WHERE TO DRINK AND EAT IN PARIS DURING THE OLYMPICS
Where should you eat and drink in Paris during the Olympics? I got you! I’ve put together a quick list of some of favorite places to eat and drink in Paris!
QUICK AND DIRTY GUIDE TO PARIS
Where to get coffee
(Cafe Verlet)
Starbucks! Don't tell anyone French you're going there, but if you love Starbucks, just go for it without regret. Parisians likely already think you're an uncultured slob, so this won't hurt your reputation, LOL.
Café Verlet - For a classic café experience, look no further than Café Verlet. A purveyor of fine teas and coffees since 1880, Verlet is Paris’ oldest operating coffee company and is not far from the Palais Royal and the Louvre
Au Petit Fer à Cheval - Here is another classic cafe for the purists and those who love horseshoe-shaped bars.
Finally, because needing a coffee can be a life or death emergency, any place with an espresso machine will serve coffee of reasonable quality. Note that it's cheaper to drink it standing at the bar. They charge extra if you sit down at a table.
Where to eat
(Septime)
Au Passage - go here for fun, good food, and reasonable prices.
Bistrot Paul Bert - eat here to experience a classic Parisienne bistro.
Septime - go here if you want to hang out with the cool kids. The crowd at this modern bistro is younger and hipper than the other places on this list.
Au Petit Marguery- one more option for those who want to a classic French restaurant experience that won't break the bank.
Le Camion Qui Fume - track down this food truck for some of the best burger in Paris, and also to upset Parisiennes because nothing is as unrefined as a food truck, LOL. The location of the truck can be found on their website.
Where to drink
(Prescription Cocktail Club)
Prescription Cocktail Club - fancy place for really good cocktails. A great spot for a romantic night out, and reservations are recommended.
Calbar- really chill bar that is possibly the least pretentious place in the city. Oh, and the staff don't wear pants, LOL!
Le Refuge des Fondus - Admittedly this institution is a bit of a tourist trap, but it’s a fun night of fondue. Don’t take it too seriously and it’s a great time had by all. Half of the fun is that you drink your wine out of a baby bottles, post those photos to Instagram, and regret it the next morning.
Harry's New York Bar! Visit this historic bar where they invented the Bloody Mary and where Ernest Hemingway spent many inspirational and drunken nights.
Parisiennes love their happy hours, so keep an eye out for them. They call them "5 à 7 (Also written as Cinq à sept and 5@7" and as that hints it's from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - when in Paris, do as the locals do. The origins of cinq à sept is also a bit more scandalous, as it refers to the time after work and before you get home that you would use to carry on an extramarital affair, so just make sure there aren't any 'lost in translation' moments during your 5 à 7, LOL!
Some tourist moments to sprinkle into your trip
Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche - Get your pic for Instagram on the narrowest street in Paris, or make a TikTok video. Whatever makes it memorable for you.
Petit Palais - take a moment for culture at this free museum. After you get through the exhibits, make sure you leave time to enjoy a coffee in the museum's beautiful courtyard.
Catacombs- learn about this crazy underground world and gaze at millions of artistically arranged human bones and skulls.
The Louvre - if you don't make it to any other museum in Paris, then just go to this one. If you're short on time, then follow this short itinerary: run to the portrait of the Mona Lisa, fight other tourists, get a selfie with the painting; run to the statue of Venus and tell everyone that it's a replica to destroy their dreams; run away quickly and leave the museum before the angry mobs catch you.
Shakespeare and Company - go buy a book and support this cool and unique independent bookshop. Then have a nap in one of the hidden beds in the store.
I feel everyone should have a picnic on the banks of the Seine river at least once in your life. And, if there’s no poop floating around in the river, perhaps you’ll even catch an Olympic event! (Although, probably not as I’m sure they’ve fenced off all of those areas so they can sell tickets to it…) So, buy a bottle of wine, some cheese, and a baguette, then find a spot by the river and enjoy. Bonus points if you wear a beret or throw a mime into the river (just kidding, mimes are creepy, but you should still be nice to them).
Some additional typical places to see if this is your first visit: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Looking for a place to stay in Paris? We like to use Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo to explore our options as it gives us to search the widest options available.
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