorgeous residential, tree-lined streets. A quieter, more local feel, which is quite lovely.

A few favorite hotels:

Le Relais Saint-Honoré (1st): My mom and I had a lovely stay at this small, but truly elegant and classic French hotel, surrounded by some of the biggest designer shops in Paris. The staff was really kind and it was an excellent location - walkable to just about anywhere.
The Hoxton Paris (2nd): I mean… every Hoxton hotel is good…but this chic boutique hotel is plopped in the perfect spot. Stay here if you want a reliably good martini and you’re visiting Paris to see pretty shops and pretty people.
Hotel National Des Arts et Metiers (3rd): The perfect location because it has so many good restaurants packed into the Rue de Montorgueil area. Not to mention, the rooftop is amazing!
Le Relais Saint-Germain (6th): Such happy memories staying in this hotel! Authentically French stay - with 22 rooms that each have a different unique look and feel. Get the room service breakfast and enjoy the views of the bustling streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

City Digest: Paris

PROFITEZ BIEN!

City Digest: Paris

PROFITEZ BIEN!

City Digest: Asheville