Top 10 Best Brunch Spots in Paris (with a Free Brunch Itinerary)

Last updated: November 2026

Brunch is a relatively new habit in Paris, but the city has taken to it with enthusiasm, and the best places now sit alongside the classic cafés and bakeries. If you are looking for the best brunch in Paris, the good news is that you can find everything from pancake stacks and eggs Benedict to organic bowls and a formal Sunday spread in a courtyard.

For a first brunch, join the queue at Holybelly near the Canal Saint-Martin, or head up to Montmartre for Hardware Société. Both are well known, both reward an early start, and both sit in neighbourhoods that are perfect for a walk afterwards. This guide covers ten brunch spots, the area each suits, how to book and what to order. It also includes a free printable 3-day brunch itinerary.

For general planning, the Paris tourist office website is a good place to start, and its guide to Sunday brunch is worth a look. Menus, queues and booking rules change often, so check before you go. Anything this guide could not confirm is marked “check before you go”. For more Parisian food, see our guide to the best foods to try in Paris.

Quick answer: Where is the best brunch in Paris? Holybelly near the Canal Saint-Martin and Hardware Société in Montmartre are the best-known brunch spots, and Claus near the Palais-Royal is the classic choice for a French-style breakfast. For something calmer, try Treize au Jardin by the Luxembourg Gardens, and for a special Sunday, Ralph’s in Saint-Germain.

Quick comparison: best brunch spots in Paris

1. Holybelly

Holybelly is the brunch spot most visitors have heard of, and it earns the queue. It sits on rue Lucien Sampaix in the 10th arrondissement, a short walk from the Canal Saint-Martin, and has a small dining room, a busy open kitchen and a menu built around pancakes, eggs and bacon.

The pancake stack with eggs and bacon is the dish most guides single out. Coffee is taken seriously. Seating is limited, and sources disagree on whether weekend tables can be reserved, so check before you go and arrive early if you are not booked.

The location makes it easy to combine brunch with a walk along the canal, where the iron footbridges and tree-lined banks are at their best in the late morning. Walk off the pancakes and then browse the independent shops in the streets around.

If the queue is long, put your name down and explore nearby. The surrounding streets have bakeries and coffee shops that can tide you over. Weekday visits are usually calmer than weekends, so go on a weekday if your schedule allows.

Order a hot drink and a main to share if you want to try more than one dish, and ask the staff what is freshest that day. Small groups of two or three are seated fastest, so large parties should expect a longer wait.

• How to get there: Metro to Jacques Bonsergent or Gare de l’Est, then a short walk; the canal is nearby.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours, plus any queue.
• Best time to go: A weekday, or early on a weekend, before the rush.
• Tip: Go with a flexible plan; queues at peak weekend times can be long.

2. Hardware Société

Hardware Société is a Melbourne-style brunch café in Montmartre, and it is one of the most recommended brunch rooms in the city. It sits on rue Lamarck on the quieter side of the hill, and its cooking is known for dishes such as baked eggs and rich, generous plates.

The menu leans towards indulgent, creative brunch rather than a plain plate of eggs. Guides often mention the baked eggs and the lobster benedict, but menus change, so check before you go. The room is small, bright and popular, which means that tables can be hard to find at peak times.

Sources disagree on whether it takes reservations, and opening days appear to vary, so check the current rules before you set out. If it is full, Loulou Montmartre is on the same street and offers another brunch option nearby.

Use brunch as the start of a Montmartre morning. Walk up to the Sacré-Cœur, wander the lanes behind the basilica and then come back down through quieter residential streets. The area is hilly, so wear comfortable shoes.

Arrive early or accept a wait. A weekday visit is usually easier than a Saturday or Sunday.

Come hungry, because plates here are generous, and consider sharing a sweet dish and a savoury one between two. Staff are used to visitors, and the menu is easy to follow even if your French is limited.

• How to get there: Metro to Château Rouge, then a short uphill walk; or Lamarck-Caulaincourt on line 12.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours.
• Best time to go: Weekday late morning or early weekend.
• Tip: Check the opening days first; listings suggest it is closed on some weekdays, usually Tuesday and Wednesday.

3. Claus

Claus calls itself a breakfast delicatessen, and it is the best place for a French-style brunch spread. It sits on rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in the 1st arrondissement, close to the Palais-Royal, and focuses on carefully sourced breakfast products.

Brunch here is served as sets, with names such as Le Français and Le Claus, which give you a selection of pastries, eggs, spreads, granola and fruit. It is a good choice if you want a mix of sweet and savoury and prefer a composed plate to a single dish.

