My Experience Being Vegetarian in Paris
I decided to go vegetarian about four years ago, when I was a sophomore in college. At the time, the choice was made mostly out of necessity: the meat and seafood available at school weren’t the best, and I’d noticed that whenever I ate something non-vegetarian, I usually didn’t feel well afterwards. In addition, as the president of my university’s Environmental Club, I wanted to set a good example by decreasing the amount of meat and fish I ate per week, as these industries are very polluting and harm biodiversity.
Both my mental and physical health have improved since I went vegetarian. However, being vegetarian in France can be different from being one in the U.S. France is a bit behind the American food scene when it comes to the availability of vegetarian options in restaurants and vegan/vegetarian alternatives to meat, but every year shows improvement in both the French mindset and accessibility of vegetarian-friendly foods.
Luckily, most restaurants in Paris, where I now call home, offer vegetarian options, whether they be crêpes, salads and soups, or veggie burgers. While it can still be difficult to convince people that, really, I don’t eat meat, I’ve noticed that this happens less in Paris and more in rural parts of the country. In addition, I sometimes have to explain what I do and don’t eat, as words like “vegetarian,” “vegan,” and “pescetarian” can easily get mixed up.
For vegetarians who find themselves in a traditional French restaurant that doesn’t list any vegetarian menu items, note that many restaurants are flexible these days and understand that people have dietary restrictions. My recommendation is to ask about any ingredients you don’t recognize, and don’t be afraid to ask for some vegetarian side dishes to make up a full meal. In addition, some meals that are not listed on the menu can still be made using the ingredients the restaurant already has, such as ratatouille or French onion soup. If you’re looking for a healthier option, ask for a salad without the chicken, meat, or fish that’s listed on the menu. As a last resort, look up nearby vegetarian options on UberEats or your preferred meal delivery app. It may take a while to get to you, especially outside of Paris or during holidays, but these types of apps can be a great backup plan.
Overall, even in just the couple years I’ve been in France, I’ve noticed an improvement in vegetarian options in Parisian restaurants and supermarkets. In my own experience, here are some of my favorite vegetarian-friendly restaurants and brands in Paris.
Vegetarian-friendly restaurants for lunch or dinner
Everything about this restaurant is colorful — from the decor, to the menu, to the dishes themselves. Fruit and vegetables never looked so good! With a wide range of homemade, healthy juices and bubbly drinks, along with several vegetarian food options, Le Paradis du Fruit remains one of my favorite restaurants.
Featured as one of my top five sustainable stores in Paris, La REcyclerie doesn’t disappoint with their vegetarian-friendly restaurant. Their products are fresh, local, and seasonal, and they compost their food waste. 50% of their menu is vegetarian at all times, with some days scheduled as 100% vegetarian.
Mister Garden is the only salad bar I’ve found in Paris (so far). They offer a wide range of vegetables, cheeses, and other salad accoutrements in an American-style salad bar. In addition, they strive to reduce their waste and to choose eco-responsible ingredients and practices.
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Vegetarian-friendly restaurants for any time of day
Crêpes and galettes have saved me more than once when I was desperately looking for an affordable vegetarian meal. Chez Suzette, famous for their sarrasin galettes, has a dedicated vegetarian section on their menu. In addition, they are accommodating if you want to add or remove any ingredients from your crêpe or galette.
The creative boulangerie Bo&Mie is perfect for a quick snack or meal during the day (and it’s not too expensive, either). While most boulangeries offer at least one kind of vegetarian sandwich or quiche, Bo&Mie has several vegetarian meal options and has a large seating area at their Rivoli location for those who prefer to eat in.
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Vegetarian & vegan brands
La Vie is a vegan meat alternative brand, available in grocery stores like Franprix and Monoprix. While I’m partial to their “ham” and “bacon,” they offer a wide variety of other “meats” and premade sandwiches.
I’ve seen the Hari&Co brand at Naturalia, and they make meat-alternative products like falafel, vegetarian “chicken” nuggets, and veggie patties for burgers. Their products are very easy to make at home and only take a few minutes to cook.
I feel lucky to live in Paris at a time when the accessibility and affordability of vegetarian options are on the rise. Though other parts of the country may still be behind, Paris is adapting to the needs of vegetarians, a trend that’s sure to continue as more people choose vegetarian, vegan, or flexitarian diets.
Lead photo credit : Photo: MALOT-PATAVIUM-Bo_Mie official website
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