You can’t visit Paris without making as many stops at patisseries as possible. Even still, there are so many amazing ones in the city that I can only claim to have tried a small selection. That said, I’ve eaten some damn good croissants, tartes and macarons in Paris. Here are a few of my favorites, but there are so many more than this—practically every block has a good croissant in Paris.
This teeny patisserie and boulangerie in Canal Saint Martin is legendary in Paris, with a persistent line sneaking out the door. Everything is good but for me, the Pistachio Escargot is worth the trip to Paris alone. The perfectly flaky pastry is buttery yet light, and the pistachio filling is nutty and sweet. 👌🏻
These charming little counter-only shops sell one thing and one thing only — miniature cream puffs filled with a variety of flavors. I recommend both trying the pistachio and to eat them glaze side down so the filling doesn't squirt out onto you!
This Left Bank patisserie is nestled into an excellent shopping area near Eglise Saint Sulpice. Take one of their dense chocolate tarts and sit outside the church to enjoy it. (photo on top of post)
Touristy areas can feel difficult to find something delicious in, even in Paris. At the corner of Rue Rivoli and Rue des Pyramides sits this patisserie and tea salon from the young celebrity chef. Even with a smaller selection of choices than other patisseries in the city, it still took my companion and I almost 10 minutes to choose—and both the lemon and the fig tarts were outstanding.
Without a doubt, these are my favorite macarons in all of Paris. You can find them in locations all around the city, but my favorite is always the little sliver of a store on Rue Bonaparte. If you get there early, look on the small boulangerie counters for the Ispahan croissant, filled with raspberry and topped with slivered almonds.