The French love crepes so much that they have a dedicated day for eating them. La Chandeleur, or Crepe day on February 2nd is a national holiday in which French people indulge in this buttery, delicious food. When you think of crepes you might think of them with butter, lemon and lots of sugar, but the French do it differently. From ham, cheese and egg to banana and Nutella, the French eat their crepes with pretty much everything. So in celebration of France’s annual Crepe Day, we’ve put together a list of the best places to eat them in Paris. We hope you’re hungry…
Transport yourself to Brittany with the help of Alizee Creperie. Located in the charming Latin Quarter, it’s the perfect place to stop for a refuel after exploring the Left Bank. They source all of their ingredients from Brittany, making for an authentic experience. They do an excellent breakfast crepe here with two eggs and slices of ham. For a more traditional brunch though, read our guide to the best brunch brunch in Paris.
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When a creperie originated in the Breton city of Saint Malo, you can guarantee it’s going to be good. There are three locations across Paris now but we recommend you book as they can all still get busy. The menu features traditional recipes such as ham, egg and cheese as well as more adventurous options, a lot of them inspired by Japanese cuisine. You’ll find duck breast and scallop crepes on the menu and can expect a taste explosion whatever you order. Not to be missed when you’re in the city.
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All the crepes at Bretons are made with organic buckwheat and the fillings also focus on organic, natural ingredients. There are around 20 galettes on the menu to choose from and each one is just as delicious as the last. Choose a savoury one like the goats cheese for main, a salted butter one for dessert and wash it all down with a carafe of Breton cider.
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This contemporary creperie in the east of the city is a cool place to hang out and enjoy Brittany’s favourite cuisine. The bright and airy space serves up delicious traditional crepes with a variety of toppings ranging from savoury to sweet. They’re also at the lower end of the price scale with a sweet crepe starting at around EUR 5.
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This might be the closest thing you’ll get to a home-cooked Breton meal without venturing into someones home. All the ingredients here are organic, everything is 100% homemade and the service comes with love. This unpretentious restaurant serves up crepes of varying ingredients from classics like ham and cheese to more unusual things like blood sausage. Choose a craft cider from the menu to accompany your French feast.
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This creperie in Montparnasse feels more like an Irish bar than a Breton restaurant, but that’s part of the fun. Go here in the evening for simple galettes with a lively atmosphere. Opened in 1932, it’s one of the older creperies in the city and the pared-back decor doesn’t seem to have changed much since then. Order the crepe with roquefort if you’re a fan of strong French flavours.
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Don’t come here if you’re watching your waistline as it will be hard to resist the delicious menu, often featuring ingredients like double cream and lots of butter. The cozy interior makes you feel like you’re stepping back in time and the service is warm (if a little slow), but that’s all part of the charm. There is a crepe with scallops and another with salmon but our favourite is with fois gras and salad.
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Food fans with a sweet tooth will love Framboise. This creperie specialises in sweet crepes and there are lots of options with raspberries (naturally) and strawberries. Choose one with an ice-cream topping if you’re feeling especially indulgent. They also do savoury crepes which means its a popular place for locals to stop for lunch so it’s better to get here early to avoid missing out on a table.
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When you’re in the Marais area you might notice a huge line of people queueing, and it’s likely that will be for Alain Miam Miam. After waiting in line (sometimes for up to an hour) you’ll be greeted with a huge smile and a fabulous sense of humour. This place is especially famous for sandwiches but they also serve traditional French galettes. The wait is long but the atmosphere in the queue is always jovial. An essential Parisian experience.
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If French crepes aren’t to your taste, Paris is also home to a host of pancake restaurants that sell the traditional American variety which are thicker, fluffier and more fatty. One of the city’s most famous pancake restaurants is Pancake Sisters. The ever-so-Instagrammable pancakes here come in stacks with a range of toppings that you won’t be able to resist photographing.
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