Zazie Tavitian

Introducing: the jambon-beurre. Crusty bread, salty ham, lashings of butter – that's it. There is a special place in every Parisian's heart for this humble lunch and it can be bought almost anywhere in the city. If that doesn't already scream 'icon', consider this: after burgers, the jambon-beurre was the most eaten sandwich by the French in 2015. Oof. And because there's nothing worse than a crap jambon-beurre, we took the hit and scouted out the city's best. Bon appétit.

While Londoners are losing their minds over Dominique Ansel’s cronut, the Parisian love affair with the croissant endures. These famously flaky pastries have been fuelling the city for hundreds of years – long enough to know there is nothing more tragic than a pale, soggy croissant to start the day. So after working our way through the finest jambon-beurre, we’ve scoured pâtisseries far and wide for the crème-de-la-crème of the capital’s croissants au beurre. Ranked on appearance (golden all over and brown on the bottom), pastry quality and taste, these buttery beauties are well worth crossing Paris for. Your breakfast may never be the same again. 

Tapas might be thought of as a Spanish art but Paris has quickly caught onto the small plates trend - no longer are salted peanuts the only option for snacking while you drink. The city is bursting with trendy joints which put as much thought into satisfying our hunger, as quenching our thirst. Not to mention that Parisian stronghold: wine bars serving quality charcuterie and cheese. Prepare to have your tastebuds tickled by the best small plates spots in Paris.

Partons à l'assaut de la Dive bouteille, comme dirait ce cher Rabelais ! Où planquent les meilleurs bars à vin ? Comme pour les 100 meilleurs restos, ou les meilleurs cocktails de de Paris, notre équipe de fins limiers n'a pas lésiné sur les moyens pour passer au peigne fin les établissements de la Ville lumière. N'écoutant que leur devoir, ils ont écumé (au péril de leur foie) les rades les plus improbables, les caves d'exception, les institutions comme les petits nouveaux. Réunis ici pour vous dans ce grand dossier ! 

Vous sortez d’un rade crasseux, du théâtre, vous avez besoin de vous goinfrer après les trois pintes de bière que vous venez de vous enfiler, vous détendre après cette mise en scène beaucoup trop cérébrale d’Ostermeier. Et là, que faites-vous ? Vous errez, oui vous errez : tous les bons restos sont fermés, il ne reste plus que des fast-foods miteux ou des brasseries où vous allez vous empiffrer de frites trop grasses et ensuite, évidemment, mal dormir. NON À 23H l’HIPPOPOTAMUS DE LA PLACE DE LA BASTILLE N'EST PAS UNE FATALITÉ. Time Out a la solution : voici la liste des (bons) plats que vous pourrez déguster dans des restaurants parisiens en cas de fringale nocturne.

Quand ? Jeudi 4 mai 2017Quoi ? Le Food MarketOù ? 24/34 boulevard de Belleville, Paris 20eCombien ? Moins de 10 € la portion Chouette le Food Market se pérennise : ce marché à ciel ouvert, boulevard de Belleville, qui proposait sporadiquement de la street-food aux Parisiens est maintenant ouvert deux jeudis par mois. A manger ?  Toujours du bon, du chaud, en barquette à emporter ou à déguster sur les grandes tables en bois sur place. A lire aussi : Le portrait de Virginie Godard, créatrice du Food Market Trois plats qu'on vous conseille de tester La très bonne bidoche de The Beast. Ici on ne rigole pas avec la viande : poitrine de bœuf Black Angus, effiloché de porc fermier, travers de porc ou poulet fermier le tout accompagné de pommes de terre au four. Les plats british de Rosemary comme le scoth egg, cet œuf mollet avec de la chair à saucisse panée, sont un régal. Impossible non plus de passer devant ce stand britannique sans goûter les classiques bâtonnets de fish and chips. La crème glacée de chez Ice Rolls, produite d'une façon bien particulière. Soit un mix à glace composé de lait entier, de crème fraîche et de sucre sur lequel on ajoute la saveur de son choix. Une fois mélangée, la crème est aplatie puis enroulée. On ajoute quelques toppings pour la gourmandise et on déguste. Les prochaines dates à ne pas louper Jeudi 4 mai 2017, jeudi 18 mai 2017, jeudi 7 juin 2017, jeudi 22 juin 2017, jeudi 6 juillet 2017, jeudi 20 juillet 2017, jeudi 3 août 2017, jeudi 17 août 20

Here at the Time Out Paris offices, we’ve porked out on the city’s best jambon-beurre, then surrendered to a croissant coma. Now we throw ourselves headlong into a new taste test – that holy trinity of tomato, basil, mozzarella – the margherita pizza. It’s not most people’s go-to order (let’s admit we’re all too greedy for such minimalism) but it remains a reliable benchmark for judging a good pizza joint. And with more hipster pizzerias in Paris than you can shake a rolling pin at, it seems the need to cut the wheat from the chaff has never been greater.  Marked out of twenty on dough, toppings, appearance and general taste, you'll never need to a bad pizza again. And of course, all margheritas were munched straight out of the oven – because no self-respecting fan eats one cold. 

