Food

Avoiding Bad food In Paris: 5 Things You Need To Know

by Maggie Battista
Written By

Maggie Battista

Passionate about fine dining and old-fashioned hospitality, Maggie is focused on finding hidden, authentic food gems and is absolutely in love with the creamy, salty butter sold all over Paris. She also runs an online magazine and market called Eat Boutique, where she discovers the best small batch foods by boutique food makers. Maggie’s based in Boston, with frequent trips to Paris, Brooklyn, Maine, and northern California. View Maggie Battista's Website

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14 comments on “Avoiding Bad food In Paris: 5 Things You Need To Know

Catching up on my reading…great advice, but I’m throwing a Monet at you (jokingly)! Personal preference I know, but I travel for the history…and no, I’ve never considered that it is there in the cuisine, so thank you for pointing that out. 😉

You’ve hit upon one of Paris’ dirty little secrets (and not something that most tourists are willing to see through their rose-colored glasses). I’ve always loved Le Grizzli in the Marais and Pierrot on rue Étienne Marcel for straightforward, well-prepared food.

Lisa @TheDecorGirl

This is great, just bookmarked it. Thank you!

Great post! Couldn’t agree more. When we travel, our trips revolve around food, drink, and shopping. The cultural aspects are important, of course, but we feel the best way to experience a new place is to just live it 🙂

My I also suggest if you can not get into paul bert, chez mamy a few doors from paul Bert. A small but very tasty restaurant.

Laura - Girl About Town

Delicious read! I had a tasty month in Paris, eating my way around the city. I found it helpful to ask the waiters what they enjoyed and recommended, often forgoing the menu for their suggestions. They seemed flattered to be asked and genuinely put thought into it. The English translations at times made the dish initially sound unappetizing, so it was just best to go with the flow. I didn’t have a bad meal at all. My meal at Les Pappilles will go down in history.

Delicious tips, Maggie!

Excellent post. I would say that I suggest avoiding Cafe des Musées. I had horrible food and service there, very recently.

Heather in Arles

I wish I had this advice when I lived there and am definitely saving this post for future visits. Will just add one bit of advice: beware of really, really long menus. I know in my touristy town of Arles too much of a selection means that is impossible for all of those ingredients to be fresh, so you are paying a lot for the French equivalent of a Hungry Man dinner! :O

Yes a girl after my own!! Coming from Italy to live in Paris I was so let down by the food..great tips I certainly have had many let downs but am so much wiser now with my choices.
Carla x

Heading over to Paris in a couple of months and your blog has given me some fabulous tips and hints. Thanks so much!

A Plum By Any Other Name

I JUST got back from Paris. Sadly, I never made it to Le Baron Rouge and Bistrot Paul Bert, though they were on my “to eat” list, BUT I did make it to Verjus: and it was amazing! I also loved, loved, loved Au Passage. Their leg of lamb is truly something. Time to go back?! 🙂

As my family and I prepare to leave for France this coming weekend, Hip Paris has been indescribably useful. Thank you sooo much.

Marla in Columbus, OH

Great post! I love walking around and looking at old buildings (museums less so), but completely agree that FOOD is the reason to visit a new place. Good advice that, while I’ll definitely think about next time I head to Paris, I think can be applied to visiting pretty much any large city! 🙂

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