This trip, we did a slow Eurotrip. We have done Europe where we rushed from sight to sight and city to city, taking in as much as we possibly could. But this trip, we slowed down. We did not have an itinerary, we did not sightsee, we did not have a list of places we needed to be, we did not shop all day, we just slowed down and enjoyed Paris. We pretended we were French and enjoyed 3 hour meals, took leisurely strolls, and slept on a picnic blanket in front of the Eiffel tower.
Although we did not have an itinerary, I did have a long list of restaurant choices scattered throughout the city. I always do some intense food research before we travel, and this trip was no different. But I think there is always a perfect mix between planned meals and spontaneous meals. Some of our very favorite meals, ever, have been restaurants we just stumbled upon while getting lost in a city. And this trip we discovered a few gems that way.
Yes, I am basic and I love brunch. So on vacation, brunch is the most important meal of the day. Every morning, I had a general idea of which area of the city I wanted to explore. Whatever direction we were headed, we stopped somewhere along the way for an amazing brunch. So, here are my four favorite brunch places scattered throughout Paris and a few others I am dying to try:
1
Holybelly
10th
Without question, this is my favorite brunch in Paris. Actually, this is my favorite brunch I have ever had in Europe. I discovered it last trip to Paris and HAD to go back. It was only five months ago that I last ate here, and in those few months they renovated the entire restaurant and it was even cuter than before. It is in the 10th, which is the place to be for great food in Paris right now. While I enjoy a cappuccino from time to time, I really just want a black cup of coffee when I wake up. In Europe, a good cup of drip coffee is hard to come by. Holybelly has GREAT drip coffee. We stopped here on our way up to Montmartre. Get there early (for Parisians, 10 is early), or you will wait in line for a table. By the time we left, the line was halfway down the block.
2
Paperboy
11th
Le Marais became my new favorite area of the city to get lost in, this trip. St. Germain used to hold that place in my heart, and it is still amazing, but I love discovering new areas of the city. We spent a lot of time in Marais this trip. I love that usually while you are in Marais, you are surrounded by Parisians speaking French, as opposed to tourists speaking English. Paperboy is just past Marais, in the 11th, which is scattered with the cutest shops and restaurants. Paperboy is what minimalists décor dreams are made of. It is tiny and staffed with the friendliest Parisians. And the food is AMAZING. Blake and I both opted for the Formule Brunch, which is 26 euros worth of deliciousness. They have an a la carte menu as well, with much cheaper options. We sat here for hours, enjoying our brunch and eaves dropped on Parisian conversations around us.
3
Fragments
Fragments is not so much a brunch spot as it is a coffee shop with amazing avocado toast. The food options are limited to avocado toast with a poached egg, pastries, and a yogurt parfait. But, these are all the options you need, as the avocado toast is delicious. Located in Marais and on the cutest tiny street, this is a great place to start off your day roaming the streets in Marais.
4
Café de Flores
6th
Call it touristy, call is cliché, but Café de Flores is just quintessential Paris to me. My last three trips to Paris, this has been my first meal when I step off the plane. Now, it has become a tradition of mine. Although it is filled with snotty waiters and overpriced food, I LOVE it here. You must go for an espresso and take in the sights. It is my favorite spot in Paris to people watch. It is also a great spot to kick off an afternoon of roaming the streets in St. Germain. Unlike the rest of the options on my brunch list, this spot is French food. But really, all I need is the amazing bread basket that comes with whatever you order. But they have just about every version of egg you could imagine, and it’s all parfait!
Since our last trip to Paris was during August, when half the restaurants close throughout the city, I thought I would share some other brunch spots that are on my list for the next time we go to Paris:
Cafe Operkampf
La Recyclerie
Cafe Bibliotheque
Le Used Book Cafe
Richer
Coutume Cafe
Cafe Chilango