What? Food Market When? Every other Thursday in 2017 Where? 24/34 boulevard de Belleville, Paris 20eme How much? Less than €10 per dish Hooray! Food Market is back and better than ever. The open-air street food market on boulevard de Belleville is now open two Thursdays a month all year round, serving hot food you can takeaway or enjoy at one of their big wooden tables.  Three unmissable dishes for you to try: Meaty treats from The Beast. These guys aren’t messing around when it comes to meat: Black Angus beef brisket, free range pulled pork, ribs or chicken, all served with roast potatoes straight from the oven.  British favourites from Rosemary. Scotch eggs rule the roost here but don’t leave without tasting their classic fish and chips. Rule Britannia! Ice cream from Ice Rolls. This is not your average Mr. Whippy. Milk, fresh cream and sugar is mixed together, with an added flavour of your choice. it’s then poured onto a sub-zero metal plate and rolled into pretty curls. Add topping and sauces and you're good to go. Don't miss the upcoming markets: Thursday April 6 2017 - Thursday April 20 2017 - Thursday May 4 2017 - Thursday May 18 - Thursday June 7 2017 - Thursday June 22 2017 - Thursday July 6 2017 - Thursday July 20 2017 - Thursday August 3 2017 - Thursday August 17 2017

Whether you've been dancing the night away at one of the city's many clubs or are simply in need of a good meal after midnight, our list of late-night restaurants has got you covered. And if you want to carry on the party after dinner, why not head to one of Paris's after-hours bars? Sleep is optional.

Mido Ahmed Yahi a créé Le Café Moderne, superbe adresse où l'on sirote des cocktails de compét', accompagnés de boulettes. Il réalise pour nous un Mai Tai, ce cocktail à base de rhum créé en 1944 en Californie par Victor Bergeron.   Victor Bergeron Lire la suite: http://www.1001cocktails.com/cocktails/189/recette-cocktail-mai-tai.html Victor Bergeron Lire la suite: http://www.1001cocktails.com/cocktails/189/recette-cocktail-mai-tai.h Les ingrédients  - 3 cl de rhum blanc- 3 cl de rhum ambré- 2 cl de liqueur de fleurs de sureau- 1,5 cl de sirop d’orgeat- 3 gouttes de bitter aromatique infusé à l’ananas- 1,5 cl de jus d’ananas- 2 cl de jus de citron vert La déco - Menthe fraîche- Zeste d’orange- 1 tranche d’ananas séché- du sucre glace La recette  - Remplir le shaker de glaçons pour le rafraîchir - Verser 3 cl de rhum blanc dans le shaker, puis 3 cl de rhum ambré- Rajouter 2 cl de liqueur de fleurs de sureau- Rajouter 1,5 cl de sirop d’orgeat- Puis 3 gouttes de bitter aromatique infusé  à l’ananas- Et 1,5 cl de jus d’ananas- Presser 2 cl de jus de citron vert- Shaker énergiquement- Filtrer le cocktail dans un verre à l’aide d’un petit chinois- Rajouter deux pailles et pour la déco, de la menthe fraîche, un zeste d’orange, une feuille d’ananas séchée et un saupoudrez de sucre glace 

A few blocks from the Arènes de Lutèce and the Jardin des Plantes on the Left Bank, traditional Vietnamese canteen the Foyer Vietnam specialises in cheap, simple, yet high quality moreish food. The menu doesn’t diverge significantly from your standard Parisian Vietnamese restaurant menu, though every month there are one or two new specials to discover which are usually a bit more out of the ordinary (when we go, there’s chicken cooked in lemon tree leaves or a papaya and green mango salad). House specialities to start include a classic Bo Bun, a goi-tom (prawn salad) and their signature spring rolls with pork and black mushrooms. At €5 per dish, the entrées are a perfect way to begin before a generously proportioned main of chicken salad, or a lip-smacking soup of raw and cooked Tonkinese beef (overall, two courses should cost you around €10-€15). TRANSLATION: FLORA HUDSON

