Where To Spend A Day Drinking, Dining & Dawdling In Paris
Paris is catching up with the clean-eating trend. We explore the best cafés and restaurants with our healthy travel guide to Paris.
While living in Paris for 6 months, I took it upon myself to track down every brunch spot worth eating at, drink at every vegan juice bar and discover as many hidden gems as I could. Having explored all that healthy food scene has to offer in the French capital, I’m here to give you the lowdown...
My first tip is to resist the temptation to wander into the bakeries and patisseries on every street corner. Despite all the croissants and baguettes, Paris is actually packed with healthy cafés offering something for everyone, including vegan and gluten-free options.
SEASON
Located in the heart of Le Marais area, the chic décor will make you feel like you’re in a healthy hotspot in LA. The vast menu offers superfood favourites such as açaí bowls and matcha smoothies, as well as various types of granola, cold-pressed juice and avocado on toast with poached eggs. Their takeaway shop around the corner is also perfect to grab a veggie burrito to eat in a nearby green space.
CAFÉ MÉRICOURT
Café Méricourt is famous for its shakshuka (baked eggs in tomato sauce) alongside pancake stacks and other brunch staples. Don't forget to make reservations online unless you want to spend your morning standing in the queue!
LOVE JUICE BAR
This adorably tiny café is the definition of cosy, known for its wonderfully thick "nice-cream" bowls - creamy smoothie bowls that taste more like dessert, covered in toppings. The bowls are filling and every flavour is incredible in its own right, but my favourites include the peanut butter bowl, chocolate bowl, and mango & passion fruit bowl. This place also serves the absolute best avocado toast in town.
The Parisians take lunch very seriously – even at work. Unlike in England, scoffing a sandwich at your office desk is unacceptable, and a lengthy meal washed down with a glass of wine is the norm!
JUDY
Situated on a gorgeous street corner in the sophisticated district of Saint-Germain-des-Près, this is the ideal spot for people watching smoothie-in-hand. Their grain bowls are composed of quinoa, lentils and various salads, the sandwiches are brimming with vibrant veggies, and they offer an array of desserts with gluten-free and dairy-free options.
BIG LOVE CAFFÉ
The fourth of the Big Mamma restaurant group to open, Biglove offers plenty of gluten-free dishes (including a delicious pizza) and an all-day brunch menu with an Italian vibe. Expect fluffy blueberry pancakes, stuffed peppers and spicy avocado toast. The walls are lined with wooden shelves filled with authentic Italian deli products.
RESTAURANT MARLON
A Californian-style restaurant with a bit of everything. Start with the tuna poké and avocado, followed by chilli con carne (or a hearty grain bowl for the veggies). Don't skimp on the sides - corn fritters, roasted carrots and truffled mac and cheese are among my favourites. Keep dessert light with the grilled grapefruit, or feel free to indulge in a dulce de leche sundae - whatever makes you happy!
I know what you’re thinking – snails and frogs legs? No thank you. Traditional French food is not everyone’s cup of tea, so check out these international cuisines which are all popular hot spots in Paris.
MISS KŌ
The best Asian fusion in town, located just off the Champs Elysées, a few minutes away from the Arc de Triomphe. The vibe is cool, the black cod is a must-try, and the cocktails are fantastic too.
MIZNON
The Aviv-style food such as a whole head of burnt cauliflower drizzled with tahini, baked sweet potato and spicy fish or lamb kebab in a hot fluffy pita bread! Phenomenal flavours in a warm and relaxed sitting in the heart of Le Marais.
PIZZERIA POPOLARE
A health blogger suggesting a pizza restaurant? Let me explain. The pizza base is made from sourdough, which is much easier to digest than traditional dough, they offer dairy-free options, and their salads and side dishes are exceptional. Get there early and be prepared to queue - it's worth the wait!
The French are known for their wine, but why not try a tempting new cocktail at one of these bars?
LITTLE RED DOOR - A quirky cocktail bar with all sorts of inventive flavours.
FAUST - Dance on the riverbanks of the Seine.
ANDY WAHLOO - The place to be seen, by the same owner as London's Sketch.
LAVOMATIQUE - A secret entrance disguised as a laundrette.
LE PERCHOIR MARAIS - Best rooftop bar in Paris for spectacular views.
CANDELARIA - A hidden cocktail bar behind a delicious Mexican taco bar.
The French capital is full of rich diversity and cultural monuments. As well as the top museums, make time to stroll along the wide tree-lined boulevards, appreciate the stunning Haussmanian architecture and allow your house envy to rocket sky-high as you wander past cobblestone courtyards, cute shuttered windows, balconies spilling with flowers and breath-taking colourful doors - don't forget your camera!
PLACE DE TROCADÉRO - Head here at night to admire the 20,000 sparkling lightbulbs of the Eiffel Tower light up every hour on the hour.
MONTMARTRE - Walk through the charming artist's village and climb the winding staircase of the Sacre Coeur church for panoramic views.
MUSÉE D'ORSAY - Don't forget to snap a picture next to the giant clock.
MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS - Originated in 1882, when a group of collectors banded together "to keep alive in France the culture of the arts which seek to make useful things beautiful".
PLACE DES VOSGES - A beautiful green square surrounded by red-brick buildings, stunning arches and classic French cafés. Grab a French pastry at Carette or a smoothie at Juice Lab.
JARDINS DE LUXEMBOURG - A gorgeous park where scenes of Gossip Girl were filmed, with an iconic pond, horse-riding for children and lovely little cafés.
LE MARAIS - Stroll through the traditional Jewish road Rue des Rosiers on a Sunday to experience live street music and check out L'As du Fallafel for world-famous falafel.
LE MARCHÉ DES ENFANTS ROUGES - Check out this food market in Le Marais for fresh organic food, flowers and a variety of restaurant stalls.
RUE CRÉMIEUX - The Parisian take on Notting Hill's rainbow coloured houses, so remember your camera!
Follow Eli as she shares her tasty and nourishing recipes on www.elibrecher.co.uk
Photo Credit: Chris Karidis
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