Reviewers describe it as a favourite brunch spot, and it can be busy, with waits that can reach 45 minutes to an hour at peak times. Booking ahead or arriving early is sensible. Vegetarian options were not confirmed, so check the menu.

The location is ideal for a central morning. After brunch, walk through the Palais-Royal gardens, browse the covered arcades nearby and continue to the Louvre if you want to see more. It is a flat, easy walk.

A shop section sells breakfast products, so you can take jams, granola and tea home as a souvenir.

Pair a set with a hot drink and fresh juice if you want the full French experience, and save room for a pastry. It works well as a slow start before a day around the Louvre, the Tuileries and the Opéra district.

• How to get there: Metro to Louvre-Rivoli or Palais-Royal, then a short walk.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours.
• Best time to go: Weekday morning, or early at the weekend.
• Tip: Book if you can, as it is popular with visitors and locals alike.

4. Café Méricourt

Café Méricourt is a spacious, light-filled café in the 11th arrondissement, known for good coffee and a long brunch and lunch menu. It sits on rue de la Folie Méricourt, near Oberkampf, in one of the city’s busiest areas for food and drink.

Time Out has noted that you can reserve online, which is unusual in Paris and makes it a good choice if you want certainty. Weekend slots may be limited to certain times and booking rules can change, so check before you go. The room is airy and relaxed, with room for groups, and the menu covers eggs, sweet plates and lighter dishes.

Oberkampf is a lively, local area, and the streets around are good for a stroll after brunch. There are bars, bookshops and small shops, and the Canal Saint-Martin is a short walk to the north.

It is a good pick for families and groups, because the space is larger than at many Paris brunch cafés and tables are easier to secure. The coffee is a highlight, so order a flat white or filter coffee with your meal.

Weekday visits are quieter. At weekends, book ahead if the online system is available.

The staff are used to groups and visitors, and the menu is easy to follow in English. Arrive a little before the main weekend rush to enjoy the room at its calmest.

• How to get there: Metro to Parmentier or Oberkampf, then a short walk.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours.
• Best time to go: Weekday late morning, or a booked weekend slot.
• Tip: Use the online booking if it is available, to avoid queuing.

5. Loulou Montmartre

Loulou Montmartre is a French brasserie-style restaurant at the top of rue Lamarck, with a brunch that comes with the basilica for a backdrop. Sources describe it as facing Sacré-Cœur, and it serves lunch and brunch daily, with a menu that mixes French classics and brunch plates.

This is the choice for a more formal, sit-down brunch in Montmartre. It suits couples and families. The setting is the draw, so go for the atmosphere and the view rather than a bargain.

Prices are higher than at casual brunch cafés, and brunch menus can be set-price, so check the current menu before you go. Booking is wise at weekends, and the restaurant can be reserved through common booking platforms.

Pair it with a morning in Montmartre. Walk up to the basilica before or after, see the views over the city and explore the artists’ square nearby. The area is busy with visitors, so go early for a calmer experience.

If you want a more local feel, choose Hardware Société or Café Albert instead, and save Loulou for a special occasion.

Dishes on a menu like this are meant to be lingered over, so allow time and do not plan a tight schedule afterwards. Check the booking page for the current terms, since cancellation rules vary between restaurants.

• How to get there: Metro to Anvers or Abbesses, then a walk uphill; the funicular is an option.
• How long to spend: One and a half to two hours.
• Best time to go: Weekend late morning, with a booking.
• Tip: Book ahead at weekends and check the current menu.

6. Café Albert

Café Albert is a neighbourhood brunch spot on rue Ordener in the 18th arrondissement, away from the busiest Montmartre crowds. It is listed as offering a brunch menu that can be booked online, which makes it a practical backup if the better-known cafés are full.

It sits north of the main tourist streets, so it feels more local, and it suits visitors who want to see a quieter side of the 18th. We could not confirm details of its current menu, so check before you go.

The area around rue Ordener has bakeries, small shops and local cafés, and it is a pleasant place to wander in the morning. It is not right beside Sacré-Cœur, so check a map before you plan a walk. It is a good base for exploring the northern slopes of Montmartre.

Use it when you want a calm, bookable brunch without the queues of the headline spots. Booking helps at weekends, and weekday visits are easier.

Pair it with a visit to the Montmartre Museum and gardens or a walk along the quieter streets behind the hill. The district rewards slow exploration.

It is also a sensible option for a later brunch, when the more famous cafés have long queues. Staff are usually happy to explain dishes, and the menu is easy to follow even without much French.

