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Updated on the 25th of April 2022 by Lena
When I wrote the first version of this article back in early 2018, vegetarian restaurants in Paris were a rare find. Vegan options were basically nonexistent, and plant-based food options in regular restaurants were limited to french fries and green salads.
Good news: things have changed, and meat and dairy-free nutrition are on a roll. Vegetarian food in Paris is no longer a niche! You even find vegan bakeries in Paris like Land & Monkeys.
You might also like: 10 fun Restaurants in Paris
By now, many restaurants are offering a vegetarian option, some even have a vegan alternative on their menu! I feel a plant-based diet finally made it with one foot into the Parisian mainstream. You can also find vegan cheese and yogurts, and veggie sausages in regular supermarkets now! Unthinkable back in 2018.
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How to be a vegetarian in Paris?
Traditional French cuisine is basically a mixture of meat and dairy products, with a bit more meat on the side and vegetables in a dairy sauce as a garnish. In short: absolutely incompatible with a meat and/or dairy-free diet. If you say to a waiter that you are a vegetarian, he will most likely suggest the fish of the day.
This being said, here are some tips on how to be a vegetarian in Paris!
- Traditional french – fine dining – restaurants won’t be able to cater to vegetarians (let me know if you think otherwise!)
- Indian, Lebanese, and Southeast Asian restaurants are having the most options on vegetarian and vegan dishes
- Many burger places are offering vegetarian patty alternatives
- It is safe to assume that every dish you see on the menu has meat in it unless labeled otherwise and then still double-check if it’s true
- classic French Dishes vegetarians can eat: Omelette, Ratatouille, Gratin, Onion Soup, Quiches and Tartes (unless they contain Lardon (bacon)), Crêpes and Galettes
You might also like: 17 yummy foods to try in Paris – The Paris food guide!
However, you need to prepare your vegetarian Paris vacation a little if you don’t want to fall back to “Pret-a-Manger” or “Exki” on a daily basis (both are great though if you just casually want to grab a bite).
To make it easier for you, we assembled a list of great vegetarian, vegan, and/or gluten-free restaurants in Paris.
Hank Burger
“Hank” is not the owner of this restaurant, but the acronym of Have A Nice Karma and the name of THE go-to eatery when it comes to vegan burgers in Paris. It’s a micro chain of 3 restaurants in Paris that serves exclusively plant-based, and it’s – from the bun to the pattie homemade.
I tried Hank Burger in the Marais (55 rue des Archives ) but you find them as well in the 9th arrondissement and the 11th.
Le Grenier de Notre Dame
This vegetarian and macrobiotic restaurant Le Grenier de Notre Dame was the first in Paris – opened in 1978 – and kept the same chef ever since. Their products are regional and mostly bio – their dishes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. Enjoy lunch and dinner and don’t miss out on their awesome choice of fresh juices!
18 Rue de la Bûcherie 75005 Paris
Tien Hiang
Tien Hiang is an amazing restaurant that serves authentic south-east Asian cuisine. This might sound weird considering this is a post about vegetarian restaurants in Paris, but if you like meat, you’ll love Tien Hiang. You get everything that you would expect in a regular south-east Asian restaurant: Chicken Pad Thai, Prawn Tempura, Lemongrass beef skewers… you name it. But of course, cruelty-free on soy base.
Tien Hiang is extremely popular, come early or brace yourself for waiting a bit.
14 Rue Bichat, 75010 Paris
Hotel Saravana Bhavan
tasted by Anuradha from Country Hopping Couple
Saravana Bhavan is a popular South Indian restaurant chain that specializes in vegetarian cuisine. Having its presence in many international cities across the globe, Saravana Bhavan is a go-to restaurant if you like Indian food (more particularly south Indian food!), if you are a vegetarian/vegan or simply want to have a soulful food to satiate your taste buds. Idli (savory rice mould) and Sambar (a thick stew made with lentils, spice powders, and vegetables) are a tantalizing option to start with if you are unsure of what to eat first.
You can also choose from a variety of Dosa (rice crepes), Pongal, Poori or Uthappam. A lot of this food can be customized for vegan (check with the staff), but do remember there could be a possibility of ghee in almost everything. The safest vegan choices are Idli and Dosa.
170 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris
Apéti
You find this little vegan restaurant between Jardin Luxembourg and the Montparnasse tower. Apart from yummy and colorful vegan dishes, you can even eat gluten-free and raw! Apéti serves also a vegan brunch on Sundays.
72 Rue du Cherche-Midi 75006 Paris
VegEateria
Enjoy fusion food in a contemporary setting at a very acceptable price. VegEateria offers lunch and dinner service, it’s closed on the weekend, though.
47 Rue de Turbigo, 75003 Paris
Lula Lifestyle Shop – Cantine BIO
Family-run restaurant near the Canal St. Martin (a pretty cool area to have drinks outside in summer) with dishes inspired by sunshine and warmth. They are offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes for breakfast and lunch and a vegan and gluten-free brunch on Sundays.
216, rue Saint Maur, 75010 Paris
Sense eat
The gastronomic vegetarian and vegan restaurant Sense eat is the perfect place for fine dining. Its dishes are inspired by Italian cuisine and are served as little pieces of art. Located in the center of Paris, it’s offering lunch and dinner service and is also barrier-free!
39, rue Mazarine 75006 Paris
If you have any questions about Paris or need some advice and how to plan your trip, don’t hesitate to reach out! I created a Facebook group for this matter and I am available to help you out! Click here to join the private Salut from Paris Facebook group!
Pin it now – find it back later!
