Snacks – All our local tips

Whoever has been to Rome probably enjoyed pizza al taglio, those delicious pizzas sold by weight, folded in two, put in a piece of paper, and eaten like a sandwich while walking through nice Roman alleys. Finally, after years of desperate investigation to find a similar store in Paris (and being very close to initiate the concept myself!), I finally found Al Taglio, which reproduces faithfully the Roman speciality.

Unlike other places where portions of pizzas are already cut, priced (expensively), and generally not very good, here you can choose the size yourself (thus the weight and the price) of your slice, depending on your appetite and/or will to try different kinds. A good option is to choose several small slices in order to taste different varieties.

The recipe is different from traditional round pizza: this pizza is cooked in long, rectangular baking pans and relatively thick. The crust is similar to that of an English muffin, and is usually cut with scissors or a knife, but I should stop copying Wikipedia, if not, people will notice it!!!

You’ll usually find a choice of four or five different pizzas at a time (including vegetarian ones), but as soon as a pizza is finished, the pizzaiolo makes a new variety and so on. Pizzas can be enjoyed in the restaurant, or taken away and eaten on the go, just like in Rome.

Located near metro station Parmentier, it is a good place to start a big night out in the bars of the neighbouring Rue Oberkampf.

Last but not least, it offers a free WIFI connection!

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Al Taglio | Snacks, Restaurants (Pizzeria) | Pizza 4 Formaggi (100gr) € 3.49
2 bis rue Neuve-Popincourt | Belleville/Nation | +33143381200
Sun – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 00:00

Around diminutive tables and stools on the pavement a relaxed crowd of young arty types muse volubly over cheap beers, huge baguettes and plates of mixed charcuterie. Acquiring a table outside can take time, force or simply a bit of flirting but once ensconced you are likely to get chatting to neighbouring tables in no time.

Unlike some of Montmartre and the nearby Sacre Coeur, the Rendez-vous is scarcely tainted by the hoards of tourists; at first glance the quietly cool air of the place and almost exclusively French crowd can even seem a little intimidating. Persist though and you will find the atmosphere rather more relaxed and friendly.

Happy Hour (20:00 – 22:00) finds beers (pint) at € 4.00 and a pot of wine (50cl) at € 8.00. Baguettes as long as your arm packed with meat, cheese or paté cost € 3.50, salads are € 8.00 and charcuterie/cheese boards are € 8.00 to € 10.00.

On weekends bands (anything from chanson to jazz-funk or rock) play in the low ceilinged back-room; entrance is usually free. To sum up, Au Rendez-Vous des Amis is just that, an unaffected low-key venue, a lovely spot to have a drink with friends and a likely place to make new ones.

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Au Rendez-Vous des Amis | Bars, Music, Snacks | Baguette € 3.50
23 rue Gabrielle | Montmartre/Clichy | +33146060160
08:30 – 02:00 daily

As a frequent visitor to New York City, I’ve become a fan of the cupcake-only shops that have sprung up and risen to fame through movies such as Sex and the City. Perhaps because it’s a throwback to my childhood, there’s a certain nostalgic comfort in these super sweet and colorful treats.

A disclaimer – nothing beats the bakeries and pastry shops in Paris for unique and delicious sweet treats on the go, but if you’ve got a cupcake craving that won’t quit, you’ll be pleased to know that cupcake shops have begun to pop up in Paris!

Berko, a shop on the outskirts of the Marais, is one such example of the new Parisian cupcake craze. A modern, sleek shop, Berko offers a huge variety of cupcakes for sale individually to eat on your walk or by the dozen for parties.

As you can see, the glass display case shows the mouth-watering choices and at less than three euros per cupcake, you can try more than one to find your favorite! The moist, chocolatey oreo cupcake is my go-to cupcake but I can’t wait to try a few more.

If you’re looking for an alternate to the typical pastry shop, stop by Berko for a sweet treat on your walk in the Marais.

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Berko | Snacks | Cupcake € 2.85
23, rue Rambuteau | Marais/Bastille | +330140290244
Tue – Fri 11:30 – 20:00, Sat 11:00 – 20:00, Sun 11:00 – 19:30

The café Chéri(e) is superbly dilapidated; gleaming in red fairy lights it seems at once a very seedy Scout hut and a modestly trendy watering-hole for Belleville’s deliberately ‘un-fashionable’ but no less cool populace.

