Behind the Burgundy façade of this former liquor store in the 11th, you’ll find a cheeky, retro bistro with tiled floors and a cherry-red bar serving up what might be the best brunch in Paris. Superb, seasonally-inspired dishes elevate standard brunch fare to mouthwatering heights—think pumpkin brioche French toast swimming in creme anglaise and studded with kumquats, or eggs benedict with sumac-dusted butternut squash and crispy pancetta. The addictive polenta fries are the star of the show: go for the savory, smoked pepper aioli version, laced with chimichurri and fried rosemary, or snag the special, which is smothered in harissa-drenched whipped feta.
Hiking up hilly Montmartre is one way to work up an appetite—luckily, Hardware Société offers a vibrant, veggie-focused alternative to the surrounding tourist traps. Bircher muesli, baked eggs, and fried brioche stuffed with passionfruit curd are a fitting reward for your morning cardio, while the more indulgent among us can spring for the breakfast blinis with caviar.
Photo: Courtesy of the Ritz Paris
For breakfast befitting a royal, there’s no place like the Ritz Paris. The promise of over-the-top opulence lures travelers to this iconic property every Sunday, where €205 earns you entrance to a lavish buffet inspired by French, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisine. A raw bar, sprawling cheese cart, and dazzling display of French pastries are just a small sampling of what’s on offer. While you’re sure to be sated, plan to ride out your mimosa buzz with a bit of lèche-vitrine (window licking—the French term for window shopping) around the chic Place Vendôme.
If I had to pick one restaurant in Paris to eat at every day, it would be Mokonuts. Breakfast is a simple and comforting ritual in this bright and cozy café, where regulars and in-the-know visitors pop in for crunchy toast with homemade jam, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and a chat with owners Moko Hirayama and Omar Koreitem, a Japanese-Lebanese couple whose warmth pervades the open kitchen and tiny, mosaic-tiled space. I’d tell you what to order, but the menu changes daily, and you truly can’t go wrong. If you’re lucky enough to get a lunch reservation, it’s worth doubling back just to taste Moko’s famous cookies.
Photo: Courtesy of Benoît Castel