I was a Paris local for 3 years – The first year while I was in school I moved around 4 different times- YES! So when I returned after spending a year back home, I vowed to find one spot and stay there! That ended up being in the gorgeous 2nd arrondissement in Paris right off of the pedestrian street rue Montorguiel. The best area in Paris (I think) for a foodie because… it used to be the location of the largest covered food market in Paris. In the 1970s it got too big and was moved outside of the city to its own town, Rungis, with its own police, and streets. In its place, the building that housed the market, Les Halles, was gradually turned into a shopping center, but all the restaurants that had popped up using the produce from the market, and the equipment shops remained!

GETTING TO THE 2ND ARRONDISSEMENT

I would highly recommend avoiding the metro stop Les Halles/Chatelet. Instead jump off at the following stops:

-Sentier (3)

-Reamur Sebastopol (3, 4)

-Etienne Marcel (4)

-Louvre-Rivoli (1)

Or walk or take the bus! It’s centrally located, essentially walk to the back of the Louvre, then walk North.

SHOPPING IN THE 2ND ARRONDISSEMENT

Sezane – one of my favorite French clothing brands has set up in an apartment where you can shop, and catch a movie (with popcorn) in the basement! Around the corner is a coffee shop they set up as well. 1 Rue Saint-Fiacre, 75002

Alyssa Rose – a cute boutique with clothes, jewelry and homewares. 50 Rue Greneta, 75002

Rue Montmartre – in this area, this is the place for all the brand names! So for some easy browsing, make your way here.

PASTRY SHOPS IN THE 2ND ARRONDISSEMENT

Stohrer – my absolute favorite pastry shop in Paris, and the oldest! It’s been open since 1730! The shop is beautiful- tile floor, chandelier and painted ceiling. Go here for the caramel eclair or puit d’amour or really any delicious classic! 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002

Fou de Patisserie – a really interesting concept for a pastry shop- here you can find pastries from lots of different chefs- think Yann Couveur and Pierre Herme in the same shop. All pastries are priced the same so there’s equality between the chefs. It’s a great place to go if you want to try a lot of different things without going all over Paris! (They also have a fantastic magazine) 45 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris

Stoney Clove Bakery – great All-American bakery. Everything is delicious! 71 Rue Greneta, 75002

Boneshaker Doughnuts – DONUTS and brownies! 77 Rue d’Aboukir, 75002

Jean Hwang Carrant – fabulous cookies 😀 Say hi to Jean for me! 84 Rue d’Aboukir, 75002

Grom – gelato, so perfect when you need an ice cream break! 96 Rue Montorgueil, 75002

COFFEESHOPS IN THE 2ND ARRONDISSEMENT

Lockwood – certainly a bit hidden and around a corner. Good place for coffee and brunch. 73 Rue d’Aboukir, 75002

L’Arbre du Cafe – this is where I would buy my coffee to brew. You can get a cup here too and chill- it is FABULOUS! Wander down to the end of the street for a croissant at the Terroir d’Avenir boulangerie too. 10 Rue du Nil, 75002

RESTAURANTS IN THE 2ND ARRONDISSEMENT

Frenchie – quite famous French restaurant. Book several months in advance- this is fantastic! Forget to make a booking? Try the wine bar. 5 Rue du Nil, 75002

Frenchie To Go (FTG) – Not really to go though- the cafe less expensive version of Frenchie. The pulled pork sandwich is fantastic and a dream for American expats missing home. 9 Rue du Nil, 75002

Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie – this is just a fun, good place to go to when you’re looking for a classic French meal. Tourists and locals go here. The waitstaff is nice and accommodating. Be sure to make a reservation! 34 Rue Montmartre, 75001 (technically in the 1st but no matter :-D)

Presto Fresco – for a good pizza or pasta! Make a reservation! 14 Rue Montmartre, 75001 (again in the first, but hey, same general area)

Marcelle – love this place for fresh flavorful healthy options for lunch or brunch. The interior is bright, it’s feminine, and I love it! 22 Rue Montmartre, 75001 (we’re just going with it at this point :-D)

Le Pas Sage – another great French cafe, this one more off the beaten path. Truely only visited by locals. As the name suggests, it’s located right by a covered passageway worth exploring! 145 Rue Saint-Denis, 75002

*Note: Saint-Denis from Le Pas Sage up to Rue Reamur is a hip area with young restaurants on one side and a lot of nail salons on the other. Other parts of this street I wouldn’t highly recommend walking down- not that they aren’t safe, just not the most beautiful.

