My first trip to Paris, France was in 2015 as I backpacked through Europe prior to starting medical school. I was visiting a friend who lived in and out of the city (mostly in) until 2025, and visited him often in the subsequent 10 years. My love for the city was deepened during the 2024 Paris Olympics where I spent every waking moment, other than watching sports of course, exploring the city.
Here are some of my favorite places in Paris as of summer 2026!
Where to buy/drink wine
Rerenga Wine and Books (10th arr.): Rerenga is an amazing natural wine shop and bookstore owned by Nathan, who is American/Kiwi but has lived in France for many years. His wine shop features a variety of delicious wines (including women winemakers and low intervention wines) as well as a large selection of books on equity and decolonization amongst other things. Read more about Nathan and the wine shop here!
Ici-même (12th arr.): Ici même is a wine shop located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Quinze- Vingts. They have a large selection of natural and small- batched produced wines for every budget. They also have wines available by the glass with which you can either eat with your takeout or buy one of their small plates to go with the wine. Sit outside, sip some wine, and then bring a bottle or two back to your hotel/ AirBnB!
Secret Wine Door (7th arr.): My cousin and I went to Secret Wine Door in 2025 to do a wine tasting. I was gearing up for WSET Level 3 at the time (IYKYK) and was looking to gain a better understanding of France and French grapes. I was impressed by Erwan’s ability to meet each person in the class where they were at, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone around. Each wine was paired with a cheese and baguette, making it a perfect snack in the middle of the day. After the tasting, you can go to the back of the shop and purchase some wine for the road.
Pro tip: After finishing your tasting at the Secret Wine Door, head over to La Grande Épicerie in the 6th to buy some French butter, cheeses, and non-perishables to take home. They even have a vacuum sealer for your butter and cheese. Remember – spending money after a few glasses of wine doesn’t count!
Where to eat
La Boîte Aux Lettres (18th arr.): I’ve been coming here since 2022, thanks to my friend (aforementioned), Joe who lived in Paris for years. This is a bistro located in Montmartre with delicious food and an equally good wine list. There is always a vegetarian and/or pescetarian option to go along with one of the many bottles of wine you’ll be drinking that night. Either reserve online (which I recommend, especially during the winter months) or arrive early to grab a seat!
Chez Gladines (multiple locations): Chez Gladines features Basque cuisine (northwest of Spain, southwest of France and most importantly, has one of my favorite salads in the city! The salads feature cheese, an egg, potatoes, and meat if you desire to have it, tossed in a bright dressing. I dream of this salad and have attempted to recreate it at home multiple times to no avail. When you are in need of a salad, please head straight to Chez Gladines.
BMK (10th and 11th arr.): BMK is an amazing West African restaurant that features dishes such as yassa and mafe. Much of the produce is sourced locally and the foods that are imported are done so from sustainable sources. My go-to is the vegan mafe (peanut and tomato stew) with one of the ginger based, freshly squeezed juices! The BMK in the 10th is right across the street from Rerenga Wines (mentioned above), so make sure to grab some food before going to get some wine for the night.
Girafe (16th arr.): There is a lot of discourse online about whether or not Girafe is worth a visit, but if you’re looking to spend without abandon for a night and would like to have dinner in front of the Eiffel Tower, Girafe is definitely the place to go. The restaurant has good cocktails, delicious oysters from France, and a seafood forward menu. I’ve had multiple meals there but I would recommend going for 1-2 dozen oysters with some cocktails and/or wine to watch the sunset and take some pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower!
Tigermilk (multiple locations): Okay, so I normally would not recommend a Mexican-inspired place in France. I ended up here a few summers ago with some friends I met during an exchange program in Mexico. However, I must say I was pleasantly surprised by Tigermilk! The agave spirit program and mezcal cocktails were so good, and I really enjoyed the tostadas and veggie tacos. If you’re looking for a change of cuisine during a prolonged trip in France, I’d definitely recommend heading to one of Tigermilk’s many locations.
Café des Anges (11th arr.): This cafe is a place I love to go for breakfast. While simple, it is fast, delicious, and nicely executed. Stop by for breakfast either before or after the Bastille Market which is on Thursdays and Sundays in the morning!
Republique of Coffee(10th arr.): While a very instagrammable place, Republique of Coffee is very delicious. The cafe features a variety of dishes that are reminiscent of a typical brunch found in big cities in the USA – stacks of pancakes, acai bowls, burgers, Turkish eggs, and iced lattes. Honestly, all the food is very good and I love an iced coffee on a hot day. I’d definitely recommend it for anyone craving a bit over the top, but delicious breakfast.
Where to get cocktails
La Rhumerie (6th arr.): This is a bar established by Joseph Louville, a Black man from Martinique, in 1932. The bar is still family-run and features an extensive rum-based spirit program . As a former New Orleans gal, I love a REAL daiquiri as well as other rum cocktails; the daiquiri as well as the fruit macerated rums were all great. There is also live music on Sundays and Mondays. Even if you aren’t a huge rum drinker, I’d recommend going and trying their wide selection of drinks!
Le Bar à Bulles (18th arr.): Have you ever wanted to drink on top of Moulin Rouge? If so, Bar à Bulles is a must visit. While this bar is a bit pricier than nearby establishments, the views and vibes of this place are 10/10. Grab a glass of rose or a spritz and chat with friends while enjoying a sunny Paris afternoon.
Lost Generation (18th arr.): I spent many nights at Lost Generation during the summers of 2024 and 2025. The drinks are really high quality and at a good price point, the bartenders are welcoming and there is live music on Thursdays. Sit at the bar and get to know the bartenders to find out the best places to go in Paris – you won’t regret it!
Where to become cultured
A Day of Exploring Black Paris Tour: I did this tour during summer of 2025 after spending quite a lot of time in the city. I was curious to find out why so many Black Americans found and still find Paris as a place of culture and respite, and how the African diaspora has shaped Paris. I would recommend this tour for anyone who has an extra day or two in the city or has visited Paris multiple times as I think the tour was much more impactful having been to those parts of the city previously.
Centre Pompidou (closed until 2030): Centre Pompidou, named after a previous French president, is a multi use center but holds the Musée National d’Art Moderne, one of the largest modern art museums in the world. I was lucky enough to visit the Centre right before it closed in 2025, visiting the Paris Noir exhibit which demonstrated works from the African diaspora and highlighted the importance of Black artists in France. While 2030 may seem far away, the center will be reopened before we know it!
AFIKARIS Gallery: AFIKARIS Gallery is a public space that focuses on the works of African artists, with multiple exhibitions a year. There are also about 15 artists regularly featured in the gallery. The entrance is free and it’s a quick walk from many of the museums in Le Marais.
This will be a live list that will continue to be updated over the years with new finds and favorites.
Happy traveling!
Leave a Reply