Vegetarian Food in Paris
When I first moved to Paris over 10 years ago, you could count the number of vegetarian restaurants in the city on one hand – and still have your thumb and index finger free to count something else, like the number of vegetarians you knew in Paris, for example.
All that has changed in recent years and even if I’ve become an omnivore after over a decade of living in France, I can attest to the flourishing selection of places for vegetarians and vegans to eat in the city. Vegetarians no longer have to settle for veggie side dishes or a basket of bread when eating out in Paris. They can even have full on gastronomic experiences thanks to a growing number of plant-minded restaurants and cafés that have opened their doors over the years. But it’s not only vegetarians who can delight in the city of light’s offerings, vegans & those with gluten intolerances are finally also taking their rightful place at the feast. While the list is by new means exhaustive, here are a few faves:
Le Grenier de Notre Dame is one of the few remaining restaurants from the first wave of vegetarian dining establishments in Paris. Open since 1978 it set the stage for veggie restaurants to come. Here you’ll find wholesome dishes with veggie spins like vegetarian stews and hearty plates of pasta.
Le Grenier de Notre-Dame
If Le Grenier de Notre Dame represents the first wave of veggie restaurants in Paris, Le Potager de Charlotte proudly ushers in the second wave, with its innovative all-vegan cuisine and adventurous techniques to make unique and exciting meals. Relying on a range of nuts, grains, seeds, and greens this brother-owned restaurant offers healthy meals that seem impossibly vegan- with creamy sauces and even a convincing dairy free “mayonnaise”!
Le Potager de Charlotte
Another member of the latest generation of vegetarian dining establishments in Paris is Abattoir Végétal a cruelty-free vegetable slaughterhouse (abattoir). Organic, seasonal ingredients make for fresh and nourishing brunch and lunch options. The focus is on sourcing locally at this restaurant, who partners with nearby business such as Chambelland bakery for gluten-free bread and fellow 18th arrondissement address Brasserie de la Goutte d’Or for locally brewed craft beer.
Abattoir Végétal
A favorite lunch counter and caterer among whole-food friendly Parisians is Otium, a vegetarian address that also specializes in cold press juices. The menu here changes frequently leaving even the most regular of clients constantly surprised. Come for the exquisite produce and stay for the warm and welcoming ambiance!
Otium
If you’re looking to pursue your plant passion outside of the dining room, check out the newly opened Aujourd’hui & Demain a vegan concept store in the 11th arrondissement. Here you’ll find everything from housewares to fashion items, along with reading material, textiles, and even some specialty vegan pantry items and lunch options to go.
Aujourd’hui & Demain
And for those looking for the gluten-free options in Paris, why not try, Helmut Newcake or NOGLU next time you’re in town.
Want to have a go at creating a vegetarian feast on your own? The French market is, of course, a great place to start. But if you are looking for a bit of guidance, Cook’n with Class can easily accommodate vegetarians into their French Market Class as well as in their Cuisine en Famille Class where parents team up with their kids to whip up a 3-course French meal.
Adding to these great options, Cook’n with Class will start offering two new classes this Fall: Vegan French desserts and a Gluten-free French dessert class.
Just a few great reasons to visit Paris.
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