Characteristic of the neighbourhood, it is busy morning til night; sleepy students, artists and locals seeking peace and coffee give way later on to a louder more raucous crowd of party-goers. DJs play at the weekends, but don’t expect international names; in keeping with the generally low-key style, the DJs appear to be locals and friends.

During the day the terrace, consisting mainly of old school desks with rickety lids and inkwells packed in together so as to cause great difficulty and attention when moved, makes a great place for a rest, an aperitif or to partake (as everyone else will be doing) in a spot of casual people-watching/eavesdropping.

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Café Chéri(e) | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks | Cocktails € 6.50
44 Bld. de la Villette | Belleville/Nation | +33142020205
08:00 – 02:00 daily

Although slow food is more to my preference, the length of my break tells me that fast food is my only option at lunchtimes. When I need to eat quickly, what could be better than food that not only rapidly appears on the table but is also both healthy and nutritous?

The e-Top restaurant has been open for less than 6 months, and despite the somewhat awkward name, this Asian kitchen is already pulling in streams of lunchtime visitors. Being near my place of work it has become my unofficial canteen, and looking around at fellow customers, it seems like I’m not the only one to use it this way.

From 12 o’clock the clean, modern space slowly fills up, and plates of stir-fried rice, meat and noodles and big, piping hot bowls of soup are brought to the tables. Conversation fills the room and the windows begin to steam up as the hungry crowds tuck into their fresh, spicy dishes. After a quick coffee, a rapid glance at the watch and a rush back to work.

Don’t forget to pick up one of the sweets at the counter to keep you going through the afternoon!

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e-Top | Snacks, Restaurants (Asian) | Large Bowl of Noodle Soup € 7.50
40 Rue St Georges | Grands Boulevards | +330145262289
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 22:00

Finding a good snack in Paris is not so easy, most of them being just like one another, with classic kebabs, panini, and crêpes, and, in some areas, really abusive prices.

Thankfully, Kaza Maza is an exception. Located in the very popular area near the Panthéon and Rue de la Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, where many local students and young tourists have nights out, Kaza Maza offers excellent Lebanese sandwiches at very attractive prices, considering their quality and the area.

The sandwich list is divided in three clear sections: meat sandwiches; cheese sandwiches; vegetarian sandwiches (all cheese sandwiches are vegetarian too), each category having a choice of 4/5 options. It’s also possible to have, as an appetizer, just a falafel or a meatball and obviously, oriental pastries, like baklavas, are also available.

The few chairs and a counter are for those who just aim to have a food break between two pints in neighbouring pubs. But the place is mostly for take away, and sandwiches are always delivered in a thin plastic bag in order to eat them comfortably and not pour all the hummus over one’s clothes while eating on the run to catch the last metro.

In the daytime, and only during the weekends, I recommend enjoying the food in the Jardin Carré, the garden of the Ministry of Research, one minute walk along Rue Descartes (entrance at number 11 of this street).

Note: there’s another Kaza Maza (same menu, same prices) at 16 rue d’Odessa, in Montparnasse area.

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Kaza Maza | Snacks | Sandwich from € 3.50
1 rue de l’Ecole Polytechnique | Quartier Latin
11:00 – 00:00 (later on weekends)

Salle à Manger is a pleasant place to stop if you are in the Rue Mouffetard.

Want to contemplate the historic or symbolic significance of the area or just to eat well, Salle à Manger gives you both.

Rue Mouffetard, where Salle à Manger is located, dates back to Roman times when Paris was called Lutetia. Later it became a commercial thoroughfare and today it is a mix of tourist attractions, restaurants and small food shops. When not overcrowded it is amusing, though my advice would be to take your time when choosing a restaurant.

Salle à Manger is a budget-friendly restaurant with two terraces, the second of which is the most interesting with a view of the St. Médard church (whose oldest parts date from the 15th century, though the church has stood in the same place since the 11th), situated in the middle of an open-air food market. The scenery is reminiscent of the Middle Ages when markets were often found in front of religious edifices. Street artists sometimes add to the experience.

“The Dining Room” is a brunch-oriented restaurant, with large and delicious salads that are prepared with care. The apple crumble is especially good, also available to take away. With a mild ginger flavour it is worth trying, particularly as it is not to be found everywhere, being British rather than French in origin.

If you prefer to eat inside, the atmosphere is exactly as its name suggests – as cosy and pleasant as a dining room.

And if the sun should make an appearance, the second terrace is bathed in sunshine during the morning and the early afternoon.

