Guidebook for Paris
Food Scene
Clean and bright design. Lovely croissants, jambon sec & chevre sandwich, and coffee. Plus, the two dudes who run the place are super nice and speak English. No wifi! But it's nicer that way, as people tend to just chill.
22 locals recommend
Café Tabac/ Cafe Genovese
1bis Rue RavignanClean and bright design. Lovely croissants, jambon sec & chevre sandwich, and coffee. Plus, the two dudes who run the place are super nice and speak English. No wifi! But it's nicer that way, as people tend to just chill.
Just up the hill. Check out the Sacre Coeur early in the morning, then go for brunch. A queue usually forms the closer to noon it is, but this brunch is so worth it. Their cold brew coffee is perfect, and their special of the day, whatever it is, just have it. It's honestly one of the best brunch places in Paris, and so close to home. Nicest to go during the week, when it's a little bit less manic.
51 locals recommend
The Hardware Société Paris
10 Rue LamarckJust up the hill. Check out the Sacre Coeur early in the morning, then go for brunch. A queue usually forms the closer to noon it is, but this brunch is so worth it. Their cold brew coffee is perfect, and their special of the day, whatever it is, just have it. It's honestly one of the best brunch places in Paris, and so close to home. Nicest to go during the week, when it's a little bit less manic.
Okay, this actually is THE best brunch in Paris. Australian-owned, their coffee is on point and so is their Savoury Stack (pancakes, eggs and bacon). It's by the Canal Saint Martin, so it's nice to go for an early brunch (a queue forms around 10 AM), an then head out for a stroll by the Canal.
237 locals recommend
Holybelly 5
5 Rue Lucien SampaixOkay, this actually is THE best brunch in Paris. Australian-owned, their coffee is on point and so is their Savoury Stack (pancakes, eggs and bacon). It's by the Canal Saint Martin, so it's nice to go for an early brunch (a queue forms around 10 AM), an then head out for a stroll by the Canal.
So, at some point during your trip to Paris, you'll realize all you want is pizza. You might be over the foie gras (fancy) or you might have just been drinking too much - Pink Flamingo Pizza is the cure. Their pizzas are named after icons - so you have the Almodovar, the Obama, the Che, etc. and they are really unusual and worth it. Their house beer is pretty nice too.
74 locals recommend
Pink Flamingo
105 Rue Vieille du TempleSo, at some point during your trip to Paris, you'll realize all you want is pizza. You might be over the foie gras (fancy) or you might have just been drinking too much - Pink Flamingo Pizza is the cure. Their pizzas are named after icons - so you have the Almodovar, the Obama, the Che, etc. and they are really unusual and worth it. Their house beer is pretty nice too.
Drinks & Nightlife
Okay, the name is a bit weird, but it's a tiki bar! The guys wear Hawaiian shirts and don't even consider ordering an ordinary drink. Pick a really ridiculous cocktail and watch them make a masterpiece. If you're in a group, you can share a group cocktail, which might come served in a skull or something quirky like that.
119 locals recommend
Dirty Dick
10 Rue FrochotOkay, the name is a bit weird, but it's a tiki bar! The guys wear Hawaiian shirts and don't even consider ordering an ordinary drink. Pick a really ridiculous cocktail and watch them make a masterpiece. If you're in a group, you can share a group cocktail, which might come served in a skull or something quirky like that.
Casual, good music and really lovely, no-nonsense cocktails. The space is tiny, but if you go earlier in the evening. It's the perfect way to ease into the night. Open until 2 AM.
61 locals recommend
Glass
7 Rue FrochotCasual, good music and really lovely, no-nonsense cocktails. The space is tiny, but if you go earlier in the evening. It's the perfect way to ease into the night. Open until 2 AM.
Le Carmen has a gin bar and two dance floors, usually split between hip hop and electronic. At some point during the night, it becomes impossible to get in, so if you're set on checking this place out, arrive early-ish for a drink around 11:30, and then go for it! You can easily dance until 4 AM, and it's so lush and quintessentially French. The lavender gin is particularly nice.
217 locals recommend
Le Carmen
34 Rue DuperréLe Carmen has a gin bar and two dance floors, usually split between hip hop and electronic. At some point during the night, it becomes impossible to get in, so if you're set on checking this place out, arrive early-ish for a drink around 11:30, and then go for it! You can easily dance until 4 AM, and it's so lush and quintessentially French. The lavender gin is particularly nice.
This is my absolute favorite in all of Paris and for so many reasons. 1) The music is maybe the best in all of Parisian nightlife. It's an international mix with cumbia, followed by afro-carribean, followed by Lebanese. Honestly, no one really knows where the night is going here but it's always good. 2) Mezcal! If you're a fan of mezcal, this is the place. They do a mezcal and ginger beer cocktail that can keep you going all night. 3) It's super egalitarian. You can wear whatever you want, the door people do not care. Arrive around midnight ( a little too early) and avoid the queue which grows really long and can keep you waiting for hours.
71 locals recommend
La Mano
10 Rue PapillonThis is my absolute favorite in all of Paris and for so many reasons. 1) The music is maybe the best in all of Parisian nightlife. It's an international mix with cumbia, followed by afro-carribean, followed by Lebanese. Honestly, no one really knows where the night is going here but it's always good. 2) Mezcal! If you're a fan of mezcal, this is the place. They do a mezcal and ginger beer cocktail that can keep you going all night. 3) It's super egalitarian. You can wear whatever you want, the door people do not care. Arrive around midnight ( a little too early) and avoid the queue which grows really long and can keep you waiting for hours.
