Photo, Portia Chan.
Le Relais de la Butte Perched near the top of Montmartre, Le Relais de la Butte’s cobblestone terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy views of northern Paris over a leisurely lunch or dinner. The a la carte menu can be pricey, but the prix fixe is good value. A glass of champagne, a starter, main and dessert is €35. In the summer, gazpacho is a light and refreshing appetizer, though a head’s up: it’s not vegetarian — a garnish of smoked fish was surprising, but tasty. Creamy, rich risotto comes with perfectly grilled shrimp, while a classic crème brûlee is the perfect way to end a meal. 12 rue Ravignan Montmartre, 18th arrondissement. CoquelicotWe’re pretty sure all of Montmartre heads to this charming bakery cafe to buy their bread. There always seems to be a line (though it usually moves quickly) and it’s hard to find a seat at the tiny bistro tables outside. All this is for good reason: there’s probably no better baguette in the neighborhood, and the pastries are spectacular. Buttery croissants, tasty madeleines, tiny gateaux, it’s all worth sampling. Go early and you might be able to score a freshly-made Croque Monsieur, which tastes even better if eaten around the corner in Jehan Rictus Square in front of Le mur des je t’aime (the I Love You wall). 24 rue des Abbesses Montmartre, 18th arrondissement. The Great CanadianFor homesick, or rather, Tim Horton’s-sick Canadians, this Latin Quarter pub is a must-visit. Opened by Canadian ex-pats Mark Berry and Daniel Henri in 2004, it’s part restaurant, part sports bar and all Canadian. Stop in for an afternoon pick-me-up of coffee and donuts, which arrive at the table piping hot. Or, go on a Monday evening for wing night. And definitely plan to be there if there’s a hockey game, especially if it’s a Stanley Cup game that airs at 1am local time. 25 quai Grands Augustins Latin Quarter, 6th arrondissement.
Photo, Coquelicot.Hotel du Petit MoulinDesigned by fashion icon Christian Lacroix, this 17-bedroom boutique hotel is colourful, modern and totally over the top in its approach to décor. Polka dot carpets line the corridors and each room is designed according to its own theme, be it Scandi minimalism, Moorish details or 60s mod. From the outside, you’d be forgiven for thinking the building still houses one of the city’s oldest boulangeries. The original façade, including century-old signage, has been painstakingly preserved, a hit of history among the neighborhood’s new occupants, art galleries and fashion boutiques. 29-31 rue de Poitou Marais, 3rd arrondissement.Hotel du Lys 23The key term here is Old World charm. Run by the same family for the past 60 years, this 22-room hotel doesn’t offer as many modern amenities as other Parisian hotels (like air conditioning or an elevator, though there is free WiFi!), but it more than makes up for it with the historical details. The already quite reasonable rates also include breakfast, and it’s within walking distance of many major sights, including Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. rue Serpente Latin Quarter, 6th arrondissement.
Photo, Hotel du Petit Moulin.Subscribe to our newsletters for our very best stories, recipes, style and shopping tips, horoscopes and special offers.