A Foodie's Guide to the 5th Arrondissement
The 5th arrondissement, commonly referred to as the Latin Quarter, is located in central Paris and home to some of the city's most historic places, such as the Panthéon and Sorbonne University, to name a few. Undeniably classic, it plays host to a deluge of no-fail bistros, bakeries, pastry shops, coffee hangouts and wine bars galore.
Read below to guide your appetite while strolling the streets of the 5th...and avoid any lingering tourist traps!
Quick Bites/To Take Away
Bruno Beaudet
This boulangerie is my go-to. It's right around the corner from my apartment, and they make a mean baguette tradition. They also have lovely croissants and pain au chocolat for breakfast and quiches, sandwiches, wraps, and homemade applesauce for lunch. It's a grab-and-go kind of place as they don't have seating.
Address: 99 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris Hours: Monday thru Friday 7am-8pm, closed Saturday and Sunday
This place has delicious crepes, both savory and sweet. They serve large portions, and the prices are reasonable. Beware: there is almost always a line, but it's worth the wait.
Address: 68 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris Hours: Everyday from 10:30am-12:30am
Meat, tabouleh, and garlic cream galette (5€)
In addition to the stands with fresh fruits, veggies, mustards, meats and cheeses, there is Les Delices d'Auber, a Lebanese traiteur, and they offer five-star food with five-star service. There is always a line and you often hear the words "Bonjour mon ami, soyez le bienvenue !" which translates to "Hello my friend, welcome!"
Address: 1 Place Monge, 75005 Paris Hours: Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 9am-2pm
As a California native, I'm pleased to see that Paris is upping its game on the Mexican food scene. Run by Mexicans, Bocamexa offers all the staples – burritos, quesadillas, nachos, chips, guacamole & spicy salsa – and it's delicious.
Address: 127 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris Hours: Sunday thru Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday & Saturday 11:30am-11pm
Sit-down Meals
This is a classic French restaurant, serving dishes with a modern touch. Great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just an apéro, Café de la Nouvelle Mairie is hidden behind the Panthéon. It's filled with locals and tourists looking to flee the traps on nearby Boulevard Saint Michel. It's a solid choice, sourcing quality ingredients and natural wines.
Address: 19 Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris Hours: Monday thru Friday 8am-12:30am. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Village Monge is a local favorite and it has been around since the early to mid-1900s. According to Vanessa, the manager, the date the restaurant was founded is unknown. It’s cited in books like Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See. It’s a typical French bistro, offering traditional dishes, and the menu changes seasonally. If you’re looking for good service, great food, and reasonable prices, look no further.
Address: 96 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris Hours: Monday thru Friday 7am-1am, Saturday 8am-1am & Sunday 9am-12:30am
Dans Les Landes
Dans les Landes serves tapas classic to the French southwest region of les Landes like plates of foie gras and truffle risotto, along with copious meat and cheese boards. The tables are large and you can reserve, making it practical for big groups!
Address: 119 Bis Rue Monge, 75005 Paris Hours: Everyday from 8am-2am
Located on a side street off of the busy Avenue des Gobelins, Au Bon Coin is a true gem – and could be easily missed. They offer a classic French menu done deliciously well. The décor is vintage French (think white metro tile with a grand wooden bar). A note of caution to vegetarians, the menu is very meat-oriented.
Address: 21 Rue de la Collégiale, 75005 Hours: Everyday from 12pm-2:30pm & 7pm-10:30pm
Goat cheese with tomato puree, topped with balsamic dressing at Le Passage
I love Le Passage. With a seasonal menu that is on point and a vast wine list, this restaurant is a no-fail, not to mention, the servers are just the nicest. The interior is new-age Gatsby, and it's close to the Seine, which is perfect for a post-dinner stroll.
Address: 46 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris Hours: Monday thru Saturday 7am-1am & Sunday 7am-12am
This restaurant is a step up from your average French bistro both in price and the creativity of the dishes, which are both innovative and classic.
