Vegetarian Dining in Paris, Paris, France (D)

Born in Luberon, owner Frederic Poiri has been serving colourful and flavourful dishes from the South of France to grateful Parisians for the last 20 years. The menu includes at least 4 vegetarian dishes made from seasonal ingredients. Staff will happily explain the menu in English and Spanish. The restaurant features an interior courtyard with green plants and natural light. There is also street side dining on warm days. Reservations are recommended for weekend and evening dining. Metro line 3, Villiers.

Organic seasonal products prepared on site is the philosophy of this stylishly retro restaurant behind the Palais Royal. There are vegetarian starters and main dishes on the menu all year round. Some examples are creamy quinoa risotto, gourmet vege burgers and aubergine and goat’s cheese millefeuille. Bioboa also serves wines and cocktails and offers a brunch on Sundays until 16:00pm. Metro line 3, Bourse or Sentier.

This exclusively vegan restaurant is just 100 meters from the Georges Pompidou Centre in the trendy Marais district. Sample meatless versions of regional classics like Auvergne salad and seitan Bourguignon. The English menu clearly indicates gluten-free options. Make a reservation if you plan to dine in the evening or at the weekend. Orders need to be placed 1 hour before closing time. Metro line 11, Rambuteau.

‘Bread Wine Cheese’ is 100 meters from the Georges Pompidou Centre. Try traditional fondue made with cheeses from the Savoy region or choose from 5 other fondues made with a variety of French cheeses. Cheese tasting plates, salads and dishes for carnivores are also available. The décor is rustic chalet and really cosy on a cold Paris evening. Metro line 11, Rambuteau.

This cute café is on a quiet street 150 meters from Place de la Bastille. The owners make everything on site from fresh ingredients. The lunch menu always includes a soup, 5-6 different flavours of quiche or tart as well as vegetable gratins and salads based around a grain or a starch. Gluten and dairy-free diets are also catered for. Metro Bastille (multiple lines).

Just 200 meters from the famous cathedral, this plant-filled ‘attic’ has been catering to vegetarians since 1978. It also caters to vegan and macrobiotic diets. The restaurant is on two levels and there is street side dining when the weather permits. It’s a good idea to book for evening and weekend dining. Metro line 10, Cluny La Sorbonne or line 4, St Michel.

This contemporary restaurant between the Pantheon and the Luxembourg Gardens has a spacious dining area decorated with bamboo and neutral tones. With a menu that changes weekly, Tugalik has options for vegetarians, vegans and those with glucose and lactose intolerances. All food is cooked on site. You will find dishes from around the world but the emphasis is on healthy, balanced dishes made from quality produce. Organic and biodynamic wines are also available. Metro line 10, Cluny la Sorbonne.

A more casual branch of the original restaurant, this outlet offers healthy, fast food and fresh juices to go or to have in their upstairs salon. You can compose your own salad from a choice of 3 grains and 3-6 vegetables. There is also a daily soup, a savory cake and a quiche or savory tart that is suitable for vegetarian diners. Gluten-free cakes and muffins are baked on site daily. Metro line 12, Rennes.

Recently opened due to the success of Tugalik’s other branches, this central outlet is a 5-minute walk from Opera Garnier and offers fresh juices and healthy lunches on site or to take away. You can compose your own salad from a choice of 3 grains and 3-6 vegetables. There is also a daily soup, a savory cake and a quiche or savory tart that is suitable for vegetarian diners. Gluten-free cakes and muffins are baked on site daily. Metro line 3, Quatre Septembre.

Tucked down a side street 350 meters from the Picasso Museum, this Franco-British café is popular with locals. Hearty salads are made on site along with savory tarts, soups, and British-style cakes and puddings. Brunch is on offer on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 until 16:00. Not everything is vegetarian but you can check with the English-speaking staff. The coffee is good too. Try the ‘piggy latté’ served French style in a bowl. Metro line 8, Filles du Calvaire.

The concept of this restaurant is to steam market fresh ingredients to maximize flavor and maintain the nutritional value of the food. Diners choose their dishes from the refrigerated displays so you can see exactly what you are getting. Friendly, young staff can help translate any ingredients you are unsure of. Soups and 2-3 vegetarian main options are offered daily. One of the few vegetarian restaurants that serves continuously through the day and located between St Lazare Station and Opera Garnier, this is a handy pit stop for vegetarian travelers. Metro St Lazare (numerous lines).

Pousse-Pousse specializes in high-vitality raw foods so is suitable for vegans and people who are gluten intolerant. The restaurant seats around 20 people and they also serve food to go. A daily dish of raw, seasonal vegetables, sprouted grains, dips and dehydrated vegetable chips or a superbowl that also includes grains are featured on the menu. Raw and gluten-free desserts, organic coffee and fresh juices are also available. Metro line 12, Notre Dame de Lorette.

