Gone are the days when you could find great soul food restaurants in Paris. Sadly, Chez Haynes closed its doors in April, 2009. Opened by "Morehouse Man" Leroy Haynes in 1950, it was the last of the Hollywood watering holes from the 50s until Mr. Haynes’ death in 1986. Two other well known African American restaurants: Bojangles and Percy's Place, closed their doors more than ten years ago...victims of the war in Iraq and the decline in the value of the US dollar.
For your first evening in Paris you might like:
1. Restaurant Pedra Alta, 25 rue Marbeuf, 75008, (Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt) 01 40 70 09 99 A fun restaurant with DELICIOUS seafood! Right off the Champs Elysees is one of the hidden jewels in Paris. Where you can order shrimp, crab, oysters, lobster (and steaks) at a price that won’t break the budget. We suggest getting there early, between 4:00pm and 6:00 pm when there will not be a line to get in. Say “bonjour monsieur” and ask to be seated upstairs at a table overlooking the courtyard....if there’s room. Big menus in French/English with pictures of each dish just in case. Big platters come to the center of your table with much fanfare. Moules and french fries. Shrimp and calamari. Oysters to perfection. Fresh sauted green beans that appeal to non-veggie eaters. Great drinks and desserts...even the bread and butter is tasty. Great seafood at an affordable price! NO RESERVATIONS ALLOWED. Just go early before the line gets too long.
2. Durand Dupont, 14 Place du March, 92200, Neuilly sur Seine, (Metro: Les Sablons) 01.45.22.53.24 Chic times ten, on the edge of the outdoor marketplace in the suburb called "The Beverly Hills of Paris." Richard Wright, Gordon Parks and James Baldwin once lived in Neuilly and shopped at this Marche. If the restaurant had been open then, they would have been here. Good, creative food...upscale casual atmosphere. Come for a relaxing Sunday Brunch and people watching!
3. Fontaine de Mars, 129 Rue St. Dominique, 75007, (Metro Ecole Militaire) 01 47 05 46 44 BETTER KNOWN AS '”THE OBAMA RESTAURANT” This is the busy, old style Paris neighborhood bistro where President and Mrs. Obama opted to dine (instead of having dinner with President Sarkozy) when they visited France in June 2009! Traditional cuisine: eggplant with goat cheese, mushroom pate, cassoulet, leg of lamb, daily fish specials and simpler but wonderful desserts. Call for reservations. Ask for Mme Boudon (owner) and tell them you are guests of Black Paris Tours. Open 12:00noon to 3:00pm and 7:30pm to 11:00pm
4. Gumbo YaYa, 3 Rue Charles Robin, 75010 Paris, France, (Metro: Colonel Fabien). This restaurant has classic southern American dishes such as burgers & fried chicken with waffles.
5. La Duree, 75 Ave Champs Elysees, 75008. (Metro: George V) 01.40.75.08.75 - Beaux Arts ornate pastery shop and tea room that dates back to 1862. World famous for its macaroons, a "no-coconut-involved" cookie that melts in your mouth and comes in at least 12 scrumptious flavors (try Caramel and Citron-lemon). Not cheap but worth every nibble! Walk through the front door and all the way to the back to experience LaDuree's elegant new Macaroon bar...serving tea, hot chocolate, raspberry champagne, snacks and great drinks! Yummie!
6. Menelik, Ethiopian Restaurant, 4 rue Sauffroy, 75017, (Metro: Brochant) 01.46.27.00.82 The best in Ethiopian cuisine! The owner speaks English and will be happy to introduce you to traditional dishes..which you eat with your fingers! Stay on week ends for desserts, the coffee service, traditional music and dancing, when this small restaurant turns into a down home Ethiopian party! Call for hours but plan to stay late!
7. Moulin de la Galette, 83 rue Lepic, 75018, (Metro: Abbesses) 01.46.06.84.77 Quaint, beautiful setting, serving great contemporary French food in this old dance hall immortalized by Renoir in his painting of the same name (see painting at Musee d'Orsay). Sweet dining experience that won't kill your budget.
Open daily, noon to 11pm. Call for reservations! Montmartre bus stops right in front of restaurant on the way down from Sacre Coeur!
10. Noura, 27-29 ave Marceau, 75016, call 01.47.23.02.20. (Metro: Alma-Marceau) The best, most popular Lebanese restaurant in Paris. Offers big helpings of good, fresh, delicious North African/Middle Eastern food, served by some of the friendliest waiters in town. Try some of everything, the hummus, tabouli, Lebanese tapis and pizzas, wrap sandwiches -- daily lunch/dinner specials. Great selection of baklava desserts.
11. Relais de Venise, 271 Blvd Pereire, 75017, (Metro: Porte) Maillot Legendary French "fast food". Memorable, mouth-watering steak strips, in a mouth watering secret bernaise sauce and french fries, served with salad, wine and dessert. Such a part of the culture, locals will wonder how you found this place! Open for lunch, noon to 2:30 pmand dinner 7:00 pm to 11:45 pm..... 7 days a week. No reservations allowed. You may wait in line to get in...but it’s worth the wait!
12. Breakfast in America, 17 rue des Ecoles, 75005, (Metro: Cardinal Lemoine) 01.43.54.50.28 Dying for a real American breakfast? THIS is the place! Bacon and eggs, pancakes w/ maple syrup, burgers, enough calories and carbs to keep you going til you get back home. Open daily 8:30am til 11pm!
Black Paris Tours® Favorite Restaurants © 2024
