Some people say you leave your heart to Paris the first time you visit it. There’s just something eternally magical about the night sky overlooking the Seine River and Eiffel Tower. But the city of love is much more than its gorgeous sites, historical monuments, beautiful streets, and lovely parks. First and foremost, the most beautiful places in Paris vibrate love. Paris is not only something to describe or to see; it has to be felt. And one of the best ways to get to know a city is through its food culture. Are you ready to dig in?

Bouillon Chartier

There are two Bouillon Chartiers in Paris, one in Grand Boulevards and one in Montparnasse. Bouillon Chartier is one of the most famous restaurants in Paris, and it was founded in 1896. When you enter the building, you can see the charm of the venue. It’s grand, authentic and the smell of the food will get you even more hungry. And the best part: the recipes are the same as they were over 120 years ago, and the prices are affordable for anyone. The food is nothing too fancy, yet simple and unique. The restaurant doesn’t take any reservations. So be ready to wait in line. I mean, be prepared to wait. It’s trendy any day of the week, and the queue is long. You can get in faster if you are in a small party of two. But in any case, it’s worth the wait. You might be getting in relatively fast if you go before 7 pm since French people like to eat out late.

https://www.bouillon-chartier.com/en/grands-boulevards/

La Coupole

La Coupole is a fine-dining experience, with white table cloths and gorgeous seating areas indoors and outdoors. The dishes are sophisticated, classy, and tasteful. The prices are a bit higher than in some other restaurants in Paris, but you are guaranteed to have great food with plenty of options. I recommend having the scallop champagne risotto. It was absolutely divine. The desserts are also a must-try! (Hint – try crème brûlée and profiteroles.) La Coupole is in Montparnasse. Several sightseeing places are around, such as the Observation Tower, The Paris Catacombs, and Luxembourg Gardens. You can plan your tour so that you can have lunch at this restaurant. It can get crowded, but during the day, no reservation is required.

https://www.lacoupole-paris.com/en/

Le Second Empire

Le Second Empire is a restaurant serving French and Italian cuisine right in the heart of Paris. If you want to walk from the Cathdédral Notre Dame to Louvre, and you are craving pizza, this is a great place to stop for lunch. It’s an approximately 20-minute walk from the Louvre and a 15-minute walk from Notre Dame. They serve delicious Italian pizzas as well as local cuisine.

Bouillon Julien

Bouillon Julien is another homestyle restaurant with simple, delicious, and affordable meals. It is not far from the Grand Boulevards. The venue for this restaurant is spectacular. It is so nicely decorated and painted that seeing the inside of the restaurant is almost a sight itself. I couldn’t think of any other more charming place to have dinner. You have to see it yourself; it takes your dining experience to a whole new level! Bouillon Julien’s menu is simple, but all the dishes are worth trying. Company your meal with a carafe of French wine, and you’ll be all set for the night. Note that this place will get crowded too, so be prepared to wait in line as well. The queue looks long, but you will get in eventually.

https://www.bouillon-julien.com/

Le Consulat

Le Consulat is a coffee house in Montmartre, near the Sacré-Coeur. You will probably recognize this coffee shop from pictures on Instagram; it’s popular amongst tourists. They serve French cuisine, as well as desserts and drinks. Le Consulat is best known for its history; it used to be a popular place for famous people such as Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet to visit. If you are staying here, make sure to see other spots nearby as well. You can just immerse yourself in the vibe of this district and spend the entire afternoon admiring the beauty of the surroundings. Montmarte is such a lovely part of Paris that you shouldn’t miss! It’s no wonder that it was so popular amongst great artists.

Ladurée

Ladurée is probably known by every one of you sweet lovers out there. It is one of the world’s most famous bakeries. Ladurée is the home of macarons. Yes, this might even be the only reason to visit Paris for some people (in addition to the Eiffel Tower, of course.) There are several (34 to be exact) shops in Paris. The bakery and tea room were first established in 1862 by Loius Ernest Ladurée in Paris at 16 rue Royale. The story of macarons started later in the 19th century. There are Ladurée macaron stores in the same building as the cafés to purchase these delicious art pieces. Ladurée is a place to go if you want to experience the glamorous Parisian cafeteria and have a taste of some of the most delicious desserts in the world.

https://www.laduree.fr/en/discover-laduree/our-story.html

Other dishes to try in Paris:

Onion Soup
Croque-madam and croque-monsieur
Baguette and cheese
Croissants
Eclairs
Macarons
Crème Brûlée

One of the best things about Parisian food is that it is simple. But that simple, well-made food might be hard to find. Paris is full of tourists, and some places might be a little better just for an aperitif than having the entire three-course meal. These restaurants that I recommended will make your trip to Paris mouth-watering. The food culture is different in Paris and other parts of France. The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Parisian food is “comfort.” It’s comfort food at its finest. Combined with a carafe of wine, great company in a lovely atmosphere, you’ll be guaranteed to have the best restaurant experience ever.