A Restaurant Information to All of Paris’s Arrondissements

Spiraling outward from the middle of the town, Paris’s 20 numbered arrondissements are a sequence of zoned administrative districts. They largely coincide with the town’s organically shaped neighborhoods, although some areas cross arrondissement boundaries, just like the Marais, which encompasses each the third and 4th. However the arrondissements aren’t simply bureaucratic designations; every has its personal id, from the spectacle of palatial boutiques and precise palaces within the premier (1st) to among the metropolis’s finest Chinese language delicacies and the unmissable Père Lachaise cemetery within the vingtième (twentieth).

Whereas most vacationers persist with the central arrondissements alongside the Seine — the first, 4th, sixth, and seventh specifically — each arrondissement has one thing to supply. Staying within the middle makes for simple entry to the principle vacationer locations, however for those who’re fascinated about sheer proximity to good consuming and even higher nightlife, you’re normally finest off within the 2nd, tenth, eleventh, nineteenth, and twentieth. Right here’s the lowdown on each neighborhood, from iconic to underrated, with quick-hit intel on the perfect locations to eat in every.

1st Arrondissement

Luxurious items, high-end motels, the Louvre, and workplaces fill the first — which all provides as much as loads of unremarkable eating places designed to cater to busy staff, undiscerning vacationers, or each. Nevertheless, the neighborhood can also be dwelling to Rue Sainte-Anne, aka Little Tokyo, which is nice for slurping udon, ramen, or soba if you simply can’t abdomen one other multi-course French meal. Bubble tea has additionally exploded within the 1st, in addition to all through Paris. To notice: Many eating places on this business-oriented district have a tendency to shut on weekends.
say it in French: Le premier.

2nd Arrondissement

Maki Manoukian/L’Altro Frenchie

Count on numerous exercise right here at night time, due to the cocktail bars that line Rue Saint-Denis (and the historic group of intercourse staff who frequent the realm). Throughout the day, it’s a mixture of gritty wholesale textile district, staid inventory change, and picturesque markets alongside Rue Montorgueil. Rue du Nil is effectively price a go to for Terroirs d’Avenir (a sequence of specialty meals outlets that provide nearly each restaurant on the town) and chef Grégory Marchand’s mini-restaurant empire of Frenchie, Frenchie Wine Bar, and new Italian spot L’Altro Frenchie. You won’t initially plan to eat a scorching canine in Paris, however the historic cocktail bar Harry’s makes among the best variations round, alongside severe basic cocktails. You’ll be able to stability out the new canines, with an awesome vegetarian meal at Tekes too.
say it in French: Le deuxième.

third Arrondissement

Ah, the Haut Marais, the place you possibly can’t throw a macaron with out hitting a third-wave espresso store or a willowy trend kind. There are many kale chips, cocktails, and juice bars too. Throughout Vogue Week, keep away from this stylish neighborhood in any respect prices. Another time, the town’s oldest coated market, the Marché des Enfants Rouges, is a widely known eating vacation spot, and is especially busy on weekends and sunny days. Les Enfants du Marché and the Butcher of Paris are two of your finest bets throughout the market; simply be ready to be seated exterior on a excessive stool in all climate situations. Parcelles is only a quick stroll away for pretty bistro meals with an excellent wine checklist.
say it in French: Le troisième.

4th Arrondissement

The Decrease Marais is the place Jewish historical past and the queer group merge with fashionable artwork galleries and chain outlets. Rue des Rosiers is (rightfully) well-known for its many falafel stands, however you would additionally contemplate branching out to the Parisian outpost of Israeli restaurant Miznon for among the finest sandwiches on the town. Place des Vosges, arguably essentially the most engaging sq. in all of Paris, is a brief stroll away. For a extra formal seated meal (and prize-winning oeufs mayo), the elegantly retro Grand Brasserie is a superb choice close to the Bastille.
say it in French: Le quatrième.

fifth Arrondissement

The Latin Quarter (so named for its many instructional establishments, together with the Sorbonne, which as soon as taught Latin) remains to be dwelling to many college students, nevertheless it additionally bustles with vacationers — and thus vacationer traps. Bonvivant is your finest wager for dependable planches of cheese and charcuterie served on a pleasant terrasse, whereas Chinaski affords extra inventive French fare.
say it in French: Le cinquième.

