Sometimes, the best way to find a good ethnic restaurant is to ask an immigrant. I say sometimes because I have no idea where to find good American food in this city. I have no interest in eating American food while in France. But I digress.
I was shopping at one of the local discount stores the other day. I asked the Indian store owner if he had a suggestion for good Indian food in the area. He quickly suggested Sadika, just around the corner. I knew the place, it is across the street from Antalya, my favorite Turkish restaurant.
Sadika Indian Restaurant
Sadika is a traditional Indian restaurant. It features the standards: Palak Paneer, Dal Makhani, Samousa, Naan, Korma, etc. Typical of Indian restaurants in Paris, the meat dishes far outnumber the vegetarian dishes. I keep searching for a true vegetarian Indian restaurant with spicy food.
Sadika’s fixed price menus are generous and reasonably priced. I had the basic dinner menu at 13.50 euros. It also started with a Roti and trio of chutneys. The meal also included two Vegetable Samousas, Naan with Cheese, Aloo Palak (spinach and potatoes), Saffron Rice, and my favorite Indian dessert: Gajor Halwa (carrot pudding).
Sadika is in the 12th arrindissement near metro: Dugommier (6) and Daumesnil (6,8). It’s a small restaurant and isn’t very crowded. You’ll get good service, friendly waiters, and good Indian food at a good price. I’m still looking for an Indian restaurant in Paris that knocks my Achile socks off. Sadika is the best that I’ve found so far.
- Sadika Spécialités Indiennes
- 251, Rue de Charenton (12°)
- 01 43 42 47 15
- Metro: Dugommier, Daumesnil
- Indian Restaurant
- Overall: 4/5
- Location: 3/5
- Value: 4/5
- Vegetarian Friendly: 4/5
- Vegan Friendly: 4/5
- M.E.F. Friendly: 4/5
We all have our comfort foods. At the core, we crave the meals our parents cooked for us as children. Well, that’s a bit of a stretch for me, my mother tended to massacre meals more than serve them. But I digress. As adults, we also tend to settle on those familiar joints where we know we can get a good meal at a good price and it’s comforting to be a regular.
Restaurant Antalya is that place for me. I work long days and travel across the city to get to work and back. I often don’t feel like cooking when I arrive at Chez Ted. I also don’t want to get a big sit down meal and the thought of another cheese sandwich or panini can make a grown man cry.
Luckily, I discovered Antalya and their vegetarian plate. For only 6.50 Euros, you get tomato couscous, roasted eggplant with veggies, fries, and a salad. It’s a lot of food, it tastes good, it’s fast, and the people are really friendly and welcoming. I also get to watch the latest Turkish soap operas while waiting for the food.
Vegan options?
I wouldn’t suggest this to vegans, the eggplant dish has cheese. I also can’t guarantee that everything there is truly vegetarian. I’ve been afraid to ask if the fries are made in vegetable oil and what goes into the couscous. I can say that after 23 years of being a veggie, I can usually taste the animal fat. I have not found any reason to avoid coming to this favorite little joint on the way home from a long day at work.
Antalya is located in the 12th arrindissement. It’s not the most convenient place for tourists. However it’s not too far from Park de Bercy or Bois de Vincennes. It’s a local restaurant that draws a friendly local crowd.
For a fancier Turkish meal, turn around and go a block in the other direction for Angora. Their version of this meal is about double the price and has a lovely starter plate.
- Restaurant Antalya
- 284, rue Charenton (12°)
- 01 43 44 40 32
- Metro: dugommier
- Turkish Fast Food
- Overall: 5/5
- Location: 3/5
- Value: 5/5
- Taste: 4.5/5
- Service: 5/5
- Vegetarian Friendly: 3/5
- Vegan Friendly: 1/5
- M.E.F. Friendly: 5/5
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The vegetarian restaurant is dead! Long live the vegetarian restaurant!
I came across Judicious while looking for “Four T’s” a vegetarian restaurant on rue de Charenton. Judicious looked interesting, it’s a basic, no-frills juice bar and organic cafe. The interior is sparse and looks comfortable. The exterior has plenty of signs for the daily muffins, juices, salads, soups, etc.
