Where to Have Lunch in the Marais

The Marais is one of the most popular places to visit in Paris, and with good reason. The historic district is filled with charming streets, alluring squares, wonderful museums, and excellent boutiques. While the area does have a wide range of restaurants, many of these are either below average cafés or quick cantine-style venues which don’t necessarily provide a welcoming and pleasant setting for a leisurely lunch. From tea salons to stylish contemporary venues, here are some of the best restaurants for lunch in the Marais.

Le Loir dans la Théière

A neighborhood favorite since 1996, this whimsical restaurant and tea salon; decorated in a mismatched arm chairs, sofas, old posters, and flea-market finds; is a cozy and reasonably priced lunch spot. Inspired by a story in Alice in Wonderland, which is illustrated on the mural in the second room, Le Loir dans la Théière serves up inventive quiches, soups, salads, and daily specials, all homemade and using seasonal products. Be sure to save room for a bite of their legendary desserts.

3 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris

Les Foodies

One of the most stylish and inventive contemporary restaurants in the Marais is tucked away on a small side street north of Hôtel de Ville. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, chef Davide Galloni prepares a monthly changing menu of divine dishes fusing the flavors of France and his native countries, Thailand and Italy. His inventions come in the form of crab raviolone with tom kha or partridge suprême with spinach quinoa and Panang sauce. In the evening they have a range of small plates, but the weekday lunch is an excellent value with entrée/plat or plat/dessert for only 21€.

6-8 Square Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie 75004 Paris

Jaja 

Hidden in a small courtyard next to busy rue Vieille du Temple is this secret culinary oasis. The countryside feel of the verdant terrace extends indoors thanks to its glass atrium. No matter where you sit, you’ll be treated to the creative, modern bistro cuisine of chef Eduardo Gonzalez, which could include charred veal tartare with brocoli pesto, redcurrant and quinoa chips, or rabbit on wild fennel and Sorrento oranges with a dash of balsamic vinegar. They also have a reasonably priced lunch menu during the week, with two courses for 19€ and three courses for 23€.

3 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris

Grandcoeur

Nestled in the peaceful courtyard next to the Café de la Gare theatre and Le Centre de Danse du Marais is this chic eatery. The spaciousterrace beckons in good weather, or enjoy the serene and luminous ambiance of the interior along with delicious creative brasserie cuisine, including a good value two course lunch menu at 23€.

41 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris

Le Used Book Café

Combine some shopping in the Upper Marais with a laid back lunch at this literary-inspired café of beloved concept store Merci. Surrounded by shelves packed with 10,000 books, the atmosphere couldn’t be cozier for you to enjoy a mix of light French and Anglo lunch fare, from soups and salads to terrines and cheese plates.

111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris

Pastificio

The exquisitely prepared homemade pasta is as beautiful as the relaxed-yet-chic dining room at this recent upper Marais addition. By the founders of fashionable La Petite Table, this luminous restaurant amidst the stylish boutiques of rue de Saintonge has a refined menu of authentic and seasonal pasta dishes using organic flour and made in their Paris food lab. Their pâtes du jour is available for a bargain during the week at lunch 12€ alone or 18€ with dessert and coffee.

27 rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris

Related Links

• Another great Marais lunch spot is Tavline.
• While you’re at Tavline, check out Lafayette Anticipations.
• After lunch you can have coffee in the Marais here.

Written by Lily Heise for HiP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Haven In for a fabulous vacation, or long term, rental in Paris, Italy, France or elsewhere in Europe.