Any restaurant/cafe/bistro recommendations for Montparnasse, south of Luxembourg Garden? I'm going to Paris and staying in Montparnasse. It will be my fourth trip to Paris but I've never stayed in this area. Thanks in advance! Looking for mid-price range. I actually prefer recommendations for cafes and bistros because I will be dining alone since this is a solo trip.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
These are not quite in Montparnasse, but near the Luxembourg Garden, and fine for solo dining:
Bread and Roses bakery/cafe is very nice.
I also like Le Rostand, which just outside the park, across street from Medici Fountain.
Montparnasse is home to several famous cafes. They are not particularly noteworthy for their food, but OK.
I ate at Le Select (reputed to be the best of the bunch) and thought it was fine.
I personally would walk down Blvd. Montparnasse to Blvd. St. Germain and have a drink at an outdoor table at the Deux Magots, or Cafe Flore as often as possible. My favorite thing to do in Paris these days.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
359 posts
Thank you BG. I am writing these down.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
OK! I recommend checking Tripadvisor for more info and photos of these cafes. I just revisited the Bread & Roses one, and saw
photos of their great breads and pastries!
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
In addition to the above, try parisbymouth.com. They have recs for all the neighborhoods.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Montparnasse is pancake country, if you enjoy them. One of the most famous places is Josselin, but it often has a queue out the door. Ti Jos nearby is also good.
Posted by
Boston
380 posts
By all means go to parisbymouth.com. There are lots of wonderful bistros in this neighborhood. Note their listings with a heart next to the name = neighborhood favorite. We went to Le Cerise, a small bistro run by a husband and wife team. The menu is on a chalk board in French, but the wife speaks English and can translate it for you.
Check their listings for bakeries and chocolatiers, some of the shops have branches in the neighborhood. For example, there is a Pierre Herme on Pasteur Blvd.
If you go early, around 6:00 pm, Josselin is not yet crowded. It's the best on that street. It's two crepe with a filling. A great, inexpensive meal. The staff is very nice. I ordered the cider, but after a couple of sips I didn't like it. The waiter took it away and removed the charge from my bill without my asking.
I have a book on hidden gardens in Paris. There is one nearby on Ave du Maine. If you are interested, PM me.
After dinner, it is wonderful to stroll in Luxembourg Garden.
Have a wonderful time.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
359 posts
thanks for the tip about going early to Josselin. I love galettes so I am definitely planning on going there.
Posted by
Land of La
9221 posts
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2006/03/the-best-crpes/,
http://www.theexpeditioner.com/2009/03/15/in-search-of-the-best-street-food-in-paris/.
Le Bec Rouge
Bistro a Vins
46 Bis, Bld du Montparnasse
75015 Paris
Le Plomb du Cantal
3 rue de la Gaîté
75014 Paris
P.S. and yes I know the way to San Jose. Los Gatos Wildcat. Worked at SJSU.