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I’ll be in Paris this summer. My spouse eats everything but I’m a vegetarian. Where do we want to go? I’m not looking for a totally vegetarian restaurant, but something where we can both eat well. Currently staying in the 5e, but will happily travel for a meal. I’ve just started to compile a list based on comments on this site, but would be grateful for any restaurant recommendations that you know will tolerate - and maybe even welcome - a vegetarian. Thank you!
When you make a reservation, let the restaurant know that one of you is a vegetarian. Most restaurants these days that I know have vegetarian alternatives on the carte and will accommodate vegetarians for a set menu if given notice.
As Onzieme says, you shouldn’t have any problem. I can think of several restaurants within walking distance of our place in the 11th with very limited menus (e.g., 3 entrees, 3 plats, 3 desserts) that usually have at least one vegetarian entree and one vegetarian plat – Le Saint Sebastien, Erso, Eunoe, Cafe Content. I’d be surprised if that weren’t also the same situation in the 5th.
Do you eat eggs and dairy? If so, it will be easy to find something delicious on the menu just about anywhere. If you’re vegan, it will be trickier to find something at most traditional restaurants and calling in advance will be essential. There are more vegan restaurants in Paris now than ever though, and some are really good. High-end restaurants with tasting menus often offer a vegan version too. Here’s a great Reddit thread about vegan options in Paris: https://www.reddit.com/r/ParisTravelGuide/comments/1aiynzk/narrowing_down_list_of_vegan_restaurants_and_cafes/
I was vegan for 20 years and still make it a point to try vegan offerings wherever I go, just to see what interesting things people are doing with vegan cookery. It’s been some years now, but we found Le Potager du Marais to be pretty great for vegan versions of French classics. Their seitan bourgignon is a very successful spin on the traditional beef version, and the desserts (besides the faux crème brûlée) were generally fantastic. And, even if you’re ovo-lacto veg, two places to try if you get tired of carbs, omelettes, and salad are Le Potager de Charlotte and Jah Jah by Le Tricycle (Caribbean). All these places have plenty of things that an omnivore will enjoy too.
We were in Paris some 15-20 years ago with a vegetarian friend. We announced this when booking and again when ordering. He was flexible and accepted whatever accommodation the kitchen was able to make, including just leaving meat out of a plate that was on the menu. Never an issue and he (said that) he ate well.
I’m pescaterian, but enjoy creative vegetarian cooking as well and have never had a problem in Paris. We’re headed to Paris next month and are excited to try La Table de Colette (5). We also had a great time at Tekés (2) and Pierre Sang in Oberkampf (11) last November.
