Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants in Paris: Montmartre
Montmartre is one of the most visited places in Paris, however, it is far from one of the city’s most gastronomic areas. This means that there are even fewer good dining options for vegetarians or vegans. Herbivores, fear not! In the latest in our vegetarian friendly Paris series, we’ve gathered together the best vegetarian friendly restaurants in Montmartre that always have at least one main course dish for vegetarians (other than salads and “assiettes de légumes) and plenty to please your carnivore dining companions as well.
Ma Biche
This typical neighborhood bistro located on a quiet street south of rue des Abbesses always has one vegetarian main course and often several veggie starters. The establishment prides itself on the quality of their ingredients and goes by the motto of “a farmer on your plate,” for vegetarians that means flavorful seasonal vegetables topping their yummy spelt risotto. They also have a generous brunch every Sunday with a veggie option. The evening ambiance is perfect for dates 🙂
This relatively new restaurant is found down the street from Ma Biche and has a similar Parisian bistro feel, however, you can expect a much different menu here, featuring inventive fusion cuisine. Inspired by spices and specialities from the four corners of the globe, the weekly changing menu lists the likes of ricotta cream with avocado salsa with a poached egg or dahl with roasted sweet potato and eggplant. They have an amazing value lunch menu at 12.50 starter/main course with a reduced menu of two choices (always with a veggie option). In the evening the menu is also limited to focus on exceptional seasonal ingredients. The two course dinner menu is 27 euros and three courses is 35 euros. They also have happy hour from 5-7pm.
Flanking the southern edge of Montmartre in Place Pigalle, this large and lively venue attracts both young and old, locals and tourists with their great value French classic fare. Since opening in autumn 2017 the restaurant has made an effort to always have one vegetarian main course, this is not always the most creative, but is a “dish” and not a plate of steamed vegetables. My favorite was last spring’s asparagus risotto (I hope they bring it back!), but the current spinach mac and cheese isn’t too shabby. On the starter front, over half are vegetarian or vegan. Come at 7pm on the dot or expect a wait, but that’s part of the fun!
Located on the back edge of Montmartre in what was previously the organic Hope Café, some of the previous veggie menu have been carried over to this new local bistro. Their great chef concocts regularly changing contemporary dishes, among which is the “assiette vegan,” before the word assiette scares you off, the dish is creative and delicious, not merely a dish of steamed vegetables. The last time I got it, my friends were jealous and wish they’d ordered it too! They menu does offer another option; to mix and match three of their starters to make up a dish to your liking.
Although I included this in my article on Casual & Cool Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants I’m also putting it here because it’s paired with its twin restaurant in the article and also because it’s actually the closest veggie friend restaurant to Sacré-Coeur. Therefore, if you’re looking for a bite right up beside the Basilica, you can’t beat this venue. Named after the 1987 French film and early novelSummer on a Gentle Slope, evokes its name to a T. Sitting on a small square at the foot of a Montmartre staircase, its colorful outdoor seating has the air of a summer guinguette along the Seine. On its newsprint menu you’ll find several vegetarian dishes including stuffed peppers (my personal favorite), pasta, vegan lasagna, salad, quiche, plus a good array of carnivorous dishes from lamb shank to beef carpaccio. Tasty cuisine, nothing gastronomique, but by the end you’ll be seduced by the ambience… and hopefully your dining companion.
I’ve decided to include this non-French restaurant because it is simply one of the best quality restaurants in Montmartre… and as an Italian restaurant it naturally has several vegetarian dishes. Found on a charming street just behind Abbesses métro, the refined yet relax restaurant is run by the mother and son team Roberta & Michele. The menu changes with the seasons and showcases pasta made in house and either fresh local ingredients or speciality items brought in from Italy. Both are also available to take with you in the fine food section of the restaurant. Among the pastas are usually at three vegetarian choices as well as salads and piadina sandwiches. If you don’t have room for one of their scrumptious desserts, you can always get un caffè with a famous dai dai, a cube of Italian gelato covered in chocolate.
The restaurants at the top of Montmartre are mostly touristy, but a short walk down the hill will take you to the local street of the area, rue des Abbesses (still Montmartre). There are a number of casual cafés along the street, Le Templier usually has better quality food and a few vegetarian/vegan dishes. On the fringes of Montmartre there is Brasserie Barbès, also included in the cool and casual list, which has a number of vegetarian AND vegan options.
A 10-15 minute walk will also take you to a few of the best vegan restaurants in Paris. On the north side of the hill is L’Abattoir Vegetal (more in our article on vegan and vegetarian restaurants) and BrEAThe, is a new stylish venue down the hill in the SoPi area.
Casual Lunch
If you’re looking for more of a casual lunch spot then there are a few good options either in or around Montmartre (note: these are all only open for lunch). On at far end of rue des Abbesses as it becomes Joseph de Maistre, La Bossueis a great contemporary bakery which has more inventive lunch options and a very popular Sunday brunch. Right around the corner from Sacré-Coeur, the Australian brunch-style café Hardware Société always has a few veggie selections. On the backside of the hill is the laid back and friendly Soul Kitchen with veggie options and south of the hill in SoPi, Otium has cold press juices and healthy vegetarian bowls.
Vegetarian Friendly Paris Series
Looking for other great suggestions for vegetarian or vegetarian friendly restaurants in Paris? Check out my other articles in the series below:
Lily Heise is a Paris-based writer, originally hailing from Canada. She has lived in Paris since 2000 and contributes to international and local publications. Her work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Business Insider, CondéNastTraveler.com, Playboy.com, Frommer's, DK Eyewitness Guides, HiP Paris and others.