The Millennial Snacking Guide: Paris Edition
Thanks to 16 years of francophone studies, I've been extremely fortunate to travel to Paris on a number of different occasions. Don't get me wrong, the whole bread and cheese thing is beyond incroyable, but this time I wanted to give the next generation of Parisian restaurateurs a chance. You know how it is these days, from vegans and vegetarians to gluten frees and dairy frees, everyone has their particular needs. This list has something for everyone, and they're all (with the exception of Amorino) small businesses perfect for a quick and casual bite. I'm not big on the its-good-because-it's-Instagrammable hype, so you won't be disappointed when you find out that these places are just as tasty as they look!
I know what you're thinking. Going to a juice bar in Paris? WHY?! Well, if you saw my Instagram back in June, you know what's up. I've had my fair share of açai bowls over the past few years, but LOVE's are on another level. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing and the size of a large man's face, but they also taste like pure ice cream... I'm talking Talenti gelato status. It's hard to believe something that tastes so darn good is also healthy, but the entire shop is 100% organic, vegan, GF, and plastic free! AND it's run by the kindest and most passionate small business owner in all of Paris, Nadia. You WILL NOT be disappointed. I would avoid going during prime breakfast or lunch hours. The store is also the size of a walk-in closet, so you're going wait for a while if it's busy.
Le Bichat (pronounced bee-shaaaah)
We loved this place so much that we went two nights in a row! Everything is organic and made in-house. It's like a healthier version of Cava meets Roti meets the Whole Foods hot lunch section, but with 10x the flavor! You can eat there or take it to-go. John and I packed ours up with a little red wine, bread, and cheese from the supermarché for a sunset picnic under the Eiffel Tower. Not too shabby if you ask me!
Holy schnikes this place is fantastic. They really care about what they do and it shows. From the people to the food to the atmosphere, the Melbourne-style café is an absolute winner in our books. The egg-breakfast we had here was hands-down one of the most memorable of the trip. The menu is full of pancakes, eggs, and a few signature French favorites ... not to mention the best coffee in France (according to John). They don't take reservations and it's always hoppin', so you're going to have to go an hour or two early to put your name down. It's fun to walk around the neighborhood in the meantime. I guarantee you, HB is worth the hype.
I've never tasted gluten free bread that was better than regular bread - possibly because they're all hard as rocks or so dense that they get lodged in your throat halfway down - until I came HERE. It's hard being GF in Europe, but this place will save you (it's 100% GF). I'm not officially GF, but my skin and digestive system greatly appreciate when I limit my intake, so I wanted to give this a go before sacrificing my body in Italy. The focaccia paninis and sourdough are magnifique... and don't even get me started on the brownie. They literally built their own mill in the South of France because no one else was up to their standards. If that's not dedication, I don't know what is!
I know Amorino has recently made it over to the U.S., but I couldn't leave it out. The flavors are amazing and honestly it's worth going just to see them scoop your gelato into a rose! If you're looking for something that you can only get in Paris, Berthillon is your best bet. It's been run by the same French family since 1954. Yes, you'll probably be surrounded by tourists on Île Saint-Louis, but their flavors are hard to beat. You may need deux ou trois boules (2-3 scoops)! The tea room is also fun to check out if you have the time.
DON'T FORGET to check out our Paris video... it's one of my favorites!
Let's get snackin'!