Best Paris Street Foods, Besides Crêpes

When I first started visiting Paris twenty-plus years ago, street food wasn’t even a thing. Those were the days where travelers “stayed connected” by checking Hotmail and AOL accounts at internet cafés and by using pre-paid long distance phone cards at an actual phone booth. Those were the days where the words “to-go” did not exist in the French restaurant vocabulary, not even a to-go coffee. Today, the situation has changed drastically where street foods are available throughout many places in Paris. Look for the words “à emporter” which means “take-away”. This is practical if you just need a quick bite to eat without having to commit to table service. Here are some of my favorite spots for street foods in Paris. Apologies in advance for the bias towards the 6th arrondissement. But this is the neighborhood that I call home and am most familiar with :) Bon appetit!

Chez Le Libanais (6th arr)

Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern: This is a hole-in-the-wall where the locals go for Lebanese wraps, shawarmas, and small bites/appetizers. The menu is vegetarian and vegan friendly and on the weekends, usually stays open late.

Address: 35 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006

Classico Argentino (6th arr)

Argentine empanadas: Honestly, these are some of the best empanadas I’ve ever had, including those I’ve eaten in New York and Miami. They sell both savory and sweet empanadas. With this particular location being close to the Luxembourg Gardens, it’s one of my go-to spots for a picnic lunch in the sixth.

Address: 46 Rue Madame, 75006

Cosi (6th arr)

Foccacia sandwiches: Cosi is a place that I found just by walking in my neighborhood, Saint Germain des Prés. They specialize in freshly baked foccacia which they use to make tasty sandwiches . The place is popular and so there may be a wait. But the orders move along quickly and it’s all good!

Address: 54 Rue de Seine, 75006

Jixiao’s Buns (6th arr)

Chinese Dumplings: The broth in these dumplings is so good! The food is authentic, warm and flavorful and is perfect for a quick something to munch on when you’re on the go. When the weather is nice, you can walk over to the Pont Neuf, find a bench and enjoy this snack while people watching by the Seine.

Address: 21 Quai des Grands Augustins, 75006

FTG (2nd arr)

Fast, but good food: I’ll just say this, the fried chicken sandwich that I had here hit the spot, and the fries were beyond tempting. They also serve burgers, Reubens and even their hot dogs looked good! Frenchie-to-Go is mainly a day-time spot where workers nearby go for a quick lunch. During weekends they stay open late.

Insider tip: for a good pick-me-upper after this satisfying meal, visit L'Arbre à Café coffee shop just across the way for an espresso drink.

Address: 9 Rue du Nil, 75002

Laouz (6th arr)

Algerian street food: Laouz is another place that I came across just by walking around in the 6th. Each time that I would pass by, out of curiosity I would look through the window to see what this was. One day I finally stopped in to try a savory Algerian pastry called mhadjeb. They’re usually stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables. The flatbreads or “m’semen” are also very good. Their sweet selections are delightful and worth mixing and matching to sample a few.

Address: 20 Rue Dauphine, 75006

Viandas de Salamanca

Iberico ham: I sort of feel like I’m cheating on France when I say this. But the hams and cured meats from Spain are to die for. I like to come here for baguette sandwich and a small bag of chips, take this to the Tuileries Garden with my Yorkie, Zoé and enjoy a picnic on the green facing the Louvre. Best. Moments. Ever!

Address: 150 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006

Baguette du Relais

Steak Frites in Baguette: Many visitors to Paris know the famous Relais de l’Entrecôte restaurant that specializes in steak frites and that special yummy sauce which is so good. During the Covid 19 pandemic, with restaurants closed to indoor dining, the Relais de L’Entrecôte folks came up with the idea of creating steak frites to go. What better way to do this than stuffing all of those tasty ingredients inside a French baguette?!

Address: 10 Rue des Archives, 75004

Le Peloton

Coffee & cycling shop: The Peloton café is a gathering spot for coffee lovers and cyclists. Besides coffee drinks, they also serve waffles that are so warm, tasty and addictive. I love coming here after a day in the Marais for one of their waffles and an afternoon cup of joe to wash it down. Paul, one of the owners is super friendly and welcomes everyone as part of the Peloton family. As an added bonus, the café is an English speaking community.

Address: 17 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004

Le Petit Vendôme (2nd arr)

Jambon buerre: There’s this little place where the locals go on the Rue des Capucines called Le Petit Vendôme, just a five minute walk from the Palais Garnier. Here is where you’ll have some of the best jambon beurre sandwiches in the city, hence the reason for the line that goes out the door. Imagine enjoying one of these baguette sandwiches on the steps of the Place de l’Opéra on a warm sunny afternoon in Paris. Zoé gives Le Petit Vendôme a paws-up!

Address: 8 Rue des Capucines, 75002

Chez Marianne (4th arr)

Falafels: After Lenny Kravitz gave his seal of approval for L’as du Falafel in the Marais district, the lines especially during peak travel season have been outrageous. Meanwhile, Chez Marianne which is just a few doors down on the exact same street also has delicious falafels and without the wait.

Address: 2 Rue des Hospitalières Saint-Gervais, 75004

SECCO (6th/ 7th arr)

Wraps, salads, sandwiches: Secco is a chain bakery with locations conveniently located in the 6th, 7th, and also the 15th arrondissements. Besides the traditional French baked goods, here you’ll fine a nice variety of prepared foods including wraps, sandwiches and salads to go.

Address: 12 Rue Mabillon, 75006

Maison Mulot (6th arr)

Prepared main dishes to-go: The Maison Mulot is famous for their brioche, baguettes, and pastries, and rightfully so. But their prepared main dishes are also not to be missed!

Address: 76 Rue de Seine, 75006

Cul de Cochon (6th arr)

Jambon beurre: Another go-to spot for the jambon beurre is Cul de Cochon. Surprisingly, even though this place is known for jambon (ham), patés and other meat products, they also have vegetarian sides such as lentils and potatoes. With the Luxembourg Gardens just under a ten minute walk from here, this is a good place for grab & go picnic foods on a warm sunny afternoon.

Address: 32 Rue de Buci, 75006

Maison Thevenin (6th arr)

Pasta, sandwiches and salads: Maison Thevenin is where I like to go for a morning baguette, strawberry croissants, and coffee. But their to-go pastas, salads, and sandwiches are also convenient to take back to your hotel/airbnb or a nearby park for lunch or a light dinner.

Address: 6 Rue de Buci, 75006

BO&Mie (1st arr- Louvre-Rivoli)

Sandwich spot & bakery: When headed to the Louvre, I like to be sure that I have a full stomach since I know that I’ll be burning calories with all of the walking involved. Bo&Mie is just down the street from the Louvre Museum and is a convenient spot to grab a bagel sandwich, croque monsieur and even a burritos to-go. Sometimes there’s a line, but it moves quickly and is totally fine.

Address: 91 Rue de Rivoli, 75001

Josephine Bakery (6th arr)

Bakery: Besides the traditional French baked goods, Josephine has sandwiches and salads to go. The pain gourmand with curry chicken is really good. But so is everything else!

Address: 42 Rue Jacob, 75006