Breakfast in Paris
 

My wife and I will be staying at the Hotel Minerve in the Latin Quarter in May. Can anyone suggest a place nearby where we can get an American breakfast?

As you must have already gathered, an "American breakfast" isn't all that common in Paris, where people tend toward more understated breakfasts and quite substantial lunches. The only sure-fire places I've seen them are those that seem to cater more to Americans and Brits.

If you don't mind a very pleasant walk from your hotel, the Holiday Inn - St. Germain des Pres has an American breakfast buffet with scrambled eggs, bacon, etc. It also has some of those European niceties like cheeses, cold meats and plenty of good breads, pain au chocolat, etc.

The hotel is on Rue du Vaugirard, just past its intersection with Rue de Rennes (Metro Stop St. Placide). Personally, I'd walk but I'm like that and it's the better part of a mile, I'm sure. (A good way would be through Jardin du Luxembourg on way and up Rue de Rennes to St. Germain des Pres on the other, for variety).

The cost is 18 Euros and I would be very hard-pressed to tell you that it's worthwhile for that sum, but if you simply MUST have an American breakfast then that is one possibility.

There's an American Diner in St. Germain. Full American breakfast - even pancakes.

Hamburgers, fries, onion rings, milkshakes, etc. for lunch.

Straight out of "Happy Days". It caused quite a stir when it opened a couple of years ago. I'll try to find more info and will repost.

Here's one link - http://lifestyle.iafrica.com/dining/340226.htm

Breakfast in America on rue Ecoles -

Here's the direct link -
http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/...investors.html

17, rue des Ecoles, Paris - Tél: 01 43 54 50 28
Métro: Cardinal LeMoine or Jussieu

I don't think it's too far from the Minerve

Why would you anyone go to Paris and want an "American breakfast"? And just what is an American breakfast? I usually have cold cereal, maybe toast and coffee around at 10:00 after a good run in the morning. Head to McDonalds and have a McDonalds heart-stopping breakfast. Truly something to remember about Paris.

Bonne chance mon ami!

It looks like it's about two doors down from the Hotel Minerve. :D

I KNEW the hotel sounded familiar. I walked past it many times (thanks Flyboy)

Then, ssbnorman, if you want a more traditional treat, walk across the street and buy a nutella crepe from the sidewalk vendor. Nice little place to get coffee there too.

A more "French" diner experience if you will is on the corner as you exit right from the hotel (can't remember the name of it though).

I stopped in the flower shop on the corner to the left and bought fresh flowers to take back to the room. I grabbed two bunches from the sidewalk, took them in to pay for them, and the clerk made a beautiful "un bouquet" for me - even going out to the sidewalk to get better/fresher stems to put in her arrangement. I think the total was 7euros for fresh flowers in the room. Nice treat.

Great location. My first trek out I stumble on Luderee on my way toward the Seine and Notre Dame. What a great first experience in Paris!

http://www.laduree.fr/bonaparte_va.htm

Sorry, Laduree! Here' the rue Bonaparte location.

While we were in Paris, we popped out to the street market just around the corner from our hotel to get breakfast each morning.

Bought a fresh baguette, some cheese, some fresh fruit, some juice at the little store, and an assortment of fabulous pastries. The ladies in the pastry shop were a little annoyed at our non-French language attempts the first day, but as we continued to go back each morning, they got really friendly and had already figured out my son's favorite pastry.

Who wants an "American breakfast" when you can eat like that each morning? Was less expensive than any restaurant breakfast, too.

'Cause sometimes you want a taste of home.

And sometimes you get tired of the carb-heavy breakfasts and want scrambled eggs with bacon.

One of the most enjoyable parts of travel is dining. I love all kinds of European menus. The one exception is breakfast. I do not like the standard hotel buffets and much prefer the American version of breakfasts. "to each, his own".

We ate at the 50's style diner called An american Breakfast. The owner is American and our waitress was also. It was fun to visit with them while we ate our Denver Omelets and hash browns. We woke up craving eggs one morning and I would highly recommend this place. The coffee is good too.

Topping for those planning to stay in St. Germain.

I stayed at the Minerve in September and we ended up stopping in at Breakfast in America every day we were there, if only to check on how the Red Sox were doing. It really is just two doors down from the Minerve so it couldn't be more convenient.

BIA serves a great "diner-style" American breakfast, and about the only thing missing from the menu is grits. It was fun to stop there and talk to other Americans for a few minutes, especially for my traveling companion, who doesn't speak any French.

If we had a lot to do on a particular day we liked getting a quick b'fast there b/c then we could skip lunch, which tended to take up more time than we had to spare.

This is probably a troll!

One of my favorate things to do in Paris is to walk into a pastry shop and buy a ton mouth watering Parisian goodies!
Sometimes the lady would stare at me, but I just can't help it!

