Paris

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Du Pain et des Idées

I know this goes against typical blogging advice, but I'm going to start by highlighting my absolute favorite item on this list. If you only have time to visit one place from these recommendations, this is the one I'd urge you to prioritize.

The must-try item at this bakery is their Pistachio Chocolate Escargot. "Escargot" means "snail" in French, and the pastry is shaped to resemble a snail's coiled shell.

Fortunately, they had just baked a fresh batch when I visited. I'll always remember the experience of biting into the soft, warm, buttery, and flaky escargot pastry. I enjoyed it so much that I returned later that same day, bringing a friend to try it as well. In addition to the escargot, I sampled their peach-topped pastry, which was also excellent, but the pistachio escargot remains my favorite.

You may encounter a line when you arrive, especially during peak pastry-consumption hours in the morning. However, don't let that deter you, as the line tends to move quickly. It's also important to keep in mind that the bakery is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Beyond the bakery itself, the area around the Republique metro station is pretty cool and has a hip, trendy vibe. Someone described it to me as the hipster district of Paris. There's also a Pierre Hermé and an Amorino nearby if you want to check those out as well.

Brioche à Tête from Stohrer Pâtisserie

Stohrer was established in 1730 by Nicolas Stohrer, who was the pastry chef for Louis XV. Although he was Polish, Stohrer arrived in France with the Polish prince who married Louis XV. He eventually opened his own bakery, Stohrer Patisserie, which continues to operate today.

I sampled a Brioche à Tête from this bakery, which sparked an interesting lesson in French Revolutionary history. The well-known phrase “Let them eat cake” is actually a translation of “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche.” Although often attributed to Marie Antoinette, there is no official record of her saying this. The phrase is said to have been her reaction upon discovering that the French peasants were so impoverished they lacked even bread.

Based on the original translation, it appears that Antoinette was referring to brioche, a rich bread made with butter and eggs—ingredients that were scarce during times of poverty. If she indeed made this statement, it might indicate either her disregard for the peasants' plight or a lack of understanding of their dire circumstances, highlighting the disconnect between the royalty and the common people.

Marie Antoinette was the final queen of France before the French Revolution and was subsequently executed by guillotine.

Pierre Hermé

When you're in France, indulging in French macarons is a must! Based on my previous visit to Paris in 2011, I found that Pierre Hermé offers my favorite macarons. I’ve sampled almost every flavor and enjoyed them all. What I appreciate most about Pierre Hermé is that their macarons have a refined taste that isn't overly sweet. They're definitely a must-try when you're in Paris.

They’re not inexpensive, though—a set of four cost me 12.40 euros! However, they do come in a beautiful tin, which I kept as a souvenir.

In addition to being renowned as the top macaron maker in town, Pierre Hermé is also famous for their pastries and chocolates, which are sold in select locations. One of their signature flavors, Ispahan, features a delightful blend of raspberry, rose, and lychee, and you can enjoy it in the form of macarons, chocolates, and even croissants!

I made sure to track down the Ispahan Croissant and gave it a try myself.

This is, without a doubt, the best croissant I’ve ever tasted. The croissant is exquisitely buttery and flaky, filled with a delightful rose almond cream and adorned with dried raspberries on the outside. The Ispahan is a fantastic blend of flavors that you simply must try when in Paris. While Pierre Hermé has several locations throughout the city, only a few offer this croissant. I visited the Saint-Germain branch, but I’ve heard the Champs-Élysées location has it as well!

Popelini

Although French macarons are famous worldwide, I’ve heard that French people don’t actually eat them very often. Instead, they commonly enjoy choux cream, a light, cream-filled pastry that’s perfect for a post-lunch treat.

Poppelini came highly recommended by many of my followers. Situated just off the fashionable Rue de Buci in Saint-Germain, the bakery is easy to locate. However, this is not their only location; they have four branches throughout Paris.

When you arrive at the bakery, you’ll be welcomed by an array of colorful and charming bite-sized choux pastries— the sole item they offer. I couldn’t resist picking up more than one.

I opted for the passion fruit flavor—mainly because of its attractive shimmering red hue—and the salted caramel flavor, which is known to be their best-seller. My verdict? Poppelini’s choux cream lived up to its reputation. The cream filling was exceptionally tasty: the passion fruit was light and refreshing, while the salted caramel was rich and flavorful. It’s a must-try whenever you're in Paris.

La Pâtisserie des Rêves

Created in 1910 to celebrate the Paris-Brest cycling race, the Paris-Brest pastry has gained such popularity that it’s now commonly found in Parisian patisseries. Its round shape is said to symbolize bicycle wheels.

This dessert is a must-try when visiting Paris. Typically, it’s made with choux pastry and praline cream, but the one I had was a special Mother’s Day creation from La Pâtisserie des Rêves: the Strawberry Almond Paris-Brest (Paris-Brest Fraise Amande). This version features inverted choux pastry topped with fresh strawberries and extra almonds in the praline cream.

