Paris is best eaten in chapters.
To arrive in Paris is to step into a city that scripts its days around tables. Morning light slants across croissants and café crèmes; midday stretches into bistro lunches punctuated with wine and conversation; evenings rise toward rooftops where the Eiffel Tower becomes another dinner guest.
But with so much choice, a first-time visitor can feel overwhelmed. This guide pares it down to the essentials, cafés that double as postcards, bistros where the past still lingers, patisseries that blur the line between art and dessert, and rooftops where Paris feels both cinematic and yours alone.
Morning Rituals: Cafés & Patisseries
Noir
A minimalist hideaway where the focus is pure coffee. No distractions, just light-filled calm and the aroma of beans roasted with precision.
The Vibe: Scandinavian minimalism meets Paris cool.
Perfect For: Coffee purists who want a quiet pause.
Location: Multiple locations in central Paris
Open daily from 8 AM - 6 PM
Bon Bouquet Cafe
Pastel walls and sunlight-drenched interiors set the stage for brunch that feels both Parisian and playful. Plates arrive like styled photographs: fluffy pancakes stacked high and colorful bowls that brighten the morning.
The Vibe: Barbie meets Parisian chic.
Perfect For: A girl’s brunch
Location: 30 Rue Le Peletier, 9th arrondissement.
Open daily from 9 AM – 5 PM.
Cafe De Flore
A Paris institution where philosophers once scribbled notes and artists lingered for hours. Today, the terrace remains a living postcard, buzzing with conversation and café crèmes.
The Vibe: Iconic Paris café culture.
Perfect For: Travelers who want the essential Left Bank experience.
Location: 172, Boulevard Saint-Germain.
Open daily from 7:30 AM – 2 AM
Long Lunches & Bistro Classics
Bistrot Richelieu
Just steps from the Louvre, this bistro serves hearty classics in a cozy setting with checkered tablecloths and a warm welcome. It’s simple, satisfying, and quintessentially Parisian.
The Vibe: Traditional Paris bistro without the clichés.
Perfect For: Lunch after a museum visit.
Location: 45 Rue de Richelieu, 1st arrondissement.
Open daily from 8 AM – 11 PM.
Chez Janou
A Marais favorite that feels lifted from Provence. Sun-soaked décor, pastis on the table, and famously endless mousse au chocolat make it a feast for the senses.
The Vibe: Provençal charm in Paris.
Perfect For: Groups of friends or anyone craving some joie de vivre.
Location: 2 Rue Roger Verlomme, 3rd arrondissement.
Open daily from 12 PM – 12 AM.
Relais de l’Entrecôte
The most popular place on Instagram. It’s literally Paris dining stripped down to ritual. There is no menu: just steak-frites, served with a secret sauce and second helpings until you surrender.
Make sure you grab a snack though because the waiting time is quite long.
The Vibe: A Parisian rite of passage.
Perfect For: First-time visitors who want the classic steak-frites experience.
Location: Multiple locations including 20 Rue Saint-Benoît, 6th arrondissement.
Open daily for lunch 12 PM – 2:30 PM and dinner 6:45 PM – 11 PM.
Le Train Bleu
Housed inside Gare de Lyon, Le Train Bleu is Belle Époque grandeur at its finest. Dining beneath frescoed ceilings transforms every meal into theatre.
The Vibe: Belle Époque glamour and grandeur.
Perfect For: Celebratory lunches and dinners that double as experiences.
Location: Place Louis-Armand, 12th arrondissement.
Open daily for lunch 11:15 AM – 2:30 PM and dinner 7 PM – 10:30 PM..
Rooftops & Dinner with a View
Perruche
High above Printemps Haussmann, Perruche offers Mediterranean plates with Paris at your feet. At sunset, rosé glasses shimmer as the city lights begin to glow.
The Vibe: Riviera chic in the heart of Paris.
Perfect For: Glamorous evenings and rooftop dreamers.
Location: Printemps Haussmann, 2 Rue du Havre, 9th arrondissement.
Open daily for lunch 12 PM – 3 PM and dinner 7 PM – 2 AM.
L'Oiseau Blanc
Atop The Peninsula hotel, L’Oiseau Blanc blends aviation-inspired design with Michelin-starred dining. The Eiffel Tower looms dramatically in view, turning dinner into performance.
The Vibe: Sky-high elegance.
Perfect For: Milestone celebrations and luxury seekers.
Location: 19 Avenue Kléber, 16th arrondissement.
Open daily for lunch 12 PM – 2:30 PM and dinner 7 PM – 10 PM.
Bonnie
Chrome interiors, bold design, and a soundtrack of DJs make Bonnie part restaurant, part party. With the Seine below and cocktails in hand, it’s Paris in after-hours mode.
The Vibe: Stylish, playful, and cinematic.
Perfect For: Night owls and design lovers.
Location: SO/ Paris Hotel, 10 Rue Agrippa d’Aubigné, near Quai d’Austerlitz.