pancake sisters

3 Rue Lucien Sampaix, Paris

As a break from university final year stresses, a friend and I decided to take a break from our overheated, stuffy library and brave the fresh air to go somewhere new for lunch. This little hangout near to Republique has been on my radar for sometime and so we decided to check it out. Through the dreary wet Parisian streets, this yellow cafe was a ray of sunlight, and so we dived in, and very excitedly consulted the menu. Inside, it is very simple and cosy, and there is a lovely atmosphere, definitely the kind of place to go for lunch with girlfriends, its very cute and run by two lovely ladies, who are very friendly. As the name suggests, its all about the pancakes in here! We decided to go for the 12 euro lunch formule, which consisted of a savoury pancake sandwich, a drink and a sweet pancake dessert. I must admit, though we could have eaten a bit more, the food was absolutely delicious, in particular the pancake sandwich which was just to die for! They also do brunch which, if you have a look around on instagram, looks amazing, and they also do late night opening on a Thursday for evening meals. I will definitely be going back here again, but I won't rush back on an empty stomach.

Keep an eye out for... ask for your savoury sandwich to be toasted!

http://www.pancakesisters.com/

paris hanoi

74 Rue de Charonne, Paris.

This is one of, if not my number one, favourite restaurants in Paris, its a lovely place that does the most delicious Vietnamese. Walking down to the restaurant from metro Charonne on line 9, the first thing you notice is the amazing smell, which just makes you even hungrier as you stand in the queue of other eager eyed customers, all peering in through the windows and eyeing up the delicious plates, already being devoured by those inside. Every time I have been, the people in the queue have been chatting about how good the food is - the queue really is a testimony to this place, and it really is worth sticking about to wait for a table. Inside, the restaurant is cosy, the tables are close together, but its such a great bustling atmosphere, with the chefs cooking in view, and the waiters serving the small floor space. Unfortunately I don't have any more pictures of this place, but you'll just have to take my word on it.

Keep an eye out for... my favourite dish - tom bun nem. Absolutely delicious!  

http://www.parishanoi.fr/en

st paul falafel.

Rue des Rosiers, Paris.

This is becoming more of a well known Parisian activity, but it is still definitely worth pointing out to anyone who has not yet discovered it - the falafel takeaways in the Marais, just a walk from St Paul metro. There are quite a few to choose from, particularly along this road, and different people will recommend different places. For me, this one is my favourite - just on the corner of rue des Rosiers and rue des Ecouffes. The queue is always one of the shortest, and they have a really nice onion salsa that, if they don't put any on and if you're feeling brave enough, you can ask for. The good thing about there being so many is that the price is very similar at every place, at 5.50 and for this you get a really filling pitta with falafel and salad. For a few euros more, you can upgrade to a chicken filling if you aren't fond of the standard vegetarian option. There is the option to sit in, but I would recommend takeaway and wander around the Marais eating as you go. If you're lucky, you might stumble across a park to sit in, or wander down to the Seine to enjoy a bit of sun.

Keep an eye out for... The free falafel tasters in the bowl on the counter-top. 

causses.

55 rue Notre Dame de Lorette, Paris.

This little shop is amazing. Just down the road from metro Pigalle, it sells pretty much anything food related - they have a small, but very nice selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. There is a fresh orange juice machine with plastic bottles that you can fill up to take away with you - perfect for a picnic! Then they have every spice you could want, some even in massive pots that you can help yourself to. The thing that makes this shop so special is the rustic, yet modern feel that it has, and the whole atmosphere it creates.. its more of an experience; every corner has something different around it. And, what's more, they have a lovely cafe next-door... this place really has it all!

Keep an eye out for..... as well as the food, their amazing attention to detail.

http://www.causses.org/

a week on the rue des martyrs - saturday.

food markets.

Along the rue des martyrs, there are so many food markets, which is great for getting a feel for the local atmosphere. There is a fresh pasta shop, a cheese shop and several butchers, as well as the numerous bakeries and patisseries. All of the food shops are so lovely to look at, even if you don't want to buy; it gives so much more of a traditional shopping experience than the supermarkets. 

a week on the rue des martyrs - friday.

Rose Bakery.

This is such an unassuming cafe, it is really easy to just walk past it... but you have to stop! It is such a lovely place. Inside, they have long communal tables to eat at, as well as some lovely cooking and food products to buy too, not to mention their display of amazing cakes and lunch options. They have amazing scones, carrot cakes and sticky toffee puddings, but then also amazing salads, soups and other very tempting options!! It has a great contemporary feel to it, but its also very warming and welcoming. Avoid peak lunchtime hours if you don't want to wait, but having said that, the food is worth waiting for!! 

46 rue des martyrs 75009

30 rue debelleyme 75003

10 boulevard de la bastille 75012

a week on the rue des martyrs - tuesday.

Quartino.

This little pizza place is amazing! The chef hand makes the pizzas in massive rectangular trays, then you choose the pizza you want, they cut it up into the size you want and you pay for the weight of it. They even heat it up for you too! The pizza toppings include tuna, pesto, aubergines, mozzarella, rocket... the list goes on! They do take away or eat in... be sure to head in here!

19 rue des martyrs, 75009

19 rue rambuteau, 75004

http://www.quartino.fr/1.aspx