Where to Eat in the Latin Quarter
Eating in the Latin Quarter can give off a very different vibe than the rest of Paris, as the dining scene feels more diverse and affordable than other spots in the city. From old traditional restaurants and trendy little wine bars, to classic bistros offering flavourful and affordable food, and an assortment of cuisines at all price points, finding somewhere to eat in this neighbourhood is never a problem. And yet, it can feel daunting as some of the neighbourhood’s best blend in a little too easily.
Below find a general overview of dining in the Latin Quarter, with an emphasis on some of the best dining options. You can also find, on a separate page, a list of some of the best dining options by type/category to help you find what a great options based on what you’re looking for.
When it comes to starting your day in the Latin Quarter, you’ll find lots of coffee shops and cafes to grab a quick bite, as well as some grocery stores along Blvd. Saint-Michel, where you can grab some light options to go. Whether stopping at a Pret-A-Manger, Starbucks, Maison Pradier, Paul, or something of the like, there are plenty of coffee shops to provide you with your necessary morning coffee, along with something light or buttery to energize you. However, if looking to make your breakfast – or brunch – a more exciting affair, there are a few wonderful spots to start your day at in this neighbourhood, including Treize, Loulou, and Nuance Café.
Treize, which is also under my list of recommendations for the Saint-Germain neighbourhood as it is just on the periphery of both neighbourhoods and surrounds the Luxembourg Gardens, is one of the best spots for a picturesque and satisfying brunch (or breakfast) on this side of the Seine. A place run by expats, you’ll find North American staples with French flair, in a garden-like space that oozes charm.
Loulou Friendly Diner is another popular brunch spot in the neighbourhood, the vibe screaming French café with a touch of American diner - perhaps one of the reasons people flock there. Find hearty diner staples prepared in a French way, accompanied by cocktails you’d never actually find in a diner in North America and coffee that is 10x better. Really, this spot might have diner in the name, but it’s like no diner you’d ever see in the US – more like the breakfast spot you’d find in a posh bougie hotel in New York or LA.
Nuance Café is a popular place for breakfast and brunch, with delicious food and a brunch “formula” (aka prix fix menu). For €26 you get a small glass of orange juice, a hot drink, with your choice of avocado toast, eggs benedict, a savoury pancake, or a Poke bowl, PLUS your choice of a sweet pancake, a bowl of granola or one of the cakes from the glass display. You can also order any of the items above à la carte. The pancake salé, for €14 includes one fluffy American-style pancake, 2 sunny-side up eggs (can be made differently upon request), bacon and breadcrumbs, while the sweet pancake, for €9.50, includes one pancake, yogurt-based cream, fresh fruit, homemade caramel, and caramelized nuts.
Now, when it comes to lunch and dinner, you have a lot of options, including different cuisines and varying price points. If looking for a cheaper meal, quick bites, and late night treats, you’ll find door after door of options along Rue Mouffetard. Whether it’s delicious savoury crepes at Au P’tit Grec, a sandwich from Boulangerie Eric Kayser, a juicy burger at Blend, or sitting down at the retro diner Chez Gladines Saint-Germain, it’s easy to find that lighter or cheaper bite that requires far less of a commitment. You’ll also find fresh produce to drool over at the daily street market held along Rue Mouffetard – Marcheé Mouffetard.
If you prefer delicious French food to really mark your time in Paris, you can go for old traditional restaurants – some being quite old – or more modern French bistros. If opting for a more modern and traditional French bistro, one cannot go wrong with dinner at Le Perraudin – a small restaurant that, without knowing about it, you’d likely walk right by. The staff are very friendly and are happy to help you find what suits you best on the menu. if you’re even remotely unsure what to order. There are great options for typical French fare - the food presented nicely and the flavours a mix of indulgent and fresh. It’s definitely worth checking out the specials too, as some of the most exciting dishes can be found that way. They definitely provide a more intimate and cozy atmosphere. Personally, this is one of my favourite in the neighbourhood.
