Where To Eat Non-French Food in Paris
Paris is one of the great culinary capitals of the world; but for anyone living in the city, sometimes the last thing you want is another go at French gastronomy. Yes, the entrecôte and confit de canard are amazing – but not after the 5th time in a row. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find great places to get your foreign fix.
Here’s A List Of Non-French Restaurants In Paris
Candelaria {Mexican}
This taqueria is about the size of my pocket, and queues can sometimes be out the door. Βut, the delicious tacos, dangerously chunky guacamole, and cool communal atmosphere keeps me coming back for more. In a city where there is a surprising lack of Lat-Am food; Candelaria is a godsend to anyone craving good creative Mexican cuisine. And the best part? The secret cocktail bar behind the inconspicuous back door, which serves up some of the yummiest cocktails in this quartier! :: 52 Rue de Saintonge (75003)
La Briciola {Italian}
Not too far from Candelaria is the pizza haven, La Briciola. I love the thin crusts that stay true to the concept of Italian pizza and all of the wonderful combinations that you can get in this cozy pizzeria. :: 64 rue Charlot (75003)
Manna {Korean}
After living nearly 2 years in the Korea-Town of Paris (a.k.a the northern part of the 15e arrondissement), Manna quickly became my favorite Korean restaurant. The food is consistently solid rather than outstanding; but sometimes in Paris, there’s simply nothing better than tucking into Manna’s dol sot bi bim bap with a refreshing bottle of Hite on hand. :: 44 rue de Lourmel (75015)
Darai {Korean}
Prepare to enter a perpetual shame spiral! Horrific and abusive service (i.e. being forced to order before you even enter the restaurant!) makes you think that you will never come back. That is until you try the authentic and spicy Korean food. Because menus are presented randomly to you in four different languages. I have never figured out what I ordered, but everything has been delicious. :: 4 Rue Violet (75015)
Thai Vien {Thai}
The Thai cuisine stop for those “in the know”. Thai Vien’s clientele is an odd assortment of Laotians, Thais, expats who know Thai food, and French people who can eat spice! Avoid the desserts, but everything else is proper Thai / Lao at proper prices. :: 56 Avenue de Choisy (75013)
Aki {Japanese}
This place is all about okonomiyaki — a Japanese egg pancake popular in Osaka and Hiroshima topped with your favorite fixings (except soba noodles). Donburi here is also surprisingly good. For those who need some cheap non-sushi Japanese food. :: 11 Rue Sainte-Anne (75001)
Read: Best Sushi Places in Paris
Le Bal Café {British}
If you’re looking for truly good British food on this side of the Channel, look no further than Le Bal Café. This café-meets-exhibition space is run by former Rose Bakery cooks that serve up delicious scones, kippers, and even kedgeree. It’s a great place to have brunch or English afternoon tea – and the brilliant barista in the back makes some of the best coffee in town. :: 6 impasse de la Défense (75018)
Café Suédois {Swedish}
If you want a break from the hustle & bustle of busy Marais, the Institut Suédois is the perfect oasis of Scandinavian calm. The cultural center’s café, located in a gorgeous cobblestone courtyard, offers delicious Swedish open sandwiches, salads, and pastries. It’s the perfect place to have a lovely, relaxed meal on a sunny day. :: 11 rue Payenne (75003)
Krishna Bhavan {Indian}
This vegetarian Tamil restaurant offers mouth-watering food, generous helpings, excellent service, and prices that won’t burn a hole through your wallet. Everything is incredibly delicious – from the mango lassi to the samosas to the masala dosa, all the way to the chai! This is the place I go to whenever I miss India too much. :: 24 rue Cail (75010)
Read: Best Indian Restaurants in Paris
Guilo Guilo {Japanese}
Guilo Guilo, in Montmartre, was opened in 2008 by the successful owner/chef of the restaurant with the same name back in Kyoto, Japan. It specializes in a traditional upscale type of dish called kappo. There is no menu; instead, the chef decides the dishes for the night and serves you 10 small plates that altogether costs around €45. Definitely a great dining experience. :: 8 rue Garreau (75018)
Kunitoraya {Japanese}
This is the Japanese noodle place that I visit most often in Paris. It serves not ramen (thin white noodles), but rather udon (thick wheat flour noodles). At Kunitoraya, you can find various types: tempura, curry, beef, etc. I’d recommend avoiding the peak time at lunch and dinner as there is often a long queue outside the restaurant! :: 39 rue Sainte-Anne (75001)
Paris Hanoi {Vietnamese}
Paris Hanoi is perhaps one of the best known and most loved Vietnamese restaurants in Paris – and the long queue outside says it all. The ingredients are always fresh, the plates generous, and the prices cheap. Their pho noodle soup is definitely worth a try. :: 74 rue de Charonne (75011)
Read: Best Chinese Restaurants in Paris
Bellota-Bellota {Spanish}
This is a familial Spanish restaurant where jamón is served like Bordeaux grand crus. At Bellota-Bellota, you choose your vintage and your “domain”, and then forget what you think you know about ham. :: 18 rue Jean-Nicot (75007)
La Focaccia {Italian}
This is a nice little Italian pizzeria tucked away in the Abbesses area. It’s run by a friendly owner from Sicily and serves good pizza for lower-than-average prices, along with plenty of other truly Italian dishes to choose from! :: 9 rue Joseph de Maistre (75018)
Pulcinella {Italian}
This is a family of consistently good quality Italian restaurants and pizzerias in the 18e (I know at least three, including a trattoria and a pizzeria right next to each other). At the main restaurant on rue Damrémont, the menu is not very long, but the dishes are delicious and very Italian, with antipasti that is top. :: 17, rue Damrémont (75018)
Jambo {Central African}
This is a rare discovery of non-French cuisine in Paris: a central African restaurant owned by a Rwandan couple, with tasty dishes that are generous, flavourful and refreshing in their use of ingredients that are not often found in other cuisines. Welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff. :: 23 rue Sainte-Marthe (75010)
Foujita 1 and 2 {Japanese}
Foujita 1, located near Palais Royal, and Foujita 2, just opposite of the Jardin des Tuileries, are Japanese havens for sushi and sashimi lovers. The rooms are small and cozy, the sushi delicious, and the staff quite warm and welcoming. :: 41 rue St-Roch (75001) and 7 rue du 29 Juillet (75001)
Aarchna {Indian}
At Aarchna, the décor might be a bit kitsch, but you get quite good North Indian cuisine and warm service, all for reasonable prices. The staff is known to be helpful and generous, and the manager is happy to take you through the menu in either French or English. :: 19 rue du Télégraphe (75020)
Anahuacalli {Mexican}
Anahuacalli tucked away in a tiny street in the Latin Quarter is the place to go to for real Mexican food in Paris. From the chunky guacamole to the tacos and enchiladas, the dishes are delicious and actually spicy in the authentic Mexican way – and you can order pitchers of margaritas to get things started! The atmosphere is fun and festive, and the head chef Tony is quite social and chats with all the guests. :: 30 rue des Bernardins (75005)
Where To Eat Non-French Food in Paris
So, there was my list of non-french restaurants to eat out in Paris. Like I said previously, french food is one of the best in the world. However, if you stay in Paris for a long period of time, you can grow tired of it. These are my go-to restaurants if you are looking for something to mix things up.