Salon des Refusés

A superlative French brasserie in the 2e arrondissement that was beloved by Julia Child. The menu plays all the bistro hits (steak frites, sweetbreads, escargot) but the main draw here is the atmosphere. As Parisian as it gets.

Chez Georges

Authentic and spicy Sichuanese (e.g. mapo tofu or beef in chili oil) located in Le Marais. Though seating is limited, it's a local favorite of designer Laura Andraschko. "I wouldn't go there solo," she says. Bring a friend, as portions are generous.

古味成都 Maison De Chengdu

Maxime Julien, the chef at this artisan bakery and pastry shop in the 11th arrondissement, earned 4th place for France's best apple tart. "Go for a rosette sandwich and their delicious crêpe au sucre. Bonus points if you pack a picnic to take to the park down the street," says SSENSE buyer Marco Valente.

Maison Ahema

Located near the Louvre, Sanukiya is a small Japanese restaurant famous for its udon and traditional dishes. Beyond its popularity with tourists, it's become a major hotspot during Paris Fashion Week, drawing a crowd of industry insiders and celebrities.

Sanukiya

Established in 1958, Takara is the one of the oldest Japanese restaurants in Paris. Located on a peaceful side street in the Opéra district (Paris's "Japanese Quarter"), it serves classic comfort dishes like sushi, sashimi, and nabe (hot pot). SSENSE buying director Isla Lynch notes it as a favorite spot "during the couture shows—you can always count on Tim Blanks to be at the next table."

Takara

French and Chinese flavors blend seamlessly at Le Cheval d'Or ("The Golden Horse"), easily spotted by the horse icon on its sign. With inventive dishes like shrimp croque-madame with chili oil and veal tortellini in mapo tofu sauce, SSENSE senior buyer Shae Newton calls it the most underrated spot "for the absolute most perfect meal."

Le Cheval d'Or

A shared plates and natural wine joint from the folks behind neighboring Le Chateaubriand, Le Dauphin’s award-winning interior was designed by Rem Koolhaas and Clement Blanchet, whose use of marble and mirrors make the intimate space feel capacious.

Le Dauphin

Open seven days a week until 1 A.M., featuring outdoor dining under the arcades of the Place des Vosges, it is named after Victor Hugo—the famous author who lived just a few steps away at number 6. It is recommended by Seconda designer Andrea Bertazzon as a favorite spot for a solo lunch or coffee.

Cafè Hugo

A favorite solo lunch and coffee spot of designer Kanika Agarwal, this charming brunch eatery offers an extensive menu featuring fresh juices, breakfast burritos, gourmet egg sandwiches, and fluffy waffles. It's an ideal spot to grab a bite to go and unwind at the nearby Jardin Catherine-Labouré.

Marcel

Driven by a shared enthusiasm for specialty coffee and craft pastry, this hidden gem sits quietly in the Belleville neighborhood of Paris's 20th arrondissement. According to designer Petra Fagerström, it is the go-to spot for "a really good brownie."

Candle Kids Coffee

LIIFE serves organic brunch dishes, coffee, and fresh juices built around the slogan: HIGH PROTEIN, ENERGY, DETOX. It is a welcoming spot designed for effortless daily dining. "I like places that feel easy and local, where I can sit alone without it feeling like a whole production," says SSENSE's Eugene Marshall.

Liife

If you’re looking for good specialty coffee, this charming little cafe is a favorite of Lorelei Goude and Jojo Schulte, the designers behind MERRMA. Be sure to try the grid-worthy selection of baked goods served on beautiful custom ceramics made in collaboration with Danny D’s Mud Shop.

Mardi

From military surplus and vintage workwear to bootlegs, vintage couture, and everything in between, SSENSE senior buyer Marco Valente never goes home without stopping here first: "The inspiration is endless and energy palpable."

Marché aux puces de Saint-Ouen

A must for Parisian olfactory luxury: perfumes, candles, soaps, plant oils, and more.

Officine Universelle Buly 1803

Jugetsudo is a Japanese tea specialty store founded in 1854 by Maruyama Nori. While honoring its 170-year-old traditions and the founder's original creative vision, Jugetsudo continues to share the beauty of Japanese tea on a global scale. It is designer Kanika Agarwal's "go-to store for buying souvenirs for friends back home."

Jugetsudo By Maruyama Nori

An inspiring selection of vintage and museum worthy jewelry pieces in a beautifully appointed space. SSENSE creative lead Kiara Sayer says it’s “a fashion nerd's dream.”