Le Choupinet is a nice little bistro in the neighbourhood, right by the Luxembourg Gardens, that serves typical French cuisine at a moderate price paired with dishes influenced by other cultures – much like the vibe of the neighbourhood as a whole. Their menu has good diversity and can accommodate most dietary restrictions, making it an easy place to go with friends or picky eaters looking to try a French restaurant. Another great option is Les Papilles, which offers prix-fix menus with the daily selection listed on the chalkboard. Though not ideal for pickier eaters, it’s a great spot for those who want quality food in a relaxed atmosphere, with a long list of wines to choose from – it also doubles as a wine shop, so really, their wine list is quite extensive.
Dating back to the turn of the century, Bouillon Racine offers you a unique dining experience – unique in the sense that it represents a type of restaurant, and aesthetic, now uncommon to the city but that is seeing a new revival. Bouillon’s were once everywhere, with over 200 in the city of Paris, but now only a few remain and all have become staples in their respective neighbourhoods. A bouillon offers traditional French foods at an affordable price, created to be a place where the working-class could grab some food or a hearty bowl of soup after a long day’s work. But as the restaurants became gentrified, the bouillons grew more upscale and most eventually stopped operation as they no longer filled their original purpose. However, a few of these elevated bouillons still remain in the city – making them a great place to dine on classic and affordable French foods, surrounded by art nouveau décor and trimmings. Bouillon Racine is perhaps one of the most expensive of these remaining restaurants, as they’ve brought in a Michelin-starred chef, but it’s prices are still very fair compared to other restaurants in the city.
Another older and traditional restaurant that people flock to includes Le Polidor, opened in 1846. Featured in Midnight in Paris, this restaurant is known for welcoming famous guests like James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac, and Henry Miller, while Victor Hugo frequented the original restaurant before a renovation. The interiors haven’t been changed since the renovation, which has been for over a century. So as you dine here, you’ll be enjoying the same design, interiors, and long shared tales that were used 100 years ago.
But when it comes to historical restaurants in the neighbourhood, or even within Paris for that matter, you can’t go wrong with La Tour d’Argent, which dates back 1582 and is one of the oldest and most respected restaurants in the city. The rooftop garden provides great views of Paris, especially the Notre-Dame, and the interior will transport you back in time… or to the Disney film Ratatouille, as this restaurant is said to be inspiration for the one in the movie. Legend has it that the fork was first introduced to France here at an important dinner that welcomed King Henri IV in the 16th century. At that time, forks were already becoming used by aristocracy in Italy, the birthplace of King Henri IV’s mother – Catherine de’ Medici.
You can also try their more affordable option La Rôtisserie d’Argent, which is an upscale bistro just beside its historical counterpart. Unlike some of the aforementioned restaurants, this one is a bistro Lyonnaise – a very specific style of bistro, famous for its checkered red-and-white table cloths. Though a limited menu and a little pricy compared to some of the other choices, it makes for a wonderful meal that feels like a laid-back treat.
If venturing away from the traditional French menu, or looking for something a little more modern, consider trying Sourire (a French tapas restaurant), Les Petits Pois, or Prosper et Fortunée, which only seats 15 and is home-style cooking – reservations are required.
Alternatively, don’t choose your French food based on how modern it is or how old the restaurant, but rather based on the view. La Nouvelle Seine is a wonderful seafood restaurant situated on a barge on the Seine. A little fish or lobster on the Seine with the Notre-Dame in the backdrop is never a bad idea. Or go trendy with the third restaurant from ZKG (Ze Kitchen Galerie) called Kitchen Ter(re). The focus of this restaurant is pasta with a mix of Italian, French, and Asian influences, with main courses at dinner ranging from €19-€22.
However, something special about the Latin Quarter is the diversity in great food at all price ranges, perhaps representative of the diversity of the students who frequent this neighbourhood. Unlike other neighbourhoods where you’ll find trendy Japanese or fusion restaurants, here you’ll find quality restaurants that aren’t marketing themselves to tourists. The Cod House is a popular Japanese tapas bar, while Kodawari Ramen is great for a generous portion of noodles. Ricette is an a neighbourhood Italian restaurant that screams quality without pretention. Alternatively, Figue et Olive is an Italian fusion restaurant, blending together the flavours and cooking of Italy and Tunisia. When you’re finished dining, perhaps have a drink at The Moose – a Canadian pub that serves poutine with its beers and where English is a welcome language, so meeting others can be rather easy.