There used to be a time where being vegetarian — or worse, vegan — in France meant stuffing your face with baguette, being scoffed at by the meat-loving French gourmands, and having to explain to the waiter, much to his surprise, that the fish and lardons in your salad are not vegetarian. But this is no longer true (maybe except for the bread-inhaling part). The French’s perceptions of what it means to have a vegetable-based diet have changed, and quality options are aplenty. Here are 9 spots with delicious vegan and vegetarian options in Paris.
1. La Cantine de Merci
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In the basement of this hip concept/furniture store, and looking out onto a leafy courtyard, is a cafeteria that serves healthy, seasonal fare. The menu of La Cantine, which changes daily, features a soup, salad, risotto, vegetable tart, and a variety of cakes faits maison. Go up to the tile-lined display counter to see the tarts and salads in their full glory. — 111 boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003
2. Wild and the Moon
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Loved by the fashion crowd (think Karlie Kloss and Virgil Abloh), this Parisian chain is organic, plant-based, gluten and (almost) dairy free, and 100% plastic free. Everything used in Wild and the Moon is biodegradable, and no food is wasted (leftover vegetable peels are transformed into crackers). A sample of what’s on the menu: spirulina-spiked matcha, acai bowls, grab-and-go adaptopgenic juices. — multiple locations in Paris
3. Kitchen
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Formerly known as Bob’s Kitchen, this understated cafe in the Marais pumps out colorful bowls of rice and vegetables and tops them off with their spicy house sauce. Try their popular matcha cookies or get a stack of their vegan, GF pancakes if you have a sweet tooth. — 74 rue des Gravilliers, 75003
4. Chez Alain Miam Miam
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Easily the most popular shop in the Marché des Enfants Rouges. You’ll know you’ve found the right place when you see a line of hungry tourists and locals waiting to try one of Alain’s grilled sandwiches or galettes. Each one of his toasty creations begins with freshly baked bread that is heated (or made from scratch, if you go for the galette) on a slick cast-iron griddle, packed with organic vegetables, caramelized onions, avocado, and comté or cantal, and compacted and toasted to golden-brown perfection with a customized wooden paddle. Expect to wait for at least an hour, it’s well worth it. — 26 Rue Charlot (inside le Marché des Enfants Rouges), 75003
5. Tsubame
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This family-run restaurant specializes in bento boxes, or nutritious and aesthetically-pleasing Japanese boxed lunches. Their vegetarian bento comes with miso-marinated eggplant, broccoli, lotus roots, and seasonal offerings like kombucha. Service is equally as charming (which can in hard to come by in Paris). Finish off with the matcha crème brûlée. — 40 rue de Douai, 75009
6. Peonies
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What do you get when you combine a flower and a coffee shop? Peonies. Come in for a slice of their homemade cakes or their grilled cheese with a twist, made with their variation of the Nordic black bread and with the addition of spinach, and leave with a beautiful bouquet of peonies crafted by owner, former model and DJ Clémentine Lévy. Coffee roasted locally by Franco-Australian café Coutume. — 81 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010
7. The Broken Arm
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Where to go if you want to fit a shopping spree into your lunch break. This concept store/café is a favorite among the young creative types, which isn’t surprising considering the Broken Arm was founded by the creators of the fashion and lifestyle website De Jeunes Gens Modernes. The interior is clean, lofty, and bright, looking out onto the Square du Temple. The retail space features a carefully-curated collection of lesser known clothing brands such as Christophe Lemaire and Jacquemus. Adjacent to the boutique, the café provides a small selection of sandwiches, salads, and pastries, all made in-house by their chef. Coffee beans are sourced from Norwegian roaster Solberg & Hansen. — 12 rue Perrée, 75003
8. Soya
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This vegetarian-fusion restaurant is known for their fantastic salad bar (tabbouleh, hummus, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, beetroot), hot dishes like vegetarian lasagna and seaweed dumplings, and desserts served in tiny ramekins. On Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can get their brunch buffet and a fruit juice for 24€. Soya also boasts an extensive natural wine list. — 20 rue de la Pierre Levée, 75011
9. Aujourd’hui Demain
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Inaugurated in November 2017, Aujourd’hui Demain quickly became the Colette (R.I.P.) of the vegan world. The 1,600 square feet store space contains a clothing, natural beauty and make-up, and lifestyle department, a book store, an event space, an organic grocery store, and a café. Weekday lunches consist of sandwiches, seasonal green bowls, and Beyond Meat burgers, and on weekends there’s a brunch option. — 42 Rue du Chemin Vert, 75011
