Where Expats and Locals Go to Find Non-French Food in Paris

japanese okonomiyaki by roboppy

Paris is one of the great culinary capitals of the world, but for anyone living in the city, sometimes the last thing you want is another go at French gastronomy.  Yes, the entrecôte and confit de canard are amazing - but not after the 5th time in a row.  Unfortunately, it's not always easy to find great places to get your foreign fix, so I've rounded up a diverse group of Parisians - both expats and locals - to share the top 3 places they go to to find non-French food in Paris.  Pay special attention to names that are mentioned twice - and enjoy a different kind of gastronomic adventure in the city!

mexican tacos @ candelaria by kathyylchan

 

MILSTERS (moi) :: writer, photographer, blogger {global nomad}

:: Candelaria {mexican}
This tacqueria is about the size of my pocket and queues can sometimes be out the door, but the delicious tacos, dangerously chunky guacamole, and cool communal atmosphere keeps me coming back for more.  In a city where there is a surprising lack of Lat-Am food, Candelaria is a godsend to anyone craving good creative Mexican cuisine.  And the best part?  The secret cocktail bar behind the inconspicuous back door which serves up some of the yummiest cocktails in this quartier!  :: 52 Rue de Saintonge (75003) 

:: La Briciola {italian}

Not too far from Candelaria is the pizza haven, La Briciola.  I love the thin crusts that stay true to the concept of Italian pizza and all of the wonderful combinations that you can get in this cosy pizzeria.  :: 64 rue Charlot (75003)

:: Manna {korean}
After living nearly 2 years in the Korea-Town of Paris (a.k.a the northern part of the 15e arrondissement), Manna quickly became my favourite Korean restaurant.  The food is consistently solid rather than outstanding, but sometimes in Paris, there's simply nothing better than tucking into Manna's dol sot bi bim bap with a refreshing bottle of Hite on hand.  :: 44 rue de Lourmel (75015)

korean dol sot bi bim bap by pen waggener

CHIAWEN :: international diplomat and global gastronome specialist {american : new york / malaysian}

:: Darai {korean}
Prepare to enter a perpetual shame spiral!  Horrific and abusive service (i.e. being forced to order before you even enter the restaurant!) makes you think that you will never come back - until you try the authentic and spicy Korean food.  Because menus are presented randomly to you in four different languages, I have never figured out what I ordered, but everything has been delicious.  :: 4 Rue Violet (75015)

:: Thai Vien {thai}
The Thai cuisine stop for those "in the know".  Thai Vien's clientele is an odd assortment of Laotians, Thais, expats who know Thai food, and French people who can eat spice!  Avoid the desserts, but everything else is proper Thai / Lao at proper prices.  :: 56 Avenue de Choisy (75013)

:: Aki {japanese}
This place is all about okonomiyaki -- a Japanese egg pancake popular in Osaka and Hiroshima topped with your favourite fixings (except soba noodles).  Donburi here is also surprisingly good.  For those who need some cheap non-sushi Japanese food.  :: 11 Rue Sainte-Anne (75001)

  

{To explore one of Paris's premium food markets with Chiawen, see a previous LPoL post here.}

thai massaman curry by pabo76

VIRGINIE :: power project manager and gourmande to the nth power {french}

:: Le Bal Café {british}

If you're looking for truly good British food on this side of the Channel, look no further than Le Bal Café.  This café-meets-exhibition space is run by former Rose Bakery cooks that serve up delicious scones, kippers and even kedgeree.  It's a great place to have brunch or English afternoon tea - and the brilliant barista in the back makes some of the best coffee in town.  :: 6 impasse de la Défense (75018)

:: Café Suédois {swedish}
If you want a break from the hustle & bustle of busy Marais, the Institut Suédois is the perfect oasis of Scandinavian calm.  The cultural centre's café, located in a gorgeous cobblestone courtyard, offers delicious Swedish open sandwiches, salads, and pastries.  It's the perfect place to have a lovely, relaxed meal on a sunny day.   :: 11 rue Payenne (75003)

:: Krishna Bhavan {indian}
This vegetarian Tamil restaurant offers mouth-watering food, generous helpings, excellent service, and prices that won't burn a hole through your wallet.  Everything is incredibly delicious - from the mango lassi to the samosas to the masala dosa, all the way to the chai!  This is the place I go to whenever I miss India too much.  :: 24 rue Cail (75010)

swedish pastries @ café suédois by greg_miko

TOSHI :: credit analyst transplanted from the culinary capital of Tokyo {japanese}

:: Guilo Guilo {japanese}
Guilo Guilo in Montmartre was opened in 2008 by the successful owner / chef of the restaurant with the same name back in Kyoto, Japan.  It specialises in a traditional upscale type of dish called kappo.  There is no menu; instead the chef decides the dishes for the night, and serves you 10 small plates that altogether costs around €45.  Definitely a great dining experience.  :: 8 rue Garreau (75018)

:: Kunitoraya {japanese}
This is the Japanese noodle place that I visit most often in Paris.  It serves not ramen (thin white noodles), but rather udon (thick wheat flour noodles).  At Kunitoraya, you can find various types: tempura, curry, beef, etc.  I'd recommend avoiding the peak time at lunch and dinner as there is often a long queue outside the restaurant!  :: 39 rue Sainte-Anne (75001)

