We arrived home last week from our trip to Paris, we stayed for four days and celebrated the New Years’ there. It was such a romantic trip, the city was covered in sparkly lights and festive decorations and we got to hang on to that Christmas feeling a little bit longer. One of the things I always do before I go on a trip is to find out where to eat! I don’t want to waste a lot of precious time when I’m traveling to find a nice restaurant. I’ve done my research before I went to the city of love and wanted to share 10 trendy & affordable restaurants in Paris. What I mean by ‘affordable in Paris’ is to expect to spend around €50 per person maximum. I’ve also listed places where you’ll likely spend less.
Carbon
3rd Arr – Le Marais
Carbon’s “Ode to Nature” menu makes the best of simple raw ingredients from land and sea, ancestral cooking methods such a fire or salt, and homemade condiments. All ingredients are fresh and organic, the meat comes from the region and is prepared on a wood-fired oven. They serve small sharing plates or big sharing plates, mainly meat or fish. But they are able to cater to vegan or vegetarian dietary restrictions. The interior is industrial, filled with plants, marble tables and surrounded by brick walls.
Malro
3rd Arr – Le Marais
A restaurant in homage to André Malraux, the esteemed writer/politician (1901-1976), “man of the Marais”, has opened in the heart of the Marais district. “Where Scandinavian design meets Italian pizza.” Do I need to say more? Their sunny Mediterranean style cuisine is served among wooden structures, marble tables, a slew of plants and an open kitchen.
Pink Mamma
9th Arr – Saint Georges
A massive 4-story building made from pinks bricks draped in ivy and jasmine, with a glasshouse as a top floor bathed in green light and also sprawling ivy. We had dinner here our last night in Paris. I loved it more than Christian did, but I am in absolute awe of this place. The interior is in la dolce vita style and you will lack eyes when you visit the restaurant. Their Italian cuisine is actually meat-oriented, the bistecca alla Fiorentina is a specialty. Besides meat, you’ll find traditional pizzas, pasta, and fresh burrata. Your meal will be served on colorful ceramics along with elegant cutlery. The next time I’m in Paris I definitely want to visit Pink Mamma again!
C.H.A.N.G
1st Arr – Place Vendôme
Located in the historic district between the Louvre and the Opera, C.H.A.N.G is a bar-restaurant that offers 2 atmospheres: a room with the modern and trendy decor to take full advantage of the bar and the subdued atmosphere; an intimate and cozy room to admire the cooks preparing the delicious revised Thai/Asian dishes. We accidentally walked by this place on New Years Day when we were on the hunt for lunch (or actually our breakfast, we were too tired to get our hotels’ breakfast that morning). Unfortunately, the restaurant was closing after lunch as many French restaurants do and then re-open for dinner. When I looked at their menu I could’ve picked 10 dishes I would’ve loved to try, so this place is still on my list to check out.
Klay Saint Sauveur
2nd Arr – Bonne-Nouvelle
We had our New Year’s Eve dinner at this marvelous restaurant (also an ultra-hip fitness club) – the featured image of this post is taken there. I coincidentally stumbled upon its Instagram before we left for Paris. So I made reservations to have our last meal of 2019 at this tropical place. The interior is exquisite and cozy, a little bit Art Deco Miami style, filled with greenery. Their menu focuses on freshness. According to the rhythm of the seasons, the list of dishes always aims at health and well-being.
Alcazar
6th Arr – Saint Germain
Alcazar, a bar/restaurant in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. You will find a friendly atmosphere, the idea of a big house and a divine flowery garden-like interior. They serve your dishes using fresh products of French soil in an idyllic setting on a chic table. The Alcazar wants to honor a certain art of living made of culture, gastronomy, and humor. In short, an elegant restaurant where you will feel like home.
Miss Kō
8th – Chaillot
Designed by Philippe Starck, Miss Kō has been set up to look like a narrow Chinatown street. Bustling and colorful at night, open kitchens at the end where chefs work away beneath an array of suspended wok pans and neon lights. Giant paper lanterns are everywhere, forests of umbrellas hung over the tables, and there’s a 26-meter table made up of a mosaic of screens, across which a dragon turns somersaults. It’s permanent visual chaos, which can become wearing. You almost forget that you came in to eat: they serve Asian revisited classics and other exceptional, but exquisite dishes.
Bonhomie
10th Arr – Petites Écuries
The menu at Bonhomie is Mediterranean with a modern twist, with the best and freshest ingredients being delivered daily. Their delicious menu changes according to what is in season and features vegetarian dishes as well as meat and fish. Bonhomie’s food is soulful and perfect to share. It is an elegant minimalist place with a great atmosphere, an open kitchen, and a cocktail bar. Try to grab a chair at the kitchen bar so you’ll catch a glimpse of all the chefs’ work, very entertaining!
Circus Bakery
5th Arr – Sorbonne
It’s not a restaurant but I didn’t want to withhold you this real gem: behind a photogenic wooden facade on a little cobbled street, keeps Circus Bakery things simple the way it should be. The sweet cinnamon scent of their famous Cinnabon Buns will drag you inside when you walk by. If you’re on the hunt for fresh bread, coffee or something sweet, this is your next stop!
Le Dauphin
11th – Folie-mericourt
A handsome marble restaurant that serves French tapas and excellent wines like no other. Also, the cocktails are suppose to be just as tasteful as the food being served. Oh, and I did I mention that Gwyneth Paltrow approves?
And this list could go on and on! Paris had so many great restaurants to offer and is ever-evolving. Have you ever been to one of these restaurants? What’s your favorite place to go when visiting Paris?
Bisous, Layla
PS Don’t forget to save this post to your Pinterest for your next visit!
