I’d always loved taking a trip to the Raspail Market and visiting the South American superfoods stand was always a high point, so during Summer’s trip back to Paris there was no way I was going to miss out on checking out their restaurant which has been open for a couple of years in the 10th, right by the Canal St Martin and walking distance from Place de la République.

The setting is a small, cozy converted old bar decorated with earthy, rustic touches but in a minimalist way that keeps the space light and open. A large chalkboard takes up the left hand wall, while the right hand side of the restaurant is taken up by a store selling maca, yacumba and the like.

We took one of the small tables, seated comfortably on small barrels while our delightful, English speaking server plied us with free samples and talked us through the exotic delights of Xacolatl Aztec chocolate drinks, Griffe du Chat herbal beverages, Klamath & Cardamom drinks, and also Blinis.

We tried some drinks and the Assiette du Jour. This was an extremely filling, energizing tour de force of South American vegetables, beautifully combined on the plate. For 12€ this is an unbelievable value and left me feeling nourished at every level. Which is not to say that we didn’t have desserts – we certainly did, small and delightful ‘madeleines.’

Every element of dining here was a pleasure and they achieve a high-end dining experience while still being smiley and nice.

This restaurant has earned its place as my favorite in the city. It’s vegan, fresh, creative, and the people seem really excited to serve you their amazing food. If I had only one day in Paris, this would be the place I would eat. (I might get a falafel too…ok, I for sure would… at L’As du Falafel…)

23, rue des Vinaigriers, Paris, 75010

Métro Jacques Bonsergent

Tél : 01 42 01 03 44

http://voy-plantes.com/restaurant/

You order at the counter downstairs, which is clean and modern and there are a few tables downstairs and even a couple on the bustling street corner outside. The real fun, though, is eating upstairs in a setting that is a little bit like a Provençal garden, but with entertaining views of the busy “parvis” outside the museum.

The menu is simple and nutritious. Also very filling, the standout items being the well stuffed vegan buckwheat crêpe they call “le toastee” and the quinoa and tofu “croustillantes” which are crispy patties. Fillings and toppings include an indian curry and moroccan tajine chickpeas.

All the food is tasty and fresh. They have a nice range of soups, salads and more. Sadly, no vegan desserts yet.

It is run by the same people who run the nearby Potager du Marais and you can feel the same good vibes as you order here.

Prices are quite reasonable, in the 5 to 10 euro range and they even serve organic beer.

58, rue Rambuteau, 75003

Tél. : 01 44 61 19 67.  

Métro : Rambuteau

Over the last year and a half, a new establishment has emerged as one of the best places to eat vegan in Paris. But you can not only eat there… you can sleep there too if you like! It’s The Gentle Gourmet, a B&B and restaurant situated in an art deco building in the 16^th arrondissement between the Arc de Triomphe and the Bois de Boulogne.

I have been longing to go there ever since I first heard about it, and even more so after reading the ecstatic review from our friends over at VG-Zone. Gentle Gourmet has two rooms for rent, which are vegan to even the smallest detail such as the stuffing of the pillows.

In addition they offer a unique dining experience where you share a communal table with local vegans and travelers and share pleasant conversation. Frankly most of my conversation would be along the lines of “Oh my god can you believe this amazing food.” – the menu changes monthly but here is a sample from their site.

* Savory zucchini and pecan madeleines , with miniature cups of 7-onions soup

* Salad of watercress, walnuts, beets, endive, green apple, dried cranberries

* Crushed nut-breaded Seitan filets with a dark walnut sauce with wild mushrooms accompanied by a pumpkin gratin with garlic and Italian parsley

* Poached figs in white wine syrup with vegan hazelnut ice cream accompanied by caramel and hazelnut-thin cookies.

Their dinner prices are:

• Saturdays:  €50 4-course gourmet meal
• Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: €30 3-course “bistro” meal.

That price includes your wine, so if you are not a drinker, you’ll get a discount. They strive to have 100% organic food.

