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La Taverne du Nil - Lebanese on Ile St. Louis

Lebanese restaurant on Isle St. LouisVegetarians 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

Lebanese restaurant on Isle St. LouisI 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

Pierre Hermé - Patisserie to the Stars


There’s nothing particularly vegetarian about this patisserie. In fact, the place is known for its bizarre macaroon combinations that have included foie gras as a filling. However, Pierre Hermé is an amazing place to indulge in, regardless of your vegetarian/vegan/macrobiotic/organic leanings.

Legend has it: Hermé worked for Gaston Lenôtre, the world famous pastry chef. They are known as the masters of macaroons and this historic patisserie has been serving the aristocracy for decades. However, Hermé felt the urge to move on and opened his first place just down the street on Rue Bonaparte.

Where Lenôtre is about classic French taste (etoile patterns, delicate macaroons, pastels…), Pierre Hermé is bold, experimental, funky, surprising, and above all delicious.

It’s enough to get the true French Queen, Catherine Deneuve, to wait in line for morning pastries. At least that is the story I’ve heard and desperately want to believe. I love the idea of standing in line for an almond croissant with such a legend, chatting about the latest macaroon, working with Luis Bunuel, and the muggy weather.

I was surprised by the reasonable prices. The almond croissant was the same price as the flat, spongy thing seen in more common patisseries around the city. The macaroons were beyond description. I tested the passion fruit and chocolate creation. I also bought his signature chocolate balls. Unfortunately, I didn’t eat them fast enough and they grew mold. That’s what you get when you expect your food to be filled with preservatives and someone hands you a touch of purity. Oh well, I’ll just have to make another trip.

There’s a bunch of photos on Flickr from people that enjoy the goodies at Pierre Herme. They’ll give you an idea of the passion these morsels create. If you are looking for a delicious dessert, a quick pick me up, or a great gift to bring back home: visit Pierre Hermé.

Pierre Hermé
72, rue Bonaparte (6°)
01 43 54 47 77
Metro: St-Germian de Prés
Patisserie
  • Overall: 5/5
  • Location: 5/5
  • Value: 4.5/5
  • Taste: 5/5
  • Service: 4/5
  • Vegetarian Friendly: 4/5
  • Vegan Friendly: 3/5

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Wanna Juice - Fruit Smoothies in Paris

Paris CloudsParis is a hot, sticky, muggy city during the summer months. You’ll need to find an occasional cold treat to cool your body. luckily, there are several Wanna Juice bars to quench your thirst.

Wanna Juice bars are small restaurants similar to Jamba Juice in the States. You will see a menu board of blended juices, a fridge with yoghurts, snacks, and salads. Soups are also available for lunch.

Wanna Juice has a fairly reasonable lunch menu with soup or salad, bread, and small smoothie for around 8 euros. Purchasing a smoothie by itself may give you some sticker shock. I had the Fast Breakfast smoothie this afternoon for 8.20 Euros, which is a little over $12. The smoothie was great, it had berries, fresh orange juice, yogurt, muesli, and honey. The tasty concoction made me forget about the price. My friend had an orange/strawberry smoothie. He’s a big fan of the Orange Dream Machine smoothie at Jamba Juice. I liked Wanna’s better; it didn’t taste like baby aspirin.

Wanna JuiceThere are 4 locations for Wanna Juice. Each is located near popular tourist destinations. You’ll find it to be a fresh alternative in the sticky heat of a Paris summer. Ask for the frequent buyer card; buy ten and get one free. That may take a bit of the sting off of your currency conversion analysis.

The Mouffetard and Montorgueil locations are also surrounded by great vegetarian bistros, markets, and tasty boulangeries. Both areas are great places to visit for a taste of Paris life. Mouffetard is also home to some hostels and is close to the Universities.

  • Overall: 3.5/5
  • Location: 5/5
  • Taste: 4/5
  • Value: 3/5
  • Service: 4/5
  • Vegetarian Friendly: 5/5
  • Vegan Friendly: 5/5
  • M.E.F. Friendly: 5/5
Wanna Juice Mouffetard
137 rue Mouffetard (5°)
01 77 32 11 61
Metro:
Juice Bar
Wanna Juice Montorgueil
9 rue Montorgueil (1°)
01 71 18 27 05
Metro:
Juice Bar
Wanna Juice Bastille
7, rue de la Roquette (11° - Bastille )
01 43 38 46 45
Metro: Bastille
Juice Bar
Wanna Juice Odeon
65 rue St-Andre des Arts (6° - Odeon)
01 46 34 11 90
Metro:
Juice Bar

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La Reine de Saba - Ethiopian restaurant in Paris

La Reine de SabaIt’s hard to get people to join me for an evening of Ethiopian food. The food can most easily be described as mushy vegetables on a spongie crepe that you eat by hand. There’s typically an assortment of lintels, spinach, and other veggies. And to top it off, there’s sometimes a surprise dish that looks harmless but packs a powerful punch. What’s not to love about it?

I came across La Reine de Saba while dining at Tien Hiang, the popular vegetarian Chinese restaurant across the street. Luckily, my friend Will was visiting Paris and I talked him into joining me for an Ethiopian meal.

La Reine de Saba is only open at night and it’s a popular place after 9. If you are looking for a late night meal, call ahead for a reservation. You shouldn’t need one before 9.

The restaurant has the typical Ethiopian decor, it is clean, friendly, and they speak English. The majority of the menu is filled with goat, chicken, and fish. However, they do have some vegetarian options. Your best choice is the vegetarian plate. It includes salad, spinach, lentils, and another veggie dish. There will be ample crepes to eat with and no forks or knives.

The food was good. I would have preferred a bit more variety in the vegetable plate. I’ve been to several Ethiopian restaurants and usually get more than 4-5 variations. It’s also not spicy, which is a welcome relief the next day. If you know what I mean.

There is a special menu for groups of people. This group menu features lots of meat, but they should be able to do something for a group of veggies.

Ethiopian restaurants are more than a place to eat. There’s a convivial atmosphere and food is celebrated. La Reine de Saba extends this with live music on special nights. I think I’d go across the street to Tien Hiang if I were by myself, but La Reine de Saba is better for a group of friends who want to enjoy a festive night of mushy vegetables and spongie bread. There’s a lot to love about it.

La Reine de Saba
91, rue du Chemin Vert (11°)
01 49 29 99 68
Metro: St. Maur, Voltaire, Pére la Chaise
Ethiopian restaurant
  • Overall: 4/5
  • Location: 4/5
  • Taste: 4/5
  • Service: 5/5
  • Vegetarian Friendly: 4/5
  • Vegan Friendly: 4/5
  • M.E.F. Friendly: 4/5

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Stuart Friendly Restaurant in the Marais

How can you pass up a restaurant that bills itself as “Le premier Restaurant, Brunch, Salon de Thè non-fumeur et hètero friendly de Paris!“?
Stuart Friendly restaurant in the Marais

Stuart Friendly is a friendly restaurant just off of Rue Montorgueil in the Marais district. Their menu is filled with light, fresh, seasonal dishes. There are several options for the vegetarian and vegan visitor.

I didn’t have a chance to eat here the night I discovered it. However, the portions looked generous, the food looked great, and the customers looked happy and satisfied. I guess that makes for some friendly eating.

Stuart Friendly
16, rue Marie Stuart (2°)
01 42 33 24 00
Metro: Les Halles
Restaurant

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