The best jambon-beurres in Paris

One of the best restaurants to visit in Paris, Le Petit Vendôme does not skimp when it comes to the ham. It's a veritable porkfest in this generous, tasty baguette. We only wish for a crispier crust. 

Address: 8 Rue des Capucines, 75002, Paris (2nd arrondisement)

Opening hours: Monday, from 9am-4pm; Tuesday to Friday, from 9am-1am; Saturday, from 10am-1am; closed Sunday

Not your usual sandwich bar, Epicerie Julhès makes jambon-buerres on the spot, however you like them. Choose your bread (white baguette, of course), ham (Parisian jambon blanc, obviously) with or without the rind (with, naturally). And there you have it – a perfectly balanced sandwich, thanks to the addition of la Maison Mercier’s superior butter.

Address: 59 Rue du Faubourg, Saint-Martin, 75010, Paris (10th arrondisement)

Opening hours: Monday, from 11 am–2.30 pm and 3.30pm–8.30 pm; Tuesday to Thursday, from 11 am–2.30 pm and 3pm–8.30 pm; Friday to Saturday, from 10am-8.30pm; and Sunday, from 11 am–2.30 pm and
3pm–8.30 pm

L'Avant Comptoir has multiple locations across the city, and perfectly seasoned, plump ham with finely sliced gherkins. However, this jambon beurre was very bread-focused. The baguette is enormous. 

Address: 3, Carrefour de l'Odéon, 75006, Paris (6th arrondisement)

Opening hours: Open daily from noon-11pm. 

As soon as you step inside, you know Caractère de Cochon has you covered with every type of ham and sausage imaginable - all laid out in a spread out before you. Ask for their finest ham and a slab of their butter (salted or unsalted), and you’ve got yourself a golden classic.

Address: 42 Rue Charlot, 75003, Paris (3rd arrondisement)

Opening hours: Tuesday to Wednesday, from 10.30am-4.30pm; Thursday to Saturday, from 10.30am-7.30pm; Sunday, from 10.30am-5.30pm; closed Monday

Boulangerie Liberté bakes fresh, crusty baguettes that are stuffed with shredded ham. They're tasty, but sadly, the butter was a struggle to find.

Address: 39 Rue des Vinaigriers, 75010, Paris (10th arrondisement)

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 7.30am-8pm; and Sunday, from 8.30am-5pm

Brasserie Lazare's strong point is in the finely sliced, flavourful ham, with a good bread ratio, too. However, the baguette wasn't quite crusty enough, and there was way too much under-salted butter. The service is good for a brasserie, and with the higher price tag, we should hope so. 

Address: Rue Intérieure, 75008, Paris (8th arrondisement)

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 7.30am-10pm; and Saturday and Sunday, from 11.45am-11pm

With a good balance of fresh, high-quality ingredients, boosted by the addition of cornichons, Picto's jambon beurre takes flavour to the next level in this lovely Montmartre sandwich shop. 

Address: 159 Rue Montmartre, 75002, Paris (18th arrondisement)

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 11.30am-3pm; closed Saturday and Sunday

CheZaline offers a good balance between ham and salted butter, making for a flavoursome and nicely presented sandwich. The overly chewy bread was a letdown, but big thumbs up for the old school set-up and Christophe’s vinyl record soundtrack.

Address: 85 rue de la Roquette, 75011, Paris (11th arrondisement)

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 11.30am-3.30pm; closed Saturday and Sunday

With their mission to rehabilitate the traditional Parisian bistro, La Fontaine de Belleville was hardly going to break with the jambon-beurre tradition. They're made with Prince de Paris ham and salted butter from Beillevaire cheesemongers – a quality combination if ever there was one. Even the bread (which is better during the week than at weekends), is delicate and crusty.

Address: 31-33 Rue Juliette Dodu, 75010, Paris (10th arrondisement)

Opening hours: Monday, from 8am-2am; Tuesday, from 8am-1am; Wednesday to Saturday, from 8am-2am; and Sunday, from 8am-1am