Le Petit Vendôme

"Open for: Breakfast, lunch, and dinnerPrice range: $$It can be a challenge to find good French food in the heart of Paris, which is why this luncheonette from the ’50s is such an enduring hit with office workers, staff from the surrounding luxury boutiques, and tourists. Though the decor, with its bright chairs and cracked tile floor, has its appeal, the restaurant, just steps from the elegant Place Vendôme, brings in customers for its sepia-toned Gallic comfort food like escargots, onion soup, duck preserved in its own fat with sauteed potatoes, and chocolate mousse or tarte Tatin for dessert. The prices are modest for a heart-of-the-city meal, the crowd is intriguing, and this is an only-in-Paris experience par excellence. Come early to avoid the crowds. Located in the 2nd arrondissement.Must-try dish: A real French sandwich with ham, Fourme d’Ambert blue cheese from Auvergne, and baguette." - Alexander Lobrano

"I’ve loved David Lebovitz’s namesake blog and myriad books for years, especially his seemingly endless stories about living in Paris. So when I stumbled upon an old post about “The Best Sandwich in Paris” mid-trip in 2022, I dropped everything and headed to Le Petit Vendôme. Greeted with a rowdy lunch crowd, I was lucky enough to score a seat at the bar. I was immediately entranced by a staffer slinging jamón beurre sandwiches—moving at such an efficient clip that I could barely tear away to chat with my spouse. Crackly fresh baguette, soft rich butter, a ham to end all hams, and a few cornichons. Ouah! I returned later in the week to snag another sandwich for the plane. It was a perfect last meal." - ByThe Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors