My Favorite Top Paris Food and Souvenirs List for First Timers
I’ve rounded up a handful of my absolute favorite spots, the places I keep returning to for a little inspiration, a bite of something delicious,
If you need recommendations on where to stay - đź“Ť Check out my 5 day itinerary guide right here.
Home Goods + Kitchen
La Grande Épicerie de Paris
38 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
My favorite food hall - an absolute must for butter, mustards, and condiments.
Marché aux puces de la Porte de Vanves
21 Av. Georges Lafenestre, 75014 Paris, France
A local flea market (the 2nd largest) and great for home goods. Check the times as it’s only open some days of the week.
Sabre
17 Rue Vignon, 75008 Paris, France
Funky kitchenware brand with multiple locations.
E. Dehillerin
18-20 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris, France
An iconic cookware store. Favorite of Ina Garten and Julia Child.
Merci
111 Bd Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, France
A funky home goods store.
Marin Montagut
48 Rue Madame, 75006 Paris, France
Great for souvenirs. Think postcards, whimsical water color sets, and more.
Grand Cafe Tortoni - Officine Universelle Buly 1803
45 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris, France
The prettiest Officine Universelle Buly in my opinion and a cafe as well
Maisons du Monde
57 Av. d'Italie, 75013 Paris, France
A cross between home goods and pottery barn. Not a must but if you are in the area, a cute store.
Clothing
Rouje
16 Rue de Turenne, 75004 Paris, France
Sezane
1 Rue Saint-Fiacre, 75002 Paris, France
Galerie Vivienne
Kanelle Vintage
48 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France
Luxury boutiques
A lot of girlies want to line up for Polene at the main store but if you go to department stores- you can usually purchase easily without lining up.
Le Bon Marche
24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
Paris’s chicest department store, where shopping feels like an art form.
Galeries Lafeyette
60 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
A modern take on the classic grand magasin, lined with designer labels and bathed in natural light.
Sights to see
There’s obvious places like the eiffle tower, the louvre, and of course if you can swing a day trip - Versaille or Monet gardens. Here are some of my favorite spots that are not as obvious.
Victor Hugo Museum
6 Pl. des Vosges, 75004 Paris, France
Palais Garnier
Step inside the apartment of the Les Misérables author, nestled in the poetic heart of Place des Vosges.
Fashion Museums - these pop up every so often. I went to this one which was lovely.
Azzedine AlaĂŻa Foundation
18 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris, France
Wes Anderson Museum - Limited run, check to see if it’s still up https://parisjetaime.com/eng/event/exhibition-wes-anderson-e1376
Jardin du Luxembourg + Medici Fountain
Rue de MĂ©dicis, 75006 Paris, France
Lush, regal gardens made for lounging—with the romantic Medici Fountain as the crown jewel.
Palais Garnier
Pl. de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris, France
A breathtaking opera house with golden ceilings and velvet drama—don’t miss the night tour for extra magic.
Galerie Vivienne
4 Rue des Petits Champs, 75002 Paris, France
A hidden passageway filled with mosaic floors, vintage bookshops, and the quiet hum of old-world Paris.
Jardin du Palais Royal
8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France
Elegant gardens framed by striped columns and arcades, perfect for a dreamy midday stroll.
Food
I use Le Fork to look up restaurants while in Paris :)
Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards
59 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France
Croissant List
There are so many croissants - but here are a few that have been recommended to me.
La Maison d'Isabelle
Mamiche
Laurent DuchĂŞne
Boulangerie Moderne
Laurent DuchĂŞne
Boulangerie Moderne
Breizh Cafe
14 Rue des Petits Carreaux, 75002 Paris, France
Delicious crepes! Multiple locations.
L’as Du Falafel
34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France
Arguably the best falafel
Frenchie Bar Ă Vins
6 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris, France
A tiny, buzzy wine bar with seasonal small plates and natural wines—Frenchie’s cool little sibling.
Berthillon Ice Cream
31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'ĂŽle, 75004 Paris, France
Iconic and legacy ice cream shop.
Steak Frites
Relais de l’Entrecôte
Line up when they first open to avoid waiting too long. Multiple locations.
Caractère de Cochon
42 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France
The BEST Ham + Cheese sandwich you can have
Barthélémy
The cheeseshops of cheese shop. I personally haven’t gone yet.
51 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France
Maxime Frédéric chez Louis Vuitton
2 Rue du Pont Neuf, 75001 Paris, France
Couture-level pastries inside the LV flagship, where every dessert feels like a luxury accessory.
Le Train Bleu
Gare de Lyon, Pl. Louis Armand hall 1, 75012 Paris, France
Classic French dishes like foie gras & steak tartare in a lavish space with frescoes & chandeliers.
Pink Mama
20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris, France
The most beloved Instagrammable restaurant—floral ceilings, stacked lasagna, and all the vibes.
BigLove
30 Rue Debelleyme, 75003 Paris, France
A cozy Italian spot from the Big Mamma group.
Pizzeria Popolare
111 Rue RĂ©aumur, 75002 Paris, France
Insanely good pizza, Aperol on tap, and always a line—because it’s that worth it.
Instagrammable Cafes
Cafe de Flore
A beautiful iconic cafe. Philosophers, artists, and style icons have lingered over coffee since the 1880s.
Carette
Chic cafe where pink-topped religieuses and views of Place des Vosges feel straight out of a postcard.
Ritz Paris Le Comptoir
38 Rue Cambon, 75001 Paris, France
A gorgeous pastry counter turning out impossibly elegant bites and cakes inside the legendary Ritz.
Angelina’s Cafe
226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Belle-Époque institution famed for its velvety hot chocolate and Mont-Blanc that’s pure Parisian nostalgia.
Cafe Kitsune
51 Gal de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France
Minimalist espresso bar tucked under Palais-Royal arcades, blending Japanese cool with classic French gardens.
White Coffee
56 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France
Bright Marais corner serving specialty brews and airy pastries. Limited seating.
Shakespeare and co cafe
35 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
Cozy literary nook next to the landmark bookstore, pairing views of Notre-Dame with flaky scones and writerly vibes.
With Love,
Cristina