The Food Lover's Guide to Paris: The Best Restaurants, Bistros, Cafés, Markets, Bakeries, and More by Patricia Wells


The Food Lover's Guide to Paris: The Best Restaurants, Bistros, Cafés, Markets, Bakeries, and More
Title : The Food Lover's Guide to Paris: The Best Restaurants, Bistros, Cafés, Markets, Bakeries, and More
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0761173382
ISBN-10 : 9780761173380
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 448
Publication : First published January 1, 1984

The book that cracks the code, from the incomparable Patricia Wells. An acclaimed authority on French cuisine, Ms. Wells has spent more than 30 years in Paris, many as former restaurant critic for The International Herald Tribune. Now her revered Food Lover s Guide to Paris is back in a completely revised, brand-new edition. In 457 entries 345 new to this edition, plus 112 revisited and reviewed classics The Food Lover s Guide to Paris offers an elegantly written go-to guide to the very best restaurants, cafes, wine bars, and bistros in Paris, as well as where to find the flakiest croissants, earthiest charcuteries, sublimest cheese, most ethereal macarons, and impeccable outdoor markets. The genius of the book is Ms. Wells s meritocratic spirit. Whether you re looking for a before-you-die Michelin three-star experience (Guy Savoy, perhaps, or Restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee) or wanting to sample the new bistronomy (Bistrot Paul Bert, Le Comptoir du Relais) or craving something simple and perfect (L As du Fallafel, or Breizh Cafe for crepes), Patricia Wells tells you exactly where to go and why you should go there. You no longer have to rely on the iffy reviews of Yelp or Trip Advisor. Included are 40 recipes from some of her favorite chefs and purveyors and, of course, all the practical information: addresses, websites, email, hours, closest metro stop, specialties, and more.


The Food Lover's Guide to Paris: The Best Restaurants, Bistros, Cafés, Markets, Bakeries, and More Reviews


  • Delilah

    Great reference book for me, as I am traveling to Paris in a few weeks and LOVE to eat!!! The author has great tips, do's and don'ts, and lists her favorites. Highly recommend!

  • Guinevere

    Well, definitely not a book to read when you are hungry...or maybe, why not, the perfect book to read when you're hungry! I received this book via a Goodreads giveaway.

    This is a really well-organized guide, by type of food purveyor and then broken down into neighborhoods, with price info, etc. Throughout the book there are many sidebars of info that can be useful while actually in Paris, and plenty that's fun to know even if a trip to Paris isn't in the works.

    Sure, I wish there were more recipes - tho I appreciate those that were included, and in particular am looking forward to making the asparagus with whipped ricotta (I am a cheese-maker and asparagus is in season here now!) and the almond cake. Some of the recipes were a little disappointing - as in, a certain type of cheese on a certain type of bread...but looking at it as an example is maybe better than thinking of that as a recipe.

    We'll be in Paris at some point in the fall of 2015, so I will definitely be checking some of these places out!

  • Sandy Hall

    I recieved this as an early read via netgalley. This book made me BEG my husband to consider a trip to Paris! I wish I had access to such a detailed guide with personalized suggestions and glorious descriptions when I had moved to Germany many, many years ago. It covers so much more than just food, it explains cultural differences and allows the vacationer to have a truly well rounded idea of what they can expect.

  • Erik

    Pure candy! Delightful descriptions by Arrondissement. And recipes too. Nice attention to the sorts of dishes that are distinctive of French cooking: game, truffles, huitres, duck and such. Helpful glossary in back. Update: I have now been to several of her suggestions and they all worked out well. Just my own 2 centimes: I wouldn't be too picky about getting oysters from those tiny places with 5 or 6 tables, since Paris is covered in good oyster bars.

  • Tig

    Excellent resource, even if the reader has never been to Paris and has no plans to travel there anytime in the near future. The recipes that I tried from the book were delicious, the behind-the-scenes stories about the various eateries and their owners were very interesting. I liked that there was a soupçon of history added to the mix. I am adding this book to my Wish List of books that I would like to own a copy of.

  • Joan Stroh

    Brought with me when I went on my trip to France. In addition to reviews of the different restaurants and where to eat, I wish I had glanced at the section of the differences in food names before lunch one day. Andouille Sausage in the States is a food I enjoy. In Paris, it's tripe .....which I really didn't. I looked it up after getting back to the Air BNB and was happy to know that I tried something new and I hadn't lost my mind.

  • Susie

    A very thorough and delightful guide to dining in Paris. I love how it is divided by type of establishment. If you want to find a chocolate shop in the 8th Arr., just jump to the chocolate shops section. Love also all the practical information included with each review so you know if you're going to break the bank or not or where to dine on a Sunday. Don't read this while hungry.

  • Doug Schmidt

    This was my primary tour guide through Paris. Not only does it list restaurants to eat at but also bakeries, cheese shops and specialty shops you don't want to miss such as Dehllerin for their copper cookware unchanged in appearance it is right off of a postcard!

  • Lauren Stutzmonkey

    the best cookbook writer! ex-pat american, knows everything about france and french food.

  • Linda

    Even if you never go to Paris, Patricia Wells' food guides are good reads. Next to Julia Child, Wells is my second favorite food guru of all things French.

  • Jill

    The recipes in the book was the hidden gem. Too much restaurant choices in it for a vacationer's trip to Paris.

  • Kirk

    This was my guide on my first ever visit to Paris in 1990.

  • Beth

    I used this in Paris it was most helpful! Emily and I actually went to a couple of the recommended places!

  • Marilyn

    Lots of great places listed all by arrondisements.

  • Lynne Martin

    Wonderful guide - a big help to us, particularly in August when so many restaurants are closed.

  • Liz De Coster

    Interesting, but not quite what I was hoping in the restaurant price ranges.

  • James

    A great refresh on this classic guide to eating in one of my favourite cities

  • Suz Davidson

    I mainly read this book for the cultural insights, which were excellent. The specific restaurant listings were very interesting, but I'm sure as with all such books they will become outdated more quickly than the more general information. But if you would like to understand French dining beyond what is on the plate, this is a great book.

  • Emily

    Fun little travel guide with recipes and reviews of restaurants and bistros. Definitely not a book to read when you're hungry, though. Haha.

  • JodiP

    This will be invaluable as we plan where to eat in Paris. I intend to buy it, so we have a guide for the trips to come. It's well-organized and easy to find the type of food you wish. My only suggestion for improvement is to have a map of all the arrondisements right in the book. However, this absence did help me learn the neighborhoods a bit more.

  • Melissa Mcmasters

    An excellent guide to eating in Paris. I took quite a few of her recommendations on my first trip there this fall, and didn't have a single bad meal in the city. Highly recommended!