But where was the other restaurant? Eventually, I gave up and headed home. Sure enough, the Four T’s restaurant has closed. However, Judicious has taken its place. Unfortunately it was closed for vacation today so I haven’t had a chance to sample the food. Judicious looks promising and I’ll return another day.
Judicious is open 7 days a week and offers free wi-fi. It’s near Ledru-Rollin metro station. Don’t miss the nearby market at Bastille on Sunday mornings.
- Judicious
- 53 rue de Charenton (12°)
- 01 44 73 40 21
- Metro: Ledru-Rollin
- Vegetarian/Organic Restaurant
- Free Wi-Fi
They say that location is everything. This small cafe in the Bercy neighborhood would make a killing in more popular areas. It’s a charming cafe operated by people that are passionate about the food and service they provide.
It’s conveniently located for those walking to Bercy Village, Parc de Bercy, or the Cour St. Emillion metro (#14). It’s tucked into the side of an anonymous building and looks toward the elevated train tracks and Notre Dame de la Nativité de Bercy
I stop by to get my morning coffee and love the selection of salads, soups, smoothies, and lunch items. It’s a shame I don’t work nearby to enjoy their lunch time offerings. Of course, this really isn’t much of an excuse. They have pre-packaged lunches just waiting for you to pickup on the way to work.
Their menu is stacked with vegetarian and vegan options inspired by seasonal fruits and vegetables. Here’s a sample of their menu:(as of Feb. 2008)
- Carrot salad with coriander and dressing
- Lentil salad with red onions and coriander
- Vegetable plate with zucchini, eggplant, leeks, and fennel
- 4 different vegetarian/vegan pasta dishes: Vegetarian, Mushroom, 3 cheese, and tomato/pimento
- Brie, arugula, and walnut sandwich
- Seasonal market vegetable soup and tarts
- Fruit salad with mint syrup
- Fruit smoothies
- Fresh fruit
- Teas, coffee, water, and more
Lunches range from approx. 4-7 Euros. It’s affordable, friendly, and an oasis of vegetarian options in this neighborhood.
- Parisian Sweet Bar
- 10 rue de Dijon, Paris 75012
- Metro: Cour St-Emillion
- 01 44 73 40 44
- parisiansweetbar@9business.fr
- Hours: 8h-18h Monday to Friday
- Overall: 4.5/5
- Vegetarian Options: 5/5
- Vegan Options: 5/5
- Value: 5/5
- Location: 3/5
You can always count on a good vegetarian selection at an Indian restaurant. Or so I thought. I visited onaki in the 12th arrindissmont. It was a cold rainy night and I wanted to get out and try something new. The sign drew me closer and the friendly staff brought me into this small establishment.
However, I was a bit disappointed in the menu. It was stacked with lamb, fish, and chicken. The vegetarian selections were the standard Paneer-based curries. Their fixed price menus included no vegetarian options. I’m sure they would be happy to provide a vegetarian dish on demand.
The lack of vegetarian options did not keep me from enjoying my meal. Here are some of the highpoints
- Unique and very tasty chutney/sauces. The samosa entree came with a trio of side sauces. The standout was a tamarind and banana chutney. The pickled mango chutney tasted home-made.
- Naan with cheese. When in Rome…. This restaurant delivers a naan stuffed with French cheese. While it was difficult to tear into chunks with one hand, it tasted great.
- The service was very friendly and the restaurant is comfortable, cozy, and quiet. Several regulars stopped in during the night for their favorite dishes.
Location
This restaurant sits on a side street in the 12th arr. It’s not an easy place to find and probably not the location for a tourist. The closest metro is probably Daumesnil or Dugommier.
- Jonaki Restauran Indienne
- 8, rue de Wattignies 75012
- Metro: Dugommier or Dugomier
- 01 43 46 96 62
- Overall: 3.5/5
- Vegetarian Options: 2/5
- Vegan Options: 2/5
- Value: 3/5
- Location: 2/5
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