Although the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district is particularly well known for its many cultural venues (art galleries, museums, art-house cinema), its culinary offer is not to be outdone and caters to all tastes, at any time of the day.
For a brunch
Eggs & Co
Located a few dozen meters from the Boulevard Saint-Germain, this first place specializes, as its name indicates, in eggs. Eggs Benedict, fried, casserole or omelette, everything you need to fill up on proteins to start the day well.
Address: 11 rue Bernard Palissy, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Metro 4)
Coffee Parisien
Halfway between a brunch restaurant and a brasserie, Coffee Parisien offers late risers the possibility to have a meal at any time from 12pm to 11pm. On the menu, American cuisine (burgers, bagels, pastrami, Caesar salad) and Tex-Mex (quesadillas, nachos, etc).
Address: 4 rue Princesse, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Metro 4), Mabillon (Metro 10)
Apégo
On the border between the 7th and 6th arrondissements, Apégo prides itself on offering dishes based on biologically grown and, as much as possible, local products. The menu includes themed dishes (3 cheeses, Scandinavian, Italian…) and an all-you-can-eat brunch for 39€.
Address: 22 rue des Saints-Pères, 7th arrondissement
Access: Rue du Bac (Metro 12), Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Metro 4)
Judy
Proudly displaying the “Qualitarian Cuisine” slogan, Judy shows its ambition from the start: to offer healthy dishes, mostly vegetarian and all gluten-free, varied recipes and home-made juices.
Address: 18 rue de Fleurus, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Placide (Metro 4), Rennes (Metro 12)
Marceau
On the menu of this kosher restaurant, a very large choice of dishes for brunch: eggs Benedict with spinach, salmon and avocado tartare, burrata, pasta, salmon pancake. The quantities are impressive and the ingredients fresh.
Address: 66 rue de Vaugirard, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Placide (Metro 4), Rennes (Metro 12)
Le Pont Traversé
Located a few meters from the Jardin du Luxembourg, Le Pont Traversé catches the eye thanks to its pretty old bookshop facade. On the gustatory level, it also stands out. If you like salmon, this is the place to go, as a good part of its menu offers it.
Address: 62 rue de Vaugirard, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Placide (Metro 4), Rennes (Metro 12)
The literary cafés
The literary cafés are one of the specificities of the Saint-Germain district. Symbols of the Paris of the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century, they were meeting places for artists, intellectuals and politicians. Many of them are still open today, even if they are now more classic restaurants.
Café de Flore
Probably the most famous of them all, the Café de Flore was founded in 1887 and participated in the birth of the surrealist movement at the beginning of the 20th century before welcoming one after another the greatest French and international stars. Every year the Prix de Flore is awarded in the café. On the menu, classic French cuisine.
Address: 172 boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Metro 4)
Les Deux Magots
Located just across the street from the previous one on rue Saint-Benoît, Les Deux Magots has a view of the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, on the square of the same name. It was created in 1885. Like its neighbor, it has a literary prize bearing its name, created in opposition to the Prix Goncourt in 1933. On the menu, classic food too. You can also try the unavoidable croque-monsieurs and club sandwiches.
Address: 6 place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Metro 4)
Brasserie Lipp
To reach the Brasserie Lipp from the two previous places, you just have to cross the boulevard Saint-Germain. Founded in 1880 by an Alsatian of the same name, the brasserie offers great classics and, to honor the origins of its founder, several well-stocked sauerkraut. It is in this one that the Prix Cazes is awarded every year.
Address: 151 boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Metro 4)
La Closerie des Lilas
The Closerie des Lilas is not strictly speaking in the Saint-Germain neighborhood but at the southern end of the Jardin du Luxembourg. However, it is difficult not to mention it, as well as its neighbors on the Boulevard du Montparnasse (Le Dôme, La Coupole, Le Select, La Rotonde), as they had such an influence on the cultural life of Paris in the early 20th century. The Prix de la Closerie des Lilas, founded in 2007, rewards each year women novelists of French language. The menu is more upscale than at the other three restaurants mentioned.
