The Best 9 Brunch Restaurants in Paris – The Ultimate Guide

In Paris – epicurean centre of the world – brunch has been elevated to a gastronomic experience. The French capital city has adopted this all-American import with gusto, and now you can enjoy your weekend brunch in revered 5-star establishments, trendy Montmartre eateries or even aboard a boat. What every experience will have in common, however, is beautifully presented, exceptional food. And of course, you can add a little sparkle to your brunch in Paris with a mimosa cocktail or two, but please remember to drink responsibly and designate a driver for the occasion. Here are 9 restaurants for spectacular brunches in Paris that really stand out from the crowd. 

With wondrous views to Montparnasse Tower and glittering skyscrapers at La Défense, Sunday brunch is a rare treat at Madame Brasserie, perched on the first level of the Eiffel Tower. Showcasing Chef Thierry Marx’s belief in using only the best of seasonal produce, everything from cheese and charcuterie is sourced from regional artisans and growers. Standout dishes in the contemporary dining room include blue lobster from Brittany and light-as-air pastries filled with seasonal fruits.

When you’re looking to celebrate that special occasion, Rivages is one of the top brunch spots in Paris for memorable fine-dining experiences under its soaring glass roof. This refined yet eminently relaxed restaurant is managed by Executive Chef Martin Simolka, known for his absolute dedication to zero waste. Accompany his à la carte dishes like perfectly poached eggs and asparagus with a glass of bubbles, or tuck into freshly made croissants, organic teas and a range of barista coffees.

Housed in a former railway station, La Recyclerie is a laid-back two-storey spot with lots of nooks and crannies where you can hide away with the papers or a novel from the teeming bookshelves. With a limited weekend menu to prevent food wastage, Chef Gilles Cherrier and his team do a brisk trade in ever-changing savoury, sweet and vegetarian dishes – with much of the produce grown in the restaurant’s garden. There’s also a firm restaurant commitment to promoting seasonal zero-miles ingredients. 

The weekend brunch at Mama is an informal affair combining Lebanese dishes with wood-fired pizzas and a hearty English-style buffet of bacon, eggs and sausages alongside cereals, pastries and fresh juices. In summer, you can eat on the gorgeous roof terrace, where you’ll find ping-pong tables to keep younger family members occupied. Children between 3 and 6 years of age eat free – and you can work off your culinary indulgences with a stroll to Jim Morrison’s grave in Père-Lachaise Cemetery nearby.

Opened in 1901 as a buffet restaurant in the Gare de Lyon, Le Train Bleu is as legendary for its ornate, curlicued Belle Époque design, dripping in gilt, statuary and chandeliers, as it is for its superb cuisine. While it’s not advertised as brunch, the breakfast served in the exquisite lounge bar is suitably sumptuous for special celebrations. Eating here comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s absolutely worth it for the smooth be-suited service and divine omelettes stuffed with salmon, seasonal fruit salads and buttery pastries.

Set at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, Frame is a chilled glass-fronted brasserie with the brigade working in an open kitchen. Signature dishes include vegetable quiches, healthy salads and showstopper gateaux topped with seasonal fruits – much of the produce comes from the restaurant’s organic herb and vegetable garden. Handy distractions for younger attention spans include a mini bouncy castle, kid-centric crafts and a qualified nanny to supervise toddlers while you tuck into the buffet. 

The ‘all-you-can-eat’ brunch is a relatively new concept on the Parisian gourmet scene; this remarkable venue is overseen by Julien Duboué, in a ‘boulangerie où l’on mange’ – hence the portmanteau name of Boulom. Chef’s roots lie in south-west France, so expect a seasonal menu of rillettes, txistorra-smoked charcuterie, seafood and tartines eaten at communal tables in a simple, canteen-like dining room under a ceiling swathed in greenery. Pop into the on-site bakery for delicate viennoiseries to take away.

Multitasking as bar, nightclub and events space in a former workers’ cooperative, hidden gem La Bellevilloise is also an on-trend Sunday brunch venue. Everything is made on site using seasonal produce, so menus often change but nearly always include organic cheeses, market-fresh charcuterie and top-quality vegan dishes. Brunch takes place to the backdrop of live jazz in the Halle aux Oliviers, liberally adorned with centuries-old olive and palm trees, around which bistro tables and comfy sofas are nestled.

With acclaimed chef Martial Enguehard at the helm, the brunch menus onboard Le Capitaine Fracasse change seasonally but often feature smoked salmon, foie gras and plates of mini-chocolate patisseries. This is yours to enjoy in an elegant dining room with plate-glass windows – all the better for admiring the Eiffel Tower and Louvre as you cruise down the River Seine. Upgrade your experience to super-special with a glass of champagne from the stellar wine list.

Selecting the very best brunch places in the French capital is always going to be subjective, so when you’re staying in Paris hotels you’ll no doubt find a few new venues to add to this list!