Hello! I will be in Paris with my mother and 12 year old in May, and wondering if anyone has recommendations for cool food experiences that are kid-friendly but not exclusively "for kids." For context, this kid loves food and cooking - he makes handmade pasta, is a whiz cooking meat and seafood, will try anything, and just has an all-around pretty sophisticated palate - and so I would love to find something like a tasting tour or cooking class that welcomes kids but would also be fun and rewarding for us adults. Restaurant, cafe, and bakery/patisserie recommendations are also welcome, as are any other kinds of food-related experiences for adults and kids alike. Thank you in advance for sharing!
Posted by
la rioja
590 posts
Atelier C has chocolate making workshops. There is a "Atelier en Famille" workshop.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1039 posts
Why don’t you look at Eating Europe Paris’ food tours. We did them in Italy and Rome and I think a 12 year old foodie would have enjoyed both.
Posted by
California USA
4100 posts
We took our 14 year old food grandaughter to Paris in 2019. She loved the cooking classes at https://cooknwithclass.com/, the only program that would take a 14 year old without an adult joining her.
Posted by
Chicago
8550 posts
We did a cheese tasting here that was very interesting -- gave could info on the different regions and types of cheese and sampled 7 -- it does include 3 wines and a discussion of wine pairing, which he could forgo or since wine tasting often involves spitting out the wine, he could do it that way if you preferred. They did have that possibility. The discussion of cheese types begins in their cold room and then for the tasting you move to the cellar and sit around a table with about 8 or 10 others. When we did it there were people from Lebanon, Spain, France and the US. The class was in English.
https://parolesdefromagers.com/en/paris-xth/
They also have classes in cheese making which might be fun.
We haven't done macaron making classes but I know there are many of those in Paris and I would think a kid might really love doing that.
Posted by
Utah via SF Bay Area
363 posts
Your son sounds amazing and talented. I would look at options that aren't kid oriented--those may be too simple for him.
Your post was intriguing because we will be there this fall and I would like to do a macaron class or something French, too.
I found this site that seems to have alot to offer. https://lacuisineparis.com/
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks so much to all who have replied! We still haven't made a final decision (mostly because we want to do them all and it's so hard to pick) but your input has been super helpful!
Posted by
Chicago
8550 posts
a tasting menu place we really love is L'Initial where you get a multi course dinner for about 70 Euro. Portions are small and very tasty and you have enough of them you leave pleasantly replete, but not stuffed. Might be a great experience for a foodie kid and not as much of a bank breaker as lots of places with great food. It is in the 5th near the Seine and definitely book well in advance. The courses are set except for 3 choices for the meat course. (they will accommodate allergies=I got a different sauce on my fish to avoid my onion sensitivity)
Posted by
260 posts
We just returned from 2 weeks in France. Our first night we had dinner at Chez Rene, Blvd Saint-Germain. We didn't have reservations but arrived at opening, 7pm? on a Wednesday in late February, and were seated right away. Although we only had adults with us, I'm sure your son would love it too and would be treated well. The staff was gracious and attentive and the food was excellent, it was a great first night meal for us, with lots of 'classic' French dishes to choose from.