I‘m never quite sure where the 9th ends and the 2nd begins, but these are some finds which are a little further than the right-on-my-doorstep locations, but still within easy reach as you head south from Pigalle.
Sarra deli
Tucked away on Rue Mandar, the foodie paradise just off Rue Montorgueil on one side and Rue Montmartre on the other, this American-style deli had very cool vibes, and a large queue. While most of the options are meat and cheese based, after getting to the front of the queue only to find out that their vegan option was sold out, they were very happy to adapt one of their non-veggie sandwiches, swapping thinly sliced ham for slices of, wait for it, pear! Sounds unusual, but entirely worked, and it truly was a masterful sandwich, packed with fillings, aesthetic, and thoughtfully composed. Definitely one to stop by for a street-food bite, and their cookies looked amazing too!
Mama Nissa
Argentinian street-food served with a smile (and in this particular case a chat about French literature!). With lots of options ranging from sandwiches to bowls, meat and plant-based, it was clear from my chat with the owner while she was making my click and collect order that this little business has been built with passion, and the food genuinely reflected that. My sandwich with a chickpea galette and crispy onions on traditional bread wasn’t like anything I’ve had before, and was absolutely stunning, another masterful creation from Rue Mandar!
Liife
You’d probably call this a health-food bar, and their concept is very much focussed on sport-friendly food. It’s a little pricey and not exactly traditional French vibes, but their smoothies especially were very tasty, the dishes, if not insanely original, are nutritious and yet tasty, and the location is really handy. Food for a specific mood, but definitely worth a visit.
Djawa
There are actually three or four of these Indonesian street-food restaurants dotted around Paris, with two in easy walking distance from me. Serving Monday-Friday just for lunch time, they go beyond your typical working lunch salad bar, with hearty portions of exciting and, as far as I can tell, authentic food. All their curries come with a choice of chicken, beef or tofu, and the later even comes with a surprise discount. My main dish was to die for, and was made even better by the offer of a free peanut butter rice pudding with coconut milk because I went late on a Friday and they wanted to get rid of stock which would go off over the weekend.
Avocateria
Also in the 11th, this avocado bar is bringing a bit of LA to Paris. With everything from pancakes to smoothies to toasts, burgers and desserts, all refined sugar free and containing only good fats from avocados, it feels a little way from the traditional French approach, but is definitely no less delicious, be it for lunch, brunch, or just an avocado-based snack.
Le D’Argout
Potentially the polar opposite of Avocateria, this deli does what the French do best. With a daily changing menu based on the ‘bowl’ formula, you choose your base and your main dish, but this is no health-food salad bar, the bases are wholegrains and the main dishes are hearty, home-cooked curries and stews. Nourishing, friendly, reasonably priced and packed with all kinds of goodness, it would definitely be my choice for a a regular lunch haunt.
Kind
Actually located in a yoga studio, this vegetarian cafe is all about good vibes. With everything from matcha lattes to buddha bowls, it might not attract everyone but the food is yummy, and a testiment to the fact that good for you and good for the planet does not equal boring. The cafe area looked really cute, and I think it would be a lovely place to spend the day when the time comes.
