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Brunch time, baby! The best brunch spots in Paris can sort you out for pâtisserie, shakshuka, pancakes and more
How did it take so long for brunch to catch on? The best parts of breakfast and lunch, combined? That should have been a thing from the get-go. Still, better late than never, and that middle ground between morning and afternoon is now fertile land for culinary ambition. As far as brunch cities go, you’ll do well to find somewhere better than Paris.
You could probably put any word there in place of ‘brunch’, such is the consistency of quality on show in the French capital. Eager for glorious museums, iconic restaurants, romantic settings and the ultimate cafe culture? Paris. The city has embraced the brunch concept like only the Parisians can, namely by infusing it with undeniable class and more flavours than you might be able to handle. Whether you’re looking for a pick me up after a heavy night or something to set you up for a long day of sightseeing, our guide to the best brunch places in Paris will sort you out.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Paris
What’s the deal? Brilliant à la carte brunch with impressive gluten and dairy-free options. From scrambled eggs on chunky toasted brioche to multi-grain pancakes served with seasonal fruits, the menu brims with moreish L.A.-style dishes done right.
What should I order? Everything. We liked the oozing, indulgent Caramelised Grilled Cheese and the gluten-free pancakes.
Where? 95 Rue d’Aboukir, 2nd
What’s the deal? This one’s a buffet, and your best shout if you’re after luxurious blowout in an upscale art deco brasserie. The food’s great. And the setting’s a bonus: expect stylish green lamps and mirrors lining the walls, plus lots and lots of red velvet.
What should I order? As much as your stomach can handle. Go for the buffet and sample all kinds of ham, smoked salmon, eggs and Maison Thoumieux pâtisserie.
Where? 79 Rue Saint-Dominique, 7th
What’s the deal? Come here for huge portions of British and Mediterranean-inspired food – everything from bacon rolls to shakshuka. You can go away full, very satisfied, and no doubt desperate to return, for around €20.
What should I order? The classic shakshuka with tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, spices, harissa and a baked egg.
Where? 22 Rue de la Folie-Méricourt, 11th
What’s the deal? There are few places better for vegetarian and vegan grub in Paris than here – especially when it’s piled high for weekend brunch. Nothing beats their mezze platters. Team yours with a cocktail of rum, pineapple and kombucha.
What should I order? The bottomless vegetarian brunch is available on the weekend.
Where? 20 Rue de la Pierre Levée, 11th
What’s the deal? Get whisked away to Tel Aviv with moreish vegetarian mezze and brunch served daily. Happily, coffee’s from the Brûlerie de Belleville, and food ranges from salads and shakshuka to pancakes and poached eggs – all, we can confirm, are very delicious.
What should I order? The shakshuka, the granola or the ricotta pancake (€7-€10.50). To drink, the date, banana and pistachio halva juice.
Where? 39 Quai de Valmy, 10th
What’s the deal? From the same gang behind hit vegan hotdog spot Le Tricycle, Jah Jah serves everything from fried plantain snacks (€5) to hearty, healthy ‘bowls du jour’ packed with things like rice, tandoori cauliflower wings and a roast courgette salad (€13).
What should I order? The vegan pancakes are a sure-fire treat. And same goes for that plantain.
Where? 11 Rue des Petites Écuries, 10th
What’s the deal? The USP at this Balkan-themed café and brunch spot? Sticky, indulgent (and insanely moreish) cakes. The Saturday €24 brunch features things like shakshuka, labneh, hummus and your choice of their many gorge-worthy gâteaux.
What should I order? The speciality pistachio cake is one of the best things we’ve ever tasted.
Where? 43 Rue Laffitte, 9th
What’s the deal? If you don’t know your Alsatian cuisine, now’s your chance. Mirabelle’s weekend brunch (€29) is, frankly, enormous, and includes your only-to-be-expected fresh juice and granola, alongside more unusual choices like scrambled eggs with pork jowl, fig pavlova and a plum Bettelman bread pudding.
What should I order? The Puits d’amour pastry with pear and thyme.
Where? 16 Rue de la Vacquerie, 11th
What’s the deal? A 100-seater venue from Aussie brunch supremos Holybelly, HB5 surpasses the high brunch bar set by its predecessor. Think brilliantly done eggs and generously piled pancake stacks. It’s pretty much guaranteed to light up your Instagram feed (and probs leave you a little sticky-fingered).
What should I order? The ‘Egg & Sides’ – two fried eggs with maple syrup-drenched bacon and two slices of golden halloumi.
Where? 5 Rue Lucien Sampaix, 10th
What’s the deal? If you’ve trained at the Rose Bakery, you’re basically guaranteed to be a brunch maestro – so no wonder the Café Otto team have smashed it. Expect generous, quality cooking and a whole load of British brunch classics. Bonus: the setting’s warm and hospitable, and there’s even a small sunny terrace.
What should I order? The scones, porridge, bacon sarnies and other Anglo-centric dishes are all excellent.
Where? 6 Impasse de la Défense, 18th
What’s the deal? If you’re fed up with so-so coffee and jambon-beurres, head to this trendy café and camp out on the terrace. The top-notch Sunday brunch is served from 11am to 3pm. Come back during the week for an oeuf à la coque.
What should I order? Both the sweet and savoury brunches hit the spot. Make sure to pair your meal with a Belleville Brûlerie coffee.
Where? 31-33 Rue Juliette Dodu, 10th
What’s the deal? Next-level French petit déj turned into extravagant brunch by star pâtissier Sébastien Gaudard. At €37, it’s pretty steep, but frankly, worth it for the top-notch pastries and freshly squeezed juices alone – not to mention all the other cooked brunch classics on offer.
What should I order? The classic brunch: tartines, viennoiseries, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and brioche French toast with fruit salad.
Where? 1 Rue des Pyramides, 1st
What’s the deal? If you went a little heavy at the bar last night, the Frenchie’s XXL American and British sandwiches will sort you out. Properly hungry? This hit 2nd arrondissement hangout also serves some of the city’s best fried chicken, pulled pork and fish and chips.
What should I order? The eggs benedict with pastrami, followed by an ultra-dense chocolate brownie or a cinnamon roll.
Where? 9 Rue du Nil, 2nd
What’s the deal? For classic Mexican food in an unusually understated setting, you could do much worse than Café Chilango. In fact, you probably couldn’t do better. Knock back a michelada (beer, lime juice, tomato juice and chilli) and order a few of the tacos especiales with beef, pork belly, avocado and grilled onions. You'll only get brunch here at the weekend, but it is definitely worth waiting for.
What should I order? The topopos (sweetcorn chips) with guacamole, and that truly sublime beef and pork taco.
Where? 82 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 11th
What’s the deal? Here’s one for bread snobs (and Brits). Light-filled and spacious, this Franco-English café-boulangerie has earned a rep for its excellent foccaccia, tartines and generously stuffed sandwiches. But the brunch menu’s great, too.
What should I order? The killer Welsh rarebit, the eggs benedict or French toast with maple syrup.
Where? 17-19 Rue Breguet, 11th
What’s the deal? A healthy-ish menu, with outsize portions, in sleek surroundings that make you feel like you’re in Copenhagen. Get your mitts on pancakes, avo on toast, fruit salad and other international brunch classics.
What should I order? We particularly liked the focaccia with halloumi, onions, avocado and carrots.
Where? 22 Rue Montmartre, 1st
We all know Paris has a decent rep when it comes to food. You might even say it’s Europe’s gastronomic capital – just walk down any road off the Place de la Bastille and that should become quite clear. But it’s only recently that this city’s turned into one of the coolest places to drink too.
