We Tested Every Type of Breakfast in Paris (The Results Were Surprising)

Many visitors pay 15 to 25 euros for a hotel breakfast that most Parisians would never bother with. In this video we go looking for the best breakfast in Paris at five spots, from a neighborhood bakery near Gare du Nord all the way up to a palace hotel across from the Tuileries, to show you what your money actually gets you at each level. All prices are from when we filmed.

The five breakfasts, from cheapest to most expensive

• Carton Boulangerie, by Gare du Nord: an award-winning croissant and a café allongé came to 3.60 euros. It is also a great stop before a train.
• L’Atelier des Sœurs: a relaxed spot full of locals, where the breakfast formula was 13 euros and eggs Benedict with a café crème came to about 19 euros. We came here with our friend Josh.
• Lady Marmelade, just behind Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre: a tiny local café serving eggs, bacon and pancakes, with a bill of 35.50 euros for two.
• Café de la Paix, on Place de l’Opéra: a 160-year-old room where Victor Hugo and Hemingway ate, at 38 euros per person.
• Le Meurice: a five-course breakfast with pastries by Cédric Grolet, Alsatian jams and a vanilla yogurt from Maison Bordier, at 75 euros per person.

Our verdict

The biggest surprise was not the most expensive or the cheapest. Our favorite everyday spot was L’Atelier des Sœurs, and Lady Marmelade was a lovely find. Le Meurice is extraordinary if you want a special occasion, so block two hours and bring your appetite. The one that disappointed us was Café de la Paix: the setting is historic, but the food felt overpriced for what we got. We would go back to all of the others.

Tips for breakfast in Paris

A croissant and a coffee from a good boulangerie is the most Parisian breakfast there is. Not every bakery serves coffee, so look for one that does if you want to sit down. If you prefer a mug-sized coffee, ask for a café allongé.

For more places to eat, see our 125 best restaurants in Paris guide and our Paris Guide Bundle. To taste your way through a neighborhood, book a Devour food tour, or browse more Paris food tours and cooking classes.