One Day in Paris: Where to Eat Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Gosh, we’re lucky here in the UK. The fact that a casual day trip over to France is a) feasible and b) affordable, is a luxury that I certainly don’t take advantage of enough. With Eurostar pinging you straight from St Pancras into the centre of Paris, you can get your culture on easy-peasy AND stuff your face with deliciousness at the same time. I walk everywhere in Paris, so I need the fuel; here’s where I’d happily eat three meals a day, every day:

Breakfast at Hardware Société

I couldn’t believe my luck when I found out that my Air BnB in Montmartre was one tiny street away from the Parisian sister of my FAVOURITE brunch spot in Melbourne. Hardware Société is a beautiful spot for breakfast, mixing up chic French minimalism with Instagram bright crockery, and a stellar menu to boot.

We shared a savoury and sweet option, so as not to miss out on anything. The chorizo baked eggs came with slices of toasted baguette, ready to smash through the crispy cheese topping, like a grown-up egg and soldiers. The brioche French toast was unreal; adorned with vanilla chantilly cream and blackberry coulis – because apparently, the Heavens reckoned we’d been EXTRA well-behaved that morning.

Find it: Hardware Société, 10 Rue Lamarck, 75018, Paris

Lunch at L’improbable Cafe

Such a perfectly named place for a spot I pretty much accidentally came across. A friend of mine had insisted I check out the La Marais area of Paris and, jeez, I’m an idiot for leaving it so late in my trip. Next time I’m 100% staying there and abso-friggin-lutley going back to L’improbable Cafe for lunch. Its warehouse vibes with carboot-worthy bric-a-brac decor made me feel super at home as soon as we went in.

I actually got a meal deal, but so not in the gross ‘high-street lunchtime’ sense. For €7.50 I got a slice of fresh-from-the-oven red onion quiche, a crusty roll, slices of brie (god, I love France), and a mixed salad. We had glasses of homemade iced tea and felt pretty damn comfortable in our life as temporary Parisian hipsters.

Find it: L’improbable, 5 Rue des Guillemites, 75004, Paris

Dinner at La Boite aux Lettres

This meal. This place. My god.

After two days of eating stomach-churning junk at Disneyland Paris, we were DESPERATE to have a decent meal. La Boite aux Lettres, like most places in Paris, opens at 7pm, and we were one of the first to arrive. The tiny little place only seats about 15 people and I guess you could call it ‘rustic’ in that the decor has wood and blackboards and stuff, but really, the service and atmosphere is totally modern. Our waiter talked us through the wine list and menu to help us decide and then the magic began.

A lightly crumbed, deep fried poached egg, served on top of a red wine sauce with mushrooms and shallots. It blew my mind. It is, without a doubt, one of the best things I have EVER eaten. A glass of beaujolais in hand, I figured I’d hit peak foodgasm, but the main was the most tender lamb with sinfully buttery mash. It was so simple but absolutely beautiful. This place will be on my to-eat list every single time I return to Paris.