10 of the Best Vegan Hotspots in Paris
With Veganuary this month, one of the leading vegan influencers in Paris, Franck Adandé, reveals his favorite plant-based addresses in the capital
Whether it’s staging a vegan boat party on the Seine, planning his popular food tours of the city or working on the special map he created, Franck Adandé is right at the forefront of the evolving plant-based scene in Paris. So, needless to say, he is perfectly placed to comment on the best vegan hotspots.
“Things have got so much better here over the past few years,” says Franck, otherwise known as @vegantouristparis. “Whereas a decade or so ago, there was very little in the capital for us vegans, now we have everything from gourmet restaurants and dedicated shops to bespoke bakeries. In fact, many of these places are so good that they’re enjoyed by everyone.”
Without further ado, and in no particular order, here he reveals some of the best plant-based addresses in Paris to visit this Veganuary and beyond – and we also look at what to try when you’re there.
The Vegan Tourist Map created by Franck Adandé. Photo: Mangeuse d’Herbe
Aujourd’hui Demain
42 Rue du Chemin Vert, 11th
“A great place to start off with is Aujourd’hui Demain, which is a combination of a restaurant, coffee shop and a grocery/clothing store, in the 11th arrondissement. Their food is really comforting, hearty and indulgent – from burgers and mac ‘n’ cheese to their quesadilla – so it contradicts the usual clichés of plant-based cooking. And, of course, you can also do your shopping while you’re there, so you can get a taste of the full vegan lifestyle.”
*Must-try: Their Christmas burger is the stuff of vegan legend, or, at other times, the quesadilla also comes highly recommended.
L’Embuscade
47 Rue Catherine de la Rochefoucauld, 9th
“Another favorite of mine is L’Embuscade, a festive Afro-vegan restaurant with a bar and dancing, in Pigalle. They serve dishes from different regions on the African continent. Currently, there’s an amazing Senegalese specialty, Thiéboudienne, with African eggplant, carrots, cabbage and manioc etc, all in a delicious broth, and served with rice. So, you can have an amazing dinner there with one of their special cocktails and then follow that with some dancing. It’s also really welcoming and just has a great vibe all round.”
*Must-try: As well as their renowned African cuisine, they do a mean vegan burger with oyster mushrooms, mayonnaise, jerk sauce and crispy fries.
SO NAT
5 Rue Bourdaloue, 9th
“I chose this one, which is a neighborhood canteen just next to Notre-Dame de Lorette, for several reasons. As well as being vegan and organic, there’s an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients, and I think it’s the best price-to-quality ratio in Paris. So, for 11 euros, you can have a complete meal. I mean, it’s just one bowl, but in that you have the cereal, the vegetables, the protein, the freshness, the sauce… So, it’s really hearty and diverse and everything you could wish for. Also, the place itself is beautiful and run totally by women.”
*Must-try: If you’ve got any room left after that brilliant bowl of goodness, the freshly baked cookies are pretty formidable too.
Mori Café
2 Rue des Taillandiers, 11th
“This one is quite unusual in that it’s an authentic Japanese restaurant that is fully vegan and there aren’t many of those around. It’s also the cutest place – rather small but with a high ceiling and a mezzanine – and a rich and detailed décor. Also, you can either eat Japanese-style on the tatami or seated downstairs. They do my favourite dish in the whole of Paris here, Tantanmen, which is a type of ramen with small noodles in a rich broth. They also offer Japanese-inspired desserts, such as a yellow-custard flan, and special teas.”
*Must-try: There are so many enticing things on Mori’s menu, but don’t leave without sipping one of their gorgeous teas, such as the Genmaicha (green tea with puffed rice).
Le Tontons Veg
8 Rue de Paradis, 10th
“This one is more of a fast-food type of restaurant but with the most incredible burgers that are like nothing you’ll find anywhere else. The owners take the inspiration for their burgers from around the world – from southern France to Korea and Japan – so they are totally unique. My favorite is the Japanese-style one, with seitan tonkatsu, miso, eggplant and spices like ginger, so it’s rich, creative and original. You can either eat in or take away, and the place itself is warm and inviting with a décor that is reminiscent of Provence, which is where the owners are from.”
