Paris has long been a major city of culinary delights—unless you don't eat meat or animal products. In the past, many Parisians not only reacted with surprise or outright contempt to claims of vegetarianism, but restaurants often refused to substitute non-carnivores or expected them to eat plates of unseasoned vegetables. Fortunately, all of this has changed surprisingly quickly in recent years. There is now a thriving vegetarian and even vegan restaurant scene in the capital, which is constantly gaining strength and prestige. So don't worry if you have to pack your bags at the sight of another beef bourguignon. Finding delicious vegetarian meals at a reasonable price is getting easier and easier, provided you know where to go. Here are the 12 best places in town to visit if you're vegetarian, vegan, or flexitarian and want to avoid animal products.
01z 12
Charlotte Vegetable Garden
Address
12 Rue Louise-Émilie de la Tour d'Auvergne,75009 Paris,FranceTelephone+33 1 44 65 09 63
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Tucked between the Grands Boulevards district to the south and Pigalle/Montmartre to the north, this cheerful eatery is one of our favorite spots for vegan cuisine that transcends the ultra-casual, often cramped, "cantina" format. Here, tasteful and imaginative dishes refute the misconception that vegan cuisine is necessarily boring or unstructured.
Homemade specialties that we recommend are spicy chickpeas and ricepasteten(pancakes) filled with cashew cream, herbs and spices, fresh, beautifully seasoned gazpacho, colorful super salads and a whole range of vegan desserts, including a hearty chocolate mousse topped with coconut cream. The extensive brunch menu includes fresh juices or smoothies, savory and sweet pancakes, yogurt with coconut cream, hard-boiled avocados and a hot drink.
In addition to the main location at 12 Rue de la Tour d'Auvergne, there is a secondary location at the address21 rue Rennequin, 75017.
02z 12
L'As du Fallafel (and other top-notch vendors on rue des Rosiers)
We couldn't make a list of the best vegetarian restaurants in town without mentioning the many amazing restaurants and falafel stands. And L'As du Fallafel keeps people coming back in droves. It's a particularly addictive take on a natural vegan sandwich, consisting of crispy falafel balls, crunchy carrots and cabbage, deliciously fatty eggplant slices, and a hearty sprinkle of tahini.
This might be the perfect meal when exploring the city or enjoying a light meal in a park or square. Luckily, if the queues in L'As are too long, there are plenty of them in Parisother excellent falafel purveyors, some on the same popular Marais street in the old Jewish Quarter. And if you choose a sandwich to go, you'll have a filling meal that won't cost you more than a few dollars.
03z 12
Arpeggio
When famous French chef Alain Passard decided to remove meat from the tasting menu of a 3-star Michelin restaurantArpeggioMany scoffed in disbelief and poked fun at him for daring to base the entire concept on the beauty and taste of vegetables. However, his eatery was a success and many now credit the chef, who sources his produce from his own organic gardens outside of Paris, with encouraging French gastronomy to take vegetables (and vegetarians) more seriously.
The vegetarian tasting menu at this exclusive restaurant will unsettle you,and unfortunately for many they are not available. The lunchtime tasting menu is a bit more accessible, but still represents a major expense for most travelers.
Nevertheless, we must commend this gastronomic reference as a pioneer of the concept (with Alain Ducasse im 3-Michelin-Sterne-Hotel La Plaza Athénée), a leading French restaurant that treats vegetables with the respect and passion they deserve. Examples of dishes recently featured on the tasting menu include vegetable sushi with lime leaves and Orleans mustard; Onion gratin with fresh parmesan, vegetarian brioche burger with fresh hibiscus flowers and Jerusalem artichoke soup (root vegetables) with Xeres vinegar.
04z 12
Marais vegetable garden
Also inMarais, Le Potager du Marais is a vegan restaurant that offers an innovative take on traditional French cuisine such as beef bourginone, crème brûlée and French onion soup. It's also a convenient stopover after the visitGeorges Pompidou CenterOr take a stroll through the trendy neighborhoods in the area. Small and bustling, the restaurant has a relaxed, homey vibe -- there's no crisp white tablecloths or snobbery here.
All dishes are prepared with organic ingredients and many are gluten-free. Another plus? The staff has a reputation for being friendly and speaking excellent English.
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05z 12
Maceo
Maceohas firmly established itself in the competitive, ever-changing Parisian culinary landscape. This traditional looking restaurant nearbyRoyal Palacedowntown placed creative, beautifully presented vegetarian cuisine at the heart of its menu long before others dared.
There are several a la carte options and all seasonal lunch and dinner menus guarantee at least one option for non-meat eaters. Vegan options are usually available and you don't have to worry about getting a boring plate of raw veggies either. Here, the Japanese chef treats his vegetarian creations with the same care, if not more, than his meat dishes. The latest vegetarian dishes to be served at Macéo include Provençal green asparagus with ginger cream and citrus vinaigrette, pink lentil dhal lightly spiced with turmeric and coriander, and gnocchi with aged parmesan, broccoli and mushrooms.
If you are a wine fan, the extensive wine list offers the perfect accompaniment to your meal. Pre-registration is absolutely necessary here.
06z 12
Vegan's Bodhi
This casual Vietnamese style restaurant on the edge of trendArea of Canal St-MartinIt's relaxed and affordable, and the Asian dishes -- all vegan -- are reliably delicious and packed with flavor.
