15 Latin Quarter Paris Restaurants You Have To Try On Your Next Trip

Looking for restaurants in Paris’ Latin Quarter?

You’re in the right place as this is my favourite place to stay when I go to Paris, which is about six times a year. There are lots of great Latin Quarter Paris restaurants to choose from.

However, as you can imagine with so much choice it can get confusing as to which are the best places to go.

Naturally, it does come down to the type of food you like, for me, I also love to include places that have some history to them as well.

So to make things simple, I’ve broken the restaurants into categories to help you find the best ones for your taste and budget.

The Best Latin Quarter Paris Restaurants

For some reason, I feel more at home in the Latin Quarter than in other parts of Paris. It has a more relaxed vibe and I always feel completely safe walking around on my own.

As for the food, it’s easier to find places that aren’t touristy and expensive, plus the choice is big in the 5th arrondissement.

Where to go for breakfast in the Latin Quarter

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to breakfasting in Paris and I never book breakfast in my hotel for this reason. I love trying new places, especially if they have an outside area where I can sit and watch the world go by. It’s such a quintessentially French thing to do.

No 1 Comptoir du Panthéon

So where to go, that is the question? Well, on my last trip to Paris, I took an early morning walk from my hotel, Minerve Hotel in the Latin Quarter, to the Panthéon.

It was such a lovely morning in mid-March I wanted to take advantage of it. And just opposite the Panthéon, I found exactly what I was looking for, a cafe with an outdoor terrace with seats looking directly at the stunning facade of the Panthéon.

Comptoir du Panthéon was a pleasant surprise as the price was good, and the service was excellent. 

📍 You’ll find them at 5 Rue Soufflot, 75005

No 2 Jozi Cafe

Another place I’ve popped into for breakfast previously is Jozi Cafe which is also close to the Panthéon. They do insanely good coffee and their avocado salmon toast is fab. I’ve also tried the beetroot feta toast which I enjoyed too.

📍 You’ll find them at 3 rue Valette, 75005.

No 3 Le Petit Cardinal

If you go in the opposite direction to the Panthéon and head towards Notre Dame you’ll come across Le Petit Cardinal. I had a lovely scrambled egg breakfast here with freshly squeezed orange juice and good coffee. The menu is good and they have traditional French breakfast options. The area is quite touristy because of its proximity to the cathedral, but the views are great!

📍 29 rue Monge, 75005

Latin Quarter lunch and dinner must-tries

No 4 La Rôtisserie d’Argent

My first pick for lunch is La Rôtisserie d’Argent which has great views of the Seine River if you’re sat at the front of the restaurant, which I was. 

It’s the little sister to the famous La Tour d’Argent, the inspiration behind the movie Ratatouille but It’s quite a bit cheaper. 

It’s a classic French bistro with traditional dishes like steak frites, duck confit, steak tartare, and kidneys in mustard sauce. I loved the red-checked tablecloths, and as I said I had great views of the Seine which was lovely. My steak was sublime and cooked to perfection.

📍 19 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005

No 5 Hébé

If you want something a little more upmarket try Hébé, led by the talented Chef Michel Portos, a two Michelin-starred chef, and not far from Notre Dame. The restaurant is inspired by Greek mythology where Hebe, the daughter of Zeus and Hera, served nectar to the gods. I do love a good theme.

The menu is seasonal and a mix of French and Mediterranean. If you go and it’s on the menu the Beetroot carpaccio is really good.

📍 15 rue Frederic Sauton, 75005

No 6 Bouillon Racine

I’m in love with the Bouillon restaurant concept and I’ve now eaten at four of them, but I think this one is now my favourite.

Bouillon restaurants in Paris date back to a tradition of offering simple, affordable, and hearty French meals in a casual setting. Originating in the 19th century, these establishments were initially created to serve nourishing broth (bouillon) to Parisians. 

Over time, they evolved into full-service restaurants, preserving their focus on providing quality food at reasonable prices. The other drawcard is the buildings they’re usually in dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

They have stunning Art Nouveau interiors with ornate ironwork, vibrant stained glass, and intricate mosaics. Bouillon Racine has undergone significant changes over the years. After serving as a staff canteen for the University of Paris from 1962 to 1993, it was meticulously restored to its former splendour as a Bouillon. 

What you’ll get is a budget meal that’s tasty in surroundings that take your breath away.

📍 3 rue Racine, 75006

The best historic restaurants in the Latin Quarter, Paris

No 7 Le Polidor

There is nothing like eating in a place steeped in history, and that’s what you get with Le Polidor. I first heard about it when I watched the movie Midnight in Paris, one of my favourite Owen Wilson movies. It was founded in 1845 originally as a cheese store before transitioning to a restaurant in 1890 and has a rich history of serving simple, affordable French cuisine. 

But what makes it so famous is the people that used to hang out there. It was a gathering place for artists, intellectuals, and students for over 175 years. The most famous of its patrons include Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.

As you sit there try and imagine the conversations that took place 100 years ago possibly in the seat you’re sitting in.

📍 41 rue Monsieur le Prince, 75006

No 8 Le Procope

Another literary gem dating back to 1686, and also Paris’ oldest cafe, is Le Procope. It was a gathering place for renowned writers and intellectuals like Rousseau, Diderot, and Verlaine. 

