Vegetarian Experiences in Paris

I grew up in Southern California where a cold day meant you had to wear pants instead of shorts and a t shirt. Now I’m in Paris where cold means snow or ice on the ground and shorts can be a dim memory. The scarf is around your face and gloves are on the hands.

So now that it is fall and the days are getting shorter and colder; my mind has been going to something warm and satisfying: soup. The Parisian restaurants are filled with creative soup recipes. It’s a far cry from the standard vegetarian chili, lentil, and chunky vegetable soup you are lucky to find in American restaurants.

It’s time to pack away the shorts, sandals, and t-shirts. Bring out those sweaters, scarves, jackets, and gloves. We’re going on a field trip for soup in Paris.

Soup de Jour at Parisian Sweet Bar

Perhaps this cafe was the cause of my current obsession with soup. I stopped off a few weeks ago for my cafe au lait and found two new hotpots in the counter filled with soup. They feature two vegetarian soups every day. They also feature a small fixed menu deal, you get a large bowl of soup and a dessert (try the rice pudding) for 6.50 euros.

Their soups are also quite adventurous. Today I had a carrot and pineapple soup with walnut garnish. I’ve also had their Potiron (pumpkin) soup that was fantastic. They also feature a market vegetable soup for the less adventurous.

Parisian Sweet Bar is a wonderful cafe near Bercy park. They are filled with vegetarian delights and the friendliest service around.

Stuart Friendly - Spicy tomato soup

After working another 12 hour day, I needed something to take the chill off my bones and wake me up. I stopped off at Stuart Friendly, a small restaurant near rue Montorguiel. They had a smaller vegetarian selection than I had expected. However, they did feature a spicy Mediterranean tomato soup. The large bowl was almost too large. Go for the small bowl unless you are really hungry.

Minestrone Soup at your local Italian restaurant

There’s a small Italian restaurant next to my work. It’s a decent place, nothing to go out of your way for. I was happy to see a sign tacked to the wall for a vegetarian minestrone. The soup had lots of noodles and vegetables.  I can’t say I’d recommend this particular recipe. But it would be a good idea to ask you local italian restaurant if their minestrone is vegetarian (or vegan). You may find it a much better choice than another linguine au pesto.

La Victoire in the Marais

Last night I stopped off at La Victoire, Suprême du Coeur for some soup. The daily special was a pumpkin/coconut milk soup. This was a great tasting soup. I’d highly recommend it. In fact, it’s a nice meal by itself.

Tien Hiang - Thai soup

Tien Hiang has a huge menu of vegetarian Asian cuisine. Their Thai soup is a standout amongst the various chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes. This tiny cafe in the 20th arr. is popular for a reason, great vegetarian/vegan food at low prices.

le Potager du Marais

How can I discuss soup in Paris without coming back to Le Potager du Marais? This popular restaurant in the Marais is soup central for vegetarians. It’s the place to go for a vegetarian French Onion Soup and much more. It doesn’t hurt to make reservations as the place is very tight and fills up quickly.

Soup and more at La Ferme

La Ferme is a pseudo-bohemian soup, salad, and pasta restaurant near Opera. It’s rustic interior matches their hardy vegetable soup. La Ferme is a simple place where you eat as if everything is takeout.

What is your favorite place for soup du jour?

Hopefully this post tempts you into the cold night for a bowl of warm soup. What is your favorite place to get soup in Paris?

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