Crepes and buckwheat ‘gallettes’ are a specialty of the Brittany region in western France. The chef creates the sauces, fillings and preserves on site from natural ingredients. You won’t see tubs of Nutella in this joint. The gallette itself is vegan and gluten-free but Caramel Sarrasin also caters to carnivores. You can choose your own fillings or one of the chef’s creations. Set menus comprise a savory gallette followed by a crepe filled with sweet fillings like homemade salted caramel or jam. Breton ciders and beers from small producers are also sold. Enjoy the cutely translated English menus and free tasters while you wait. Metro line 7, Le Peletier or a 10-minute walk from Galeries Lafayette.

Situated in a former tap factory 500 meters from Canal Saint Martin, this light and airy café serves organic vegetarian food in an uncluttered setting. It can get busy though particularly on Saturdays and Sundays when a generous brunch buffet is served until 16:00. The buffet comprises 4 hot dishes, grain-based salads, samosas and felafels, a salad bar, small cakes, fresh juice and tea and coffee. A la carte dining, organic wines and fresh juices are available throughout the rest of the week. Metro line 11, Goncourt.

This quirky neighbourhood café has been serving healthy soups, salads and quiches for 11 years. Most of the menu is vegetarian but some dishes contain meat so check with the English-speaking owner. You can also order your food to go and walk 200 meters to enjoy excellent views of Paris from the Buttes Chaumont Park. Zoe Bouillon is open for lunch and dinner and serves beer and wine as well. Metro line 11, Pyrenées.

This chain of lunch and juice bars offers a healthy fast food alternative to working Parisians. Cojean is committed to using local producers and offering seasonal soups, salads and sandwiches. While not exclusively vegetarian, there is a good range of choices without meat daily. This outlet is open Saturdays and is a 5-minute walk from Galeries LaFayette. Metro line 7 or 9, Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette.

At first glance this rotisserie restaurant across the river from Notre Dame Cathedral doesn’t seem a likely spot for vegetarians. However they offer a combination of classic French vegetable dishes for around 16 euros. The décor is modern with a welcoming open fire. A good option if you are dining with carnivores. Metro line 10, Maubert-Mutualité.

Part of an international chain, this South Indian restaurant is popular with local vegetarians. Unlike some ethnic restaurants in the city centre, it doesn’t dilute authentic spice levels for French palates. Illustrated menus are in English. Continuous service makes it a handy option if you are in the Gare du Nord area for inter-European train connections. Metro Gare du Nord (multiple lines) exit 1.

A neighbourhood restaurant on a quiet street yet just a 5-minute walk from Musée D’Orsay. Veggie Biologique is exclusively vegetarian and serves seasonal lunch dishes that include vegetable plates, tarts and soups. You can also buy organic fruits and vegetables over the counter. Metro line 12, rue du Bac.

This hugely popular kosher restaurant sells hundreds of felafel sandwiches a day and they really know what they are doing. The flatbread is stuffed with 5-6 crispy but never dry falafel and teamed with marinated eggplant and slightly crunchy cabbage pickles. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait in line. The sit-down restaurant doesn’t offer any additional vegetarian dishes so if weather permits, get your sandwich to go and enjoy it wandering the old Jewish quarter of the Marais. Metro line 1, St Paul.

The comfy sofas and mismatched tables and chairs at this shabby chic bistro match the homemade philosophy of the menu. Seasonal products are transformed into savoury tarts with flavours such as onion and goat’s cheese or zucchini, feta and mint. The menu is not exclusively vegetarian but there are regularly 3-4 options for non-meat eaters. After lunch, the space is a tea room serving homemade sweet tarts, cakes and a towering lemon meringue pie. The cafe can be really busy in the weekends, especially during the brunch service. Metro line 1, St Paul.

This vegan restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. There is a good range of dishes inspired by international cuisines. Some examples of French dishes include green asparagus soup with walnut oil, a Portobello burger, and seitan fricassée with red wine sauce. Organic soft drinks and homemade hot chocolate with spicy piment d’Espelette are also available. The Sunday brunch is very popular with locals. Metro Bastille (multiple lines).

An American-owned juice bar that also serves vegan food with Asian influences. For example Japanese salads, Thai vege curries and jumbo futomaki rolls with avocado, mango and cucumber. Gluten-free baked goods and desserts are also available. The serving staff are bilingual. Grab your food to go and enjoy a stroll along the laid-back Canal Saint Martin. Metro line 5, Jacques Bonsergent.

Housed in La Maison Rouge art gallery, the third Paris outlet of the popular Rose Bakery has an open dining area and natural light from the glass roof. Quirky decorations appear and change to reflect the temporary exhibitions. The popular mix of salads, savory tarts, soups, organic juices and British-style cakes and puddings are served from lunch until the early afternoon. Brunch is on offer on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 until 16:00. Not everything is vegetarian but you can check with the bilingual staff. Metro line 5, Quai de la Rapée.

A vegetarian restaurant based on South East Asian Buddhist cuisine. All food is prepared without alcohol and eggs. There is a wide variety of dishes on offer. Some examples are vegetarian Tom Yum, laksa, crispy and fresh spring rolls and many stir fried dishes made with soy protein (fake meats). They have English menus too. Metro line 11, Goncourt.