Address: 171 boulevard du Montparnasse, 6th arrondissement
Access: Vavin (Metro 4), Raspail (Metro 4, 6), Port-Royal (RER B)
Gastronomic restaurants
Marsan
Rated 2 stars by the Michelin guide, chef Hélène Darroze’s restaurant focuses on specialties from the southwest, where she originates. Also on the menu are caviar, lobster and a promising chocolate cream with Mexican flavors. Also noteworthy is the complete menu based on black Périgord truffles.
Address: 4 rue d’Assas, 6th arrondissement
Access: Sèvres-Babylone (Metro 10, 12), Saint-Sulpice (Metro 4)
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
The one-star restaurant of the regretted Joël Robuchon has the particularity of offering a more relaxed setting than the majority of gastronomic restaurants. Dark colors, bar chairs and leather armchairs welcome you in the greatest comfort to taste the dishes conceived by the chef Attilio Marrazzo. Simplicity and elegance on the menu or à la carte.
Address: 5 rue de Montalembert, 7th arrondissement
Access: Rue du Bac (Metro 12)
Le Saint-Germain
The gastronomic restaurant of the famous Lutetia hotel is first of all a room to admire. A patio under a glass roof with multicolored stained glass windows, including a cheeky representation of the Michelin Man. Lovers of fish and seafood will be particularly spoiled at the Saint-Germain, even if it also leaves room for meat. Don’t hesitate to go there in the afternoon to appreciate the pastries of chef Nicolas Guercio.
Address: 45 boulevard Raspail, 6th arrondissement
Access: Sèvres-Babylone (Metro 10, 12)
Lapérouse
This institution, founded in 1766, recently reopened after many years of closure. Led by chefs Jean-Pierre Vigato (cuisine) and Christophe Michalak (pastry), the restaurant intends to regain its former prestige and is making it known, not hesitating to highlight its distinguished guests as part of its communication.
Address: 51 quai des Grands-Augustins, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Michel (Metro 4, RER B)
Atypical restaurants
Procope
The oldest café in Paris, created in 1686, has evolved over time and has been used as a restaurant since the end of the 19th century. The walls are decorated with references to the French Revolution: phrygian caps, Napoleon’s bicorn and articles from the French constitution decorate the place. The restaurant’s menu includes the great classics of French cuisine, of course!
Address: 13 rue de l’Ancienne-Comédie, 6th arrondissement
Access: Odéon (Metro 4, 10)
Bouillon Chartier
Another detour to Montparnasse to mention a must in the 6th arrondissement. Created in 1903, it was renamed Bistro de la Gare before returning to its original name in 2019. Like the other Parisian bouillons, it offers typical dishes at very low prices in an Art Nouveau decor.
Address: 59 boulevard du Montparnasse, 6th arrondissement
Access: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe (Metro 4, 6, 12, 13)
La Table du Luxembourg & La Terrasse de Madame
These two restaurants have a particularity of their own. They are the two restaurants of the Jardin du Luxembourg. An obviously idyllic setting when the weather is nice to enjoy good food and big cups of ice cream. Note that the Table du Luxembourg, run by the former chef of the Lutetia restaurant, also serves as a bookshop.
Address : Jardin du Luxembourg, 6th arrondissement
Access: Odéon (Metro 4, 10), Rennes (Metro 12), Luxembourg (RER B)
Le Calife
Welcome on the Seine! For two hours, Le Calife, the most beautiful of all Parisian péniches, will take you on a tour of the capital while you enjoy a full menu and a glass of champagne.
Address: Port des Saints-Pères, 6th arrondissement
Access: Louvre-Rivoli (Metro 1), Pont Neuf (Metro 7), Odéon (Metro 4, 10)
Other restaurants to try
La Jacobine
Located in the Cour du Commerce-Saint-André, a passageway leading from the rue Saint-André-des-Arts to the boulevard Saint-Germain, La Jacobine is a great place to try the most traditional dishes of French gastronomy.