La Pâtisserie du Meurice par Cédric Grolet

This isn’t just a giant strawberry—it’s a creation by Cédric Grolet, recently named the best pastry chef by 'The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.' His fame is clear from the long line outside Le Meurice Hotel, where his small yet sophisticated bakery is located. Be ready to wait at least thirty minutes!

Upon entering the bakery, you'll notice that the selection of pastries is quite limited. Unlike other bakeries that offer dozens of options, Cédric Grolet's selection includes only a few fruit pastries and tarts. What sets his desserts apart is their extraordinary presentation—the fruit pastries look so realistic, with textures so lifelike, that I didn’t realize they were pastries until I got up close.

Honestly, this was the most I’ve ever spent on a pastry, with the fruit-shaped treats priced between 15 and 17 euros. I opted for the strawberry version, and it was truly delicious. To reach the smooth, creamy filling and strawberry jam inside, I had to carefully break through the delicate outer layer, which was textured with indentations to resemble a real strawberry.

The bakery doesn’t provide seating, so you'll need to take your pastries to go. However, it’s conveniently located near a picturesque part of Paris. I enjoyed my pastry while strolling through the lovely Jardin des Tuileries with a view of the Louvre Museum.

Another advantage is that Le Meurice Hotel is a prominent location featured in Woody Allen's film "Midnight in Paris."

Berthillon Glacier

After I shared a photo of the rose-shaped gelato from Amarino on Instagram, many of my followers suggested trying Berthillon for "the best ice cream in Paris." Berthillon is known for its all-natural ingredients and has been making ice cream on-site daily since 1954.

I picked up Noisette (hazelnut), Rose Framboise (rose raspberry), and Vanilla. Surprisingly, Vanilla turned out to be my favorite, even though I didn't expect it. The shop offers a wide range of flavors—about 40 when I was there—but Vanilla was also the top choice of Raymond Berthillon, the late founder of Berthillon ice cream shop. It’s honestly the most flavorful vanilla ice cream I’ve ever had, with visible flecks of vanilla bean throughout!

I've always wanted to try the rose-shaped gelato at Amorino, where each petal is meticulously crafted. This classic cone can be topped with mini macarons, and of course, I couldn't resist! I chose the Raspberry and Cassis gelato with Pistachio macarons.

Paris is such a walkable city, so I suggest taking the metro to Saint Germain des Pres and enjoying a stroll through charming streets like Rue de Buci and Rue Saint-André des Arts. But if you can't wait, there's also an Amorino on Rue de Buci!

When I wasn’t indulging in pastries, I explored some regular restaurants, and here are my top recommendations in Paris!

Le Relais de L’Entrecôte

A highly recommended spot for Steak Frites in Paris, though it has become quite popular with tourists. I still enjoyed it, especially the special green sauce—light, spicy, and herbaceous. To get a seat for dinner, arrive about 20 minutes before they open. They serve only steak frites, so just let the waiter know how you like your steak cooked. Don’t worry if the portion seems small at first; they'll bring you the second half later.

Bistrot Paul Bert

Another excellent option for Steak Frites, though it's not as centrally located as Le Relais. Arrive early to avoid waiting. Their sauce is creamy and peppery, which I loved, and the fries here are even better than at Le Relais! Other dishes, like the chive-topped soft cheese appetizer, are also worth trying.

La Grande Crèmerie

A fantastic tapas-style bar. Order a variety of cold cuts, cheeses, and wine for a satisfying meal. I recommend the Truffle Ham, Duck Rillette, and Mozzarella.

Buvette

An excellent spot for a simple breakfast. The menu is limited, which often indicates quality. I highly recommend the Brouilles Jambon, scrambled eggs on toast topped with Jamon ham—delicious!

L’ Aligot

A dish made from cheese blended into mashed potatoes, Aligot is a fondue-like specialty from the Aveyron region. The texture is almost liquid-like, and it’s a must-try.

IDA by Denny Imbroisi

Not a French restaurant, but this is where I had the best carbonara of my life. Chef Denny Imbroisi’s Tagliatelle Carbonara at Restaurant IDA was perfect, served with a raw egg yolk you mix in yourself. It’s a dish I still think about!

Travel Tips for Visiting Paris

• Paris is notorious for tourist scams. I fell victim to a taxi scam at CDG airport, so stay vigilant!

• The Paris Metro is the most affordable and convenient way to get around. Tickets are 1.90 euros each, or you can buy a bundle of 10 for 14.50 euros, which also work on buses.

• Most restaurants in Paris are only open for lunch and dinner, so plan your meals accordingly.

• A cheese platter is a common dessert option in Paris. You’ll often find “Fromage” listed on the dessert menu.

Where to Stay in Paris

Here are the hotels I stayed at, both in great locations:

LAZ’ Hôtel Spa Urbain Paris
A beautiful hotel with lots of natural light and modern rooms. It’s a 5-minute walk to two metro stations. The only downside was the broken air conditioning, but the staff provided fans, so it wasn't too uncomfortable.

Phileas Hotel
I have a soft spot for Phileas Hotel because they helped me out during my taxi scam ordeal. The hotel is small, but the rooms are clean and comfortable, with a Carrefour grocery store conveniently located across the street.