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The once-run-down Marais is now the epitome of chic, but you can still find reminders of its down-to-earth past along Rue des Rosiers, where falafel shops and Eastern European delis jostle with designer boutiques. Truly ambitious restaurants are few and far between in the Marais, but picturesque old bistros, like Benoît and the wonderful Café des Musées, and smaller veggie-centric eateries are popping up all over. A brand-new generation of barista cafés serving gourmet snacks for breakfast and lunch have created their own niche, answering a need for better coffee and faster sit-down dining. The popular Breizh Café attracts young and old alike with its inexpensive and authentic galettes (buckwheat crêpes) made with quality ingredients and served with a crisp, delicious cidre from Normandy or Brittany.
Soaring ceilings with exposed beams, globe lighting, velvet chairs, and marble-top tables give this superchic eatery the look of a classic brasserie gone upscale. The menu, designed by three-star chef Mauro Colagreco of the world-renowned Mirazur restaurant on the Riviera, features market-fresh French classics complemented by a wine list with plenty of by-the-glass offerings. Best of all, a spacious cobbled outdoor courtyard makes dining here a joy on nice days.