The food is really traditional bourgeois French cuisine and the Coq au Vin is one of the best I’ve had but for me, it was the Mille-feuille that had me salivating.

📍 13 Rue De L’ancienne Comédie, 75006

No 9 La Tour d’Argent

Originally a three-star Michelin restaurant, La Tour d’Argent is now only a one star because it closed for renovation in 2022 and reopened in 2023. 

I’ve already mentioned its little sister, La Rôtisserie d’Argent, but this place takes things to another level. 

Established in 1582, it has hosted many famous people over the centuries, including royalty such as Queen Elizabeth II and possibly Henri IV although, there is nothing written to support the latter.

Ernest Hemingway mentioned it in ‘A Moveable Feast‘, and Marcel Proust in his novel ‘In Search of Lost Time.’

📍 15 quai de la Tournelle, 75005

Latin Quarter tea rooms and cafes

No 9 Shakespeare and Company Café

The Latin Quarter is definitely not short of cute cafes to enjoy a coffee and cake but Shakespeare and Company is one of my favourites as it’s next door to the famous bookshop. 

It opened in 2015 and was the dream of George Whitman, the original owner but it was his daughter, Sylvia, who finally made his dream come true. It serves predominantly vegetarian food with vegan and gluten-free options as well. 

They partner with local producers such as Bob’s Bake Shop and Café Lomi. They even have their own coffee blend, ‘Mélange Shakespeare’.

It’s a cosy place to go, especially if you’ve just bought a book and want a quiet read with a coffee and cake.

📍 37 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005

No 10 Odette Paris

Another fab little place just around the corner from Shakespeare and Company is Odette’s Tea Room. They specialise in one thing and one thing only, cream puffs.

The tea room is named after the owner’s Grandma who used to bake these cream puffs throughout his childhood. He uses the exact recipe she used all those years ago.

I love the building Odette is in, as it spans three floors with views of Notre Dame from the 3rd floor.

📍 77 rue Galande, 75005

No 11 Tea Caddy

If it’s a cup of English tea you’re after then you’ll love a visit to Tea Caddy. It was established in 1928 and is a home away from home for a British Expat with its amazing selection of teas homemade tarts and scones all served on beautiful “Blue Willow” china. 

I’m not a black tea drinker but I do love my herbal teas and I tried a lovely raspberry and cranberry tea there with a huge scone with butter and jam. I hate cream so I gave that a miss.

📍 14 rue Saint Julien le Pauvre, 75005 

No 12 Les Deux Magots

It was a dream come true for me to sit and eat breakfast in Les Deux Magots as I’m a huge fan of the Lost Generation and knowing that one of my idols, Ernest Hemingway, spent time there writing was almost too much for me.

I was a little bit intimidated when I went in as the waiters were all in penguin suits and weren’t particularly welcoming. Still, I was given a seat and indulged in a selection of pastries, orange juice and coffee.

I loved the ambience and decor and stayed there for about two hours with my coffee on tap watching people come and go.

It is well worth a visit but it gets busy so make sure you book in advance.

📍 6 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006

Vegan and vegetarian finds in the Latin Quarter in Paris

I’m not a vegan, but my next-door neighbour here in France is and we hang out together regularly so I’m always looking for vegan recipes and restaurants.Paris actually has a great selection of vegan restaurants and stores, which makes life easy. Unfortunately, it’s not the same in the Charente where I live.

No 13 Naked Burger

I loved Naked Burger, especially the interior, as there is so much pink. It’s vibrant and fun with its cut-out palm trees and desert plants. The food is good too and it’s a completely vegan menu.

I had the double cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and the vegan cheese was pretty good. 

📍 1 rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006

No 14 Le Grenier de Notre-Dame

Its claim to fame is being the first vegetarian restaurant in France, opening in 1978 and as the name suggests it is right near Notre Dame.

I haven’t eaten here myself but I have it on good authority that the food was good from friends of mine who have been. 

Apparently, the dish they liked was the vegan Seitan Cutlet, a wheat scallop served with fried potatoes and seasonal veg.

📍 18 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005

No 15 Maoz Vegetarian

If you love falafels like I do you’ll enjoy Maoz. Most things are vegan and it’s part of an international chain. They specialise in Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly falafel and pita, with a self-serve salad bar. It’s a good option if you want something quick and easy.

Top Tips for Finding the Best Restaurants in the Latin Quarter

• Dive into History: Many of the Latin Quarter’s gems are steeped in history. Restaurants like Le Procope not only offer great food but also a piece of Parisian heritage.
• Explore Side Streets: The best finds are often off the main paths. Venture down side streets to discover local favourites and hidden gems.
• Read Local Reviews: While international review sites are helpful, local French sites and forums often give insight into the latest culinary trends and under-the-radar spots.
• Look for Lines: A queue is a good sign, indicating local popularity and fresh, desirable dishes.
• Outdoor Seating: When the weather allows, opt for places with outdoor seating to enjoy the vibrant street life of the Latin Quarter.

FAQS: The Latin Quarter in Paris

Final thoughts: Best Restaurants in Paris Latin Quarter

Final thoughts: Best Restaurants in Paris Latin Quarter

It’s hard to pinpoint which restaurant is my favourite but for me, it usually comes down not just to the food but to the ambience and history of the place as well. 

But if you take your time to walk around the streets, particularly Rue Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, you’ll find lots of great places to eat in the Latin Quarter.