:: Paris Hanoi {vietnamese}
Paris Hanoi is perhaps one of the best known and most loved Vietnamese restaurants in Paris - and the long queue outside says it all.  The ingredients are always fresh, the plates generous, and the prices cheap.  Their pho noodle soup is definitely worth a try.  :: 74 rue de Charonne (75011)

japanese sea bass 6 ways @ guilo guilo by wallyg
  

GREGOIRE :: investment professional and lover of the finer things in life {french}

:: 404 {moroccan}
404 is the Moroccan way to counter the grey and sometimes gloomy Parisian Sundays: through their delicious sweet & salty brunches.  :: 69 rue des Gravilliers (75003)

:: Guilo Guilo {japanese}
Guilo Guilo is where sophisticated Japanese cuisine meets French gourmet culture.  Minimalist, creative and absolutely delicious!  :: 8 rue Garreau (75018)

:: Bellota-Bellota {spanish}
This is a familial Spanish restaurant where jamón is served like Bordeaux grand crus.  At Bellota-Bellota, you choose your vintage and your "domain", and then forget what you think you know about ham.  :: 18 rue Jean-Nicot (75007)
 

spanish jamón ibérico de bellota by kathryn yu

STACI :: tech sales superstar with an adventurous palette {american : california}

:: Kunitoraya {japanese}
For the best Japanese in Paris, I'd have to second Toshi's suggestion for Kunitoraya.  Having worked in Japan before and lived in San Francisco which has some of the world's best Asian food outside of Asia, I must admit that great Asian food is hard to come by in Paris.  But the fresh handmade udon at Kunitoraya is pretty delicious!  Unfortunately, there's often a 25-minute queue outside the door, but if you do manage to get inside, try the tempura prawn udon or the tamagoyaki.  :: 39 rue Sainte-Anne (75001)

:: 404 {moroccan}
One thing that Paris does do pretty well is Middle Eastern and North African food, given France's historic ties to these regions and the large Arab community in the city.  For the best couscous in town, head to 404, which serves a famous sweet couscous brunch on Sundays.  It's a mixture of couscous, raisins, almonds, and sour milk, and comes with several types of salads, Berber pancakes with honey, and more.  Needles to say, you won't be needing to eat for the rest of the day afterwards!  :: 69 rue des Gravilliers (75003)

:: Manna {korean}
When I'm craving Korean food, I usually go to Manna - and usually it's with Milsters.  :)  They make good hot pots and it's a nice, laid-back atmosphere to kick back in on a week night.  :: 44 rue de Lourmel (75015)

{Click here for LPoL's Oú Bruncher review on the couscous brunch at 404.}

sweet couscous brunch @ 404 by littlepiecesoflight

FRANCESCO :: electronics engineer with a talent for finding cosy cuisine {italian}

:: La Focaccia {italian}
This is a nice little Italian pizzeria tucked away in the Abbesses area.  It's run by a friendly owner from Sicily and serves good pizza for lower-than-average prices, along with plenty of other truly Italian dishes to choose from!  :: 9 rue Joseph de Maistre (75018)
 
:: Pulcinella {italian}
This is a family of consistently good quality Italian restaurants and pizzerias in the 18e (I know at least three, including a trattoria and a pizzeria right next to each other).  At the main restaurant on rue Damrémont, the menu is not very long, but the dishes are delicious and very Italian, with antipasti that is top.  :: 17, rue Damrémont (75018)

:: Jambo {central african}
This is a rare discovery of non-French cuisine in Paris: a central African restaurant owned by a Rwandan couple, with tasty dishes that are generous, flavourful and refreshing in their use of ingredients that are not often found in other cuisines.  Welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff.  :: 23 rue Sainte-Marthe (75010)

sicilian pizza by roboppy

RAPHAEL :: entrepreneur and epicurean with a love for food in all forms {french}

:: Foujita 1 and 2 {japanese}

Foujita 1, located near Palais Royal, and Foujita 2, just opposite of the Jardin des Tuileries, are Japanese havens for sushi and sashimi lovers.  The rooms are small and cosy, the sushi delicious, and the staff quite warm and welcoming.  :: 41 rue St-Roch (75001) and 7 rue du 29 Juillet (75001)

:: Aarchna {indian}

At Aarchna, the décor might be a bit kitsch, but you get quite good North Indian cuisine and warm service, all for reasonable prices.  The staff is known to be helpful and generous, and the manager is happy to take you through the menu in either French or English.  :: 19 rue du Télégraphe (75020)

:: Anahuacalli {mexican}

Anahuacalli, tucked away in a tiny street in the Latin Quarter, is the place to go to for real Mexican food in Paris.  From the chunky guacamole to the tacos and enchiladas, the dishes are delicious and actually spicy in the authentic Mexican way - and you can order pitchers of margaritas to get things started!  The atmosphere is fun and festive, and the head chef Tony is quite social and chats with all the guests.  :: 30 rue des Bernardins (75005)