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La Salle à Manger | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Brunch € 15.00
138 rue Mouffetard | Quartier Latin | +33155439199
08:30 – 19:30 daily

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Le Bar du Marché is that rare thing in a city as heavily tourist-trodden as Paris: a busy central café/bar which – though frequented by tourists – has not lost its individuality or favour amongst the native or local clientele.

The highlight is the terrace: diminutive tables packed onto the corner of the rue de Seine and the rue Saint-André des Arts thus providing an ideal vantage point over this colourful, ever-frenetic corner of Paris. Outdoor heaters mean the terrace is a feasible option in the winter too.

Lunch-time or late afternoon/aperitif hour are probably my favourite times to visit. For me, little out-does the classic lunch combination of a croque-monsieur and a glass of house red followed by an espresso….. plus, I’m a sucker for pavement-side people-watching!

On weekends you may have to hustle just a tiny bit for a table but don’t be put off, the service is efficient and friendly (if a touch flirty – the waiters in red overalls and berets!). The food is good and not expensive, with the usual selection of salads, steak frites, croques and so on available.

Of all the little hidden treasures and out-of-the-way spots in Paris, Le Bar du Marché is still an absolute favourite of mine. Great atmosphere, ideal location, good quality and well-priced food and drink…. it’s a gem and a classic all rolled into one.

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Le Bar du Marché | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (French) | Wine € 3
75 rue du Seine | Quartier Latin | +33143265515
09:00 – 02:00 daily

If passing near, you can not walk away without perceiving Boulangerie Monge. The line, specially at weekends will attract your attention, and curiosity. When you get nearer and  see the glass window it will be decided, the dilemma of waiting or not will be resolved.

There a lots of different cakes, that taste amazing (ex. tarte au chocolat-praliné) although it is primarily a bakery and not patisserie.

The stars are however in the form of bread products – different sort of baguettes and breads let you experiment with the variety. The owner announces that they use 100 % pure flour and cocoa and for the health food minded there is a choice of Bio products.

The chocolate rolls (escargot), lemon, almond and pistachio rolls are speciality of this place, if you ask me. Fair amounts of chocolate in a roll, make it a delightful bakery-cookie hybrid.

One of the attractive details about Boulangerie Monge is that you can see, the bakers making bread through the shop window

. When you see them during the day you can buy it immediately, but if you pass early at the morning, you’ll be obliged just to watch and buy at the opening time which can be a difficult wait.

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Le Boulanger de Monge | Snacks | Escargot € 1.35
123, rue Monge | Quartier Latin | +33143375420
Tue – Sun 07:00 – 20:30

These 2 cafés one across the other are one of the most popular local coffee shop around Bastille.

They have an interesting mixture of artefacts and pictures, as well as tranquil ambiance during the day makes it a place you feel good at.

Sometimes too boboish and a bit pretentious, nevertheless it has a charm.

When I came  to Paris, at the beginning I was surprised that if you are by chance hungry at 16:00. it’s difficult to find a restaurant with kitchen opened. With time I saw that Parisians really respect the eating time table, so do the restaurants. With Le cafe de l’Industrie, it’s not the case. The kitchen is open all day around and the food is really good. The menu is bistro-range, with mainly French dishes.

In the right Industrie, a cat who is a household institution, will convince you, you have chosen well.

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Le Café de l’Industrie | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Brunch € 20.00
16/17 rue Saint Sabin | Marais/Bastille | +33147001353
09:30 – 02:00 daily

The Faitout is a cosy, ramshackle sort of place popular with Belleville residents who return time and again for the laid-back atmosphere, the good quality fare (and the free Internet).

The staff are young and rather charming, (the café I-Pod is usually handed round for the customers to choose the music) and free popcorn circulates in the late afternoon.

The menu is varied and inexpensive, from classic French fare: blanquette de veau and mixed charcuterie to salads and more worldly dishes: Thai curry and Moroccan couscous, all consistently well prepared and presented, in addition to a good selection of wines. There is currently a ‘Formule-Theatre’ which is a menu plus a reduced price theatre ticket at the near-by theatre La Providence (for 7.50€ instead of 9€).

A book shelf along one wall offers novels, guide books and odd miscellany in a selection of languages (mainly French and English) as well as board games (Scrabble, Monopoly, Guess Who etc). The draw of the Faitout is easy to conceive, and for me this really lies in the comfort of the large leather booths where many happy hours can be spent reading, eating, drinking…indeed if its procrastination or lazing about you seek then the Faitout is just the place.

The bar and terrace fill up later with a good-looking artsy (fashionably scruffy) local crowd. Blankets on the terrace ensure smokers may take their time on cold evenings.