sixth Arrondissement

Maki Manoukian/Kubri

Saint-Germain-des-Prés may be very fairly and has nice buying, although it may be a bit touristy, because it’s centrally positioned close to many of the main monuments, museums, and parks. The as soon as staid a part of city is present process a nightlife revolution, making it an thrilling place to drink proper now. Skip wherever made well-known by Hemingway and head as an alternative to Cravan, a townhouse full of three cocktail bars in a single, together with a bookstore and a rooftop film display.
say it in French: Le sixième.

seventh Arrondissement

The Eiffel Tower is the draw on this in any other case pretty quiet residential space, which implies good consuming will be difficult. Nonetheless, smoky, vigorous Chez L’Ami Jean serves a well-known salted-caramel rice pudding that makes the tiny spot a favourite of locals and vacationers. One other nice choice, Café Varenne is the type of superior all-day cafe that must be on each nook.
say it in French: Le septième.

eighth Arrondissement

Oh, Champs-Élysées. You gained’t discover many charming neighborhood institutions or candy bistros right here. As a substitute, massive worldwide chains squeeze in cheek by jowl with three-Michelin-star temples of haute gastronomy, which demand astronomical costs to match their rococo interiors. Le Mermoz is a refreshing antidote to overhype.
say it in French: Le huitième.

ninth Arrondissement

Some folks name the South Pigalle neighborhood SoPi — however you don’t must be considered one of them. Whereas this space simply subsequent to Montmartre was finest recognized for its purple gentle district, extra just lately it’s develop into a cocktail vacation spot. There are additionally nice unbiased outlets, music venues, and glorious eating places like Le Bon Georges, the bistro that everybody needs was of their neighborhood. Rue des Martyrs — lined with bakeries, cheese outlets, and different delights — is among the finest streets in all of Paris for culinary vacationers. Farther south, massive shops, workplaces, and the beautiful Palais Garnier opera home spherical out the neighborhood.
say it in French: Le neuvième.

tenth Arrondissement

That is the place Parisians go to picnic. On any good night or weekend, the Canal Saint-Martin is lined with folks enjoying guitars and cracking open bottles of wine. Past the canal, the neighborhood is younger and enjoyable, with numerous small outlets and boutiques. Head right here for Australian- and English-inspired breakfasts at Holybelly or Ten Belles, seize an ice cream cone at JJ Hings, and hit up the bistro Les Arlots or the accompanying wine bar Billili, conveniently positioned close to the Gare du Nord. In the event you don’t have a practice of your personal to catch, train-watch from the terrace of Café Les Deux Gares; this station-adjacent spot is price testing for chef Jonathan Schweizer’s distinctive taste combos.
say it in French: Le dixième.

Joann Pai/Tapisserie

eleventh Arrondissement

It would shock nobody that among the finest eating in Paris isn’t clustered across the morass of vacationer sights (and traps) within the middle of the town. Somewhat, lots of the most dynamic eating places will be present in northeastern neighborhoods, notably the traditionally working-class eleventh arrondissement, the place low actual property costs have allowed entrepreneurs to flourish. The sheer focus of destination-worthy bars and eating places makes the eleventh a really perfect dwelling base for the food-focused traveler, no matter else could also be in your agenda. You’ll be able to eat and drink effectively at Mokonuts, Clamato, Tapisserie, Cafe du Coin, Jones, Le Repaire de Cartouche, Kubri, Gramme, Fulgurances, BMK Folie Mericourt, and Le Tagine.
say it in French: Le onzième.

twelfth Arrondissement

The Bastille and the Bois de Vincennes anchor this space, filled with rowdy spots for study-abroad youngsters interspersed with cosmopolitan pure wine outlets and bars. The Marché d’Aligre is among the finest open-air markets within the metropolis. Hit it earlier than midday after which head to the Promenade Plantée, a walkway that served as inspiration for New York Metropolis’s Highline. Close by, you will have Passerini, among the best Italian eating places within the metropolis. Nearer to the Gare du Lyon, pop into L’Esprit for a wonderful espresso or brioche, earlier than grabbing a inventive cheese sandwich at Olga to go.
say it in French: Le douzième.

thirteenth Arrondissement

There are Asian eating places galore within the thirteenth, however pay specific consideration to pho joints like Pho 14 or Chào Bà. The Butte-aux-Cailles space is a unusual hilltop oasis the place you’ll discover the unique Chez Gladines, an inexpensive, cheerful mini-chain beloved by college students for its enormous parts.
say it in French: Le treizième.

