Paris hides so many treasures that, even if you think you have finished visiting it, there is always more to discover. The truth is that the most charming corners and alleys do not appear on tourist maps or on the pages of “Top 10 restaurants in Paris”.
Of course, this is not to say that the Eiffel Tower and the croissants in Saint-Germain have no charm (which of course they do), but the kind of Paris I’m talking about can only be discovered by strolling its streets calmly, letting yourself be carried away by the smell of roasted coffee and the clink of glasses in a hidden bistro.
In this article you will see a love letter to the daily life of Paris, the one that its citizens hold in such high esteem as a good French wine.
1. Le Jardin d’en Face – Montmartre without cliches
Montmartre is famous for the Moulin Rouge and the portrait artists of the Place du Tertre, but it is also a victim of its own fame. However, a couple of streets away from the tourist hustle and bustle, you will find Le Jardin d’en Face, a small restaurant that looks like something out of a fairy tale. The name is already a nod to what I’m telling you; the “front garden” is a facade covered with plants that changes color with the seasons.
I got to know it thanks to a Parisian friend who warned me with a half smile “there is no English menu here, and that’s a good sign”. They have only a few tables and a simple menu including a confit de canard, tartare de bœuf, and a gratin dauphinois that could comfort the soul on the hardest day. The music is always soft, the wine served generously, and the feeling of being in a grandmother’s house, but with more style.
2. La Fontaine de Belleville – Café with a jazz soul
In the 10th arrondissement, far from the hustle and bustle of the Champs Elysées, is one of the most charming cafes in the city; La Fontaine de Belleville. Here, the coffee is taken calmly. The place seems frozen in time: vintage furniture, retro tiles and an atmosphere that blends bohemian and neighborhood naturally.
On weekends they have live jazz sessions, and believe me, there’s nothing like a glass of wine and a croque monsieur while a live saxophone plays. This place is also famous for serving specialty coffee thanks to its partnership with Belleville Brûlerie, one of the best roasters in town. If you like your coffee well done and unpretentious, this place is a little paradise.
3. Le Bouillon Pigalle – Tradition without breaking the piggy bank
This bouillon is not an absolute secret, but it remains a gem in a city where eating can cost you a fortune. Le Bouillon Pigalle recaptures the spirit of the old Parisian popular eateries: classic dishes, agile service, and honest prices.
For less than 20 euros you can have a starter, a main course and a dessert. My favorite combo? Hard boiled egg with mayonnaise, saucisse au jus purée and chou chantilly for dessert. And yes, it’s all delicious. Because of the charm of this place, there is almost always a line, but it moves fast. Getting the full experience is part of the charm: from the uniformed waiters to the cheerful bustle of the dining room.
4. Mokonuts – The secret brunch on rue Saint-Bernard
This is the kind of place you don’t find unless someone tells you about it, so consider yourself one of the privileged ones. Mokonuts is a small café-bistro in the 11th arrondissement, run by a couple: Moko Hirayama (of Japanese origin) and Omar Koreitem (Lebanese), both great chefs who decided to open a place to cook with freedom.
There is no fixed menu here. Every day it changes according to what they find in the market. But if you are lucky, you will get a homemade labneh with rye bread, or a lentil salad with roasted carrots that redefines what one thinks of a salad. And, best of all, the cookies. Moko makes chocolate tahini cookies that deserve a monument. And no, I’m not exaggerating; there are those who cross Paris just to get a dozen.
5. Chez Aline – Sandwiches with Character
In a former deli in the 11th arrondissement (yes, another one because this neighborhood is a hotbed), Chez Aline specializes in something as simple as sandwiches. Not just any sandwiches. Here, the bread comes from an artisan bakery, the ingredients are from local producers, and the result is… poetic.
My favorite is the pastrami with pickles and mustard one. It’s best to order it to take away and eat it in Aligre square, a few steps away from this restaurant. Sometimes happiness fits between two slices of bread.
6. Les Pantins – On the banks of the Canal de l’Ourcq
We end with a place that is not technically in Paris, but just on the other side of the periphery, in Pantin. Nevertheless, it’s worth the trip. Les Pantins is a modern bistro with a neighborhood spirit. Here go locals looking for good food without snobbery.
The menu changes with the seasons, but there is always something surprising: a burrata with roasted pears, a barley risotto with seasonal vegetables, or an almond sponge cake with citrus that tastes like childhood. The atmosphere is relaxed, the tables large enough to share, and the view of the canal gives it a vacation feel. Perfect for a leisurely Sunday afternoon.
Taste is in the details
What unites these places is not only the food, although they all eat very well. It is the authenticity, the history, the care with which the dishes are prepared and the coffee is served. It is the kind gesture of the waiter who recommends the perfect wine, the decoration thought with the soul, the mixture of tradition and creativity.
This is the Paris that the locals know and love. One where gastronomy is not only a spectacle, but also an everyday gesture. So, if you come to the city and want to feel more Parisian than tourist, keep this article as a treasure map.