Top 10 Dessert Spots in Paris

Looking to indulge your sweet tooth while in Paris, France? That’s the ultimate rhetorical question, I know.

The French pay meticulous detail to the art of dessert and opportunities abound to, ahem, “inspect” the quality of their work. Paris is chockablock with boulangeries, patisseries, chocolateries, and confisseries (sweets-seekers could get really used to this)—and in most cases, you can find a delicious treat in any of the above neighborhood hole-in-the-wall establishments.

But how to find the city’s confectionery crown royalty? Here’s my top ten, some famous and some delightfully off the beaten path.

Chocoholics Rejoice!

But beware: the following establishments have crafted chocolates so elegant and divine, you may lapse into a permanent state of Homer Simpson-esque glee (see: “Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, the land of chocolate!”)

1. Joséphine Vannier

The pleasure of visiting this traditional chocolate factory e isn’t just in sampling the merchandise, but in ogling the amazing chocol-artistry on display. African masks, safari wildlife, tennis rackets, grand pianos, artists’ palettes, and more have been fashioned out of chocolate, not to mention the pièce de resistance: life-size chocolate knee-high Victorian lace-up boots. Traditional chocolates are available in addition to the more daring creations. 4 rue du Pas de la Mule (3rd arr.).

2. Gérard Mulot

This chocolate shop offers a variety of treats, but chocolates are their signature sweet. I’m partial to the hazelnut cream-filled dark chocolates, but there are over 25 delectable varieties to choose from. 6 rue du Pas de la Mule (3rd arr.); 76 rue de Seine (6th arr.); 93 rue de la Glacière (13th arr.).

3. La Maison du Chocolat

Truffles, truffles, truffles. So rich, yet when you savor one of La Maison du Chocolat’s specialty confections, somehow you’ve found just what the doctor ordered. You’ll want a prescription for the caramel and cognac truffles, stat. 225 rue du Faubourg St-Honoré (8th arr.); 52 rue François Premier (8th arr.); 8 bd de la Madeleine (9th arr.); Printemps de la Maison, 2nd floor, 64 bd Haussman (9th arr.); 19 rue de Sèvres (6e arr.); 120 av Victor Hugo (16th arr.); Carrousel du Louvre, 99 rue de Rivoli (1st arr.).

4. Chocolat Michel Cluizel

A chocolate fountain and truffles dusted in gold powder? It may read like bells and whistles, but those are just two masterful tricks up the sleeves of this family-run chocolate paradise. The chocolate-dipped candied oranges are simple and elegant, and the ganaches sport hand-painted, colorful designs on top that are so pretty you almost don’t want to take a bite…I said “almost.” 201 rue St- Honoré (8th arr.).

Pastry Perfection

The French make fantastic chocolate, although they get a run for their money from the Belgians and, to a lesser extent, from the Swiss. But pastry? That, the French have got down. No other culture’s attempts even come close.

5. Ladurée

This Paris institution can be best described as the Tiffany’s of desserts. With their precious packaging and branded color scheme gracing the shop windows, one almost expects to happen upon a case of jewelry inside. The coffee reglieuses, ispahans, and other treats may grab your attention at first, but the true gems here are the vibrantly-colored—and toe-curlingly delicious — macarons. Get a variety of mini-macarons so you can sample several flavors. I recommend the violet-cassis, caramel, pistachio, and fruits rouges. 21 rue Bonaparte (6th arr.); 16 rue Royal (8th arr.); 75 avenue des Champs Elysées (8th arr.); inside the Printemps department store, 62 boulevard Haussmann (9th arr.).

6. Angelina Chez du Chocolat

Another Paris institution, Angelina boasts a legendary hot chocolate that’s so rich and creamy you’ll probably want to forgo any other treats. C’est dommage, as the petits fours and tartes are so good it’s painful. 226 rue de Rivoli (1st arr.).

7. La Fougasse

I have to admit, I’m a bit biased because it’s my neighborhood bakery—but it’s also so much more. On the morning of Christmas eve, I waited in a 20-minute line just to buy a couple baguettes, but the time raced by because of all the wonderful eye candy behind the glass counter: gorgeous buchette de Noël Christmas cakes decked out with all kinds of adorable accoutrements, some edible (candy tuille, chocolate shavings, cassis berries and other fruits, marzipan, mini-macarons) and some inedible but absolutely precious (miniature wrapped gifts, Xmas trees, mistletoe, and elves). La Fougasse has an equally impressive offering of tartes, éclairs, and cakes on non-holiday occasions, plus fabulous breads and fougasses. 25 rue de Bretagne (3rd arr.).

Cooling Off

These frozen delights hit the spot in summer, but are downright delicious any time of year.

8. Berthillon

This is the hands-down best ice cream in Paris. A scoop of salted caramel is the stuff legends are made of. Take your cone to go for a stroll around scenic Île St-Louis. 31 rue St Louis en l’Île (4th arr.).

9. Amorino

OK, so technically gelato is an Italian dessert, but concessions can be made while in Paris. The chocolat ecuadorien ice cream boasts 71% cacao without the bitterness, while the raspberry flavor tastes as close to real fruit as any frozen dessert ever could. Heaven on a hot (or even a cool) day. 82 rue Montorgueil (2nd arr.); 121, rue Saint Martin (4th arr.); 47 rue St Louis en l’Île (4th arr.); 31 rue Vieille du Temple (4th arr.); 16 rue de la Huchette (5th arr.); 22 rue Soufflot (5th arr.); 6 rue Guisarde (6th arr.); 4 rue Vavin (6th arr.); 4 rue de Buci (6th arr.); inside Galeries Lafayette Maison, 35 boulevard Haussmann (9th arr.); 17 rue Daguerre (14th arr.).

10. Pozzetto

Chocolate may be on the brain when you enter, but I urge you to reconsider for its red-headed cousin, hazelnut. It’s the star at this Italian family-run ice cream shop, which has shorter lines than Amorino and cheerful service. 39 rue du roi de Sicile (4th arr.); 21 rue de Lévis (17th arr.).

Photo of éclairs and chocolate originally posted by phototram

Topic:  Restaurants & Food | 2 Comments
Tags:  chocolate, food, Paris

About the author

Jessica Mordo, a New York City native, spent nine years in San Francisco before moving to the third arrondisement in 2007. After receiving a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania, she worked as a writer and editor for a major travel company and then as a high-school English teacher. Now teaching English to Parisian businesspeople by day, she spends her free time messing around with a camera and blogging about life in France from a wry, American perspective.