Best meals in Paris

The number of dining options in Paris is overwhelming, so we relied on recommendations from Father-in-Law (who is a major Francophile), Food Network chef Ina Garten (she included travel-related recs in her Barefoot in Paris cookbook), and the Eat.Shop Paris book. We also ate at places we spotted and thought looked like good options.

Based on our 5 days in the City of Light, here are my fave meals:

Fave quick lunch option - Beatrix
149 rue St. Martin, 4e
This is a shop to pick up tasty yet reasonably-priced sandwiches near the Pompidou Center.


Fave bakery - Eric Kayser
243 rue St. Jacques, 5e
This bakery was a recommendation in Ina Garten's Barefoot in Paris cookbook. She did not steer us in the wrong direction! Their croissants (I tried both the plain and the almond) and the canelé (my favorite French pastry) were to die for! A canelé is a small French pastry made from egg, sugar, milk and flour flavored with rum and vanilla with a caramelized crust and custard-like inside.


Fave brasserie - Le Balzar
49 rue des escoles, 5e
This brasserie was incredible. The waitstaff, the food and the atmosphere worked together perfectly to achieve a fantastic dining experience. Comfy and casual. I heard about this brasserie from my Eat.Shop Paris book. 


Fave bistro - L'Epi Dupin
11 rue Dupin, 6e
This restaurant was a recommendation from the Father-in-Law. His rec was right-on. Excellent prix-fixe seasonal menu. With only about 30 seating (my estimate), it is intimate and cute-as-a-button. Excellent food yet a relative bargain. Slightly rushed service.


Fave outdoor market - Marche Avenue du President Wilson
16e
Parisian street food markets are the best. Nearly every arrondisement has its own market at least once a week (never on Mondays). Of course, the chance to shop like a local in this foodie paradise was on our itinerary! We went to the Avenue President Wilson Avenue market in the 16th arrondisement (occurs every Wednesday and Saturdays from 7:30 to 2:30) . The fruits, the vegetables, pastries, etc. looked incredible. I purchased the tastiest crepe with cheese, onions and tomatoes for lunch.


Fave luxury food market - Le Grande Epicerie
36 rue de Sevres, 7e
This glorious store carries all types of food (cheese, chocolate, pastry, fruit, vegetables, seafood, etc.) presented in such a beautiful manner. Great place to find picnic items and food souvenirs.
The United States and Canada section of Le Grande Epicerie, which included Oreos, brownie mixes, microwave popcorn and similar packaged items:


Random - Les Deux Moulins
15 rue Lepic, 18e
So I didn't particularly enjoy the food or the service here, but I was quite excited to be at the Montmartre cafe where Amelie Poulain worked as a waitress in the fabulous movie, Amelie.