10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Paris

Boutique yam'Tcha is a spin-off of Michelin-starred restaurant Yam'Tcha, and serves a shortened version of their menu. Locals come here for the fish tartare or wok-sautéed cuttlefish, which come at prices that are kinder to your billfold. There's also a great range of steamed buns, stuffed with Basque pig and eggplant, chili tofu and vegetables, or Dominican chocolate. The pavement-facing window sells takeout buns – great for a quick snack.

Tea is the drink of choice at Boutique yam'Tcha. The options are endless, from hand-rolled jasmine pearl tea to the classic Hong Kong milk tea. Dedicated tea fans can also buy boxes of fine tea, Chinese clay teapots, cups, and all kinds of tea-related paraphernalia.

Glou is a clean, minimalist bistro with cozy shared seating downstairs and individual tables upstairs. The short and simple menu focuses on regional delicacies, such as broiled octopus, beef tartare, breaded eggplant, and chickpea croquettes. From the dessert menu, try organic ice cream from the Ardèche region or Glou's signature cheesecake with berry coulis.

The thoughtfully chosen wine list is mostly organic, biodynamic and almost entirely French, coming from the Loîre, Rhone, Alsace, and Corsica. Alternately, order a glass of French cognac, Scottish whiskey, or Mauritian rum. Grab a window seat upstairs for pretty views of Hôtel-Salé-Léonor-Fini Garden across the road.

Afendi Paris is the place to come for genuine Lebanese street food in Paris. The father-son chef team serve their food in a snug dining room lined with wooden beams and decorated with shelves of books and other odds and ends. It’s a great local restaurant in the vibrant and diverse Strasbourg-Saint-Denis neighbourhood.

Order a feast of hot and cold mezze dishes like tabbouleh salad, makanek (spiced Lebanese sausages), or hummus with hazelnut butter. The main menu features cod fillet with saffron rice, rib steak with pomegranate molasses and broiled chicken with garlic cream. Visit in the evening for a fragrant cocktail flavored with honey, cardamon, or mint syrup. Alternately, come for Sunday brunch to indulge in the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Schwartz's brings the style and flavor of a New York deli to Paris. The interior feels like stepping straight into New York – diner-style red leather booths, vintage movie posters, and a deli counter piled high with condiments and salads. Expect it to be packed at lunchtime and during weekend brunch.

The menu is a symphony of deli staples like matzah ball soup, chicken Caesar salad, and a Reuben sandwich stuffed with beef pastrami and Emmental cheese. There's also an extensive burger menu, including veggie choices, plus brunch options like eggs Benedict and avocado toast. The substantial portions will keep you fueled up for the rest of the day.

Oh Purée! specializes in innovative French comfort food based on local and seasonal ingredients. Located in a hip, student-filled corner of the Latin Quarter, it occupies a rustic 19th-century building with exposed stone walls and a wood beam ceiling

The focus of the menu is the 'purées' (for which the restaurant is named) made from all kinds of root vegetables. Tuck into red tuna steak with soy and honey, beef tataki, veal sushi, or the restaurant's signature cottage pie. A carefully curated assortment of organic wines is chosen specifically to pair with the ever-changing menu.

Bouillon Julien is an old-world French brasserie that has been serving Parisians since 1903. The food is classic French gastronomy – think garlic Burgundy snails, country-style terrine, veal head and Toulouse sausage. Try the crème brûlée and rum baba with whipped cream, or a bottle of wine from a small local producer.

The restaurant's breathtaking interior is quintessential French Art Nouveau, with mirrored walls and a stunning coloured-glass ceiling. Look out for the lavish paintings of peacocks covering one wall, and the original mahogany bar. The venue has served as the backdrop for several period movies, and has another claim to fame – singer Edith Piaf used to dine here quite frequently.

Soy is a cool, cutting-edge Parisian venue that mixes a stylish industrial-style interior with a fresh and healthy menu. The food is entirely vegan and organic, featuring creative dishes like cream of tofu with pesto, seaweed tartare or homemade lasagna. The menu is influenced by foods from all over the world, with Korean kimchi, masala curry, and soy falafel.

An impressively broad beverages list includes organic wines, biodynamic champagne, pear cider and cocktails made with mezcal and smoked beet. As well as a great dinner spot, it's also good for an afternoon break with a matcha latte or soymilk cappuccino, maybe with one of their gluten-free cookies or macarons.

Fulgurances is a restaurant in Paris that changes its chef every few months, giving new talents a chance to showcase their skills. The menu is different from week to week, incorporating diverse ingredients and influences from all over the world. Its list of natural wines, much like the food, foregrounds small vineyards and innovative producers.

There are set menus of 3, 6 or 9 courses, so you get plenty of opportunities to taste the latest creations. Past dishes have included ceviche with hibiscus flowers, smoked eel with broccoli puree, tonkatsu pork cutlets, and fondant of Medjool dates. The bright, modern dining room is always packed, so consider booking in advance.

La Cantine Bretonne is a favorite among locals for its crêpes, which come with nearly every topping imaginable. Choose between wheat or organic buckwheat crêpes, then choose your favorite option. Savory toppings include salmon gravlax with seaweed, garlic shrimp, Breton sausage, and lemon goat's cheese. Sweet versions feature fruit, chocolate, and caramel, and come with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.

The rest of the menu is traditional Breton cuisine like Breton beef or Moules marinière, as well as a beverages menu featuring 9 different types of apple and pear ciders. Take home more Breton delicacies from La Cantine Bretonne’s specialty grocery store, which sells terrines, jellies, preserves, biscuits and candies.

Le Jourdain is a vibrant bistro serving a varied selection of small plates. Both the food and venue are bang on trend, with retro furniture and touches of mid-century decor in a light-filled restaurant. Lunch is a set menu using seasonal ingredients, while the evening tapas lean toward fresh seafood.

Among the small plates are veal tartare, horse mackerel in ponzu sauce, oyster mushroom tempura, and burrata cheese with roast vegetables. The dessert menu takes the same mix-and-match approach, featuring plum and blackberry cake, caramel flan, and roast figs with custard. Drinks-wise, you can expect Japanese whiskeys, wild raspberry brandy, and craft beers from a nearby microbrewery.