Vegan in Paris
By Lea C.
Visited in summer 2022 and 2023
Translated from French by Meghan McCallum
Oh, France… I still find it tricky to be vegan in France, but every time I go I see the mindset gradually shifting. And it’s happening more quickly in big cities! Which brings us to Paris.
Vegan options are everywhere in France’s capital—and there’s something for every budget, in every neighborhood. I’m seeing more and more vegetarian restaurants, and even fully vegan ones, too. Sometimes it’s hard to choose!
Here are some of my favorite spots, each one a different style. They can be a bit pricey, but none are too expensive. One thing’s for sure: they’re all delicious!
Lolilol (4th arrondissement)
Looking for a fun treat near the Place des Vosges/Saint-Paul metro station? Head to Lolilol for a chimney cake!
I tried the sweet version (remember to order the vegan dough), and it was really delicious. These golden baked cakes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Choose your toppings (hazelnuts, pistachios, sugar, etc.) and either the ice cream option (shaped like a cone), or a spread to dip the cake in. What a treat!
The place itself is super cute. There are nice decorations and a little shop area to check out while your cake is cooking. Don’t forget to visit the restrooms to see the little posters on the walls! ;)
Check out their Instagram for more.
Joji (4th arrondissement)
Joji is a cool little Asian restaurant right next to Lolilol (you can go there for dessert!). The restaurant has multiple vegan options. We tried the marinated eggplant for an appetizer, which was delicious. For an entrée we enjoyed the wok-fried tofu with vegetables (very good) and veggie gua bao. I liked the contrast between the simple bao dough and the flavorful filling.
They have sake and Japanese lemonade, as well as lychee juice if you want to stick with the Asian theme for your drink.
Check out their full menu here!
Maoz (5th arrondissement)
For an affordable option right in the heart of Saint-Michel, go to Maoz at 8 rue Xavier Privas, a small pedestrian street! Heads up: there are only two small tables, and no restrooms. But if the tables are full, you can take the opportunity to eat on the banks of the Seine nearby!
Your falafel can be served on a salad or in a pita, and you choose your toppings. They also have fries, if you’d like something in addition to your falafel.
It’s simple, cheap, and tasty… what more could you ask for?
Crêperie des Arts (5th arrondissement)
My favorite crêpe restaurant in Paris is located just steps from the Saint-Michel fountain on rue Saint-André des Arts. This little spot is adorable, with alcoves decorated with horse heads and Greek-style statues.
The buckwheat batter is vegan, and you can choose from a variety of fillings. The Provençale is vegan as-is! You can order the buckwheat batter with jam or sugar and banana for dessert!
Le Grenier de Notre Dame (Paris, 5th Arrondissement)
This 100% vegetarian restaurant is located at 18 Rue de la Bûcherie, on a small street behind the Quai de Montebello along the Seine’s Left Bank.
It doesn’t have the best view, but the restaurant itself is so cute that you probably won’t even notice.
And as for the food: it’s amazing! The couscous explodes with flavor, and the avocado tartare is unbelievably smooth.
The menu changes seasonally, so you can come here often throughout the year to try a variety of dishes at Paris’s oldest vegetarian restaurant!
Jah Jah by Le Tricycle (10th Arrondissement)
Located just steps (literally) from the music club New Morning, this little restaurant is a true gem. It’s a fully vegan African restaurant. They offer hot and cold dishes, as well as delicious bissap (hibiscus juice). It’s easy to see why this restaurant is so popular. We went for lunch on a Tuesday and the place filled up quickly!
In the photo, you can see examples of their dishes, as well as plantains, which make a tasty appetizer or side. Everything was flavorful and healthy. It was a real delight!
Check out their Instagram for more.
Le Daily Syrien Veggie (10th Arrondissement)
Not to be confused with Le Daily Syrien, which is another restaurant close by with meat options.
At this veggie version, everything is vegetarian, and there are multiple vegan options.
In the photo you can see the Veggie salad with a variety of delicious things: falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, moussaka, moujadara, zucchini dip, grape leaves, and garlic/lemon/olive oil seasoning.
It’s healthy, it’s fresh, and it’s good. I absolutely loved it!
To drool a little more, check out their Instagram.
The Beans on Fire (10th Arrondissement)
This cool little café is close to the Atelier des Lumières, so it’s perfect before or after a visit there. There’s indoor and outdoor seating (some are covered, in case it’s raining).
The coffee is really good, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming (with gender-neutral bathrooms, for example), and the day I was there, the vegan option was a tasty banana bread!
Check out their website for more!
Le Paradis du Fruit (Paris, 11th Arrondissement)
I tend to avoid chains, but I have a soft spot for Le Paradis du Fruit, despite it being pricey.
This restaurant has a few locations in Paris. There aren’t a lot of vegan options on the menu, unfortunately, but their falafel is delicious and the smoothies are super fresh.
The restaurant at Place de la Bastille is a perfect, easy-to-find meeting spot. And if you go to the location near Place Saint Michel, you’ll have a bonus view of the Notre Dame cathedral!
Check out the menu and find a location (website in French only): https://www.leparadisdufruit.fr/le-menu/#menu-a
étsi (Paris, 18th Arrondissement)
Looking for an elegant Greek restaurant with vegan options? étsi is the place to go! The space is small, with a patio for outdoor dining when weather permits. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time.
Feel free to ask questions to see what adjustments can be made for vegans. We dined as a group of three, and were happy to find several small dishes to share.
The hummus was delicious, as were the stuffed grape leaves. We also enjoyed the fennel with pomegranate seeds. But the zucchini flowers were my favorite! In a nutshell, my taste buds were happy!
Learn more (website in French only): https://www.etsi-paris.fr
Acà (18th Arrondissement)
Take the opportunity to practice your Spanish with the servers at this Mexican restaurant! They have an excellent guacamole, and the agua de jamaica (hibiscus tea) is spot-on. There are two vegan options for tacos (the champiñones al ajillo is shown in the photo) and a vegan burrito. The menu uses symbols to indicate the vegetarian options, and which ones contain cheese.
This restaurant isn’t extremely eye-catching from the outside, but the inside is lovely. Watch out for the cactus in the bathroom!
Check out their website for more.