Preclothed

Offering a curated selection of vintage and pre-owned garments for sale, rent, or styling, Em Archives was born from a desire to share its founder's appreciation for well-crafted archival clothing. "It's my go-to for '90s Jil Sander, Margiela x Hermès, and Japanese ceramics. I never leave empty-handed—though I often leave poorer," says SSENSE buying director Isla Lynch.

Em Archives

Located at Paris's iconic Place Vendôme, Charvet offers a complete tailoring experience where visitors can personally select fine fabrics and customize a wide range of items, including shirts, silk ties, and luxurious loungewear slippers.

Charvet

When milliner Stephen Jones picks up souvenirs for friends back home, his go-to spot is Caron Perfumes. Crafting bold and original fragrances for over a century, Caron revolutionized the industry as the very first perfume house to introduce refillable fragrance fountains.

Parfums Caron

"La Bonne Pioche is our go-to for vintage and accessories," note MERRMA designers Lorelei Goude and Jojo Schulte. The shop features a thoughtfully curated collection of vintage clothing, ceramics, and other home goods.

La Bonne Pioche

Founded in 1994 by Sylvie Chateigner, this spacious boutique has stock meticulously organized and color-coded by shade and occasion. "It's always fun to check out the color-coordinated merchandising," notes SSENSE's head of digital content Michael Rinaldi.

Thanx God I'm a V.I.P.

Designer Andrea Bertazzon of Seconda Paris loves this weird little store, which he describes as "a miniature shop with a rather eccentric owner." Think: dollhouse miniatures, comic books, and character figurines that span French children's stories and anime.

La Boîte à Joujoux (The Toy Box)

"A very special place," says designer Laura Andraschko. Dedicated to the 19th-century artist—a pioneering French painter and leading figure in the Symbolist movement—the Gustave Moreau Museum is always rotating its collection of his works, with over 7,000 more held in reserve.

Gustave Moreau Museum

Dedicated to early 20th-century master sculptor and Rodin assistant Antoine Bourdelle, the museum houses thousands of bronzes, plasters, and paintings—making it a go-to spot for creative inspiration for Rescha designer Charlotte Chowdhury.

Bourdelle Museum

The museum of decorative arts is an endless well of design inspiration, featuring special fashion exhibitions and rare and remarkable collections spanning the middle ages to modernism. It's a must-stop every time for fashion designer Petra Fagerström.

Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Since 2021, this architectural landmark (redesigned by Japanese designer Tadao Ando) has served as an exhibition space for the Pinault Collection, hosting iconic contemporary exhibitions from artists ranging from Fujiko Nakaya to Irving Penn. It is where SSENSE's Eugene Marshall goes to seek inspiration.

Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection

A "fucked up bar for fucked up people," the Pigalle Country Club is far from your typical spot. More than just a cool alt-rock club, it doubles as a mini record label, releasing vinyl that spans everything from indie pop to punk and electro-rock. "I don't know why, but I always end up there," says designer Laura Andraschko.

Pigalle Country Club

Recommended by SSENSE's Isla Lynch as a top nightlife spot, La Gare / Le Gore's daily dance floor spins techno, house, and breakbeat. Its name is a clever play on words reflecting its layout: La Gare ("the station") occupies an abandoned railway station above ground, while Le Gore (the "blood and guts") refers to the raw techno club in the subterranean tunnels below.

La Gare - Le Gore

Located at the legendary Ritz Paris, Bar Hemingway, recommended by SSENSE's Shae Newton, was the author's cherished headquarters in the 1920s, where he spent hours sipping dry martinis with friends like F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Bar Hemingway

From fresh oysters and tzatziki to cheeses, burgers, and desserts, L'Oursin—a cozy haunt near Jacques Bonsergent metro—offers a little something for everyone. It comes recommended by designer Petra Fagerström, who approves of their drink lineup: "They have a good Amaretto sour."

L'Oursin

BBB (Black Blanc Beur) is a legendary international and multi-ethnic LGBTQ+ party in Paris spinning R&B, house, reggae, and other global sounds. Eugene Marshall of SSENSE recommends it for anyone seeking a vibrant night out: "If I'm going out, I want somewhere with a cool crowd, good energy, and great music to dance to."

La Nuit

Co-founded and designed by filmmaker David Lynch, Silencio offers a uniquely atmospheric subterranean escape. "I would pick Silencio for the long descent required to get to the club," says SSENSE's Michael Rinaldi. "It has the quiet hush of walking through a dark movie theater, so you don't have to shout over music to talk. It's counterintuitive, but I love that sense of calmness in the entrance of a club."