This review refers only to the restaurant’s brunch menu. With its red velvet banquettes, green lamps, wooden floors, and mirrors on the walls, the Brasserie Thoumieux adds a touch of luxury to the brunch experience. But this is no ordinary brunch. It’s the kind that’s fit for a king – a very, very hungry king. Formerly run by chef Jean-François Piège, the brasserie now has chef Sylvestre Wahid at the helm – and it’s clear that he takes brunch very seriously. For €49 we pile our plates high with mountains of homemade patisseries, perfect pain au chocolats and croissants, hams, smoked salmon and an array of butters, jams and cheeses. If that wasn’t enough, the menu also includes a hot beverage, fresh juice, a plate of eggs (either eggs benedict, an omelette or the traditional oeufs meurette, poached eggs in a bourguignon sauce) and a fruit salad. Whether you prefer to brunch with determination (eyes on the prize, i.e. wiping that plate clean) or take breaks every now and then, Brasserie Thoumieux’s version is something you have to try at least once in your life. TRANSLATION: MARIA THOMAS

What should I order? A Chai Latte and a cookie. Wooden decor, a touch of floral wallpaper and the smell of coffee...Matamata (named after the town in New Zealand where its founders met) is a welcome addition to the 2nd arrondissement. The coffee here is prepared with love and care, and you can cater everything to your taste, from the choice of bean to the extraction process (Aeropress or a more gentle method). There’s the customary espresso, americano and lattes, but the frozen lattes are a godsend if the mercury’s rising: double espresso, ice cubes, cold milk and a few drops of strawberry syrup. Intense and delicious, it's perfect paired with a peanut cookie for dipping.

What should I order? Offal rigatoni with mint and pecorino. Dilia is the closest you’ll get to an authentic Italian village without leaving the Périphérique. Michele Farnesi took the reins of this 20th arrondissement gem from her compatriot Simone Tondo a few years and has been steering the boat like a true captain. This is refined Italian cuisine served generously – every lunch offers a €17 set menu, made with super-fresh ingredients and always featuring a pasta dish. We tried the porchetta bruschetta with crushed tomatoes and perfectly fried yellow plaice with a zingy cucumber mayo and courgette salad. The textures were equally magnificent in an offal rigatoni dish with mint and pecorino. To finish off this little love affair was a sublime basil and berry pannacotta. All this washed down with a superb OUT rosé from southern Rome and we're pretty much sold. You know where to go for your next Italian staycation. 

The blue front window is as blue as the Aegean Sea, with a shaded terrace and smells of hot pitas, gyros and grilled fish are excuding from the doors. This is expected at Etsi, where the head chef, Mikaela Liaroutsos, offers freshly prepared Greek dishes every day. Here we shared small mezzes (arguably a little too small): like the grilled octopus on mashed fava beans, with caper leaves and fresh pomegranate. Then the taramasalata topped with pistachios; smoked sausage with fresh cheese, peas and pomegranate; or the simple golden chips with melted feta. To finish? A sublime baklava and with strawberry mousse. You'll find Greek wines (imported by Georgos ...) retsina, a Greek white wine or the Akakies Amyndeon rosé is equally delightfully surprising. Having said all that, for how much you get on your plate, the prices are a little steep... We advise coming back at midday to enjoy the menu formula at for a bit less. Congratulations must go to the young chef however, who restores nobility to Hellenic gastronomy which is few and far between in Paris.

Whilst strolling through the Parisian streets on a Wednesday afternoon, you might happen across Nodana. Signalled by a green façade on rue Leon Frot and the green passage Gustave Lepeu, it's easy to guess the vibe even from the pavement. Workshop-like windows, plants everywhere, hanging from the ceiling or beautifully arranged in their terracotta pots. On the terrace, people cheerily chat to rhythmic beats. The bartenders welcome you in with; big smiles and their cocktail shakers. They are a funny duo, with jokes coming as thick and fast as the cocktails. The signature Nodana cocktail is gin based and tastes like a spring garden: fresh and light with notes of cucumber and lime that bring it to life (€9). And for the seafaring amongst you, the rum-heavy Bateau Ivre puts you on a beach of honey and ginger. We also recommended ordering a Puglia burratina accompanied with some pesto rosso (€6.50) and a trio of well-executed mezze (€10). This pretty botanical and bucolic hangout has it all, so it won't be long before we are back for lunch.