P.S. Be sure to try the syrup with coffee…

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Le Faitout | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Intern.) | Hibiscus tea € 3.50
23 Avenue Simon Bolivar | Belleville/Nation | +33142080709
08:00 – 01:00 daily

One of the most famous of Parisian foods after the croissant is surely “La Crêpe”. On every third street-corner throughout the city there is a small stand where pancakes are available. Often there are only 3-4 basic kinds, and usually they are not as good as you expected. It might not even be prepared in front of you, but simply reheated. It’s a pity to eat a crêpe just to satisfy hunger rather than really enjoying it.

There are popular and without doubt good Brittany crêpe-spots near Montparnasse (such as the Crêperie de Pont-Aven, or Saint-Malo, 54 and 53 Rue du Montparnasse), but they are all too well-known.

What I recommend to you is not the big and famous kind of place.

Le Pot O’Lait is just a small crêperie, not especially successful with a wannabe authentic interior (though this is not really important in my choice of places), but it is truly an excellent place to eat pancakes, as is evident from the number of people inside. It is dedicated to crêpes and galettes only. A galette is a large buckwheat flour savoury pancake, associated with Brittany and Normandy, while crêpes are made with wheat flour and usually have a sweet filling.

There are around 20 savoury salty kinds and at least as many sweet ones. Sweet can also be flam

béed and served with ice cream or whipped cream. ‘Squirrel’ flavour (écureuil) contains sweet nuts and great savoury ones are Capucin or Fermière. These are personal choices, but I’m sure the others are just as good.

One more thing that makes this place special is the warm and enthusiastic staff.

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Le Pot O’ Lait | Snacks | Menu € 10.90
41 rue Censier | Quartier Latin | +33142170569
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 14:30 & 19:00 – 22:30

It’s always great to have a nice local bar, but even better when that bar has a fantastic art deco interior! The team at Le Rubis have only been in place for a month, but they have already successfully regenerated an establishment that was hidden for years behind a dull contemporary decor.

Sitting at the bottom of an atypical 1930s building, it now provides a stylish sparkle to the district. The main feature is a curved island bar at the centre of the bar, but the ruby-red walls and bench seats also bring a certain warmth and cosiness to the venue.

The friendly owners will also make you feel welcome, especially if you are a fan of music, for example at one of their ‘apero pic-nic rock n roll’ events on Friday or Saturday evenings. Many other events are planned in the coming months, but you can also just go along for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or for a cocktail in the evening!

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Le Rubis | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (French) | Beer € 2.50
140 Rue Saint Maur | Belleville/Nation
Mon – Thu 08:00 – 20:00, Fri – Sat 08:00 – 02:00

Looking to grab a quick drink and some snacks? Do you like feisty, fun waiters and a festive environment? Then Les Piétons is for you!

Nestled in the midst of the otherwise touristy Chatelet area and easily accessible by a host of metro and bus lines, Les Piétons is a good place to go for tapas and has a host of good deals.

Stop by for lunch for the very well-priced lunch menu every day but Sunday, which will give you the choice of three tapas plates, dessert and a glass of sangria or soda for only €13.50. The warm tapas are the best and the small portions make this an ideal place to go with friends and share different types of dishes. The menu also includes a plat du jour and paella for those wanting a heavier meal.

The place gets quite busy at night, for those who like a livelier ambiance. Lunchtime is best for those who wish to have quieter conversation.

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Les Piétons | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish) | Tapas dish € 4.50
8 rue des Lombards | Louvre/Les Halles | +3348878287
12:00 – 02:00 daily

Walking down the gloriously named rue des Rigoles (one of its meanings being ’they who laugh’!) may feel like stepping into residential Paris but do not be put off by the location; Les Trois Arts is truly a gem. With Balkan troupes, jazz quintets, chanson française as well as literary soirées and story telling, its about as eclectic as it gets.

The venue attracts a happy mix of folk. Plus, the musicians (often quite weird and wacky types) usually hang around after the concerts. Simple food is available too, from shareable stuff like cheese and pate plates to salads and a plat du jour.

Many of the concerts are free. If not, entrance is never more than € 5.00. It is advised to arrive early as the basement room fills up quickly making it difficult to get a seat. Their website contains information concerning concerts, location and so on.

