Day-by-day eating plans for Paris. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

Paris weekend: the classics, done right ★ 4.5

First-time visitor, two days2 days

A weekend built around the dishes Paris invented, the cafes that wrote the rulebook, and one neo-bistro dinner. For a first-time visitor with two days and a baseline bistro budget.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: market, bistro lunch, natural-wine dinner

    Morning
    Marché Bastille at 09:00. Pain au levain from Du Pain et des Idées if you can swing the detour; coffee at La Fontaine de Belleville.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Bistrot Paul Bert, 12:30. Steak frites saignant, île flottante for two, half a bottle of house red. Walk the 11e afterwards.
    Evening
    Wine bar at Septime La Cave from 19:00, walk-in only. Move to dinner at Clamato for oysters and grilled hake if the queue is short.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: pastry, museum lunch, late dinner

    Morning
    Du Pain et des Idées at 08:00 for the escargot pistache-chocolat. Filter coffee at Ten Belles on the canal.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Café de Flore on Boulevard Saint-Germain, 13:00. Croque-monsieur, a glass of Sancerre, the bowl of frites on the side.
    Evening
    Dinner at Clamato at 20:30 if you missed Saturday; otherwise dessert at Stohrer on Rue Montorgueil and a digestif at Le Mary Celeste.

Paris vegan: three days of plant-led cooking ★ 4.3

Vegan, three days3 days

A three-day plan for a vegan traveller: Abattoir Végétal, Jah Jah, VG Pâtisserie, the natural-wine bars that pour without gelatine, and the markets that supply the city's all-plant kitchens.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: market, abattoir-vegetal dinner

    Morning
    Marché des Enfants Rouges at 10:00. Buy fruit, drink fresh juice. Coffee at Fragments in the 3e.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Wild & The Moon on Rue Charlot. Bowls, cold-press juice, raw cakes for dessert.
    Evening
    Dinner at Abattoir Végétal, 20:00. Closed Mon-Tue; book a fortnight ahead for a Saturday table.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: pastry, brunch, Latin-American vegan dinner

    Morning
    VG Pâtisserie at 09:00 for the all-vegan citron tart and a flat white from Boot Café next door.
    Afternoon
    Brunch at Season in the 3e Marais. Granola bowl and avocado toast; the Sunday brunch set is the steal.
    Evening
    Dinner at Jah Jah at 19:00. Caribbean-vegan rasta-cafe with rice-and-peas and jackfruit jerk; rum-and-ginger cocktail to finish.

  3. Day 3: Monday: raw vegan tasting, hidden bistros

    Morning
    Coffee at Strada Café in the 5e. Croissant from Mamiche (vegan options on weekdays).
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Sol Semilla in the 10e for quinoa bowls. Walk the Canal Saint-Martin.
    Evening
    Dinner at 42 Degrés, the raw-vegan tasting-menu room in the 9e. Seven courses, all under 42°C, natural-wine pairing.

Paris long-lunch week: five midday tables ★ 4.6

Lunch-led traveller, five days5 days

A five-day plan built around the long Parisian lunch, the city's best meal of the day for value, time and table-side conversation. Five rooms at €24-€75 each.

  1. Day 1: Monday: a quiet first lunch on Rue Cler

    Morning
    Coffee at Telescope. Croissant at Du Pain et des Idées (Mon-Fri only).
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Le Petit Cler on Rue Cler. Croque-monsieur, glass of Brouilly, a long pavement seat.
    Evening
    Dinner walk along the Seine; light bites at Frenchie Bar à Vins from 18:30.

  2. Day 2: Tuesday: long bistro lunch in the 9e

    Morning
    Mamiche on Rue Condorcet for cinnamon babka, then a long filter coffee at Coutume Café.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Le Bon Georges. Côte de bœuf for two, tarte tatin with crème fraîche, a small carafe of house red.
    Evening
    Cocktails at Bâton Rouge on Rue Notre-Dame de Lorette.

  3. Day 3: Wednesday: a long Lyonnais lunch

    Morning
    Coffee at Loustic in the 3e Marais. Pâté en croûte from Le Comptoir du Relais for a walking-around snack.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Aux Lyonnais. The €40 set lunch with the quenelle de brochet and Saint-Marcellin.
    Evening
    Wine bar at La Buvette from 18:00; arrive at 18:00 for a counter stool.

  4. Day 4: Thursday: a fine-dining lunch

    Morning
    Coffee at Fragments in the 3e. Walk the upper Marais.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Tomy & Co. The €98 five-course tasting at lunchtime is the deal of the room; book three weeks ahead.
    Evening
    Dinner at Frenchie Bar à Vins or a quiet wine at Le Garde Robe.

  5. Day 5: Friday: closing lunch at Septime

    Morning
    Coffee at Ten Belles. Walk the Canal Saint-Martin.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Septime. Reservations 21 days ahead at 09:00; lunch is the easier seating.
    Evening
    Cap the trip with a wine bar at Septime La Cave four blocks away or Clamato for oysters.

Itineraries in Paris, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Paris?

Peak food season in Paris is year-round.

What time do people eat in Paris?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Paris?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Paris?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Paris rewards trust.

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