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Where to Eat in Paris if You Only Have 48 Hours

Paris Restaurants + Bars Insider Guides
by Triposo Aug 6, 2013
Breakfast

For traditional French croissants or other pâtisserie, try Boulangerie Eric Kayser, which produces their own yeast in-house. Breakfast in America, run by American Craig Carlson, is one of the few places you can find American-style pancakes and coffee. For a more upscale breakfast spot, Angélina is a really nice choice near the Jardin des Tuileries.

Immortalized by Hemingway, Les Deux Magots is a fairly touristy restaurant, but still worth checking out if you’re in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area оf Paris.

Lunch

If you’re planning to check out the Louvre, try lunch at Café Marly, where you’ll have a direct view of the iconic glass pyramids. In the 8th arrondissement, L’Avenue is a solid choice to sample classic Parisian fare like filet mignon, escargot, and local wines.

For something a little lighter, Le Soufflé near la Concorde features sweet and savory soufflés, including a chocolate one that must be ordered at the beginning of your meal (do it).

Coffee

La Caféothèque in the Marais is an American-style coffeehouse and your best bet if you need a break from the ubiquitous short espresso. Try Café de Flore, an old Sartre hangout, for something with historical flavor. They serve traditional French coffee, hot chocolate, and vin chaud (warmed, spiced wine.)

If you’re looking to work out of a coffeeshop for the day, you’ll find yourself right at home at La Cantine, which is part café, part coworking space. At the Louvre, you can visit Le Fumoir for a coffee and afternoon snack, like their charcuterie plate. Or you can start your evening off on the right foot with a cocktail from their drinks list, which is longer than the food menu.

Dinner

If you don’t mind shelling out (think $400+ per head) for a classic fine-dining experience, you can’t go wrong with Le Cinq. The Michelin-starred restaurant on the Champs-Élysées features a leg of lamb for two (easily feeds four) and world-class service that is surprisingly unstuffy.

For something more casual in the Marais neighborhood, try Pink Flamingo Pizza. If the weather’s nice, you can even have them deliver your pizza to you while you lounge on the canal; they give you a pink balloon to hold so the delivery guy can find you.

If you’d rather keep it traditional, try the bistro-style steak frites at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte in the Champs-Élysées. And if you’re looking to impress someone, plan a date at Le Grand Véfour, whose gilded walls and ceilings have been around since Napoleonic times and were even frequented by the conqueror himself.

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