The 19 best brunches in Paris
Feeling hungry? The best brunch and breakfast spots in Paris can sort you out for pâtisserie, shakshuka, pancakes and more
Je brunche, tu brunches, il/elle brunche… Only a few years ago, no such verb existed in French, but now you’d be hard-pressed to walk down a street in Paris without spotting a sign advertising an indulgent mid-morning formule – that, or hordes of Parisians queueing for their shakshuka and flat whites. And with its sun-splashed al fresco cafés and ample opportunity for post-blowout walks, Paris couldn’t really have been better designed for brunch. So whether you’re hankering after hair-of-the-dog cocktails, the perfect pâtisserie basket or something virtuous and veggie, our guide to the best brunch in Paris should have you covered. Bon app’!
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Paris
Best brunches in Paris
Echo
What’s the deal? Brilliant à la carte brunch with impressive gluten and dairy-free options.
What should I order? Everything. We liked the oozing, indulgent Caramelised Grilled Cheese and the gluten-free pancakes (both €13).
Where? 95 Rue d’Aboukir, 2nd
La Fontaine de Belleville
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.
What should I order? Both the sweet (€18.70) and savoury (€21.90) brunch hit the spot. Make sure to pair your meal with a Belleville Brûlerie coffee.
Where? 31-33 Rue Juliette Dodu, 10th
Café Méricourt
What’s the deal? Huge portions of British and Mediterranean-inspired food.
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
Soya
What’s the deal? Excellent veggie and vegan grub – piled high for weekend brunch.
What should I order? The bottomless vegetarian brunch (€30).
Where? 20 Rue de la Pierre Levée, 11th
Brasserie Thoumieux
What’s the deal? A luxurious blowout in an upscale art deco brasserie.
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
Maison Issa
What’s the deal? The place for a hearty Lebanese brunch.
What should I order? A mezze platter of hummus, tabbouleh, sambousek cheese pastries and meat.
Where? 81 Rue Olivier de Serres, 15th
Ten Belles Bread
What’s the deal? One for bread snobs (and Brits).
What should I order? The killer Welsh rarebit, the eggs benedict or French toast with maple syrup.
Where? 17-19 Rue Breguet, 11th
Café Otto
What’s the deal? Generous, quality cooking and brunch with an English theme.
What should I order? The scones, porridge, bacon and other Anglo-centric dishes are all excellent.
Where? 6 Impasse de la Défense, 18th
Salon de Thé Sébastien Gaudard
What’s the deal? Next-level French petit déj turned into extravagant brunch.
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
Café Cravan
What’s the deal? Come for the coffee and stick around for cocktails.
What should I order? A coffee from the Hexagone roastery and the granola with yoghurt and fruit (€10), served for breakfast/brunch daily.
Where? 17 Rue Jean de la Fontaine, 16th
Jah Jah by Le Tricycle
What’s the deal? Fun, inventive vegan dishes that blend Caribbean, Indian and south American flavours.
What should I order? The vegan pancakes and hot dogs are a sure-fire treat.
Where? 11 Rue des Petites Écuries, 10th
Frenchie To Go
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.
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
Café Chilango
What’s the deal? Classic Mexican food in a (for once) understated and non-clichéd setting.
What should I order? The topopos (sweetcorn chips) with guacamole. Brunch is €19 on Sundays.
Where? 82 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 11th
Ima
What’s the deal? Get whisked away to Tel Aviv with generous vegetarian mezze and a brunch menu served daily.
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
Marcelle
What’s the deal? A healthy-ish brunch menu... with outsize portions.
What should I order? Focaccia with halloumi, onions, avocado and carrots.
Where? 22 Rue Montmartre, 1st
Ibrik
What’s the deal? A Balkan-themed café and brunch spot with sticky, indulgent, insanely moreish cakes.
What should I order? The speciality pistachio cake with an Ibrik coffee.
Where? 43 Rue Laffitte, 9th
Café Mirabelle
What’s the deal? If you don’t know your Alsatian cuisine, now’s your chance.
What should I order? The Puits d’amour pastry with pear and thyme.
Where? 16 Rue de la Vacquerie, 11th
HB5
What’s the deal? A 100-seater venue from Aussie brunch supremos Holybelly.
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
Dersou
What’s the deal? There are few better places to eat in Paris than Bastille, and few better places to eat in Bastille than here.
What should I order? The bagel with gravlax, pickles and horseradish.
Where? 21 Rue Saint-Nicolas, 12th
And if it’s mixology you’re after?
The 50 best bars in Paris
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. Here’s where we think you should head first.