Victoria’s guide to Paris
Local bars and restaurants
Local spot to escape the tourists and enjoy some decently priced drinks, tasty bistro food and soak up some live music. I love this bar because of the mix of ages and the eccentric characters who frequent it. It's a really special bar run by friendly staff who really want you to have a good time.
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Café-Restaurant Point Bar
99 Rue ChampionnetLocal spot to escape the tourists and enjoy some decently priced drinks, tasty bistro food and soak up some live music. I love this bar because of the mix of ages and the eccentric characters who frequent it. It's a really special bar run by friendly staff who really want you to have a good time.
For those of you who like craft beer (mostly French on draft but there are some international bottled beers too) and an excellent atmosphere I cannot recommend Le Supercoin enough. I've been going there for 12 years (they moved sites last year) and the owners, Claudia and Francois, are arguably two of the best bartenders in the whole of Paris. Friendly, helpful and they know their product.
They also serve up some tasty food after 7pm.
Locals love this place and tourists don't seem to know about it. They play some great music but it's never too loud so you can easily hear one another talk.
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Le Supercoin
17 Rue BoinodFor those of you who like craft beer (mostly French on draft but there are some international bottled beers too) and an excellent atmosphere I cannot recommend Le Supercoin enough. I've been going there for 12 years (they moved sites last year) and the owners, Claudia and Francois, are arguably two of the best bartenders in the whole of Paris. Friendly, helpful and they know their product.
They also serve up some tasty food after 7pm.
Locals love this place and tourists don't seem to know about it. They play some great music but it's never too loud so you can easily hear one another talk.
You might not think of getting a kebab while you're in Paris but I'd suggest you forget about frogs legs and snails and hit this place up. They prepare and marinade the doner meat on site. Unlike a lot of kebab shops the meat is melt in your mouth and succulent.
Ok, so it's not a restaurant as it's takeaway only but this is by far the best kebab in Paris (there's a lovely park at the end of the road where you can go enjoy your food).
It's incredibly popular and has a well deserved cult following so expect some serious queues at peak times.
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Bodrum Restaurant
43 Rue des BatignollesYou might not think of getting a kebab while you're in Paris but I'd suggest you forget about frogs legs and snails and hit this place up. They prepare and marinade the doner meat on site. Unlike a lot of kebab shops the meat is melt in your mouth and succulent.
Ok, so it's not a restaurant as it's takeaway only but this is by far the best kebab in Paris (there's a lovely park at the end of the road where you can go enjoy your food).
It's incredibly popular and has a well deserved cult following so expect some serious queues at peak times.
The market is run every Wednesday and Saturday right outside your front door. They have everything you want - butchers, grocers, cheese sellers, street food - the list is endless.
Keep your eyes peeled for the oyster bar opposite Chez Pradel. If you want a glass of wine with your bivalves, Chez Pradel are happy to provide you with some.
Marché ORDENER
152-190 Rue OrdenerThe market is run every Wednesday and Saturday right outside your front door. They have everything you want - butchers, grocers, cheese sellers, street food - the list is endless.
Keep your eyes peeled for the oyster bar opposite Chez Pradel. If you want a glass of wine with your bivalves, Chez Pradel are happy to provide you with some.
Bar/kitchen/music venue/exhibition space set along a disused railway. Sounds hipster (it is a bit) but don't let that put you off. The staff are great and it's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or evening chilling out on some deckchairs.
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Le Hasard Ludique
128 Av. de Saint-OuenBar/kitchen/music venue/exhibition space set along a disused railway. Sounds hipster (it is a bit) but don't let that put you off. The staff are great and it's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or evening chilling out on some deckchairs.
If you don't fancy straying too far from the appartment or you're just exhausted from all the sightseeing, you should definitely go to Chez Pradel. Classic French dishes with a great wine list and a loyal, local clientele. The staff and the owner are all gregarious and welcoming.
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Chez Pradel
168 Rue OrdenerIf you don't fancy straying too far from the appartment or you're just exhausted from all the sightseeing, you should definitely go to Chez Pradel. Classic French dishes with a great wine list and a loyal, local clientele. The staff and the owner are all gregarious and welcoming.
Excellent food which takes inspiration from around the world.
It's fancy but casual at the same time.
They do an incredibly reasonable prix fixe for lunch. Great wine list and some tasty cocktails on offer too.
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Polissons
35 Rue RameyExcellent food which takes inspiration from around the world.
It's fancy but casual at the same time.
They do an incredibly reasonable prix fixe for lunch. Great wine list and some tasty cocktails on offer too.
An iconic restaurant and thoroughly deserving of its reputation. The food is inventive and it's backed up by a wonderful wine list. Not one to go for if you're trying to save some pennies but if you want a meal to remember this is a must.
I strongly advise booking well in advance, bookings get snatched up in seconds and you may end up with the 10PM slots!
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Le Servan
32 Rue Saint-MaurAn iconic restaurant and thoroughly deserving of its reputation. The food is inventive and it's backed up by a wonderful wine list. Not one to go for if you're trying to save some pennies but if you want a meal to remember this is a must.
I strongly advise booking well in advance, bookings get snatched up in seconds and you may end up with the 10PM slots!
Cocotte et Tire-Bouchon
184 Rue MarcadetDelicious food, a restaurant that I go to again and again.
It can be a nightmare getting a table but if you get there 10 minutes before they open for dinner service you're pretty much guaranteed a table (don't hold me to this!). However, don't let this put you off because you'll be rewarded with some mouth watering small plates backed up by a wonderfully chosen wine list. Best if you're just with one other person as it is a very small space but I strongly recommend you go here.
