For Nicole, this page was nearly impossible to create. Paris is one of her favorite places and she would never want to do it a disservice. The pressure is too much! But alas, she must try!
Over time her list of favorites and places to try has gotten way out of control, so she really had to think about what her top picks were. Below is her attempt at picking out her favorites, from the obvious to the not so obvious...
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Cinq Mars
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Paris. Lunch, Dinner, doesn't matter, it's all good. It's simple and they change up the menu, but I always always get the Foie Gras to start, a bottle of Domaine Richaud Cairanne, and end with the chocolate mouse forever. C'est magnifique!
Chocolate Champon
Chocolate shops in Paris abound and you will likely find your own favorite. For my times there, this was mine. Nothing over the top, just a great stop in Saint Germain.
L'Estaminet des enfants rouges
Hungry? L'Estaminet des enfants rouges has never failed me in this department, in the most satisfying of ways. Brunch here on the weekends is my favorite. After brunch stroll the outdoor market it's contained in for spoils to enjoy later that evening.
Le Mary Celeste
Oysters and cocktails? Sure! Get here on the earlier side as the space fills up fast. Note: on a recent trip it looked like the space was under renovation. Double check the restaurant is open before heading over.
Frenchie Restaurant
The food is incredible and each course is art on a plate. If you can't get into the main restaurant, don't despair, there is a Frenchie Wine Bar and French Take Away across the street.
Jardin des Tuileries
This park is great for so many reasons... Morning runs, casual strolls, people watching from your seat in the many green chairs, a visit to one of the surrounding museums (Orangerie or Lourve) or sitting with friends and having a bottle of bubbly.
Willi's Wine Bar
Worth a stop for the wine bar. But if you have time, come enjoy your glasses of wine with a nice long leisurly lunch.
Bistro Vivienne
Nab a table "outside" in the indoor market hall, order a bottle of wine (and cheese!) and people watch. My sister and I sat here for a while during the holidays mesmerized by the decorations and people.
Le Loir dans La Théière
Great breakfast, impressive weekend brunch spread (shown above), afternoon tea/coffee with incredible cakes... these are just a few of the reasons to pop into this delicious restaurant. Note weekend brunch is popular here, so try to get in on the earlier side.
Ellsworth
Apparently Ina Garten comes here with Jeffrey. Point validated. Seriously though, fresh local ingredients, inviting setting, great wine choices, please go and enjoy.
Nose
On a recent trip to Paris I made it my mission to find a new fragrance. I found plenty of little parfumeries in Marais, but I was really hoping to find a place with more of an experience to memorialize my discovery of my favorite fragrance. Boy did I stumble on just that. Set aside at least a couple of hours, no joke. They even have an espresso machine if you need to refuel as you are sniffing your way to the perfect fragrance.
Orangerie Museum
An assortment of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, with a few rooms filled with Monet. If you are a Monet fan, this is your place.
Place des Vosges
So many parks, so little time. On those days when I just start walking and wondering, somehow I always end up back at Place des vosges. It's not a huge park, but beautiful in it's simplicity.
L'êtreAnge
See that table outside? On a quiet street, next to a park square filled with restaurants, grab a coffee, apertif, or glass of wine here and then move onto dinner.
Eiffel
Total cliché, but the Eiffel will always be magical to me. When the sun goes down, watch the lights sparkle on the hour every hour until 1am. Pack a bottle of bubbly in your purse/backpack and enjoy it sitting on the Champ du Mars.
Musee d'Orsay
There are so many museums to love in Paris. This just happens to be one of my favorites. I was originally drawn to it based on the sculpture pieces by Rodin, which is still a draw for me, but there is so much more to offer from the diversity of paintings, to photography to archetecture.
Ob-La-Di
Tiny space, but great cup of coffee. When in Marais and in need of a pick me up, one Cortado please!
Les Cocottes
When en route to your Eiffel sparkling lights watching, stop here for dinner. There will likely be a line already forming, but it generally moves pretty quickly. Everything I have had here has been on point. Friendly service and great as a single, couple or small group.
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Last visited: July 2017
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