It is absolutely impossible to create a shortlist for Paris, as the city is paved with fantastic restaurants, cafés, bars and museums. But here are a few ideas, which should only be suggestions as any good trip to Paris turns into improvised meals around the corner, or an impromptu picnic after the Sunday market, without any risk of being disappointed.

Septime

French restaurant · 11th Arrondissement

Probably the hardest reservation to get in Paris, although Clamato, their second restaurant right next door, has a no reservations policy and serves small plates of seafood all day long.

Mokonuts

Restaurant · 11th Arrondissement

Only open for lunch on weekdays, so make sure you call ahead to book a table. Husband-and-wife team Omar and Moko will delight you with labneh and other Lebanese-inspired savory dishes, as well as the best chocolate chip cookies in Paris.

Racines

Bistro · 2nd Arrondissement

One of the best Italian restaurants in Paris (along with Vivant), in a small alleyway, with a fantastic vibe and the most wonderful chef.

Le Grand Bain

French restaurant · 20th Arrondissement

From the chef who perfected ‘Au Passage’, a hotspot for small plates in Belleville — although the leg of lamb is perfect for large groups. They also have great (and affordable) natural wine, as well as a bakery next door, Le Petit Grain.

Du Pain et des Idées

Bakery · 10th Arrondissement

An old school boulangerie by the Canal Saint Martin, famous for its pistachio escargot.

Miznon Canal

Restaurant · 10th Arrondissement

Right by Du Pain et des Idées is Miznon, where you should order the burnt cauliflower, a pita sandwich, and pretty much anything else on the menu.

Le Servan

Bistro · 11th Arrondissement

A beautiful bistro where Tatiana Levha, who used to work at L’Arpège with Alain Passard, delights us with Asian-inspired traditional French bistro dishes. Her second outpost, Double Dragon, is fiery and much less Parisian.

La Bourse et La Vie

Bistro · 2nd Arrondissement

Daniel Rose’s (Le Coucou NYC) restaurant, with gougères and pot-au-feu: one of the super Parisian meals compulsory on a first trip to Paris. Le Baratin and le Bistrot Paul Bert are excellent alternatives on the East Side.

Le Châteaubriand

French restaurant · 11th Arrondissement

Le Chateaubriand is a polarizing restaurant, but it has defined bistronomie in France and inspired chefs worldwide.

Arpège

French haute cuisine restaurant · Invalides

If you only have one Michelin-starred meal in France, it should be this one. Alain Passard is an unrivaled maestro who plays around with the most beautiful vegetables in Paris.

La Buvette

Wine bar · 11th Arrondissement

The perfect “cave à manger”, with selected wines and small plates to nibble on — love the bergamot beans. Go there around 6pm for a glass of wine before heading to dinner. Don’t mix it up with Jody Williams’ Buvette which is in Pigalle!

Septime La Cave

Wine bar · 11th Arrondissement

Septime’s friendly wine bar, aka the perfect spot to wait for a table at Clamato while sipping orange wine. You can also buy wine to go!

Café du coin

Restaurant · 11th Arrondissement

It’s called café, but serves excellent wines and small plates.

Cravan

Cocktail bar · d'Auteuil

A newer bar on a different side of town, perfect after playing tourists all day.

A fantastic spot right next to Le Comptoir and you can nibble saucisson and cheese with a great glass of wine. You’ll be standing and it will probably be packed, though.

Frenchie Bar A Vins

Wine Bar · Bonne-Nouvelle

Another “cave à manger” and this one is by chef Gregory Marchand, aka the perfect spot if you couldn’t get a reservation at Frenchie.

Boot Café

Cafe · 3rd Arrondissement

It’s tiny, it’s not even French, but it’s one of the cutest coffee shops in Paris. The team also has CAM, a crazy but fantastic Asian-inspired bistro.

Shakespeare and Company

Book store · Sorbonne

One of the best bookshops in Paris now has its own little café, on a charming “place” like you’d see in movies, right by Notre-Dame.

Musée d'Orsay

Art museum · Saint-Thomas d'Aquin

The lesser known museum set in an old railway station, overlooking the Seine. Another excellent museum is Le Musée Picasso.

Luxembourg Gardens

Garden · l'Odeon

Le Luco is a garden where West Bank locals go for a stroll or a picnic, so stop by Pierre Hermé’s first shop and enjoy a Mogador macaron by the fountain.

Le Marais

3rd Arrondissement

One of the most touristy neighborhoods in Paris, and for a reason. Lock up your bike and spend a couple of hours getting lost in the cobblestone streets.

Seine

River · Evry

Picnic by the Seine. On the Ile de la Cité you’ll find a few shops to get wine, bread and cheese and then walk down a few steps to eat right on the river bank.