• How to get there: Metro to Jules Joffrin, then a short walk.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours.
• Best time to go: Weekend late morning with a booking.
• Tip: Check the menu and booking page, as brunch details may change.

7. Treize au Jardin

Treize au Jardin is a tearoom on rue de Médicis, opposite the Luxembourg Gardens, with a British-inspired brunch. Guides describe the dishes as colourful and well balanced, and the room blends a Parisian feel with a British spirit.

It is a good brunch choice if you want something calm after a morning of sightseeing, or if you plan to spend the afternoon in the gardens. The menu centres on fresh, balanced plates, and there are cakes and tea for a sweet finish.

The position is the main appeal. After brunch, cross the road into the Jardin du Luxembourg, where you can sit by the pond, watch the chess players or visit the nearby Panthéon and Latin Quarter. It is one of the most scenic ways to spend a Left Bank morning.

Sources suggest that it does not take reservations, so expect to queue at busy times and check before you go. Weekday visits are easier, and a late brunch can avoid the first rush.

Prices have been described as moderate, but check the current menu, as these change.

Pair your meal with a pot of tea, since the room is set up as a tearoom, and add a slice of cake if you have room. It is a good pick for a rainy day, when the cosy interior is a pleasure.

• How to get there: Metro to Odéon, or RER B to Luxembourg, then a short walk.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours.
• Best time to go: Weekday late morning, then a walk in the gardens.
• Tip: Plan to visit the Luxembourg Gardens afterwards; they are directly across the road.

8. Ralph’s

Ralph’s is the restaurant for a chic, American-style Sunday brunch in Saint-Germain, set around a courtyard garden. It sits on boulevard Saint-Germain and is linked to the Ralph Lauren store, with an elegant dining room and a hidden terrace behind a corridor.

The brunch has an American flavour and is more expensive than most cafés on this list, so it suits a special occasion. Reports describe a courtyard with a fountain and parasols, which makes it popular in warm weather. Reservations are advised, particularly for the courtyard, and hours differ between sources, so check before you go.

The setting is the point. Saint-Germain-des-Prés has a long literary and café history, and a brunch here fits well with a walk to the Seine, the bookshops and the historic cafés on the boulevard.

Book ahead. If the courtyard is full, an indoor room is the usual alternative.

This is the splurge on the list, so plan the rest of the day around lighter, cheaper stops.

Allow time for a long, unhurried meal, and arrive a little early so that you can settle in before the busiest hour. If you are visiting with a group, mention this when you book so that the table is large enough.

• How to get there: Metro to Saint-Germain-des-Prés or Mabillon, then a short walk.
• How long to spend: Two hours.
• Best time to go: A Sunday in good weather, with a reservation.
• Tip: Reserve through the official channels and ask for the courtyard.

9. Season Marais

Season Marais is a bright café in the 3rd arrondissement serving healthy, organic-leaning brunch, with bowls, avocado toast and pancakes. It sits on rue Charles-François Dupuis, close to the Marais and the Square du Temple.

It suits visitors who want something lighter than a full cooked brunch. Listings describe a menu built around acai and granola bowls, avocado toast and pancakes, and a brunch that is served throughout the week, not only at weekends. Details change, so check before you go.

The Marais is one of the best areas for a relaxed Paris morning. After brunch, wander the old streets, browse the independent boutiques, and visit the Place des Vosges and the Musée Carnavalet. The area is compact and walkable.

Sources place the café in the Marais, though one guide places it near the Canal Saint-Martin, so check the address before you set out. A second branch is listed elsewhere in the city.

It is a useful choice for vegetarians and for travellers who prefer fresh, lighter food, but confirm any dietary needs with the staff.

If you want a bigger meal, add pancakes to share, and pair them with fresh juice or a herbal tea. The portions are designed for a morning meal, so you can walk comfortably afterwards.

• How to get there: Metro to Filles du Calvaire or Temple, then a short walk.
• How long to spend: One hour.
• Best time to go: Weekday late morning.
• Tip: Ask about dietary options; the menu leans healthy but can change.

10. Le Bellerive

Le Bellerive is a waterside café-restaurant on the Canal de l’Ourcq in the 19th arrondissement, with a Sunday brunch in a calmer part of the city. It sits on quai de la Seine near Riquet, close to the Bassin de la Villette.

Time Out has described its brunch as built around rösti and smoked salmon, with a Swiss or Norwegian influence, which is different from the pancake-led menus elsewhere. Check the current menu before you go, as brunch details can change.