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Les Trois Arts | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (French) | Beer (demi) € 3.00
21 Rue des Rigoles | Belleville/Nation | +33143493627
Tue – Sat 17:00 – 00:00, Sun 17:00 – 21:00

Guidebooks generally advise that Rue des Rosiers (Marais) is a great – and historical – place for a falafel. But these delicious vegetarian sandwiches have been popping up in all neighborhoods lately, and so the Left Bank now also has good falafel stores. Located in the pedestrian streets of Saint-Michel area, Maoz is one of these stores.

While in Rue des Rosiers, sandwiches are usually made in an assembly line formation, at Maoz, you will have the choice of which raw vegetables will accompany your chickpeas balls: indeed, the waiter only serve you a pita filled with 5 falafels (fried aubergines or hummus can be ordered, with a €0.60 supplement), then you are free to fill it up at the salad bar, with salads such as carrots, beetroots, onions, olives etc. and 5 different sauces.

There’s a great science involved in falafel-filling!!! If you want your falafel to be homogeneous, move one or two balls to the top and then mix the fresh vegetables between the other balls, mixing the fresh (vegetables) and the dry (falafels) together.

If you can resist a one minute walk before biting into your sandwich, I really advise to enjoy it in Square Viviani, which not only offers benches and lawn with a great view of the Notre-Dame, but also hosts the oldest tree in Paris (a curiosity) and a free water fountain (works only in spring and summer), which can be a great help, if you added too much sauce from the second row of the salad bar (the hot and spicy ones).

Note : A new Maoz store has recently opened at 36 rue Saint-André-des-Arts (5 minutes walk towards Odéon), same menu, same prices, same hours.

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Maoz | Snacks | Falafel € 4.40
8 rue Xavier Privas | Quartier Latin | +33143263600
11:30 – 01:00 daily

Le Marché des Enfants Rouges is reputedly the oldest food market in Paris, built under the rule of Louis XIII around 1615. The name, which literally means the Market of the Red Children, refers to the red uniform worn by the children of the orphanage that was located nearby.

Still marked out by a small iron gate off the rue de Bretagne in the now rather chic upper Marais district, today the market is alive with the aromas of fresh produce and the sounds of market clatter and chatter. Strolling though the narrow rows you are met by the rich, vibrant colours of an impressive array of organic fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Also available is olive oil, charcuterie, wine, cheese and other such wholesome delights.

The market is an ideal spot for lunch too. Freshly cooked dishes can be bought from the various stalls (Moroccan, French, Italian fare, sushi, cheeses, meats and so on) and consumed at the communal trestle tables at either end of the market. There are also a couple of small restaurants, such as L’estaminet which serves simple, traditional (though very good) fare in a homely, relaxed atmosphere. A plentiful Brunch is available on Sunday for € 20.00 too.

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Marché des Enfants Rouges | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks, Restaurants (Varied)
39 rue de Bretagne | Marais/Bastille
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 14:00 & 16:00 – 20:00, Sun 09:00 – 14:00

It’s impossible to resist one of masterpieces of confectionary of Patisserie Arnaud Delmontel, located at the pleasant Rue des Martyrs (see the Rue des Martyrs article).

A look in the shop window will tell it all, or otherwise the queue on Sunday mornings. The shop won the 2007 first prize for the Best Baguette in Paris, adding to its fame.

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Patisserie Arnaud Delmontel | Shopping, Snacks
39 rue des Martyrs | Grands Boulevards | +33148782933
Wed – Mon 07:00 – 20:30

Run by Usines Éphémère – a not-for-profit organisation that converts wastelands into cultural centres for young artists – the Point Éphémère features a variety of interesting exhibitions and concerts.  Artists’ and musicians’ studios and workshops are also housed there making it one of the most innovative cultural projects in Paris today.

Simple food and inexpensive drinks are available until late and the canal-side terrace is a great hang-out kept snug all winter by outdoor heaters.

Leaflets and flyers with information on concerts/club nights and exhibitions can be found in almost all bars and on their website.

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Point Éphémère | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Relaxing, Snacks | Club nights € 10.00
200 Quai Valmy | Belleville/Nation | +33140340248
13:00 – 02:00 daily (later if there’s an event/concert on)

An ice-cream in the middle of winter? Why not when they are this good! Raimo is not only the oldest ice-cream producer and vendor in Paris, but also surley the best. The establishment dates back to 1947, and although the Raimo(ndo) family were of Italian origin, their recipes, some of which date back to the 19th century, are from a pure French tradition. These recipes, along with a selection of new flavours each season, are still the same today.

