Best Breakfast and Brunch Restaurants in Paris – Eat Like a Local
What does a typical Parisian breakfast entail? It all comes down to living in the now and savoring the experience. French people are leisurely eaters who take their time over morning coffee, bread, and pastries, while engaging in a relaxed conversation. When visiting Paris, sipping coffee in the morning on an outside terrace while witnessing this lovely city come to life remains one of our own most unforgettable Parisian experiences.
In this post, we have gathered the best breakfast and brunch restaurants in Paris, where you can not only enjoy a delicious French breakfast, but also indulge in the famous café culture and experience an irresistible Parisian charm.
Table of Contents
Typical French Breakfast
Two words that best describe a typical French breakfast? Simple and sweet.
Compared to the substantial breakfasts frequently found in many other nations, breakfast in France is usually a straightforward and light meal. In French cooking, the quality and freshness of the ingredients are given more importance than the quantity of food prepared.
Many tourists also notice that the French like to start their days with something sweet. Meat is not usually a main feature of a traditional French breakfast, in contrast to nations like the United States or the United Kingdom where bacon, sausage, and other meat items are popular choices for breakfast.
Most Common French Breakfast Foods
When it comes to specific foods, a traditional French breakfast often consists of the following components:
- Bread or Pastries: Bread is a staple in the French diet, and for breakfast, a common choice is a fresh baguette. These are often served with butter, jam, honey, or Nutella. You may also find other types of pastries, like croissant, pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) or brioche. Croissants are typically enjoyed on weekends rather than weekdays.
- Yogurt: Some people in France opt for yogurt, often with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of fruit or granola.
- Fruit: Fresh fruit, such as a sliced banana, a handful of berries, or an apple, is also a popular addition to a French breakfast.
- Cereal: While less common than the other options, some people in France do eat cereal with milk for breakfast.
- Coffee or Tea: Many French people start their day with a cup of coffee (usually espresso or a small coffee) or tea. Coffee is often served in a small cup, and it’s common to dip a piece of bread or pastry into it.
Best Places for Breakfast in Paris
Paris is famous for its café culture, and there are lots of cafés in Paris that are perfect for enjoying a delicious breakfast. You will, without a doubt, find many breakfast options in any major tourist area in the city.
Here is the list of some well-known and well-liked places in Paris where you may enjoy a classic French breakfast.
Café de la Paix
Situated near the Opéra Garnier, Café de la Paix offers a luxurious breakfast experience. It’s an excellent place to indulge in a traditional Parisian breakfast in an elegant setting. We loved sitting on the terrace – the view on the Opéra Garnier is truly unmissable. But you can trust us that you will not be disappointed by the indoor seating either. Opened in 1862, Café de la Paix is designed in the Napoleon III style with a lavish interior décor and a quintessential Parisian charm.
Les Deux Magots
A truly legendary café in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, Les Deux Magots has been frequented by famous writers and intellectuals. Today the café keeps its history a very important part of the experience, by covering the walls with photos of their famous visitors and maintaining 1930’s décor. It offers a classic French breakfast experience with a range of pastries and coffee.
Café de Flore
Located in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, Café de Flore is an iconic Parisian café known for its literary history. We personally didn’t find the food to be special, but it is still a great place to enjoy coffee and croissants while taking in the ambiance of this historic establishment. As with many tourist spots around the world, the food in some places might not always be exceptional. However, in Paris, you can almost never go wrong with a buttery croissant and a steaming cup of coffee (or hot chocolate) at any café.
Quick tip: Wake Up Early to Visit Iconic Parisian Cafés
Café de la Paix, Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore are one of the most popular tourist cafes in Paris, and all of them are very busy.
None of the restaurants takes reservations for breakfast, so we recommend getting there early, all three places open 7:30am every day.
Ladurée
Known for its exquisite macarons, Ladurée also offers a charming breakfast experience. You can savor delicious pastries, including their famous croissants, in a refined and elegant atmosphere. You will find multiple locations throughout the city, with the one on Champs-Elysées being the largest with lavish décor and plenty of sitting both indoor and outdoor.