*Must-try: As well as their range of renowned burgers, there are various sides available, so why not throw in a portion of their equally good fries as well?
VG Pâtisserie
123 Boulevard Voltaire, 11th
“As the first vegan pâtisserie in France, this one is an absolute must, and I also like it anyway on a personal level. You can find here many types of pâtisserie – from the classics to more daring and creative options. But I would definitely suggest trying their big macaron with the filling of the month. Sometimes it’s pistachio, sometimes it’s rose, but whatever it is, it is always amazing. Also, their viennoiseries are very good too – like their croissants and pains au chocolat. Their recipes just get better and better.”
*Must-try: It would be rude not to try one of their delectable sweet treats, but we’re also a fan of their savory things, too, such as the tasty pizza.
The Friendly Kitchen
8 Rue Popincourt, 11th
“This is the perfect choice for a special occasion as they focus on a more delicate, gourmet cuisine. Offering a select menu of three starters, three mains and three desserts, they prioritize local, seasonal and organic ingredients, and the dishes are very creative. For instance, there is one just now with roasted pumpkin, miso, a yuzu hummus, tempeh crumble, shichimi tōgarashi, radish pickles and chickpea furikake. Their way of balancing ingredients is, in my view, very well researched, and the place as a whole is classy but also chilled and welcoming.”
*Must-try: As a special added extra, why not treat yourself to the plate of three matured plant-based cheeses with fruit jam?
Chéri Coco
12 Allée des Ateliers, 93500 Pantin
“I chose this place primarily because it’s so good but also because it’s in Pantin, just outside Paris on Line 5, and it’s nice to support businesses in the suburbs as well. This one is also very original as it offers a fusion cuisine that combines Afro-vegan and Asian inspirations. For instance, there is this one dish with oyster-mushroom skewers with surya spices and garlic cream, and it’s just incredible. But everything on the menu will fill you with satisfaction. The vibe is also warm and friendly.”
*Must-try: So many tantalizing options here, but another we can’t wait to sample is “Pink Fairy,” featuring roasted cauliflower with zaatar, peanut cream and dragon fruit, and marinated red onions.
Mesa
HOY Hotel, 68 Rue des Martyrs, 9th
“Found at the HOY Hotel, this restaurant offers a style of cuisine that is both creative and gourmet with South American inspiration. For example, one of their specialties is their tacos accompanied by oyster mushrooms, salsa sauce, pickles and cashew nuts. I find that the balance in their dishes between the flavors and the texture is always very good. Also, the atmosphere here is relaxed but classy. They offer breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner – and, on top of all that, they do some great natural wines as well.”
*Must-try: Aside from the delicious dishes on the dinner menu, the vegan brunch looks pretty awesome here too.
Land&Monkeys
various addresses across Paris
“Regarding my final favorite choice, I agonized over this one but decided eventually to add Land&Monkeys. Even though they are already famous, I think it is an absolute must-do, as they have such a wide and qualitative variety of French bakery classics – from viennoiseries to quiches, sandwiches and salads to seasonal specialities such as the Galette des Rois that we enjoy in January. There are seven branches in Paris now, so wherever you’re staying, there’s bound to be one not too far away.”
*Must-try: It’s one of the classics but we love their pain au chocolat and reckon you’d be hard-pushed to tell it was vegan.
For more information on Franck’s Vegan Tourist Paris Map, see vegantourist.fr; to find out about his tours, check out mysteregourmand.com; or follow his latest plant-based adventures on Instagram at @vegantouristparis
Franck enjoying some of the delicious plant-based fare available in Paris. Photo: Mathilde Mazars
Lead photo credit : Franck is one of the leading authorities on the capital's vegan scene. Photo: Franck Adandé
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