The establishment is divided into two parts; a cafe which was first opened in 1948, and a take-away shop. You can choose from around 35 different flavours, but this number varies from month to month as only fresh, seasonal produce is used. As the ice-creams and sorbets are so rich in the principal ingredient, and contain only around 15-30% air, you can smell and taste the difference with standard ice-creams and feel the difference in texture. My favourites are the sorbets which are like frozen versions of the fruits themselves, but also the ginger ice-cream which has a real kick.

Raimo may be situated slightly outside the central zone of the city, and prices may be slightly higher than you would pay for a factory produced ice-cream in the touristic zones, but it is well worth a few extra stops on the Metro and a few extra centimes for such an exceptional product.

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Raimo Glacier | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Ice-Cream € 3.50
59 – 61, boulevard de Reuilly | Belleville/Nation | +330143437017
10:00 – 22:00 daily

Located in the posh Opéra neighborhood, the rue Sainte Anne is perhaps the best place to go in Paris for the widest variety of Japanese food. As it’s not far from the Grands Boulevards and its posh shopping spots, and just a few blocks from the Louvre, rue Sainte Anne is a great place to walk after shopping or sightseeing for a quick and delicious meal.

A veritable “Little Tokyo,” you can find everything from ramen restaurants, sushi takeout spots and tiny Japanese grocery stores where Japanese snacks and products can be found.

I love taking a stroll down the street and trying new restaurants. A good way to spot a good restaurant is by the lines of people waiting outside – as most of these restaurants are tiny and don’t take reservations, be prepared to either wait for a little while, or move on to sample some of the other choices.

My favorite restaurant is Sapporo 2 (see the Sappora 2 article) but there are many other choices that are sure to satisfy.

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Rue Sainte Anne | Art & culture, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (Japanese)
Rue Sainte Anne | Louvre/Les Halles
24 hours daily

A pretty little haven of homely culture ideal for anyone seeking English literature and a warm hospitable environment in which to pass an afternoon. Tea and Tattered Pages boasts a wide selection of second-hand English and American literature, poetry, history, biography amongst other sections (home, education etc); all at reasonable prices.

In spite of being somewhat out-of-the-way this delightful book shop is well worth the journey; what’s more, English tea, scones and carrot cake are served in the diminutive tea room at the back.

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Tea and Tattered Pages | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks
24 rue Mayet | Montparnasse | +33140659435
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 19:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00

I’m far from being a chocoholic, and normally have no problems resisting the temptations of the exuberant window displays of the traditional Paris chocolatier. My tastes are more geared towards the simple and natural, and I find the pralines and ganaches offered by most establishments to be over-rich and slightly sickly.

Via Chocolat is a different kind of establishment though, being a showroom (or Cho’room as they describe themselves) for a constantly changing selection of the best independent chocolate producers in the country. The showroom is simple and slick, with photos of the producers being more visible than the chocolates themselves which are hidden secretly away in sliding drawers.

The chocolates are sold in a wide range of box sizes, with staff making a selection according to your personal preferences. Some are infused with teas, fruits or flowers, some have a slight kick of chilli or ginger whilst others offer a twist of the truly original, such as a warm aroma of honey or a crunch of salt. They feel homemade when you bite into them, the thin crust cracking and giving way to smooth, whipped centres.

As well as the individual chocolates, tablets are also available ranging from classic strong dark chocolate to the astonishing ‘aperitif’ bar which is packed with popcorn, nuts and dried tomatoes!

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Via Chocolat | Shopping, Snacks | Tablet € 3.00
5 Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle | Montmartre/Clichy | +330145261273
Tue – Fri 13:00 – 19:30, Sat 10:30 – 20:00

One of my favorite treats in the States was boba, or “bubble tea” – flavored tea beverages with tiny gelatinous tapioca balls or “pearls” that are sucked through a wide straw. Though the beverage originated in Taiwan, it has spread throughout Asia, and more recently to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S.

Boba tea was one of the treats that I accepted leaving behind when I moved to Paris, as I didn’t expect to find it here. Imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered ZenZoo – a restaurant and boba teahouse near the rue Sainte Anne and the Louvre.

The restaurant is tiny and seems to always be very busy but also offers a takeaway window to take tea to go. There are several different tea flavors on the menu that can be enjoyed as boba drinks, and there are also more traditional tea drinks. I recommend the green tea with m

ilk – boba style of course!

ZenZoo is the perfect place for people who want to try boba for the first time and boba veterans who are looking for their fix.

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ZenZoo | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Asian) | Large bubble tea € 5.50
13 rue Chabanais | Louvre/Les Halles | +330142962728
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 23:00