Paris for foodies: A 3-day itinerary for all budgets

With its diverse restaurant culture, the Paris food scene is bound to wow even the most adventurous eaters. Here, we have created a 3-day Paris itinerary for foodies, with a mix of gastronomic gems for every budget.

Three days in Paris gives you enough time to try out different types of cuisine in various neighborhoods. Of course, the longer you stay, the more food you can try. Even if you have just a day in Paris, you can use this itinerary to find a food spot you’ll love. As many restaurants are closed on Mondays, it’s ideal to plan your trip during the latter part of the week—perhaps Friday through Sunday—when you can easily find bustling food markets.

Want to weave in other Paris highlights into your trip? Check out this 3-day Paris itinerary for more trip ideas.

The 9th arrondissement is a great jumping-off point for your foodie adventure. Well-situated hotels in the area include Hôtel Le Ballu, Maison Mère, and Chouchou Hotel. Marais is another ideal location with plenty of hotels close to popular restaurants and bistros; check out the incredibly stylish Hôtel du Petit Moulin, Hotel Bastille Speria, Hotel Jules & Jim, and Little Palace Hotel. Worthy hotels in the 7th arrondissement, close to popular food spots include Hotel La Comtesse, Relais 12bis B&B, and Hotel Duc de Saint Simon.

The 9th arrondissement, also known as the Opéra district, symbolizes the Belle Epoque from the 1900s, and is both high-end and bohemian, offering a wide range of foodie experiences. Start your day with Kozy Kanopé, serving up a sweet and savory brunch all week.

Vegetarian and vegan restaurants are definitely having their moment in Paris. Le Potager de Charlotte, started by two brothers, focuses on fresh and local ingredients. Macéo is a fine-dining option with an extensive menu.

The 9th arrondissement comprises the trendy South Pigalle or SoPi. Here you can sample the latest small plates from Buvette and check out cocktail bars like Lulu White, Dirty Dick, and upscale Le Carmen with its high ceilings and frescoes.

Equally impressive is Rue des Martyrs, a street that’s a foodie paradise, with many cafés, boulangeries, chocolateries, and Parisian bistros. Worth discovering are Maison Arnaud Delmontel, Sébastien Gaudard, Meringaie Martyrs, Fou de Patisserie, Rose Bakery (vegetarian), and Impronta (vegetarian and vegan).

Close to the Louvre, Paris' Little Tokyo is located on Rue Sainte-Anne. This is where the city's Japanese restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores offer specialties such as udon, soba, ramen, sushi, and okonomiyaki. Many Japanese restaurants here offer some of the tastiest and most authentic ramen around. Noteworthy restaurants include Hakata Choten, Kodawari Ramen, Naritake Ramen, and Kintaro.

Travel tip: Most of the establishments have lines out the door so get there early. Little Tokyo is the perfect lunch spot in Paris if you’re on a budget.

The uber-hip Le Marais, located in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, doesn’t disappoint and La Caféothèque is no exception. The café is leading Paris’ coffee scene—it sources beans from all over the world. Another café and concept store worth a stop, not only for the coffee but also for the cakes, is the Broken Arm, serving aromatic brews, homemade cakes, sandwiches, salads, and soups.

Stroll around and see historical sites and boutiques, cafés, and bookstores lining the charming streets of Le Marais, also home to Place des Vosges, Hôtel de Sully, Maison de Victor Hugo, Église Saint-Paul Saint-Louis and Village Saint-Paul.

Alain Miam Miam is an institution in Paris, and where Alain Roussel creates XXL sandwiches with upmarket ingredients. Grab your lunch at this iconic food stand, located in the Marché des Enfants-Rouge, Paris’ oldest food market full of lively food stands.

Song Heng, a popular Vietnamese restaurant, serves up generous portions of pho and other traditional soups that attract regular customers from near and far. Other worthy lunch spots include Le Loir dans la Théière, Les Foodies, and Grand Coeur.

Travel tip: Join a guided walking tour of Le Marais to uncover the area's specialty food shops selling fine wine, cheese, macarons, and more. This tour sells out quickly, so book early.

Venture out of the Marais and into the swanky 16th arrondissement, home to foreign embassies and renowned museums, including the Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Palais de Tokyo with its contemporary art, and Maison de Balzac, where the novelist once lived. Head to the Passy-covered market, a haven for all the fresh produce and delicacies Paris has to offer (they’re closed on Mondays).

Passy boasts plenty of trendy restaurants, too. Enjoy a lovely dinner at the Michelin-starred Comice, which features light and contemporary French cooking. If you really want to go the VIP route, look no further than Girafe, a 1930s-style seafood house with views of the Eiffel Tower.

A very walkable district in Paris, the 7th arrondissement is the stage for none other than the Eiffel Tower. Join an Eiffel Tower guided tour or buy skip-the-line tickets to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime view. Don’t miss Maison Pradier for some of the best croissants. The deli-style shop, an ideal breakfast spot, has been around since 1859 and is famous for its homemade pastries. An unforgettable breakfast of brioche with raisins, sugar, or dark chocolate chips at Aux Merveilleux de Fred is also within reach.

Travel tip: Learn how to make iconic French croissants and pain au chocolat with this baking class in the heart of Paris. Enjoy your freshly baked goods on your way to the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay, just a few minutes away.

Vesper, a new restaurant shaking up the dining scene in the 7th arrondissement,  fuses Japanese and South American flavors in a chic setting. For French food with a twist, try Kult, located at the Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain Hotel.

The Big Mamma Group, started by two Frenchmen with a shared love of Italian food, dishes up authentic Italian favorites. Of their seven restaurants, Pizzeria Popolare is just across the Seine in the 2nd arrondissement. Otherwise, try La Fontaine Gaillon, where French food with Moroccan and Italian touches is the highlight.

End the night on a spectacular note with a cruise along the Seine River. Enjoy some dinner and champagne as you glide past the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and other Parisian landmarks.

Ready to start planning your Paris trip? Build your own Paris itinerary with our Trips planning tool—start with all the best spots featured in this list and add on your own.