Vegetarians that don’t eat at Lebanese restaurants are missing out. While much of Lebanese cuisine is centered around lamb, it is also filled with Mediterranean vegetarian options.
Gridskipper, a travel web site describes the special connection between France and Lebanese culture
Those in the know will visit Paris for excellent terroir cuisine to be sure, but they will also know to look for certain regional fare such as Meditarranean food. In that category (a diverse lot ranging from North African to Greek and Jewish cooking), Lebanese cuisine is a heavy hitter and a favorite amongst the locals. Narrow historical ties between the two countries (Lebanon was a French UN mandate from the end of WWI until WWII, earning Beirut the nickname of “Paris of the East”) have led to a steady influx of Lebanese immigrants into Paris, which of course has translated into a vibrant and bountiful restaurant scene.
Best Lebanese Dining in Paris: La Taverne du Nil
I visited this restaurant with a meat eating friend. We chose the Mézzé platter at 43 Euros to share family style. This is a selection of 9 small dishes. There was an assortment of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, from Hummus to sausage. We simply asked the waiter to bring a variety of mostly vegetarian and a couple meat dishes. You could also request purely vegetarian or vegan options. They have enough to chose from.
While this is a collection of small dishes, it certainly was not a small meal. The platter was seemingly bottomless. It’s a pricey meal at 43 Euros, but not a bad value. The food is fresh and well prepared. The service was great, the environment was great for conversations, and the location is central.
- La Taverne du Nil
- 16, rue Le Regrattier (4e)
- 01 40 46 09 02
- Metro: Pont-Marie
- Lebanese restaurant
- Overall: 4.5/5
- Location: 5/5
- Taste: 4/5
- Service: 4/5
- Vegetarian Friendly: 4/5
- Vegan Friendly: 3/5
- M.E.F. Friendly: 5/5
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
Eating in Paris involves many choices. The first of which is “where should I go this time?” This is especially true when you have great restaurants to choose from. For instance, where do you go when you want some good, vegetarian Chinese food?
Tien Hiang and Green Garden Restaurants
Tien Hiang is a great Asian restaurant in the 11th arrindissement. It is popular, affordable, and has a huge selection of vegan and vegetarian meals. But what if you are on the Left Bank and prefer something closer to home?
The Green Garden is a great Chinese restaurant near Olympiades in the 13th arrindissement. It’s a family style restaurant with a small market with an amazing collection of faux meats. I’ve never seen faux prawn or a complete faux chicken with wings and legs.
It is a small restaurant that can fill up rather quickly. The menu is extensive and the food is affordable and very tasty. I had the steamed dumpling menu for 10.50 Euros. This included 8 dumplings and a plate of fried noodles. I new I’d be returning when I realized the dumplings were gone and I wanted more.
The fried noodles also had some extremely fresh green beans, tofu, and sprouts. Several groups arrived in the restaurant and began ordering family style. The large variety of their menu would make this a great idea.
They are very proud of their menu’s lack of eggs, genetically modified ingredients, alcohol, and MSG. There are plenty of Vegan choices on their menu and many of the dishes can be modified upon request.
Back to the choices
Where do you go for vegetarian Chinese food? Tien Hiang or Green Garden are both a bit difficult to find for the average tourist. Your decision may be based on location. Green Garden is near the Porte D’Ivry metro station, which is also the end of the #3 Tramway. Green Garden is also more spacious and elegant than Tien Hiang. Tien Hiang is closer to Pere Lechaise and is a good post-cemetery stop.
- Green Garden
- 20 rue Nationale (13°)
- 01 45 82 99 54
- Metro: Porte D’Ivry, Olympiades
- Type: Asian Restaurant
- Overall: 4.5/5
- Location: 3/5
- Taste: 5/5
- Service: 4/5
- Vegetarian Friendly: 5/5
- Vegan Friendly: 5/5
- M.E.F. Friendly: 1.5/5
Behind the former city wall arches at Strausbourg and St-Denis sits a vibrant Arab and Indian community. You’ll find a wide assortment of places to eat from the simple street vendors to elegant restaurants. Le Bec Fin is a traditional couscous restaurant with a beautiful interior, fresh food and reasonable prices.
The first thing you’ll notice at Le Bec Fin is the tile work. It’s fantastic and you’ll think you’ve been transported to Algiers. The restaurant is a beautiful place to visit. The service is friendly and the waiter spoke perfect English.
Le Bec Fin specializes in couscous and tangines. I chose the vegetarian tangine. I’ve always wanted to see what this form of cooking produced. At first, I thought the plate served was a bit small, but it was a perfect amount when the fluffy couscous arrived at the table. The food is very fresh and carefully prepared.
My friend had the Algerian wine, but thought a traditional french wine would have been sufficient (and cheaper).
Le Bec Fin is very close to the Strausborg arch. Just look for the restaurant with the gleaming tile interior. It’s a nice place for dinner.
- Le Bec Fin
- 15, rue de Faubourg (10°)
- 01 42 06 62 82
- Metro: Strasbourg-St. Denis
- Algerian restaurant
- Overall: 4/5
- Location: 4/5
- Taste: 4/5
- Service: 5/5
- Vegetarian Friendly: 4/5
- Vegan Friendly: 3/5
- M.E.F. Friendly: 5/5
The Bollywood Lounge sits in the popular, tourist-friendly left bank near Notre Dame. It’s colorful interior will draw your attention. It plays on the seduction of Bollywood and promises a sophisticated, hip interpretation of Indian food.
I have not eaten here yet. However, their menu (.pdf) is available online. Unfortunately, it only gives vegetarian food lip service and instead focuses on Chicken, Lamb, and Seafood. It’s probably due to the high rent neighborhood and the higher fees these dishes can capture.
Bollywood Lounge does offer a vegetarian Thali, but it only consists of dal, raita, rice, samosa, and eggplant caviar for 14 euros. You can also order off the vegetarian side dishes menu. While this restaurant looks promising, I’m going to continue my search for good Indian food in Paris elsewhere.
- Bollywood Lounge
- 57, rue Galande (5°)
- 01 43 26 25 26
- Metro: Maubert Mutuality, Cluny la Sarbonne, St-Michel Notre Dame
- Indian Restaurant
- Overall: 3.5/5
- Location: 5/5
- Value: 3/5
- Vegetarian Friendly: 3/5
- Vegan Friendly: 3/5
- M.E.F. Friendly: 4/5
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