5 great restaurants you should eat at in the Latin Quarter, Paris

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 30: Apartments and rooftop on December 30, 2019 in Paris, France. Paris is the capital and most populous city of France. Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of Europe's major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, fashion, science and the arts. (Photo by Athanasios Gioumpasis/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 30: Apartments and rooftop on December 30, 2019 in Paris, France. Paris is the capital and most populous city of France. Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of Europe's major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, fashion, science and the arts. (Photo by Athanasios Gioumpasis/Getty Images)

Paris, France is one of those cities that stirs the desire to travel. It’s considered to be one of the most romantic places in the world, though it’s more likely one of the most romanticized places in the world. But is also has so much to offer that one lifetime isn’t enough to take it all in.

A big reason to go to Paris is food. If you spend time in this city focusing on where to eat, then you’ve done this right. Keeping in mind some of these restaurants are closed for the current lockdown, the Latin Quarter offers several unforgettable dining experiences to keep in mind.

La Grotte de Chypre

Located on Rue Mouffetard, La Grotte de Chypre is not fast food in the American sense. It’s good food made quickly. Specifically, it’s Mediterranean cuisine that is prepared perfectly and is absolutely delicious, an absolute treat in the Latin Quarter.

On top of that, La Grotte de Chypre is reputed to have wonderful service on top of the stellar food. You walk in, check out what’s available in their selection and get what you want to go. And there are several spots around the Latin Quarter to sit down and enjoy these incredible flavors.

Paris’s Pizzeria Arrivederci

PARIS, FRANCE
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 02: People have breakfast at the terrace of ‘Cafe de Flore’ in the Latin Quarter district as bars and restaurants reopen after two months of nationwide restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak on June 02, 2020 in Paris, France. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to many countries across the world, claiming over 376,000 lives and infecting over 6,2 million people. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)

As a general rule, suggesting that you travel all the way to Paris to eat pizza in the Latin Quarter is an odd idea. Italy isn’t that far away, after all. But you need to make an exception for Pizzeria Arrivederci, reputedly one of the top pizza places in town.

Located near a key intersection in Paris, Pizzeria Arrivederci naturally has a killer pizza menu. If it didn’t, they would have to change their name. But don’t sleep on their pastas, which boasts an incredible range of choices.

La Table de Colette

A hop, skip and a jump away from the 18th century mausoleum called the Panthéon is La Table de Colette. It refers to itself as an ecoresponsible gourmet restaurant, which is an intriguing concept to say the least.

They have several different fixed price menus, each one with a different number of courses. In addition to the price, each menu also indicates how much CO2 is being consumed along with the meal. Plus, they have excellent food and wine pairing menus.

Le Vent d’Armor

PARIS, FRANCE
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 30: Panoramic view of Paris skyline during the sunset on December 30, 2019 in Paris, France. Paris is the capital and most populous city of France. Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of Europe’s major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, fashion, science and the arts. (Photo by Athanasios Gioumpasis/Getty Images)

When it comes to French cuisine serving great seafood and locally sourced offerings, Le Vent d’Armor is a superb choice. It just across the Quai de Montebello from the Seine, this might be one of the most picturesque spots in the city and that’s saying a lot.

The chef’s menus are not to be missed but there are so many other great options to choose from. Entrees like the Large Clams Stuffed with Garlic Butter, Crispy Crab with Young Spring Vegetables and the Sea Bass Carpaccio with Raspberries and Fresh Herbs are outstanding.

La Grange Aux Canards

Just down the street from the Seine is La Grange Aux Canards which regularly appears on lists of restaurants visitors to Paris must dine at. That apparently includes this list, too. And there’s a good reason for that.

Keeping in mind that the English translation of the name is The Duck Barn, you should probably try one of the duck dishes. But they also have some amazing desserts not to mention the exceptional work they do with foie gras. This is French cuisine at its finest.