Address: 59-61 rue Saint-André-des-Arts, 6th arrondissement
Access: Odéon (Metro 4, 10)
L’Alcazar
The setting, very vegetal, is particularly sumptuous. The proposed cuisine is at the level of the place. Elaborate, tasty dishes for all tastes. A few examples: vegetable curry, salmon tataki, lobster vol au vent, “tigre qui pleure” beef mitre or octopus a la plancha…
Address: 62 rue Mazarine, 6th arrondissement
Access: Mabillon (Metro 10), Odéon (Metro 4, 10)
Pizza Chic
A pizzeria? Nothing more classic, you may say. Of course not. This one, however, aims at the top of the range. Careful decoration, white tablecloths and design chairs, the intentions are clear. The Neapolitan pizzas are at the same level, as well as the nice list of antipasti.
Address: 13 rue de Mézières, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Sulpice ( Metro 4)
Maison Sauvage
An emblematic place on the pretty rue de Buci, the front of Maison Sauvage catches the eye with its eccentric decoration. Needless to say, you’re unlikely to find yourself alone on the terrace. The cuisine is modern and the cocktails numerous.
Address: 5 rue de Buci, 6th arrondissement
Access: Odéon (Metro 4), Mabillon (Metro 10)
Georgette
For lovers of good meat, the terrace of Georgette (owned by the same people as Judy) awaits you. Here, beef has a place of choice and poultry is not to be outdone either. The ingredients are chosen with care, the menu is small but of high quality. The result is a restaurant that is worth a visit, just a stone’s throw from the Luxembourg Garden.
Address: 44 rue d’Assas, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Placide (Metro 4), Rennes (Metro 12)
Le Bistrot d’Henri
Let’s end the list of restaurants with a last place dedicated to traditional French cuisine. Simple in appearance and looking like hundreds of others, it nevertheless stands out for its generous and carefully concocted portions.
Address: 16 rue Princesse, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Metro 4), Mabillon (Metro 10)
For a tea break
Ladurée
The famous macaron brand has a tea room in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It would be a shame not to be tempted by the many sweets offered in this place with its padded armchairs and subdued lighting.
Address: 21 rue Bonaparte, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Metro 4)
Angelina
If the tea room is best known for its historical location on the rue de Rivoli, the one next to the Jardin du Luxembourg, called Mademoiselle Angelina, is also worth a visit. The opportunity to taste a fabulous Mont Blanc with chestnut cream, a chocolate éclair and to drink the specialty of the salon, the hot chocolate from Africa.
Address: 19 rue de Vaugirard, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Sumpice (Metro 4), Rennes (Metro 12), Mabillon (Metro 10)
Shakespeare and Company
One of the oldest English-speaking bookstores in Paris, which saw Ernest Hemingway, Francis Scott Fitzgerald or James Joyce pass through, and which celebrated its centenary in 2019, opened a café in 2015. In fact, it offers its own blend, in collaboration with the roaster Café Lomi. In addition you can eat vegan dishes, both sweet and savory.
Address: 35 rue de la Bûcherie, 5th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Michel (Metro 4, RER B)
Mamie Gâteaux
The name of the sign is transparent. Here you can eat pastries in a country house atmosphere that reminds you of the beginning of the 20th century. It is good, it is generous, it is varied and it is well served. Go there with your eyes closed.
Address: 66 rue du Cherche-Midi, 6th arrondissement
Access: Rennes (Metro 12), Saint-Placide (Metro 4), Vaneau (Metro 10)
Bread & Roses
It’s hard to be closer to the Jardin du Luxembourg, the entrance on the Guynemer side being less than 100 meters from the store. You can have brunch or tea there. The pastries and tarts are wonderful.
Address: 62 rue Madame, 6th arrondissement
Access: Saint-Placide (Metro 4)
Photo credits: Parisianavores, 123 Cacher, Arcanum, Paris Select, C’est meilleur quand c’est bon, Musée du Luxembourg, Paris Perfect, Do It In Paris, Paris Gourmand
