When I first traveled to Italy, I was head over heels in love with pasta, pizza, and wine, with plenty of prosciutto and cheese to follow. After a couple of weeks, however, I began to crave different cuisines. Now, when I travel to other countries in Europe, I find myself often in search of diverse food options to supplement the cuisine of the particular country I am visiting.

Below, I’ve listed some of my favorite restaurants to visit in Paris, highlighting French restaurants, as well as Middle Eastern/African, I had the chance to enjoy. And in continuing my series dedicated to Parisian culture, I discuss just how each truly embodies the ease I so easily found myself drawn to.

FRENCH CUISINE:

• Bouillon Pigalle: A spot well known with young Parisians, my partner and I visited with a friend on a Tuesday evening: the line was well out the door. It was most definitely worth the wait, as entrees are around 12 euro, with great cocktail and desert options as well. The young crowd was lively and talkative, and this might have been one of my favorite restaurants to enjoy people watching and observing.

• Le Caveau de la Huchette : A quaint cocktail and cafe bar, we stumbled upon this hidden gem after searching for blocks (like most spots in Paris, it is pretty well disguised). Once inside, be prepared to be transported back in time to the 1920’s: the original decor is still intact, including gorgeous ceiling and floor details. The owner is friendly, the cocktails decadent, and the continuous jazz playing in the background creates a serene atmosphere in which to spend your evening.

• Le Jardin d’en Face: Our first French meal, we spent only 65 euro on 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts and 2 glasses of wine. We were the first guests on a cold Sunday evening, but the crowd soon came after. A small establishment, the menu changes according to the season, with fresh ingredients and mouthwatering entrees.

• Cafe Oberkampf: A quaint hole in the hole located in Le Marais, this cafe is well known for its vegetarian breakfast options, as well as superb banana bread.

• Les Refuge des Fondu: Cheese, cheese, and more cheese. For 25 euro per person, indulge on all the fondue you can eat at this spot. Visitors can choose either the meat or cheese (or both) with sippy cups yes, you heard right of wine to down all the dairy you are consuming. We couldn’t finish all of ours, but the small space, with walls filled with handwritten notes from past patrons, was worth it.

MIDDLE EASTERN/AFRICAN CUISINE:

• Restaurant Africain Réunionnais Le Loyo: Quite possibly the best food I’ve ever had. We came upon this spot after hunting for some time, even though it was literally around the corner from our AirBnB. Owned and operated by a mother and daughter duo who looked like Sade themselves, this African Restaurant serves dishes exploding with flavor, ranging from rich and spicy, to crisp and refreshing. Although service is a bit slow (be prepared to wait for some time) order the rum cocktails and select from the ample appetizers to help tide you over.

• Le Petit Bleu: Also located in Le Marais, this Moroccan/Tunisian restaurant features some of the best cous cous I’ve had. Large portions are perfect for sharing, and the small space is located at the base of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre for a well deserved break once you finish all those stairs!

• Maoz Falafel: We didn’t actually visit this location due to time constraints, but was recommended to try their falafel and hummus multiple times. Let me now when you think if you are able to!

THINGS TO NOTE:

• Some of our favorite nights were spent with a good bottle of red wine (we typically spent under 6 euro) with a selection of cheeses, salami and good bread. Affordable, delicious, and a way to also see French grocery stores.

• Tipping is not generally done/allowed

• Most restaurants, as well as cocktail bars, do not open for dinner/drinks until 7 pm

• Jamie Beck’s Paris Eats was super helpful; her starred spots automatically load into your own Google Maps, which is great for when you start wandering and lose track of where you are!

Each of the restaurants, cafes and bars we visited and mentioned above truly embodied the spirit of Paris, whether it was tiny restaurants and small spaces that were cozy and eclectic, or the intimate staff and customer relationship. Instead of a rush to order and finish your food, a slower pace was understood, as there was usually only one chef and one server. This unique precision, combined with authentic and fresh ingredients, made the dining experience we had while in Paris unmatched and unlike any other. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy the spots above as much as we did!