October 11, 2018
Montmartre, and environs, is known for many things. Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre, La Maison Rose, le Moulin Rouge, le mur de je t’aime. But a foodie haven? Not quite. While the numerous bistros serving the traditional French fare often leave much to be desired, there are a number of small restaurants in Montmartre serving excellent international cuisine. If you’re looking for something delicious and different, don’t hesitate to try one of these:
Located on the *other side* of Sacre-Coeur with a bright yellow facade, La Colline d’Asie is a family-owned restaurant serving South-East Asian cuisine. Their speciality is bobun, a bowl of rice vermicelli noodles with pork or an omelette, nems (mini spring rolls), salad and peanuts. It is light and fresh, the nems crispy and delicious. On the table are a range of garnishes such as soy sauce, sirarcha, chilli and pepper. Also on the menu is my favorite Vietnamese soup: pho. The restaurant is always busy and the prices affordable.
21 Rue André del Sarte, 75018 Paris
Just around the corner from La Colline d’Asie, La Porteña – slang for “a woman from Buenos Aires” – is a traiteur-épicerie argentin. This small restaurant serves authentic, homemade, and generously-sized empanadas. There are both meat and veggie options, both of which are served with salad and chimichurri sauce. Argentinian beer and wine are available, and takeaway is an option too.
3 Rue Muller, 75018 Paris
Located near metro Lamarck-Caulaincourt is Bululu Arepera, a small Venezuelan restaurant serving arepas. An arepa is a Venezuelan version of a pita bread, made with ground maize dough (and it’s gluten-free!). Having never tried one before I was pleasantly surprised. Each corn pocket comes with meat, chicken or plantains for a veggie option, and is served with beans, avocado or cheese. Chips with guasacaca (similar to guacamole), sugar cane or refreshing passionfruit juice, and a range of cocktails are also available.
20 Rue de la Fontaine du But, 75018 Paris
El Nopal is a tiny taqueria just behind Pigalle. They serve up the best tacos in Paris. I’ve tried almost everything on the menu: the choriqueso makes a great appetiser, the chilaquiles or huevos rancheros the perfect hangover meal (perhaps why they’re only available on Sundays), the sopa if you feel like something a bit *healthier*. They also make a mean hair-of-the-dog cocktail du jour to help you kick that hangover.
5 Rue Duperré, 75009 Paris
If El Nopal does the best tacos in town, then Tito easily does the best burritos. Choose your meat; pollo, carne or chorizo; combine two; or go the vegetarian option of nopalitos cactus. You have a selection of sauces, avocado, mild, and *hot*, and all burritos include rice, beans, cheese and salad – you won’t go hungry that’s for sure. Served quick and hot, their burritos are mouth-wateringly good. Located on Rue Custine, there is the option to dine en terrasse, which is perfect for warmer days.
26 Rue Custine, 75018 Paris
Written and photographed for HiP Paris.
