While restaurants might be at a standstill, Paris’ pâtisseries have, by no means, stopped churning out fresh batches of colorful tarts. By churning, I mean delicately decorating each individual pastry by hand. It’s true that you can find a delightful tarte aux framboises in just about any corner bakery in Paris, but sometimes you need a little more variety in your life. The following are the best one-of-a-kind tarts and sweets that you have no choice but to travel across Paris (or an ocean, when you can) to try.

Above left: @sliceofpai / Above right: Maison Aleph’s Tarte Grenade & Fleur d’Oranger by @andrea.brscn
Maison Aleph – Tarte Grenade & Fleur d’Oranger
French pâtisserie meets Middle Eastern tradition at Maison Aleph, where tarts take on the delicate form of little pastry nests. Everything here is an original fusion by baker Myriam Sabet, who combines the flavors of her Syrian childhood with French pastry. In her Tarte Grenade & Fleur d’Oranger, pomegranate confit and orange-infused drops of cream decorate a crispy angel hair base, which, despite the crunch, finds a way to melt in your mouth.

Le Jardin Sucré – Tarte Sésame Noir Yuzu
Asian flavor is at the heart of Le Jardin Sucré’s most eye-catching pastry. The monochrome tart isn’t anything like you’ve ever tasted before, which is evident by its vegetal charcoal base. Inside, you’ll find a melted heart of praline black sesame cozied between a yuzu mousse on top and a black sesame ganache below—the perfect combinations of sweet, acidic, and nutty.

Tapisserie Pâtisserie – Clamatarte
If the image that pops up in your head upon hearing “clamatarte” is something seafood-based, I don’t blame you. Instead, prepare to feast your eyes upon Tapisserie Pâtisserie’s maple syrup tart. The sweet maple filling is balanced perfectly by a dollop of whipped cream that tastes and looks exactly like a cloud. As both a pastry lover and a Canadian, the Clamatarte has my full approval.

Sadaharu Aoki – Tarte au Caramel Salé Matcha
If matcha has ever come across as bitter to you, then you have yet to sink your teeth into this French-Japanese tart. A spiral of piped white chocolate matcha cream covers this salted caramel treasure, which really lives up to its name. The salt shines through the waves of sweet to create a strong flavor that will have you eagerly reaching for the next bite.

Stohrer – Tarte au Citron
Paris’ oldest bakery has been in the game long enough to know that lemon tarts aren’t anything out of the ordinary. But instead of whipping up a simple meringue, Stohrer hands us a tart topped with vanilla lemon confit, creamy lime, and smooth yuzu cream arranged like a flower. This triple-citrus threat adds a fun zing to the classic tarte au citron, making it nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Addresses:
Maison Aleph – 20 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris
Le Jardin Sucré – 156 Rue de Courcelles, 75017 Paris
Tapisserie Pâtisserie – 65 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris
Sadaharu Aoki – 35 Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris
Stohrer – 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris

Related Links
- More for your sweet tooth! Expat Entrepreneurs in Paris: Boneshaker Doughnuts
- Check out David Lebovitz’s Favorite Pastry Shops in Paris!
- Can’t get to Paris yet? Here are The Best French Desserts to Cook at Home
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