One of the first eateries to serve a serious brunch in Paris, Holybelly has had a line at its door since it opened in 2013. Borrowing inspiration from their time in Australia, French owners Nico Alary and Sarah Mouchot popularised brunch in Paris, replacing croissants with scrambled eggs and bloody marys. Holybelly’s simple, winning formula is one few cafés in the city have quite mastered: great food and specialty coffee coupled with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly service. Their menu features staples as well as specials that change monthly, but it always features locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The pancakes, topped with either bacon and a fried egg or seasonal fruits, are credited with putting Holybelly on the map. Another staple is the flexible ‘eggs and sides’: your choice of sides like mushrooms, baked beans, bacon or hash browns served up with eggs done your way. This place is always packed, with good reason, so you may be faced with a long wait on weekends. Due to their popularity, Nico and Sarah have expanded their operation with a second restaurant that seats 100 just down the road. If you’re faced with a long wait, pop inside and order a takeaway coffee to drink in line. rue Lucien Sampaux (original location) & 5 rue Lucien Sampaix (2nd location), holybellycafe.com

This sleek contemporary Mediterranean bistro boasts a unique location in Palais de Tokyo, Europe’s largest centre for modern art. Another venue from the unstoppable Quixotic Projects team behind a number of Paris’ favourite spots – Le Mary Celeste (see p. 119), Candelaria (see p. 145), Hero (see p. 99) and Glass (see p. 151), Le Grands Verres occupies a generous space in the historic 1930s building that houses Palais de Tokyo (see p. 160). Brunch or lunch here pairs perfectly with a morning or afternoon exploring the museum’s exhibitions or a trip to the nearby Eiffel Tower (see p. 172), but Les Grands Verres is worth a visit on its own. The spacious main dining room boasts sleek booths and polished concrete bars, while the back opens up into a luminous space with large bay windows. There is also a large outdoor terrace offering unique views of the Eiffel Tower. Sunday brunch options include Mediterranean-inspired dishes like shakshuka (Middle Eastern–style baked eggs) and braised chicken shawarma (a Middle Eastern pita wrap). The restaurant’s prime location means it fills up fast (reservations are recommended) with museum goers, suits from nearby offices and residents of the upmarket 16th arrondissement, creating a pleasantly varied ambience that sets it apart from other eateries. 13 avenue du Président Wilson

This health-conscious eatery brings plant-based, nutritious eating to the beautiful streets of Le Marais. While the health food trend has been slow to reach Paris, the success of health-conscious eateries like Wild & The Moon indicate that it is here to stay. The brainchild of New Yorker Emma Sawko, Wild & The Moon is about creating food that is good for you and the planet by bringing nature’s slowed‑down rhythms back into the way we eat. Its green, earthy interior and calm atmosphere provide an oasis from the hurried streets of the Marais, while its menu offers respite from the city’s rich temptations. Crafted by chefs and nutritionists, everything on their plant-based menu is organic and ethically sourced. To drink, Wild & The Moon offers an array of cold-pressed juices and nutritious smoothies dense with superfoods. For breakfast, there’s chia pudding, porridge, avocado on toast and, of course, açaí bowls. For lunch, choose from ‘super bowls’ packed with hearty salads, soups and snack options such as nut bars, kale chips, dips and veggie crackers. The food here is mainly raw and unprocessed. It’s also gluten-, dairy-, soy- and refined-sugar-free, making for a wholesome experience. 55 rue Charlot, wildandthemoon.fr

The unique menu at this Japanese-inspired eatery on a nondescript street in the 12th arrondissement has got Paris’ foodies talking. The brainchild of celebrated Japanese chef Taku Sekine and mixologist Amaury Guyot, Dersou pairs brunch classics with traditional Japanese dishes. When Dersou opened its doors in 2014, the duo quickly became the darlings of the industry for their innovative concept and experimental menu. The rustic interior and timber tables are a perfect backdrop for the interesting dishes that make their way out of the open kitchen. Dersou’s brunch is unlike any other in the city, serving Japanese dishes like ramen and maguro don (raw tuna over rice) with black truffle and roe, alongside pancakes topped with seasonal fruit and a rotating selection of other brunch classics. The far-from-conventional menu has struck a chord with Parisians, which means a full house every weekend. Request a seat at the long bar for a revealing view of the kitchen where Taku and his team work their magic. For dinner, Dersou serves a refined five-, six- or seven-course degustation paired with cocktails rather than wine (make sure to book ahead). Brunch has a no-reservation policy, so arrive early to avoid a wait. 21 rue Saint-Nicolas, dersouparis.com

Café Méricourt, Café Oberkampf’s beautiful sister café, is home to one of Paris’ most sought‑after brunches. Café Méricourt is the second café from Guy Griffin, so fans of his first café, Café Oberkampf (see p. 37), have every reason to flock here. While the original café has gone back to its coffee-centric roots, Café Méricourt has borrowed its celebrated brunch menu and used it to come into its own. From its inviting pastel-green exterior to its spacious interior, this light and breezy place has quickly become a neighbourhood staple in the hip 11th arrondissement. Enjoy the classic all-day menu featuring: shakshuka (Middle Eastern–style baked eggs); one of Paris’ best-loved brunch items – green eggs topped with feta; fluffy pancakes served with seasonal fruit; homemade granola; and stone-fruit Bircher muesli. Reservations are recommended for brunch, although walk-ins are welcome. The team here are always accommodating, but arriving early will mean avoiding a wait. 22 rue de la Folie Méricourt, cafemericourt.com