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Freddy's
54 Rue de SeineIt can be a nightmare getting a table but if you get there 10 minutes before they open for dinner service you're pretty much guaranteed a table (don't hold me to this!). However, don't let this put you off because you'll be rewarded with some mouth watering small plates backed up by a wonderfully chosen wine list. Best if you're just with one other person as it is a very small space but I strongly recommend you go here.
Sightseeing
Chaotic and at times overwhelming but well worth a visit. It's a labyrinth of antiques, knick knacks, bars and restaurants. It is one of the most unique places left in Paris and always leaves a big impression on whoever I take to see it.
Puce
16-18 Avenue Georges LafenestreChaotic and at times overwhelming but well worth a visit. It's a labyrinth of antiques, knick knacks, bars and restaurants. It is one of the most unique places left in Paris and always leaves a big impression on whoever I take to see it.
Parks
One of my favourite parks in Paris and conveniently located just a stones throw from Bodrum Kebabs :)
There are ping pong tables, ponds and lots of benches to sit and admire the wildlife.
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Square des Batignolles
144bis Rue CardinetOne of my favourite parks in Paris and conveniently located just a stones throw from Bodrum Kebabs :)
There are ping pong tables, ponds and lots of benches to sit and admire the wildlife.
Recently renovated and redesigned, Martin Luther King Park is a great a place to have a picnic, skate, play ping pong/petanque/basketball or just sit and watch the world go by. Lots of ponds, nice shaded areas and a newly opened bar called Hoba (unfortunately Hoba is very expensive so I'd recommend bringing your own food and drinks).
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Martin Luther King Park
147 Rue CardinetRecently renovated and redesigned, Martin Luther King Park is a great a place to have a picnic, skate, play ping pong/petanque/basketball or just sit and watch the world go by. Lots of ponds, nice shaded areas and a newly opened bar called Hoba (unfortunately Hoba is very expensive so I'd recommend bringing your own food and drinks).
A 5 minute walk from the apartment, this is one of my favourite places to go and relax. There's a beautiful wild flower garden, ping pong tables (you may need to fight some local children to get a game!) and some picnic tables if you fancy an al fresco lunch.
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Square Leon Serpollet
25 Rue des CloysA 5 minute walk from the apartment, this is one of my favourite places to go and relax. There's a beautiful wild flower garden, ping pong tables (you may need to fight some local children to get a game!) and some picnic tables if you fancy an al fresco lunch.
Natural Wine
If you're into natural wines and fancy a bottle to enjoy in the park, you should go to Rock Bottles. Run by an English guy and his Parisian business partner, they know their wines and are happy to give you spot on recommendations.
Rock Bottles
22 Rue du RuisseauIf you're into natural wines and fancy a bottle to enjoy in the park, you should go to Rock Bottles. Run by an English guy and his Parisian business partner, they know their wines and are happy to give you spot on recommendations.
Shops
If you're only staying for a few days and plan on doing some cooking but don't want to buy a 500g bag of pasta, you can go to Refill (5 minute walk from the apartment) where you can use tupperware containers or paper bags to buy just the right amount of whatever it is that you need. They have everything from cereals to spices and detergents. And everything is cheaper than the supermarkets which can be prohibitively expensive.
Refill Épicerie éco-responsable
92 Rue OrdenerIf you're only staying for a few days and plan on doing some cooking but don't want to buy a 500g bag of pasta, you can go to Refill (5 minute walk from the apartment) where you can use tupperware containers or paper bags to buy just the right amount of whatever it is that you need. They have everything from cereals to spices and detergents. And everything is cheaper than the supermarkets which can be prohibitively expensive.
Music
You'd be forgiven for assuming this is a tourist trap but it's actually mostly populated by jazz loving locals with a particular admiration for the wonderful one-and-only Django Reinhardt. It has the benefit of being located right next to the Puce so it's perfect for a post-bargain hunting glass of wine.
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La Chope des Puces
122 Rue des RosiersYou'd be forgiven for assuming this is a tourist trap but it's actually mostly populated by jazz loving locals with a particular admiration for the wonderful one-and-only Django Reinhardt. It has the benefit of being located right next to the Puce so it's perfect for a post-bargain hunting glass of wine.
Cult music venue with an eclectic programme, expect everything from hard techno to indie. I love the atmosphere here - not at all pretentious and people really come for the music.
39 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
La Station
29 Av. de la Prte d'AubervilliersCult music venue with an eclectic programme, expect everything from hard techno to indie. I love the atmosphere here - not at all pretentious and people really come for the music.
Boulangeries
Just 1 minute away from the apartment, B.O.U.L.O.M serve some of the best pastries, desserts and baked goods in Paris. They're also famous for some seriously indulgent weekend brunches.
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B.O.U.L.O.M
181 Rue OrdenerJust 1 minute away from the apartment, B.O.U.L.O.M serve some of the best pastries, desserts and baked goods in Paris. They're also famous for some seriously indulgent weekend brunches.
As well as B.O.U.L.O.M, I'm also a regular at Maison R & S who bake some delicious baguette tradition as well as croissants and pain au chocolat.
Boulangerie Maison R & S
219 Rue ChampionnetAs well as B.O.U.L.O.M, I'm also a regular at Maison R & S who bake some delicious baguette tradition as well as croissants and pain au chocolat.