This is a fun place to go and you'd never stumble across it on your own. The entrance is a black gate, with a doorman. There is no sign, no music, no light - but a line can usually give it away. Walk down the dark passage way, turn the corner to the left and there it will be - super bright and neon lit. The inside is amazing. This used to be a squat, but then it was turned into a Colonial-Era African space. Take some time wandering around and soaking in all the oddities. You can have brunch here on Sundays, pick up your weekly locally-grown groceries on Saturday, but best of all you can dance late into the night.
985 locals recommend
Le Comptoir General
84 Quai de JemmapesThis is a fun place to go and you'd never stumble across it on your own. The entrance is a black gate, with a doorman. There is no sign, no music, no light - but a line can usually give it away. Walk down the dark passage way, turn the corner to the left and there it will be - super bright and neon lit. The inside is amazing. This used to be a squat, but then it was turned into a Colonial-Era African space. Take some time wandering around and soaking in all the oddities. You can have brunch here on Sundays, pick up your weekly locally-grown groceries on Saturday, but best of all you can dance late into the night.
Another secret spot... this one is nice because it's just up the hill. It's casual, but cool and the surroundings are very lush. Up the hill, approach the tall, black gate next to the real estate office - this is the entrance for Hotel Particulier. Sometimes there will be a doorman, and sometimes not. If no one is there, just ring the bell and say you're going to the bar. Walk down the winding path, until you arrive at the hotel - the bar is downstairs. Cocktails here are really nice, but Friday is the best night as they do a chill party.
77 locals recommend
Le Très Particulier
23 Av. JunotAnother secret spot... this one is nice because it's just up the hill. It's casual, but cool and the surroundings are very lush. Up the hill, approach the tall, black gate next to the real estate office - this is the entrance for Hotel Particulier. Sometimes there will be a doorman, and sometimes not. If no one is there, just ring the bell and say you're going to the bar. Walk down the winding path, until you arrive at the hotel - the bar is downstairs. Cocktails here are really nice, but Friday is the best night as they do a chill party.
Arts & Culture
Of all the museums in Paris, this one is perhaps the most interesting and interactive. It's contemporary, experimental and sometimes performative. I never bore of the exhibits here, and best of all, if you're skating - the space in front of it, facing the river is a really fun spot. Plus, you're close to the Trocadero, where you'll have the best view of the Eiffel Tower without actually getting deep into the crowd of tourists.
693 locals recommend
Palais de Tokyo
13 Av. du Président WilsonOf all the museums in Paris, this one is perhaps the most interesting and interactive. It's contemporary, experimental and sometimes performative. I never bore of the exhibits here, and best of all, if you're skating - the space in front of it, facing the river is a really fun spot. Plus, you're close to the Trocadero, where you'll have the best view of the Eiffel Tower without actually getting deep into the crowd of tourists.
Small and intimate museum and perfectly located at Tuileries. Go for a stroll at the gardens and then wander into this museum if you'e into photography and video. I've seen some lovely, little expositions here and they always have landmark artists on display.
145 locals recommend
Jeu de Paume
1 Pl. de la ConcordeSmall and intimate museum and perfectly located at Tuileries. Go for a stroll at the gardens and then wander into this museum if you'e into photography and video. I've seen some lovely, little expositions here and they always have landmark artists on display.
The gardens here are the real wonder. It's on the other side of Invalides, and across from le Grand Palais - so you can have a very touristy and cultured day, and break away from it all here.
845 locals recommend
Musee Rodin
77 Rue de VarenneThe gardens here are the real wonder. It's on the other side of Invalides, and across from le Grand Palais - so you can have a very touristy and cultured day, and break away from it all here.
For fashion lovers, there's always some lovely expo going on here. It's not too big, but it's located centrally, so you can easily wander in for a couple of hours.
146 locals recommend
Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris
107 Rue de RivoliFor fashion lovers, there's always some lovely expo going on here. It's not too big, but it's located centrally, so you can easily wander in for a couple of hours.
Shopping
On the weekends, this is a gem of a place. All sorts of vintage, including clothing, records, houseware, etc. You can score authentic, designer pieces here for amazing prices. Do not be afraid to bargain! My favorite market is Marche Dauphine - take cash as you can usually sort better prices this way. You'll have to walk through some sketchy-seeming neighborhoods, but there is a reward at the end! Also, take the time to stop at la Recyclerie for brunch if you have time. This was an abandoned train station once, and now a brunch spot with chickens being raised right outside.
143 locals recommend
Les Puces de Saint-Ouen
110 Rue des RosiersOn the weekends, this is a gem of a place. All sorts of vintage, including clothing, records, houseware, etc. You can score authentic, designer pieces here for amazing prices. Do not be afraid to bargain! My favorite market is Marche Dauphine - take cash as you can usually sort better prices this way. You'll have to walk through some sketchy-seeming neighborhoods, but there is a reward at the end! Also, take the time to stop at la Recyclerie for brunch if you have time. This was an abandoned train station once, and now a brunch spot with chickens being raised right outside.
Parks & Nature
It's not Central Park, but it's such an oasis. There's hills and a lake and winding paths, and a view of Sacre Coeur. You can get lost here for hours on a nice day. If you get hungry, check out Rosa Bonheur, a tapas bar within the park, and make your own little picnic with cheese and charcuterie and wine or beer. Towards nighttime, it's a riot, with lots of dancing, but during the day you could sit here with a computer and get work done.
1357 locals recommend
Buttes Chaumont station
It's not Central Park, but it's such an oasis. There's hills and a lake and winding paths, and a view of Sacre Coeur. You can get lost here for hours on a nice day. If you get hungry, check out Rosa Bonheur, a tapas bar within the park, and make your own little picnic with cheese and charcuterie and wine or beer. Towards nighttime, it's a riot, with lots of dancing, but during the day you could sit here with a computer and get work done.