On Rue Montmartre, at 1pm, streaming queues of workers emerge to get their take away bobuns, salads or burgers… But one shop tucked next to Saint-Eustache church remains a well kept secret: Comptoir de la Gastronomie. It's an institution which has been feeding Parisians for over a century. There are those who come to buy charcuterie, a bottle of wine or Henras truffle oil whilst others stay for the lunch time deal at €14.50. Or some sandwich lovers like us, come to get stuck into these magnificent specialities. Fresh baguettes with good products: for example the sublime ham, butter and gherkins; or the duck breast and mango chutney. They come with a little salad with perfectly seasoned potatoes and a drink for €8.50. Pay the bill at the old traditional cash desk and then munch it down in the parc des Halles.

Paris always surprises us...just went we think we've seen it all (from 100% burger bars, to menus dedicated to meatballs, or cantines with 'poké bowls') we find a new trend: a houmous bar! Yes, Parisians are firmly addicted to chickpeas. At Yafo, a little white-tiled cantine in the 10th, you can feast entirely on this chickpea and tahini dip. On the menu there are three options: classic, veggie or lamb. The humous is good, thickly creamy, a shame that the chickpeas in the classic variety overpowered the dish a bit. We preferred the veggie kind with a side of roasted aubergines. On the side? A salad of red cabbage, beetroot, and nuts, accompanied by a rose lemonade.  

These restaurants aren’t relocating; they’re multiplying. This is the third outpost of Les Pinces, which offers Parisians the opportunity to try lobster as if you were sitting down for supper on the south east coast. This new address, in the 9th arrondissement on Rue de Douai, has a cool seaside vibe. For €25: an entire lobster, a lobster roll or grilled rib steak (just to accommodate the non-lobster lovers) is yours. The waiters bring large plastic bibs allowing you to get really stuck in, and it’s accompanied with chips, salad and melted butter sauce. The dish is generous but not as good as a real Breton BBQed lobster. Having said that, the lobster roll gets it revenge, with its fluffy brioche bun - it’s definitely worth ordering. To drink? A good wine like the Alexa chardonnay from Bourgogne. For those of you wanting more of a snack: there’s a lunch time deal of half a lobster, pudding and coffee for €18.

The large white buffet sits in front of you, with both groups of friends and lovers eagerly looking around at who's come to dine tonight. You’re welcomed into the charming dining room, which is more like somebody’s home, and kind of is as the owners live just below. It's as if you’ve come for supper at a countryside retreat, rather than in the middle of Belleville. Here, it's best to reserve in advance. The fixed nightly menu is very popular, and we see why. Our starters consisted of chorizo, smoked ham, sausage, terrine, goat’s cheese and olive oil, as well as a large salad to share. This was then followed up with a Basque dish - simmered and garnished pork, with a rhubarb tart and fresh chestnut cream. And to drink? It's all about the wines from the south, like from the coast of Marmande. You leave saying goodbye to the owners, your bag flled with patés and jams (it's also an épicerie) and promising to return very soon and have another delicious supper around the big wooden tables.

A large wooden bar, stools, suspended lighting and a menu which promises to offer you ‘the four corners of Asia on a plate’ that being Japanese katsu chicken, Korean bibimbaps, Vietnamese boa buns and Thai pad thais. A mix of cuisine that a few people may find a little disconcerting, but that doesn’t really matter because we’ve come to Goku for one only excellent reason: the burger, voted as the best in France at the most recent French burger awards. The winning entry? The 'Black Original Gangster' with its black bun (infused with vegetal carbon) from Utopie boulangerie, juicy beef from Metzger's butcher, mature cheddar cheese and a daring Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce, caramelised onions and crusty bacon. Frankly it's very good, a perfect size, melts in your mouth but also subtle. Dip your nori sweet potato fries in ketchup or Heinz mustard (it’s a great shame they don’t have a house sauce). At €18 its a pricey pleasure, but you’ve come for the best burger in France, not for the best valued.

We think you'll like Francis La Butte a lot. Why? Because the already large terrace always has a little space free and it offers an apéro in full sun. And apéro is what they do well. The happy hour menus - either a pint of Grolsch, plus basket of homemade chips, or a glass of wine and slices of saucisson - are amazing value at €5.  And the fun doesn't stop there. Francis has some good grapes (often organic) from €3.50 the glass, mixed boards from €13, burgers at €12.90... Everything is fresh, good and great prices for this neighbourhood which often takes the mickey. To boot the service is wonderful. Every arrondissement should have a Francis on their doorstop.