Silencio

Dedicated to the legendary French musician Serge Gainsbourg, Maison Gainsbourg houses Le Gainsbarre—milliner Stephen Jones's go-to bar. Inspired by Gainsbourg's early years performing as a cabaret pianist, this restaurant and cocktail bar channels the nostalgic charm of his early career.

Le Gainsbarre

Order a glass of natural wine at the counter, or, as SSENSE’s Alexe Harnois recommends, pop next door (at Delicatessen Cave) to grab a bottle you can enjoy on the sidewalk with the crowd. The small menu of shared plates changes frequently, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients (think: flatbreads, chanterelles with corn, crepes filled with decadent tofu).

Delicatessen Place

Tucked away in the Marais, the garden sits on the grounds of the historic Hôtel Donon—a neglected building purchased and restored by the City of Paris in 1974, which has housed the Musée Cognacq-Jay since 1990.

Jardin Cognacq-Jay

Originally created in the 18th century for the Duc de Chartres as a garden of "follies," this 8.2-hectare park remains a peaceful haven for locals and visitors alike. It's an ideal stretch for a long solo walk.

Parc Monceau

Located inside the Jardin du Luxembourg, this quiet corner offers a serene retreat for people watching and quieting the mind.

Medici Fountain

Recommended by legendary milliner Stephen Jones as Paris's most underrated spot, the little grotto garden by the Grand Palais was built for the 1900 World's Fair. This hidden sanctuary features a small waterfall, a fish pond, and rugged stone outcrops.

Jardin de la Nouvelle France

Built in the late 19th century as a bank, the cut-stone Hôtel Langlois reached its six-story form by 1905. The upper floors blend Art Nouveau charm with sweeping views of Sacré-Cœur and Parisian rooftops. Inside, a historic period elevator transports guests back in time over a century. SSENSE buying director Isla Lynch recommends asking for room No. 2.

Hôtel Langlois

Nestled between the Opéra and the Tuileries, this discreet 5-star haven was founded in 2021 by Zadig & Voltaire creator Thierry Gillier. It features a subterranean wellness spa and L’Émil, a vibrant neighborhood eatery. Perfect for travelers seeking refined luxury away from overly crowded, noisy grand hotels.

Château Voltaire

Located near the Arts et Métiers metro station and managed by La Clé Group, this thoughtfully crafted enclave pairs lived-in warmth with a skyline-view rooftop. Envisioned by Raphael Navot, the interiors bridge classic Haussmannian elegance with 21st-century modernity through the use of natural wood and hand-carved stone pillars.

Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers

A design-lover’s paradise in the heart of Pigalle. Architect siblings Eole and Corto Peyron imagined the interior of this small, wood-heavy 40-room boutique hotel around the idea of friendship: inviting, warm, understated, with quirky design touches that reveal themselves over time.

Hôtel Massé

On paper, Japanese minimalism and French maximalism should not work. But that design tension at the heart of Hotel Hana makes for a gorgeous boutique experience, with shoji-inspired walls and decadent Parisian art. It’s both aristocratic yet restrained—with a world-class restaurant and spa to boot.

Hôtel Hana

Located inside the Bibliothèque nationale de France, this iconic 19th-century reading room is open to everyone. Inside are 20,000 open-access works, including 9,000 comic books, and it's where Rescha designer Charlotte Chowdhury loves to spend her free time.

The Oval Room at BNF

Founded in 1975, this shop documents major historical events and daily life through decades of press, from original front pages to rare magazines. It remains a key resource for collectors, journalists, and filmmakers seeking authentic period pieces. "An incredible print archive and paper library," says SSENSE's Shae Newton. "You can lose hours."

La Galcante

Established in 1989 by artist-publication expert Florence Loewy, this gallery and bookstore features rare and seminal publications from influential artists and photographers, including Barbara Kruger, Mark Borthwick, John Baldessari, and Takashi Homma.

Florence Loewy books

With 65,640 documents—including 51,396 books—and an extensive collection of periodicals, the Beaux-Arts de Paris library is one of France's leading contemporary art libraries. It is also designer Kanika Agarwal's favorite place to find inspiration. While access is primarily reserved for the school's students, faculty, staff, and alumni, the general public may gain entry upon registration if they can demonstrate active research in contemporary art.