Address: 25 Rue Jussieu, 75005 Paris Hours: Monday thru Saturday 12pm-2pm & 7:30pm-10pm. Closed Sunday.
The Bonvivant will not leave you disappointed. The menu features both classic and neo-classic French dishes. It's a cozy spot to have a sit-down meal or grab a glass of wine, the majority of which is either organic or biodynamic.
Address: 7 Rue des Écoles, 75005 Paris Hours: Everyday 9am-2am
Sweet Spots
Peak into the kitchen at Pascal Pinaud
Pinaud makes my favorite croissants and chaussons aux pommes (apple puff pastry) in the neighbourhood. They also do a killer lemon meringue tarte. And chocolate. The last time I picked up a box of chocolate there, the woman told me they had just made it two days before. Needless to say, I grabbed an extra box!
Address: 70 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-7pm. Closed Monday.
A cozy little American-style bakery nestled on Rue Cardinal Lemoine, this place is known for its delicious carrot cake.
Address: 68 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris Hours: Tuesday thru Sunday 12pm-7pm. Closed Monday.
Eric Kayser is always a sure bet. It's a chain, but that doesn't take away from the quality of their pastries (think lemon tarts, eclairs, beignets, and much, much more).
Address: 14 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris Hours: Tuesday 7am-8:15pm, Wednesday thru Sunday 7:30am-8:15pm. Closed Monday.
Their specialty is meringues, but my favorite is the sweet bread (brioche) with chocolate chips. It is melt in your mouth, food orgasm, delicious.
Address: 2 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris Hours: Closed Monday. Tuesday thru Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 9am-7pm
Coffee Stops
Dose Dealer Café
This has to be one of the coolest coffee hangouts. Located on the quaint, cobblestoned street of Rue Mouffetard, Dose offers excellent coffee and fresh-squeezed juices. They also have a super reasonably priced brunch on the weekends.
Address: 73 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris Hours: Tuesday thru Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-7pm. Closed Monday.
Flat White at Strade Café (5€)
Strada Café is your quintessential hipster coffee shop. Expect delicious lattés, flat whites, bitterly-strong espressos, freshly squeezed juices, and an ever-changing brunch menu (weekends only: full brunch is 22€ and mini brunch is 11€).
Address: 24 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris Hours: Monday thru Friday 8am - 6:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-6:30pm
Coutume Instituutti is the sister café to the popular Coutume Café in the 7th arrondissement. Located in the Finnish Institute, the space is modern, light and airy. The coffee is excellent, and they serve breakfast and lunch bites, from croissants and muffins to soups and salads.
Address: 60 Rue des Écoles, 75005 Paris Hours: Temporarily closed for renovation
Apéro
Situated on Place de la Contrescarpe, just a stone throw away from Hemingway's old apartment, La Petite is a solid stop to enjoy a glass and a few small bites. Note: there are many options from which to choose on Place de la Contrescarpe. This one is great for its low key vibes...and their cafe chairs are my favorite.
Address: 53 Rue Lacépède, 75005 Paris Hours: Everyday 8am-2am
If you're a beer person, this is a worthwhile stop. They stock beer from around the world. They don't have much of an outdoor terrace, but they do have tables inside where you can sit and enjoy your worldly beverage.
Address: 44 Rue des Boulangers, 75005 Paris Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 12pm-2pm & 3pm-9pm. Thursday & Friday 12pm-2pm & 3pm-11pm, Saturday 12pm-2pm & 3pm-9pm. Closed Sunday & Monday.
Favorite Wine Shop
Philovino’s owner, Bruno Quenioux, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of wine. He is incredibly knowledgeable, and each time you visit his shop, he gives you a mini history lesson on all things wine.
Address: 33 Rue Claude Bernard, 75005 Paris Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 10am-1pm & 3pm-8pm. Closed Sunday & Monday.
What are your favorite spots in the 5th arrondissement?
Share in the comment section below!