Boulettes – another good healthy place for you. For this one you pick out which meatballs you want (yes !) made from different kinds of protein (beef, fish, chicken, lamb…) and then the sides. Cozy hip interior. 179 Rue Saint-Denis, 75002

Itacoa – seasonal well-sourced ingredients and a new menu each day! 185 Rue Saint-Denis, 75002

Klay – a very neat restaurant. Think chic greenhouse with all the plants but not the heat. Food is classic cafe fair on the healthy side. 4Bis Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002

Dionysos – Greek shop with delicious dips and food you get by weight! At lunch they make great Greek wraps. There are two tables out front. 14 Rue des Petits Carreaux, 75002

Mon Thai – great Thai place on the main drag. Easy, fast and delicious. 84 Rue Montorgueil, 75002

Miss Banh Mi – Banh Mi sandwiches, delicious lemon ginger iced tea, and a great cookie. LOVE this place for lunch. Cute interior with a flower wall. It’s super popular with businesses nearby for take out so might be busy- but worth it! I try to go here every time I’m in the area. 5 Rue Mandar, 75002

Pizzeria Popularie– Part of the mega popular Big Mamma group. FANTASTIC Italian food. 111 Rue Réaumur, 75002

Breizh Cafe – NEW in the 2eme. Crepes straight from Brittany! Go for a savory buckwheat galette and then a sweet crepe for dessert! Just plain butter and sugar is fantastic but I like to add a little salted butter caramel sauce. 14 bis Rue des Petits Carreaux, 75002

WINE & COCKTAILS 2ND ARRONDISSEMENT

Frenchie Wine Bar – Now this is where I’d go for a glass of wine- chic, great selection. 6 Rue du Nil, 75002

Jefrey’s Cocktail Bar – A great little speakeasy. This one is charming! Small and feels like a neighborhood joint. 14 Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002

Experimental Cocktail Club – I gotta admit I’m a little out of the club scene now but if I were in it, I’d go here! 37 Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002

GROCERY STAPLES

For croissants and bread… Boulangerie Terroir d’Avenir using local flours. 3 Rue du Nil, 75002

For cheese… La Fermette – hands down every time. Great selection that rotates frequently. Out front get a plate of 4 cheeses for 9€- good for a picnic, a bargin, or if you simply can’t make up your mind! 86 Rue Montorgueil, 75002

For fruit and vegetables.. Le Palais de Fruits – like a combined supermarket and farmers market. 62-74 Rue Montorgueil, 75002

COOKING SUPPLY SHOPS & MORE

E.Dehillerin – almost 200-years-old, it feels like a hardware store for cooking equipment, with something stored in every spare space. Head to the basement for pots so big you can sit in them. Grab some tart molds, knives, whisks, a crepe pan… everything is wrapped in brown paper and secured with their yellow labeled packaging tape. 18-20 Rue Coquillière, 75001

G.Detou – a cook and bakers dream for ingredients but also a great spot to grab food souvenirs to bring home like bags of caramels, nougatine, and jars of mustard. 58 Rue Tiquetonne, 75002

Mora – I usually go in between E.Dehillerin and this shop when I’m shopping for equipment. Plus, they’re right down the street from each other! More modern than E.Dehillerin in set up, but! actually 6 years older than E.Dehillerin, it has a great selection and! a whole room full of decorating materials- including small jars of pistachio paste, powdered food coloring, and more! 13 Rue Montmartre, 75001

Deco Relief – When I don’t find it at Mora or E.Dehillerin, I go here. Not to say that it isn’t bad, there’s just a wider selection at the other two. The benefit of this shop though is that they sell pastry boxes individually. 9 Rue Montorgueil, 75001

Librarie Gourmande – Down the street from the cookware shops, this store is dedicated to just cookbooks! Upstairs is an English section. 92-96 Rue Montmartre, 75002

FAVORITE STREETS

Hands down these four in this area… take a wander and enjoy!

Rue de Nil – the Frenchie micro-universe- a short street with everything you could ever need including the fantastic Frenchie restaurant.

Rue Montorgueil – a pedestrian-only street (well mostly) – take a gander and enjoy my favorite pastry shop, Stohrer, amongst other things! Grab a drink at one of the cafes and sit on the terrace to watch the fashion show.

Passage du Grand Cerf – a covered passageway with cute boutiques along the way

WANT MORE PARIS RECOMMENDATIONS? CHECK OUT THIS LIST FOR ALL MY SUGGESTION IN PARIS.

Have fun exploring!