Paris
Ah, Paris. My favorite city and my aesthetic dream come true. It is my pristine, cream-colored fairytale. A foodie and fashionista’s version of heaven on earth. I couldn’t AI-generate a place I love looking at more than Paris. The people are beautiful, the buildings are perfectly preserved, and the wafting scent of freshly baked baguettes has me covered in goosebumps just thinking about it. Pro-tip: at boulangeries, ask for a “baguette tradition” instead of a “baguette ordinaire” — you’ll thank me later.
While each arrondissement of Paris offers something unique and exciting, Le Marais and Canal Saint Martin are my favorite areas to stay (or live, if I’m playing fantasy). They’re central, historic, extremely walkable, and oozing with character.
The weather can be finicky — December can be freezing or surprisingly temperate, and May can offer torrential downpours or sweltering heat, but I find Paris to be a romantic fever dream regardless of the forecast. Given that most historical buildings haven’t been updated to accommodate for the rising temperature, air conditioning is hard to come by, so going peak summer means being prepared to schvitz.
Here is my ever-growing list of places to stay, eat, shop and visit in the city of lights/love.
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
NOTES:
Mokonuts - Teeny inside, reservations required. Worth it.
Holybelly 5 - The line moves quickly. So good we went back the next day.
Cafe Méricourt - Incredible brunch, highly recommend the green eggs & feta.
Caractère de Cochon - Great French ham and butter sandwiches. We get these and then go eat them in the park around the corner.
Du Pain et des Idées - Tourists and locals agree this is one of, if not the best, bakery in Paris.
DINNER
NOTES:
Petite Marche - Get the duck! Chez Janou and Petit Italien are the same owners and are also delicious.
Paul Bert - They’re known for their gravy steak and not-to-be-missed French fries (frites)!
Chez George - Best escargot, classic French food.
Loupiotes - Ari’s all-time favorite restaurant.
La Poule au Pot - Everyone’s favorite restaurant this past trip. I’m still drooling over the bone marrow! Michelin star.
Early June - Rotating chefs from around the world, reservations required.
Haven’t tried, wanted to:
L’Ami Jean - Only decent restaurant near the Eiffel Tower.
Le Servan
Where to Drink
NOTES:
Frequence - Vinyl and wine 🎶 + 🍷
Little Red Door - Worth the wait, my favorite cocktails. “Farm to glass.”
Harry’s Bar - Live music downstairs, get there before 10pm.
Folderol - Ice cream and wine 🍦 + 🍷
Where to Go
NOTES:
Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen - Flea market open on weekends. Saturdays are the best day to go and it’s easily accessible via metro.
Sacré Cœur - take a stroll through the historic hills of Montmartre and snap a vintage film photo strip at the Fotoautomat.
Where to Shop
NOTES:
Shinzo - The most comprehensive selection of limited edition sneakers I’ve come across.
Rouje - That signature French-girl style courtesy of dream girl Jeanne Damas.
The Frankie Shop - The men’s store is right across from their women’s store and my husband and I rarely leave empty handed.
Thanks God I’m a V.I.P. - Color coded vintage paradise.
Le Bon Marché - The department store to rival every other department store.
Merci - French home goods, clothes and the best possible souvenirs.
Christoph Lemaire - Chic chic chic chic chic! And the best menswear selection.
Bonton - Baby and kids clothes that will tempt you whether you’re a parent or not.
EXTRA:
Astier de Villante - a beautiful assortment of handmade ceramics fired with a milky glaze, potions and fragrances.
Chanel - The original at 31 Rue Cambon is worth a visit whether you’re in the mood to splurge or peruse, as it used to be Coco’s apartment and Chanel HQ. And yes, Chanel is (a little) cheaper in Paris.