In summer, when it's hot and sticky, try a crunchy, tangy mango salad followed by vegan bo bun (a traditional Vietnamese dish of stuffed spring rolls called "bo bun")sajgonki, various vegetables, pasta and aromatic sauce). Or try the fried shrimp, caramelized chicken or vegan cheesecake with fruit couli. If you prefer, you can grab a take-away lunch or dinner and enjoy your feast on the banks of the nearby canal.
07z 12
Attic of Notre-Dame
Five minutes walk awayKatedra Notre DameThis charming little Left Bank restaurant was established in 1978. Proudly touting itself as the city's first purely vegetarian and macrobiotic restaurant, it has had the same friendly chef, Abib, since it opened a year ago.
The food here is quite traditional and simple. In other words, don't expect anything particularly innovative, but expect the dishes to be healthy, simple and tasty. The restaurant turns to the same local farmers for many of its key ingredients, including squash, endive, cabbage, and other fresh produce.
Seating is available on two floors and the set lunch and dinner menus offer a good selection for both vegetarians and vegans. Popular current menu items include Indian-style avocado raita, vegetable couscous, vegetable cassoulet (a traditional French white bean dish that tends to be meaty), a macrobiotic platter, as well as a variety of huge salads and platters serving proteins and grains with colors combine vegetables.
Many of the menu options are vegan and the juices here are also highly recommended.
08z 12
Krishna Bhavan
In many parts of the city, authentic South Asian curries are just as hard to come by as good vegetarian food, but luckily Krishna Bhravan offers a satisfying dose of both under one roof. South Asian style pancakes (Dose) and basmati rice are served with seasoned vegetables and sauces (often dairy-based, so vegans should check ingredients before ordering). The value for money here is second to none: for less than a penny you can have a main course, poppadams, soup, salad and a traditional Indian dessert.
If you're the kind of person who likes to try a bit of everything, order a thali: a huge plate with several small portions of different dishes, served with rice or bread and spicy sauces. There is also take away food.
Travel tip:Often referred to as "Little Jaffna" due to the large Sri Lankan community, the area is full of restaurants and canteens catering to vegetarians and vegans.Learn more about the area and find more recommendations in our complete guide.
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09z 12
Also Nat
This small, always full vegan cantinaAt the other end of the trendy Parisian district of Rue des Martyrs, south of Pigalle, it has become a popular spot for healthy and quick lunches. You can theoretically board, but the lines are so long that it's better to order a Buddha bowl or other dish and then board the steps of the nearby Notre-Dame-de-Lorette church. Keep going - many others feel the same way!
The bright, airy canteen smells of freshly squeezed juices and chopped vegetables and looks as if it belongs in San Francisco or Berlin. The insane success of So Nat, which has another location near Gare St. The Lazare in the 9th arrondissement seems to illustrate how far Paris has come from the days when not eating meat meant not eating out.
Disappointing news? Because of this, Nat is only open for lunch, from about 12pm to 3pm. It is also closed on Sundays. Therefore, have the right plan in mind before attempting to sample delicious bowls, platters, salads, and desserts.
Tipp:If you fancy ice cream, head towards Rue des MartyrsfootprintVarious delicious vegan sorbets and ice cream flavors made from coconut milk or other ingredients are served here.
10z 12
Hank Burger
Fancy a good burger? Hank is an excellent choice. A small eatery on the edge of the Marais and near the Musée Picasso that serves several vegan patties (some gluten-free) with tons of delicious toppings is another affordable option in the area where restaurants can break the budget.
If you fancy vegan pizza,Meanwhile, try Hank Pizza near the Arts et Métiers metro station. (18 rue des Gravilliers, 3. dzielnica)
11z 12
Vegetarian delicious
This humble, extremely friendly eateryIn the busy business district of Paris, it's the perfect lunch choice if you're visiting the nearby Opéra Garnier, the Galeries Lafayette department store, or have just stepped off the Eurostar at the Gare du Nord and are wondering where to get great vegetarian options in nearby.
Veggie Tasty is owned by two passionate chefs who are as committed to environmental stewardship as they are to great vegan food. It offers comfortable, spacious seating and a simple but excellent menu of wraps, salads, soups, juices and desserts. Choose from six vegan "foundations" then add your choice of protein veggie balls, all served in a wrap or salad.
All dishes are homemade and the products come from the region or from organic farming. The restaurant serves food in a "quick" format and does not distribute single-use plastic.
Unlike many other vegetarian and vegan restaurants in town, this restaurant is open from lunch to dinner, six days a week. It is closed on Sundays. No reservations are required. However, try to arrive early for lunch to ensure you get a seat if you prefer to eat out.
12z 12
sun seed
Last but not least,this busy canteenLocated on a side street just off the Canal St-Martin, it's extremely popular with young professionals and local hipsters. Based on the concept of superfoods and their health benefits, Sol Semilla offers a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes, many of them raw and gluten-free.
Choose from soups and entrees of the day, including a raw version, superfood bowls featuring a variety of vegetables paired with your choice of grains and proteins, and a selection of freshly squeezed juices and smoothies. There is also a huge selection of vegan desserts.
It's always fun people-watching from the windows here: rue des Vinaigriers, dotted with street art, is usually teeming with creative and interesting locals.