Du Pain et des Idées
Du Pain et des Idées bakery is celebrated for its artisanal bread and pastries, with all products being made on sight. Their escargot pastries and pain des amis are particularly famous. It’s located in the Canal Saint-Martin area and is open on weekdays only.
Café Varenne
Situated in the 7th arrondissement near the Musée d’Orsay, Café Varenne offers a classic Parisian breakfast experience, with a variety of pastries, coffee, and tea. Less touristy than other famous places, the restaurant offers more authentic and flavorful food.
Carette
Carette Café Carette in Paris is renowned for its classic French charm, prime locations, and delicious pastries. Established in 1927, it has become a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike. It has two beautiful locations, one at Place du Trocadéro offering stunning views of the Eiffel Tower, and another in Place des Vosges, a picturesque square in the Marais district. The café is a perfect place for a classic Parisian breakfast, serving freshly baked croissants, pain au chocolat, and buttery brioche along with rich hot chocolate or a strong espresso.
La Maison Plisson
La Maison Plisson is not just a café but also a gourmet grocery store offering high-quality French products. Their breakfast menu includes a selection of fresh bread, pastries, cheeses, and charcuterie, allowing you to enjoy a traditional French breakfast with top-notch ingredients.
Paul
Paul is the famous global chain of bakery-café restaurants, with 34 locations in Paris. It’s great for a quick unpretentious meal and specializes in French products, including breads, crêpes, sandwiches, macarons, soups, cakes, pastries, coffee, wine and beer.
Bar Vendome
Looking for a more refined experience? Bar Vendome inside the famous Ritz-Carlton hotel in Paris offers traditional Parisian-style and à la carte breakfast every day from 10:00am-12:00noon. We highly recommend reserving a table outside on the restaurant’s patio that features a fabulous Belle Époque glass roof. This breakfast experience will be one to remember.
5 Unmissable Brunch Spots in Paris
Looking for a heartier meal in the morning? There’s the good news for tourists looking to indulge in heavier or savory items – the tradition of brunch, a contraction of breakfast and lunch, has been becoming increasingly popular in France. While many places in Paris only offer brunch on the weekend, you can now find restaurants that serve brunch every day of the week. We’ve put together a list of our top brunch spots in Paris, where you can enjoy a delicious meal any day of the week.
Immersion
Located steps away from the glamorous Place Vendôme, Immersion offers an all-day brunch experience. Full of flavor, beautifully plated dishes and trendy plant-filled decor definitely make this one of the most popular, Instagram-worthy destinations in Paris. Open Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm, and Saturday-Sunday from 9:00am to 6:00pm.
Hollybelly
Located in the 10th arrondissement, Holybelly is a trendy spot for brunch and breakfast. They serve a mix of French and American-style breakfast options, including pancakes and eggs. Open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Santa Lyna
For those looking to be transported to California for a bright everyday brunch experience, look no further. Located in 3rd arrondissement steps away from a metro station, Santa Lyna in is another Instagrammable restaurant in Paris with a food and drink menu full of brunch staples. Open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Kozy
With 3 Paris locations in main tourist hotspots (Kozy Bousquet in the Tour Effiel neighborhood, Kozy Notre Dame near the famous Cathedral and Kozy Kanopé close to the Opéra Garnier), Kozy is an unmissable spot for people looking for all-day brunch. From savory to sweet, and from classic French to global dishes, almost every tourist will find something on the menu here. Hours vary by location.
Inavoué
At Inavoué, mornings in Paris take on a whole new meaning. From freshly baked pastries to gourmet brunch creations, Inavoué offers a trendy brunch experience in the heart of the city of light. The restaurant is tucked away at the end of a busy street near the Opéra Garnier. Open every day from 11:00am to 1:00am.
Looking for more information on how to plan an unforgettable trip to Paris?
Paris Travel Guide
Download our 2024 Paris Tarvel Guide packed with Paris travel planning resources
- 100+ pages
- Interactive easy-to-use map of Paris
- Iconic landmarks and experiences
- Customized Itineraries
- Best restaurants and cafes
- Hotels for every budget
- Practical travel information