Young & Vibrant Paris: Cassandra's guide to restaurants and cafés

Discover Cassandra’s guide to young and vibrant restaurants in Paris to rediscover the city.

Paris is, without surprise, one of the most visited cities in the world, its scenic architecture, walkable feel, and cultural activities provide a never-ending charm even to those who live there. Many have already visited the classic Parisian landmarks, but this guide delves into places young Parisians like to eat and offers a list of more under the radar places, to go to on your next visit.

Mixing the traditional and the new, here is Cassandra’s guide to exciting places restaurants and cafés to go to in Paris.

BAO - Gros Bao et Bao Bleu

The four BAO Family restaurants scattered across Paris each offer different atmospheres, from bar to intimate dining, but all share the same appreciation for traditional Chinese cooking. Offering the iconic Bao buns in all their shapes and forms that are all homemade, they revisit traditional Chinese cooking in a modern way. The menu differs in each of their four restaurants in Paris (Gros BAO, Bleu BAO, BAO Bar, BAO Express), each letting the visitors have a glance at a different aspect of the rich Chinese culture.

Bleu BAO : 8 Rue Saint-Lazare, 75009

Gros BAO : 72 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010

Bleu BAO is inspired by traditional Chinese houses and textiles, and its blue lights and decor are a love letter to blue and white porcelain we all know so well. You can enjoy rich Dongpo braised pork with bok choi, named after the 11th century poet Su Dongpo, or the spicy Mapo Tofu, a fried tofu dish enriched with the colourful flavour of Sichuan pepper.

TRAM

This small café offers a poetic space in the heart of the Latin quarter. This place is a crossover of two favourites of all Parisiennes: books and delicious food. TRAM is a perfect place to sit with a book and feel completely at home. The interior features a marble bar, and a big family-style table that makes you feel like you are enjoying a meal at home.

It offers classical dishes, revisited in a modern style and according to the inspiration of chef Paul Hayat. One of their most known dishes is the beloved Croque-Monsieur (a cheese and ham sandwich), with added notes of truffle. Simple ingredients are elevated to transform them into original marriages of flavours. You can enjoy a mango tarte tatin instead of the classic apple one, or delicious portobello mushrooms paired with pomegranate seeds and pistachio for acidity and texture.

47 Rue de la Montagne Ste Geneviève, 75005

Bouillon Pigalle or Bouillon Chartier

These sister restaurants offer a traditional French atmosphere. Inspired by the mid-19th century bistronomy movement. Originally, Bouillon focused on hearty and inexpensive dishes which could be enjoyed quickly by the working class of Paris.

Pigalle : 22 Bd de Clichy, 75018

Chartier : 59 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006 and 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009

The restaurant started because a butcher for the then buzzing Les Halles area wanted to find a way to reuse leftover pieces of meat, that he cooked in a broth – hence the name Bouillon (broth in French). Since then, Bouillon has been refined but still retains the same principles of generous French traditional cuisines. Whether it be Oeuf durs mayonnaise (mayonnaise eggs), escargots or duck confit with potatoes, savour the thrill of French comfort food.

Japanese-Korean food district: Rue Sainte Anne

Everyone loves walking around Rue Saint Anne amongst the streets filled with Japanese and Korean restaurants to enjoy some ramen, katsu or delicious curry. Takara serves great vegetarian starters and tempura. If you are an amateur of Korean food, Bistrot Mee serves beautifully presented bibimbap dishes.

Takara: 14 Rue Molière, 75001
Bistrot Mee : 5 Rue d'Argenteuil, 75001

Maslow

For a vegetarian meal, Maslow offers a modern twist with both their interior design and their dishes. Each gourmet vegetarian dish is filled with flavours and colour. The high ceiling gives the restaurant a futuristic feel. Maslow also tries to be as low impact as possible and takes active steps to reduce its carbon footprint.

14 Quai de la Mégisserie, 75001

NOIR

For coffee fanatics, NOIR is a place to get good coffee in Paris, with several locations across the city. They roast their own coffee and are committed to sourcing coffee grains ethically according with fair trade principles.

Season Marais

In the vibrant and artistic arrondissement of the Marais, enjoy the light and modern atmosphere of Season café. It’s a perfect place for breakfast, brunch or coffee with friends. A great place to stop after a visit at Musée National Picasso. From eggs, to pancakes, salads and matcha, everyone can curate their perfect brunch!

1 Rue Charles-François Dupuis, 75003

Judy

A great place for gluten free and healthy food in Paris - perfect for a midday snack. High quality products are sourced from across France with a focus on healthy living.

14 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001

La Sabicherie

For lunch on the go, enjoy this restaurant offering Israeli street food style sandwiches with delicious pita bread and charred aubergine. Along with the sandwiches, they offer all the typical Middle Eastern food from humous to labneh.

6 Rue Notre Dame de Lorette, 75009 and 33 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011

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