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.
21 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.
This place is a gorgeous, very pink, destination! You'll feel like you're eating al fresco in someone's secret garden, but it's also one my favorite places to grab a Spritz and enjoy truly great, but casual Italian dining. A line can form so aim for reservations or off hours!
196 locals recommend
Pink Mamma
20bis Rue de DouaiThis place is a gorgeous, very pink, destination! You'll feel like you're eating al fresco in someone's secret garden, but it's also one my favorite places to grab a Spritz and enjoy truly great, but casual Italian dining. A line can form so aim for reservations or off hours!
Cafeteria-style, airy restaurant on abandoned trains tracks with their own produce and chickens on view. This is super off the beaten path, but if you visit the flea markets at St. Ouen, it's the perfect pre-shopping breakfast stop!
498 locals recommend
La Recyclerie
83 Bd OrnanoCafeteria-style, airy restaurant on abandoned trains tracks with their own produce and chickens on view. This is super off the beaten path, but if you visit the flea markets at St. Ouen, it's the perfect pre-shopping breakfast stop!
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.
This is a fun place to go and used to be down a dark alleyway but now, thankfully, there is a very cinematic entrance facing towards the canal. This place is an experience! The location used to be a squat, but now it's a globally-inspired bar and restaurant, with nods to France's colonial past. Take some time wandering around and soaking in all the oddities.
985 locals recommend
Le Comptoir General
84 Quai de JemmapesThis is a fun place to go and used to be down a dark alleyway but now, thankfully, there is a very cinematic entrance facing towards the canal. This place is an experience! The location used to be a squat, but now it's a globally-inspired bar and restaurant, with nods to France's colonial past. Take some time wandering around and soaking in all the oddities.
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.
Front shop is tacos! And they're actually very good. But continue through the tiny, jam-packed space and open a door that takes you into a dimly-lit, lush speakeasy. The cocktails are definitely worth sticking around for!
449 locals recommend
Candelaria
52 Rue de SaintongeFront shop is tacos! And they're actually very good. But continue through the tiny, jam-packed space and open a door that takes you into a dimly-lit, lush speakeasy. The cocktails are definitely worth sticking around for!
Another speakeasy sort of bar. The red door doesn't work! Instead turn to your left and push the wall until it opens up to a cocktail bar with fantastic mixologists.
191 locals recommend
Little Red Door
60 Rue CharlotAnother speakeasy sort of bar. The red door doesn't work! Instead turn to your left and push the wall until it opens up to a cocktail bar with fantastic mixologists.
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.
The view from the top cannot be missed! And always factor in time to get lost in their screening rooms for a while. Half of my apartment is decorated with items from their gift shop so that speaks volumes.
2589 locals recommend
The Centre Pompidou
The view from the top cannot be missed! And always factor in time to get lost in their screening rooms for a while. Half of my apartment is decorated with items from their gift shop so that speaks volumes.
Most people don't visit movie theaters on holiday! But if you ever were to, this is the one. Quaint and endearing on a charming side street in Montmartre, the director often frequents to introduce movies. Best of all, the garden cafe is a wonderful area to discuss what you've just watched or ruminate with a glass of champagne.
157 locals recommend
Studio 28
10 Rue TholozéMost people don't visit movie theaters on holiday! But if you ever were to, this is the one. Quaint and endearing on a charming side street in Montmartre, the director often frequents to introduce movies. Best of all, the garden cafe is a wonderful area to discuss what you've just watched or ruminate with a glass of champagne.
My favorite yoga studio in the entire world! Intimate, private and very bright and happy-feeling. If you have a chance to slow down a little, you absolutely should practice yoga here.
mirz-yoga
My favorite yoga studio in the entire world! Intimate, private and very bright and happy-feeling. If you have a chance to slow down a little, you absolutely should practice yoga here.
This hammam has the added bonus of having a really fabulous restaurant on the premises! Practice a little self-care in the steam rooms and then follow that up with a light lunch and dessert. Be sure to check dates to see which days allow women, men, and / or co-ed opportunities.
7 locals recommend
Hammam Paris Mosque
2 Rue Geoffroy-Saint-HilaireThis hammam has the added bonus of having a really fabulous restaurant on the premises! Practice a little self-care in the steam rooms and then follow that up with a light lunch and dessert. Be sure to check dates to see which days allow women, men, and / or co-ed opportunities.
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.
My favorite bookstore of all-time! Their book and magazine culture is really on the pulse. If you have the chance to check out an exposition opening, it's usually a vibe and an artist to keep an eye on. Plus, they have some well-made merch items that will become closet staples.
36 locals recommend
OFR Bookshop
20 Rue Dupetit-ThouarsMy favorite bookstore of all-time! Their book and magazine culture is really on the pulse. If you have the chance to check out an exposition opening, it's usually a vibe and an artist to keep an eye on. Plus, they have some well-made merch items that will become closet staples.
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.
1355 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.