This little restaurant tucked away in the heart of St Germain holds title of the best Latin American restaurants in Paris. It is full of noise and laughter and singing and the sun shines inside, even on the rainiest of nights. It is a great place to go with friends, share a couple of cheese dips and guacamole bowls to start, then follow by a chicken quesadilla or a burrito. Add a few one-liter margarita pitchers for 10 euros and you still will not come out paying more than 30 euros per person. If you can, save room for the creme caramel at the end. Call ahead to make sure you have a table.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 43 54 41 56
Address: 31, rue St Jacques, 75005
Metro: Cluny-La Sorbonne
Opening hours: noon-midnight every day
Average price: lunch: 8 euros/person; dinner: 15-30 euros/person

This is a cosy neighborhood bistrot owned by the welcoming Mr. Subhas with the help of the bubbly Aicha. On the menu is typical french fare with imagination and a solid wine list to match. Note that the ceiling moldings of 18th century boulangerie from which the restaurant was transformed. Definitely worth a stop over if looking for a non-touristy  place to grab a good lunch or dinner.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 42 52 30 36
Address: 51, rue du Mont Cenis, 75018
Metro: Lamarck-Caulaincourt, Jules Joffrin
Opening hours: lunch and dinner every day
Average price: lunch: 10-20 euros/person; dinner: 30-40 euros/person

One a little back street near Republique you will find one of the top secret addresses in Paris for gastronomic Lebanese cuisine.  The owners warmly greet every entering customer and are ready to answer any questions one may have about the dishes. The menu consists of mezzehes (warm and cold small dishes to be shared together) as well as main individual courses. Apart from the typical hummus and the baba ganouch, there are more exotic choices like the heavenly tender lemon lamb livers. The decor is refined, even if a little outdated. Reservations are highly recommended.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 42 08 09 08
Address: 6, rue Pierre Chausson, 75010
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent, Republique
Opening hours: lunch and dinner every day
Average price: lunch: 10-20 euros/person; dinner: 30-40 euros/person

This recently opened frenchified  burger place may not be the absolute best place for authentic burgers but it is a cosy place to go for a brunch, see and be seen, and reminisce about cold bud, cole slaw, carrot cake, corn flakes, etc. The uncharacteristically high percentage of small children in the restaurant adds to the relaxed atmosphere of what could otherwise be called another snooty bobo hangout together with the spontaneous blowing out of light fuses cheered on by the surprised guests.  Thumbs up for the decor, high school cafeteria-tasting coleslaw and quick service. Industrial-tasting carrot cake, though, wouldn’t be missed.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 40 15 03 27
Address: 39, rue Richelieu, 75001
Metro: Pyramides, Palais Royal
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday (soon Sunday)
Average price: 15-20 euros/person

Momoka is a tiny japanese restaurant ran by the very talented and dedicated Masayo and her several young assistants. Reservations are an absolute must and so is a big appetite ! This is because once you are seated in what might as well be her kitchen you will be presented with three menu options:  big, huge, and enormous! Depending on your choice, you will then  be offered a succession of salads, sashimis, stews and grilled meat and fish wonders, all distinctly of home-made flavor. It will be hard to pace yourself, so if at the end you do not have any room, even if you tried, for the airy green tea tiramisu, ask her to take it to go – it is absolutely to die for!

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 40 16 19 09
Address: 5, Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle ( to move on the same street in 2010 )
Metro: Trinité – d’Estienne d’Orves, St Georges
Opening hours: lunch Tuesday-Friday; dinner Tuesday-Saturday
Average price: dinner menu: 39, 49 or 69 euros per person; lunch: 28 euros per person

photo by http://kermoal.typepad.fr/dailyneuvieme/

Don’t miss this legendary Paris cabaret. Recently taken over by new art director,Philippe Découflé,  Le Crazy keeps its intimate charm while updating its lighting, choreography and music. No big feathers or cancan here – this cabaret is all about sultry sexy fantasies.

