The Top Spots To Eat In Paris If You Only Have A Day

Paris is known as "the City of Light," and some say it's the world's most romantic destination. Whether you're there with your better half, visiting with friends, traveling for a work trip, or doing the city solo, there's so much to experience — and so many amazing places to eat that it can be hard to know where to start.

If you've only got 24 hours in Paris, you'll want to eat and drink at all the best places. We've rounded up some top spots, including hidden gem restaurants and out-of-the-way cafes for you to check out. If you're visiting the city in August — the month most Parisians take their summer vacation — don't forget that many bars, restaurants, and cafes are closed or have reduced opening hours.

Let's dive into our top spots in Paris to check out if you're only here for a day. To make life easier, we've included the Paris neighborhoods — known in the city as arrondissements — for each location. The only question is, which spots will you head for first?

Berthillon is a must-visit on any trip to Paris. Opened in 1954, it's considered the best spot in the city for ice cream, though it also serves up amazing pastries, cakes, and more. You can even come for breakfast if you're here early enough.

Located on the picturesque Île Saint-Louis, one of the city's two natural islands, Berthillon gets exceptionally busy, especially during the hot Parisian summer. Though you can expect queues, it'll never feel like a chore waiting in line here as you can spend the time taking photos of your stunning surroundings. 

You'll find almost every flavor of ice cream and sorbet imaginable, from simple fruit flavors to delicious, inventive combos like wood strawberry and hazelnut or pear and caramel. You can enjoy your ice cream in the charming tea room, but we'd recommend getting your treats to go and enjoying a stroll around the island. The neighborhood is packed with quaint cafes, shops, and wine bars.

No visit to Paris is complete without crêpes, and though you'll find them sold on practically every street corner, we'd recommend making your way to the 14th district for some at this Breton-style pancake place. What does Breton style mean, you might be wondering? Well, this place is all about traditional buckwheat galettes.

The menu is packed with savory options, with fillings from simple ham and eggs to more complex, delicious house specialties such as goat's cheese with honey and walnuts or Reblochon cheese with bacon and creamy potatoes. Don't fancy savory? There are also dessert crêpes with fillings including fruit, Nutella, chestnut cream, and Chantilly. Don't forget to order a rustic pitcher of Breton cider to wash everything down.

Crêperie Manoir Breton is located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, which is packed with chain and independent cinemas showing everything from the latest blockbusters to afternoons of classic films. If there's time to spare, why not combine your trip for crêpes with a movie?

Tex-Mex in Paris? It may not be the first food that comes to mind, but we highly recommend a visit to Indiana Café if you're looking for authentic Tex-Mex food in the heart of the city.

Located in lively Montparnasse, the 14th arrondissement that's also home to some of the city's best cinemas, this is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat — and a few cocktails — before or after a movie. On the menu, you'll find everything from fajitas to wings to nachos and more.

Indiana Café is at its best in the evenings, with a buzzy yet laidback vibe from the after-work crowd. It's open pretty late, too, so you've plenty of time to pop in after a late-night movie.

If you're in Paris on a Sunday, check out the Sunday brunch menu here, served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Many of the district's smaller cinemas show classic movies on Sundays, too.

Our next top spot needs no introduction for fans of the movie "Amélie." Yes, it's a bit pricey. Yes, it's definitely touristy. But Café des Deux Moulins is the cafe from Jean Pierre Jeunet's movie, "Amélie."

Where else can you sit and people-watch with a hot chocolate or a cup of coffee while taking in the interiors from everybody's favorite French romantic comedy? This quaint little 18th arrondissement café is the perfect place to live out your very own little Parisian dream — and to snap a few pictures to make everybody back home jealous.

You could also eat here, if you like, with a menu packed with French classics like croque monsieur alongside burgers and salads. The café even serves breakfast, with a set menu starting from around 8 Euros.

If this is on your to-do list for your Paris trip, don't forget to make reservations. Café de Deux Moulins gets very busy, especially on weekends, and if you don't have a reservation, you might face a long wait, or even be turned away.

Next on our list is a healthy dose of old-school Parisian charm. Le Train Bleu is a breathtaking art-nouveau-style restaurant, with fittings and decor dripping in gold. Located in the Gare de Lyon, it opened in 1900 and is a must on any visit to the City of Light, particularly if you're on a date.

Expect typically brusque Parisian service here — it's all part of this place's traditional charm. The menu is packed with delights, making it difficult to choose what to eat. 

We'd go for the indulgent lobster rigatoni gratin or the roasted leg of lamb, carved at your table, with creamy dauphinoise potatoes. The octopus mince with lime sounds amazing, too!

Let's face it, though, you're really here for the decor and ambiance, and you won't be disappointed. If there's one Instagrammable restaurant to include on your Paris itinerary, this is most definitely the one.

La Tour d'Argent is one of those places that's expensive, but totally worth it. This Michelin-starred eatery offers one of the city's best views over Notre Dame Cathedral and the Seine.

The first thing you'll notice when you walk in is the elegant decor. This is the place to don your finest suit, dress, or other outfit of your choice and enjoy a celebratory lunch or dinner. You don't even need a special occasion to celebrate — after all, this is Paris! Reservations here are pretty much essential to guarantee you aren't disappointed.

Chef Yannick Franques serves traditional French cuisine with a modern edge, and the menu is packed with tempting dishes. The four-course lunch menu includes delights like red mullet with licorice-flavored black sausage and fish soup, soy-sauce glazed duckling with black garlic juice and zucchini, and roasted Provençal apricots with coconut ice cream.

Dine here in the evenings, and you can enjoy a set five-course menu or choose from the a la carte menu. Highlights include the milk-fed veal with artichoke, roasted blue lobster with plantain gyoza and Bombay curry, and Crêpes Mademoiselles.

Le Mary Celeste does what Paris does best: It's a cozy neighborhood bar serving wine by the glass and small plates that are great for sharing with friends or just enjoying by oneself. This is a great place to linger in the evening, as one glass of wine turns into two, two turn into three, and the empty small plates stack up on the table.

As well as wine, Le Mary Celeste has a small but perfectly formed menu of digestifs. The bartenders can also whip up an excellent cocktail on request.

From the food menu, try the Thai-style mussels or oysters. The Tartare de canard (duck) with smoked beetroot and tamarind is perfect with a glass or two of red. We wouldn't say no to the lamb shoulder with aioli and gremolata, either.

For dessert, try the choux pastry with craquelin (a crunchy, cookie-like topping), chocolate, and little balls of hazelnut praline. The Pedro Ximinez makes an excellent digestif alongside.