If you can’t make dinner, then why not try brunch? It’s €25 and frankly it is difficult for me to paste in their description knowing that I am several thousand miles away from being able to enjoy it each Sunday, but here it is.

* French toast with pineapple and pecan with agave syrup

* Porridge with cardamom and amaranth, and compote of dried plums and pears

* Vegan sweet potato hash with soy sausage

* Muffins (corn, spicy apple, chocolate) and banana breads, whole-grain breads cereals, vegan croissant

* Fresh fruits and compotes

* Nut Butters – soy, almond, walnut and peanut

* Smoothies and freshly pressed fruit juices

* Spicy Vegan Hot Chocolate, coffee and teas

Their site has information in both French and English about their rooms, their vegan cooking courses, picnic lunches, tours and the other amazing contributions they are making to vegan life in Paris.

I can’t wait to stay there on my next trip back to Paris!

The Gentle Gourmet B&B

21, rue Duret

75116

Metro: Argentine (line 1)

33(0)1 45 00 46 55

gentlegourmetbandb@gmail.com

http://www.gentlegourmetbandb.com/

Guest chef from the US, Adam Graham, and Arletty Abady are doing another Raw Gastro dinner at The Kitchen in Paris. This time around the dinner is an Italian theme. The menu is 25€ per person. In order to improve the service, we ask that you reserve your space ahead of time at phytofinesse@yahoo.co.uk. Please choose between first seating from 7pm-9pm or the second seating from 9pm-11pm.

Che buono! Full details at http://latelier.crusine.over-blog.com/http://latelier.crusine.over-blog.com/article-diner-gastro-cru-au-restaurant-the-kitchen-49565724.html

RAW FOOD. In collaboration with local raw food impressario ARLETTY ABADY, BOB’S will be hosting two events this week: Guest chef ADAM GRAHAM from TREE OF LIFE in Arizona will prepare a RAW THAI DINNER at KITCHEN on saturday night (from 7 PM to 11 PM) and then give a raw “cooking” class at JUICE BAR the next day (18/4 from 11 AM to 2 PM). The dinner is 25 euros and the class is 65. RSVP: g8arletty@yahoo.co.uk

I have a few places and things I never got round to writing about, so I will be posting occasionally. I really have been touched by the kind words in the comments on the site and appreciate the many commenters who have taken the time to share their knowledge with us all. Writing this site was a real pleasure, and through it I met so many wonderful people. I hope that our paths will cross again, perhaps on one of my forthcoming visits back to Paris. I am looking forward to writing about new Vegan Paris discoveries!

In the meantime, in the words of Hemingway, I will continue to carry with me the “moveable vegan buffet” [I am paraphrasing.]

Emily

Swami's Beach

Recipe:

• 1 cup pitted dates (soaked)
• 2 heaping tbsp almond butter
• 3 cups shredded coconut
• 1 tbsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp rose water (or more to taste)
• 2 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt

Process all ingredients in food processor until mixture is quite smooth. Form into balls or press into silicone molds. Refrigerate or freeze.

Let’s get together for a vegan potluck picnic at le Jardin du Luxembourg [6ème] on June 14th at 12h00. Vegans and anyone who wants to bring a vegan dish are welcome to get together and celebrate the good weather.

We’ll meet at the grassy area where you can actually sit down on the south-eastern side of the park. There are three lawns there: we’ll be on the middle one.

If you’d like to attend please add a brief comment below: hope to see you there!

View Larger Map

View Larger Map

I was especially pleased to see that you can get a coconut with a straw, which is a rare pleasure to find in central Paris.

The prices are reasonable, and they have some good takeaway items, like the delicious ‘sushi’ style roll that I picked up.

My husband has been telling me I should spend more time in the Kitchen… now maybe I will!

Kitchen
74, rue des Gravilliers, 75003
Métro: Arts et Métiers
06 50 95 36 97