Best of: Food (Part 1)

A short list of some of my favorite Parisian salons de thés, cafés, and lunch spots.

(Actually a very cute book)

1. Café Panis – Right across from Notre Dame, a really nice lunch option. Their croques and chocolate mousse are to die for. I also adore the thé gourmand option, which comes with a trio of tiny desserts.

2. Patisserie Viennoise – Also in the Latin Quarter, this is one of my go-to places for an affordable, fast, delicious lunch. Their lasagna and tarte milanaise are melt-in-your-mouth good, and they have a wonderfully rich hot chocolate (for dark chocolate lovers only). Open weekdays. Rue de l'Ecole-de-Médicine.

3. Au Vieux Colombier – A recent discovery, this café off Rue de Rennes has several things going for it: nice waiters, perfect people-watching windows, delicious hot chocolate, and, well, location. Good for shopping lunch breaks.

4. L’Art de Thé – Located right under my apartment building, this tea salon sent its delicious aromas wafting up the stairs every weekday morning this year. Despite its middle-of-nowhere location, word-of-mouth has made L’Art de Thé a raging lunchtime success. The tarts and desserts are endlessly inventive and change daily. Rue Campagne Première.

5. Mosquée de Paris – I have been to the Mosquée five times in the past five months, and it is universally excellent. Besides the famous mint tea, they serve traditional Middle Eastern dishes and pastries. The meat options are particularly well-done. Rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.

6. L’As du Falafel – This Lenny Kravitz-approved falafel joint in the Jewish Marais area is its own tourist attraction. Although I’m told that Chez Hanna’s up the road is actually a bit better, L’As du Falafel’s picnic-style atmosphere, cheerful (if harried) service, and, yes, the food make this well worth the wait. Rue des Rosiers.

7. Eric Kayser (Rue du Bac) – Actually known for their bread and pastries, this particular location also makes a cheap, fast lunch stop located right near Orsay and the Louvre. I am in love with their quiche.

Images from L'As du Falafel