14th Arrondissement

Montparnasse usually appears like an enormous shopping center, thanks partly to the Montparnasse Tower, a high-rise straddling the 14th and fifteenth arrondissements. Whereas it might supply among the best views of Paris, the constructing stays controversial in a metropolis of such in any other case uniformly stunning structure. Keep away from it and head to the Catacombs, the town’s historical underground burial website; if all these skeletons don’t dampen your urge for food, comply with up your go to with a meal alongside Rue du Montparnasse, which is lined with Breton eateries, like Josselin, that make glorious buckwheat galettes and salted-caramel crepes. There’s additionally L’Assiette, among the best bets within the metropolis for traditional French cooking.
say it in French: Le quatorzième.

fifteenth Arrondissement

Joann Pai/Tekes

Much like New York’s Higher East Facet, this residential space is beautiful, boring, and crammed with younger households and pensioners. Accordingly, all the pieces closes early and stays shuttered on Sundays. There are many old-timey bistros, so basic French delicacies is an effective alternative. Au Roi du Café is one that appears prefer it’s been round perpetually, regardless that it’s model new from the crew behind Café Varenne within the seventh. For one thing a bit extra surprising and fashionable, head to the pure wine bar Les Jajas de Juju. It’s the type of spot that wouldn’t really feel misplaced in Belleville or the eleventh, however is noticeably cool for the considerably stodgy fifteenth.
say it in French: Le quinzième.

sixteenth Arrondissement

Embassies and previous French cash combine in le Seizième, the place numerous aged women don’t choose up after their canines. It’s paying homage to the neighborhoods across the Eiffel Tower or bits of the eighth arrondissement, minus the vacationers. There’s little or no cause to eat on this space, save for the desk d’hôtes (prix fixe menu) on the store of movie star butcher Hugo Desnoyer and the haute gastronomie at Comice.
say it in French: Le seizième.

seventeenth Arrondissement

This neighborhood is drawing an growing variety of younger professionals, and its wine bars and eating places are heating up accordingly. La Félicité is a candy neighborhood wine bar, whereas Gare au Gorille has a tightly edited fashionable French menu. The areas round Batignolles park and Villiers are great for market buying and strolling.
say it in French: Le dix-septième.

18th Arrondissement

Put on wise sneakers to the hilly, cobblestone areas of Montmartre and the Goutte d’Or. House to many intercourse outlets, the Moulin Rouge, and the town’s solely winery, and near the massive flea markets, this space is vibrant, numerous, and infrequently dodgy. The French contemplate it to be très Brooklyn. Head to Poney Membership for pure wine and small plates, Atelier P1 for baked items, Mehmet for kebabs, or the extremely pretty Clove Coffeeshop, which appears like a sanctuary amongst vacationer traps.
say it in French: Le dix-huitième.

Soces

nineteenth Arrondissement

The Parc de la Villette, the town’s third-largest park, was the positioning of the Parisian slaughterhouses, so it’s becoming to eat at old-school steakhouse Au Boeuf Couronné, simply throughout from the park. Buttes-Chaumont, a former quarry, is among the most stunning parks within the metropolis, with unbelievable views for a picnic. Belleville’s revolutionary historical past and powerful immigrant affect make the neighborhood one of the vital thrilling areas within the metropolis to be consuming and consuming, together with nice cocktails at Fight, Chinese language Italian fusion at Cheval d’Or, and refined seafood at Soces.
say it in French: Le dix-neuvième.

twentieth Arrondissement

The traditionally working-class neighborhoods of Belleville and Ménilmontant are actually dwelling to a big Chinese language group and younger transplants. Le Baratin is a neighborhood legend serving deeply soulful basic French meals, whereas Paloma has the perfect and most inventive lunch formules (set menu) on the town. Pay homage to Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison at Père Lachaise cemetery, earlier than testing pleasant eating places like Caché, Amagat, and Santa Silvia, that are all tucked away on cobbled aspect streets.
say it in French: Le vingtième.

Catherine Down is a James Beard nominated meals author who has been primarily based in Paris for the final decade. She writes for the New York Occasions, Condé Nast Traveler, Journey Advisor, and Journey & Luxurious, amongst others. Ciao Down is her inventive company which crafts culinary occasions, bespoke personal meals excursions, and journey itineraries all through France.