Practical Information

Address: 12, avenue George V, 75008
Metro: Alma Marceau, George V
Reservations: 00 33 (0)1 47 23 32 32
Shows: Sunday-Friday: 20h15 & 22h45;  Saturday:  19h, 21h30 & 23h45
Tickets: 80 euros and up, show or show & champagne
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On a cold  or rainy evening you want to comfort your soul and stomach…then go to this tiny new tavern. With its soft lighting, low ceilings, friendly relaxed atmosphere, Les Enfants Perdus are the children of the gentleman farmer. The team at work is young and laidback despite the starched uniforms. The kitchen timely churns out meticulously prepared and in most cases, revisited, french dishes on a menu that changes from season to season.

The brunch atmosphere is great, but better to call before you head out to reserve a table.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)01 81 29 48 26
Address: 9, Rue des Récollets , 75010
Metro: Gare de l’Est, Chateau d’Eau
Opening hours: 7/7: 12h – 14h30 & 20h-23h; Friday -Saturday: 20h-midnight; Sunday brunch: 12h-16h
Average price: dinner 30-40 euros per person; bottle of wine 27 euros
Website

This is a brand new hotel located on the tiny street of Caron in the very heart of Marais. Clean classic lines and colors, friendly staff and hard-to-beat location, make this a great choice for couples getting away on a romantic holiday.

Practical Information

Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 40 29 02 94
Address: 3, Rue Caron, 75004
Metro: Bastille, St Paul
Average price:  240 euros per night
Website

The area around Sentier, Etienne Marcel and leading all the way up to Les Halles is, in my opinion, one of the best shopping districts in Paris. Here one can find a wide selection of stores offering trendy street fashion for men women and even kids. There are also several famous ‘fripperies’ or thrift shops like Kiliwatch and EPISODE or the smaller ones like Le Troc de Montorgueil. When looking for unique pieces or if you’d like to stroll and window shop on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Montorgueil is a great location. Below are my favorite boutiques in the area.

LE TROC DE MONTORGUEIL

Address: 34, Rue St Sauveur , 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 40 13 08 48
Store hours: Tuesday-Friday 11h30-19h15; Saturday 14h-19h

SAIKI

Address: 32, Rue Etienne Marcel, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 21 32 25
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-19h
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KILIWATCH

Address: 64, Rue Tiquetonne 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 21 17 37
Store hours: Tuesday- Saturday 11h-19h30; Monday 14h-19h30
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G. DETOU EPICEIRE

Address: 58, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 42 36 54 67
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 8h-18h

ANTHONY PETO CHAPELIER

Address: 56, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 40 26 60 68
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-19h30
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IHEART

Address: 48, Rue Montorgueil, 75002
Store hours: Monday- Sunday 10h30-20h
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KOKON TO ZAI

Address: 48, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 36 92 41
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-19h30
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NOT SO BIG

Address: 38, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 33 34 26
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-19h30
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BODDYWOOD

Address: 19, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 33 23 46
Store hours: Monday- Saturday noon-20h
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L’EPICERIE DE BRUNO

Address: 30, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 53 40 87 33
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 9h-18h
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EPISODE

Address: 12-16, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 61 14 65
Store hours: Mon. 13h-19h30, Tue.-Fri.  11h30-19h30, Sat. 11h-20h
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LE COQ SPORTIF

Address: 11, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 44 82 02 88
Store hours: Tueday- Saturday 11h-19h
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WESC

Address: 13, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 40 41 92 97
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-20h
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OUT BOUTIQUE

Address: 9, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1  42 33 34 07
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h30-19h30
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There is nothing cooler than staying in a chic Parisian flat during your visit to the City of Lights. This pad is available for rent from 3 to 14 nights.

Situated on the first floor (one floor up) of a charming building with its own lift, the apartment had been completely renovated and transformed into a designer studio. Despite being right in the heart of the Paris life (one minute from the Pompidou Centre) it is extremely calm, situated on a paved interior courtyard. The apartment sleeps a maximum of two people. If you like lush wallpaper, wooden parquet, colorful cement tiles and a designer feel, this sweet and stylish studio is for you!

Practical Information

Address: 44, Rue Montmorency , 75003
Metro: Etienne Marcel
Availability: All year long
Average price:  80-150 euros per night
Website