Eating in Paris isn’t hard to do.

Leave your diet at home folks because the French love butter! As Julia Child said “With enough butter, anything is good.”

I struggled with the title on this post. I didn’t just “eat” in Paris… I stuffed my face in Paris! But I wasn’t sure how a post titled “Stuffing your Face in Paris” would be received. But seriously I stuffed my face in Paris…I think the only time I wasn’t eating was while we were walking between bakeries or while we were in the Musée de l’Orangerie (my favorite museum…we actually went twice and we were only in Paris for 2 days).

I had mapped out all the bakeries I wanted to go to on a map, and my mom and I spent a whole afternoon working the subway system to hit most of them. Now I realize most people aren’t as into bakery hopping as I am, but my advice on how to tackle food while traveling is to mark all the places you are remotely interested in on a google map. Then while you are site seeing and want to stop for food, you’ll know what you’re near.

Highlights: If you just want a couple of places to try, I would suggest getting to Berthillion for the best ice cream, either Hugo & Victor or Pierre Herme for the best macaron, and L’Auberge de la Reine Blanche for the best meal. 

Berthillion      29-31 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, 75004 Paris

Berthillion has by far the best ice cream I have ever tasted. There will be a line in the summer, but I would take that as a sign that it is so worth the wait. I got chocolate and coconut (my favorite!) and it was so creamy. Because their ice cream is so popular, a lot of other restaurants sell it too but go to the original storefront for the real deal experience. While you’re licking your ice cream cone, poke around in the fun little stores on the Île Saint-Louis. There is a fun scarf shop called Diwali across the street (52 Rue Saint-Louis en L’Île 75004 Paris).

Hugo & Victor      40 Boulevard Raspail, 75007 Paris

This was my favorite macaron by far. I got the Vanilla from Tahiti Macaron and oh my goodness that was the best vanilla flavor ever. If you want to try to make an imitation, here’s my recipe!

The interior doesn’t feel like your average bakery. You can’t see the kitchen and the cases look fit to hold jewelry not dessert. Truly it’s stunning.

Pierre Herme      72 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

This was my mom’s favorite macaron. We got chocolate, banana and yogurt, and rose. Pierre Herme had the most creatively flavored macarons out of all the bakeries we went to… mandarin olive oil, jasmine mango & candied grapefruit, matcha green tea & black sesame but also all of the traditional flavors too.

This is the rose one:

Jean-Paul Hevin      231 Rue Saint-Honoré 75001 ParisThe store front looks slightly intimidating and it’s in an upscale area, but with a friendly “Bonjour” and a “Do you speak English?” the employees will be happy to help you! I got a couple of macarons and ganaches. The chocolates are so creamy and decadent! 

This is near the Tuileries Garden and Chez Angelina.

Chez Angelina      226 Rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris

This place is known for their hot chocolate. Unfortunately everyone knows that now and it is really busy. If you are in Paris during the off season for travel, definitely make a stop. If you’re traveling during the summer though, be prepared to stand in line for a table for quite a long time. But the hot chocolate is really as delicious as people say. It’s like drinking melted chocolate. This is near the Tuileries Garden and Jean-Paul Hevin.

La Patisserie des Reves      93 Rue du Bac 75007 ParisThis place had some of the wackiest/whimsical decor. Not sure what they were going for but it certainly is different! I got the chocolat chou which was very good.

L’Auberge de la Reine Blanche      30 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île , 75004 Paris

My parents found this little place the first time they went to Paris back in the 90s, and we’ve eaten there the three times we’ve gone to Paris as a family. 25ish years later and it is still terrific! It is a family owned restaurant, so we are hoping they keep passing it down successfully!

They make the best boeuf bourguignon. All of the vegetables are left whole and the beef is in big chunks, but is so tender that it melts in your mouth. The escargot is also delicious. The best part about the escargot is soaking up all the butter with the baguette!  I’m drooling just thinking about that meal. Unfortunately. I don’t have any pictures because I was in a food coma after eating there!

For Paris, this meal is well priced for the quality and service that you receive. This restaurant is just down the street from Berthillion. 

Cafe Med      77 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, 75004 Paris

This is a good little restaurant to stop at for a light lunch. We got salads, but they also have crepes and some more filling options. Be prepared for your typical Paris seating arrangements…rub elbows with the table next to you and hold on to your table when your neighbors try to squeeze by to leave. This restaurant is about a 5 minute walk from Berthillion so that could be a good dessert option!

La Frégate      1 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris

La Frégate has the best breakfast. Croissants, omelets, and cafe au lait! It is a 5 minute walk to get to the Musee d’Orsay, so if you are planning on getting to the museum at opening (which you should), this is a great breakfast stop before getting to the museum. 

This is by no means all you should eat in Paris. There is another macaron place called Ladurée that is probably the most famous macaron place. The Champs-Élysées location in Paris is their original location though, so the lines are supposedly nightmarish. They have other locations around the world. I’ve gone to the one in New York City and their macarons hold up to their reputation!

Hope y’all make it to Paris sometime! 

Have any questions about our trip? Have suggestions from your trip to Paris? Comment below!

Paris isn’t your next destination? Check out my other travel posts here!