The setting is the appeal. The canal and the basin are popular for strolling, and there are cinemas and open spaces nearby. It is a good choice if you want a local, relaxed morning away from the busiest tourist streets.

Combine it with a canal walk or a visit to the Parc de la Villette. In warm weather the quays fill up with people, and a waterside table is a pleasure.

Opening hours listed online are long, but service times vary, so check before you go. Booking is wise on a Sunday.

Choose a table with a view of the water if you can, and bring a light jacket, because the quay can be breezy. The area is quiet outside the weekend, so a weekday walk along the water is also pleasant.

• How to get there: Metro to Riquet, then a short walk to the quay.
• How long to spend: One and a half to two hours.
• Best time to go: A Sunday, with a walk along the canal afterwards.
• Tip: Check the current brunch menu and book a table on Sundays.

How to pick the right brunch in Paris

Think about the kind of morning you want. For a queue and a classic, choose Holybelly or Hardware Société. For a French breakfast, go to Claus. For a calm tearoom, choose Treize au Jardin. For a view or a special occasion, choose Loulou Montmartre or Ralph’s. For a bookable option, try Café Méricourt or Café Albert. If you prefer lighter food, Season Marais is the best fit, and for a local walk by the water, go to Le Bellerive.

Many Paris brunch spots are closed on certain days, and some do not take bookings, so check before you go and have a backup nearby.

Brunch terms and etiquette in Paris

• Brunch: often served late morning to mid-afternoon, mainly at weekends, though some cafés serve it on weekdays.
• Formule: a set menu, usually with a main, a drink and sometimes a pastry.
• Petit-déjeuner: breakfast, usually lighter and earlier than brunch.
• Viennoiseries: pastries such as croissants and pains au chocolat.
• Service compris: service is included in the bill by law, so tipping is a small extra, not a requirement.

Say “bonjour” when you arrive and “merci” when you leave. A short greeting goes a long way. Many cafés prefer you to wait to be seated, so look for a host before taking a table.

How Many Days Do You Need? A 3-Day Paris Brunch Itinerary

These plans use only places from this guide. Book where you can, and keep a backup nearby.

Day 1: Canal and Oberkampf

Start with the pancake stack at Holybelly, arriving early to avoid the queue. Walk along the Canal Saint-Martin and browse the shops around. In the afternoon, take the metro to Oberkampf for coffee at Café Méricourt and a stroll through the streets nearby. Keep the evening free.

Day 2: Montmartre and the Marais

Go to Hardware Société for a Montmartre brunch, then walk up to the Sacré-Cœur and through the lanes behind it. Have a light lunch if you are still hungry, then take the metro to the Marais. Finish with a healthy bowl or a late coffee at Season Marais, and walk to the Place des Vosges.

Day 3: A French breakfast and a Left Bank Sunday

Begin at Claus near the Palais-Royal for a French breakfast set, then walk through the gardens and arcades. Travel to Saint-Germain for a special Sunday brunch at Ralph’s, booked in advance. If you prefer something quieter, choose Treize au Jardin and walk into the Luxembourg Gardens afterwards.

Where to stay for brunch in Paris

Canal Saint-Martin and the 10th put you near Holybelly and the canal cafés and bars. Montmartre has several brunch spots and is atmospheric, though hilly. The Marais is central, walkable and close to Season Marais. Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter suit Treize au Jardin and Ralph’s, and the area around the Palais-Royal is handy for Claus and the main sights. All are well served by the metro.

Getting around Paris

The metro is the quickest way to reach most brunch spots, and many are a short walk from a station. Buy tickets or passes through the official transport operator, and check the RATP website for current tickets and routes. Montmartre is hilly, and the funicular is an option. Walking between the Marais, the Palais-Royal and Saint-Germain is pleasant in good weather. Watch for pickpockets on busy lines and at tourist sites.

Budget guidance

Brunch in Paris is usually mid-range. Cheap means a coffee and a pastry at a bakery or café counter. Mid-range covers a full brunch plate and a drink at a popular café. Comfortable is a sit-down brunch with a view, and splurge means a formal Sunday brunch such as Ralph’s. Weekday visits and sharing dishes can keep costs down, and a coffee and pastry is a cheap way to try a famous café without a full meal.

Discover More of Paris

Now that you know where to brunch, plan the rest of your trip. Read our guide to the best day trips from Paris for a day out of the city, and if you are also heading to Spain, see our guide to the best brunch spots in Madrid.

Featured image: Photo by John Gillespie from New York, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons