Recently, a friend and his wife decided to go to Paris, and they asked me for my recommendations. I figured I would just post them to this blog for anyone else to use, as well as to remind myself for my future trips. 
Here’s my recommendations for food places in Paris …
- Le Verre Vole, in the 10th – great French bistro for lunch…but make a reservation, even for lunch. Reasonable wine prices, amazing home-cooked food, and just a cute place to dine.
- Chez Janou, in the 3rd (the “Marais”) – a fun French bistro for dinner. excellent wine selection, rustic food, and an all-you-can eat bowl of chocolate mousse. yes, all you can eat!
- Laduree, several locations – the most amazing macaroons in the world! Get some to eat in Paris, then buy some the day you leave to bring home for friends. Warning, though, they are EXPENSIVE.
- L’as du Falafel, in the 3rd (the “Marais”) – one of my favorite falafel places in Paris for a quick, cheap meal on a day you’re in the Marais (the gay jewish district…note, not the gay AND jewish district, but the gay + jewish district). Order the original falafel in a pita with a basket of fries on a cold day for lunch, and you will not leave hungry.
- Le Fumoir (in the 1st, near the Louvre) – while it may be called the “smoking room”, thankfully, Parisians are no longer able to smoke indoors. A really hip restaurant that would be great for a date night.
http://www.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1937013_1936990_1936848,00.html
My “watering holes” …
- Les Deux Magots (in the 6th, St.-Germain de Pres) – one of the most classic french bars in the upscale party area of the city. if its nice out, take a table on the rue and watch the foot traffic go by
- Le Fumoir – also a great bar, and one of the few places you can get a “martini” in Paris (and a good one at that)
- Willi’s Wine Bar – a very low-key wine bar, but one of the best and most famous in Paris. everyone knows it. amazing wine selection and a good atmosphere.
- Hemingway Bar, in the Ritz Hotel – if you want a trip back in time, to when a gentleman drank a stiff cocktail, and paid an insane amount of money for them…then this place is for you. Probably one of the best cocktail bars in the world…if not for the Hemingway memorabilia on the walls…but for the skillful work of the bartenders. Be prepared to drop ~$100 here on 3-4 cocktails…easily….
http://www.ritzparis.com/jump_to.asp?id_lang=2&id_target=1340
Favorite Museums, in order of my preference (highest to lowest) …
- Musee D’orsay – amazing collection of impressionists and several Van Goghs, nice statues in the main hall, and always some interesting special exhibits
- Picasso Museum – small, but worth the visit. a huge collection of his works. If you’re doing a 1/2 day in the Marais (which I suggest you do), its also right there.
- Louvre – you have to go here, but its always a mad-house with all the people. my recommendation…get there super early. there’s the most amazing bakery around the corner that opens at like 6:30/7am and you’ll see the line, so you’ll know which one. grab a croissant and go wait in line for the museum to open. study the museum map in line on your phone or bring a print-out with you so you know where the Mona Lisa is. Then when you get in to the museum, run…yes…run…to the Mona Lisa. You’ll get the most amazing feeling as you’re only one of a handful of people standing there first thing in the morning. Otherwise, you’ll fight a horde of people to see it. Ugh.
NOTE: I’ve never done the Pompidu, but I’m a fan of modern art, so I’m sure I’d love it.
Great suggestions! Believe me, I’ve been to nearly every club in Paris and you can’t really find a place better than The Hemingway Bar. Really extraordinary
I would like to point out another of my favorite city guides about Paris. Top shelf drinks and swanky cocktails will make you feel like a celebrity in these elegant yet electric venues. http://www.venuexperience.com/europe/paris-la-ville-damour