Paris bistros and brasseries are known for steak tartare, mussels in white wine, steak frites, and seafood platters piled high with shrimp, lobster and crab; vegan and vegetarian options were almost non-existent—until recently. A crop of vegan and vegetarian restaurants have since popped up around the city and here are our top choices.
Rose Bakery and Café
One of the first restaurants to use all organic ingredients, Rose Bakery and Café tops our list with a winning formula of healthy and delicious dishes. The Franco-British owner’s setup the rustic café in 2001 in the trending SoPi (South Pigalle) district in the 9th arrondissement. Specialties include square-shaped quiches, a great selection of salads, risotto of the day, and fresh-squeezed vegetable and fruit juices. Leave room for their home-baked cakes, pastries and cookies, and their legendary carrot cake with a dreamy cream cheese icing. Just a few doors down are a takeout shop and an organic grocery store.
Insider tip: A satellite café is open in late spring and summer on the terrace of the Tuileries Gardens just behind the Jeu du Paume museum.
Visit www.rosebakery.fr.
Land and Monkeys
Entrepreneur Rodolphe Landemaine owns a highly successful chain of high-quality bakeries around Paris, Maison Landemaine. He grew up as a vegetarian but recently turned vegan and created a new style bakery and café, Land and Monkeys, which reflects his commitment to the vegan lifestyle. By all appearances, Land and Monkeys resembles a typical Paris boulangerie with fresh baked croissants, pain au chocolat’s, breads, fruit tarts, cookies, sandwiches and quiches lining the shelves and refrigerated case, but, amazingly, there’s no butter, eggs or dairy products in them. Landemaine is also committed to the environment and staying local, using organic only ingredients sourced within 125 miles of Paris. They also donate 2 percent of their profits to non-profit organizations that protect animals.
Land and Monkeys has several locations throughout Paris.
Visit www.land-and-monkeys.com.
Tekes
One of the trendiest restaurants in Paris at the moment is Tekes, which means "ceremony" in Hebrew. Tekes is the new brainchild of restauranteur and chef Assaf Granit, who introduced Israeli cuisine to Paris with his uber successful restaurants Balagan (now defunct) and Shabor.
Chef Cécile Lévy prepares an Israeli feast, inspired by the city of Jerusalem, of sophisticated and inventive vegetarian and vegan dishes—a cross between Levantine cuisine and street food. The focal point of the restaurant is the massive, wrap-around counter in the center and there’s also a spacious, outdoor terrace.
Visit www.tekesrestaurant.com.
Wild & the Moon
The chicest Parisians have gone vegan lately, gathering at Wild & the Moon – Saint Honore, near the designer boutiques Saint Laurent, Hermes, Goyard and Balenciaga. Breakfast and lunch superbowls, vegan burgers, Greek salad, baba ghanoush and a Chinese-style noodle salad are just a few of the appealing menu choices.
Wild & the Moon also has an extensive drink menu, which includes kombucha teas, cold pressed juices, nut-based milks, smoothies and coffees.
Visit www.wildandthemoon.fr.
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