Paris recos coming up! These are far from all, but here are some of the best for you guys (since basically everyone seems to be in or around Paris ATM).

Without wasting your time…from me to you (and if you end up enjoying anything based on my recos, please share the link with your friends and networks. Thank you in advance <3)

 

East Mama

I’m putting this first because it is the restaurant I’ve received most questions about. And the restaurant that served me a better fresh truffle pasta than all of Italy did (sorry to all my Italian friends). Go to East Mama, and order a truffle pasta. Just do it. We ordered coppa ham, parmesan, olives and burrata to start with which was also delicious. And the burrata salami pizza… Good god. The menu is as fresh as it comes, and with 4-5 pasta options, and 4-5 pizzas. Limited, and made to perfection. I don’t even want to say more because the food speaks for itself really. Oh and did I mention that the staff is from Sicily, so you know it’s legit. Just go there already!

 

Hollybelly

Best breakfast in Paris. Have the savoury pancake stack with fried egg and bacon. Or eggs whatever way you prefer them with some signature baked beans, halloumi, mushrooms, bacon, or why not a home made hash brown. Warning warning though its always slammed and they don’t take reservations. Go anytime after 9.30 and expect at least half an hour in line, probably more.

 

Costes

Hotel Costes… Well, where to start? Its as Parisian as it gets. High end as F. A hostess who will only let a certain crowd in (we know because we’ve been rejected in the past. For real and I’m still recommending it). Half of the staff force is rude and I’m pretty certain they’ve been told to be rude to go with the vibe. BUT, that aside… It’s amazing. It’s anything you’d ever want when you’re in Paris, so go at least once. Leave your tracks at home and just go. Food is amazing there (have the plain lettuce or endive salad, steak béarnaise with frites, the fish, or the delicious lobster pasta. Leave room for desert… The light cheesecake, the fresh berries and cream, and the creme brule. Saif is a cheesecake fanatic and he says its the best cheesecake he’s ever had so…there you go. If you don’t feel like spending much, have a desert and a coffee. People watch – there are some really interesting characters that pop by here and there. If you’re dying to celebrity watch, I’d say find yourself a seat and get comfy. They’ll keep coming. Enjoy!

 

Ferdi

Second home to the Kardashian’s, Kanye, and the Hadid duo, this place is another Paris staple. They don’t take reservations online or over call – only by SMS. They’re ALWAYS slammed, so make sure you book on time unless you’re famous. They’re famous for the burger, Mac and cheese and their Mexican menu. They make a banging spicy margarita. Its a really cute place and although a lot of people say its overrated, we all really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely go back every time I come back to Paris. Tasty, cozy, quirky and cute.

 

Lou Lou’s Diner

There’s a Lou Lou’s by the Eiffel Tower, and there’s a diner. They’re not the same, but they’ve got the same name basically, so make sure you’re going to the right one (I think the one by Eiffel Tower is pretty pricey? At least its one of those restaurants without prices on their menu…). Go to the diner to save some cash and eat some really good food. Their menu is great, and so is their steak tartare, cheeseburger and fish and chips. Highly recommend!

 

Entrecote

Steak, fries, sauce and wine. Sounds delicious? Well its the only thing they serve. There’s one in London too. You pay a fixed rate for the food, and you can eat as much as fries, steak and sauce as you want. They’ll keep refilling your plate until you tell them to stop.  If you love steak and fries, you’ll love this! There’s also something special about everyone in the restaurant eating the exact same thing? No chance of wishing you ordered something else etc… (happens to me all the time)

 

When in Paris, make sure you also…

• Have a beer or a coffee/tea in the red umbrella area in the garden by the Louvre

• Visit Notre Dame cathedral on a Sunday at 12pm noon for Sunday mass. Its gothic, its dark, its haunting and its beautiful. Light a candle for someone you’ve lost to the other side. Look at the stunning architecture and the beautiful, colourful window art. I cry, overwhelmed with emotions, every time

• Have cocktails at the Little Red Door – trendy, fun, candle-lit, and with incredible cocktails. Go go go
• Don’t wear a bra
• Drink champagne/prosecco/sangria at an outdoor cafe

• Have a croissant with jam for breakfast (every day)

• Walk around Luxemburg gardens

• Find a grassy parky area and bring a bottle of rose or some coffee or snacks and just be. P.S. they also sell wine by the glass in the park but its not amazing. Drinkable though!

• Visit the classic Shakespare and Co bookstore for every famous book in the world

• Have a handmade ice cream at Pierre Marcolini

• Order something with béarnaise sauce. Then devour it. Order more sauce.

• Have a drink at Hemingway Bar at the Ritz (because the head bartender is supposedly ranked ‘the best in the world’ over and over again) – Warning: expensive. And may get you hammered.
• Order creme brûlée everywhere you go

• Eat a French onion soup. And a steak tartare if you’re not vegetarian

• There are cute boat bars along the canal in the summer

• Go to jazz bars in and around Bastille area. We went to some amazing dive bars and live music sessions when we were there – I can’t remember the names though, but there are plenty. Google it!

 

Going to go cry a little bit over the fact that I don’t know when I’m back next. Enjoy this beautiful city when you go – and if you liked these recommendations, I’d be happy to share even more… There’s so much beautiful to eat, drink, do and see!

P.S. If you ended up enjoying anything from my Paris list, please share the link with your friends, networks etc. 

Thanks friends!