Sad to say that I am never in Paris long enough to "want a taste of home " :)
I spend more time at home, wishing I were in Paris having a meal or at least some food from Paris..that is why every morning this past trip, the Yankee went down to the boulangerie and brought back hot fresh croissants and I perked some nice fresh coffee that never tastes like coffee at home.
Since I rarely eat a typical breakfast, this was enough for me. Otherwise, most cafes have omelettes and breakfasty type foods.
You can always count on finding something to eat in Paris~

I understand your need for an American breakfast. The restaurants recommended above are excellent for that type of b'fast. However, it's my opinion only, but the croissants and baguettes are really great and that's the type of b'fast I look forward to when I visit Paris.

Why "American Breakfast" in Paris?

Like my French teacher (who is American) said, there are two kinds of people who visit Paris: one will head to the nearest McDonald's and the other will seek out the freshest French cafe.

It's about comfort level. I travel quite a lot and I am one to immerse myself in the culture and cuisine of the new country. But after a week or so, I crave a regular hamburger or simple lo-mein.

I have friends from midwest and south who come to NYC and all they want to eat is hamburger, pizza and pasta. They won't even try Indian food or sushi or babaganoush or falafal.

It's the comfort zone.

And sometimes it is a traveller who has say diabeties who has to have certain foods at certain times of the day. I have a family member with this condition. So much protein, so much carbos etc etc. So it is good to know what is avaiable in each city.

Starrsville: "sometimes you get tired of the carb-heavy breakfasts and want scrambled eggs with bacon."

Amen! I need protein to see me through a busy morning, though sometimes a plain yogurt will do.

Not to be argumentative, ming....

but, I do take offense. "There are two kinds of people...". "It's about comfort level". "It's the comfort zone".

Those are NOT the definitive reasons why someone would seek out an American style breakfast in Paris.

For the record, I did not eat at Breakfast in America. I merely provided the information in response to OP's question.

I ate the breakfast at my hotel every day - except for the day I ate a nutella crepe from a sidewalk vendor.

BUT, mid-morning I found myself searching out protein because I was crashing from the carb/sugar high.

There is a smugness on this board that if one does not travel "the right way" they are deficient in some way.

A few days ago, a poster stated that if someone opted for a taxi from CDG it indicated that they weren't "adventerous" enough to use the RER.

Where do y'all GET these notions?

I have to agree, starrsville. Some people just have greater sensitivity to food, and for whatever reason require certain foods for health and/or comfort. It doesn't really matter why. It's not a matter of moral character if you like a certain type of breakfast or not.

The Kayser bakery on rue Monge is a wonderful bakery quite near that hotel, and I recommend it to everyone who stays in that area. Enjoy Breakfast in America, but if you are looking for a bakery either for breakfast or any other time, turn right on rue Monge off rue des Ecoles.

Some day, if not already, somebody will write a book entitled "How People Use Anonymous Message Boards to Boost their Poor Self-Esteem Level" and I am certain that little group of "Fodorite regulars" who love to dictate to others about how they should travel will be listed in Chapter One.

Have a great time in Paris, Ssbnorman and remember...while the so-called "experts" are playing with themselves and their keyboards, YOU will BE in Paris.

Nikki, thanks for the tip re Kayser. I was just going to ask for some suggestions for the Rue Monge area because we'll be there Saturday. Any other suggestions,anyone?

Allisonm, I loved the market at Place Monge. If I remember correctly it is held Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings, but you should check when you are there. I discuss restaurants and markets in the area in my trip report from February:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34574921

LoveItaly has it right, particularly about diabetics. Last summer was my first as a full fledged diabetic, and although I've always been happy with a croissant or pain au chocolate for breakfast, sadly my body no longer is! I found I could get eggs at Paul, which was nice, and then I found some nice quiche which I saved at the apartment and microwaved in the mornings. But for those in a hotel there are some serious health reasons for looking for a more substantial breakfast than just coffee and pastry!

Starrsville, I apologize if my post appeared offensive. I didn't mean to imply you or anyone here eat at said restaurants.

I'm merely trying to explain why some people prefer to eat things they are comfortable with.

If you check the discussion on "favorite things while traveling" that I started on this forum, you will notice that I find familiarities in other ways, like bringing my favorite soap and cashmere sweater when I travel. I am less picky with food.

ming,
First of all, thanks for the apology.
Secondly, I think you missed the point. Implying that I ate at said restaurant would not in any way be a negative thing for me on the receiving end...but evidently IS a negative thing for you on the giving end.

Just as I have no apologies for eating at an American reproduction of a
French restaurant (La Madeline) while in the States, I would have no apologies for eating at an American style diner while in Paris (Breakfast in Paris).

Neither reflects on my character, travel style or anything else that I can think of...except I want a taste of France in the US and a taste of "home" while in Paris.

The French truffles I bought at Target at Valentine's Day are a poor substitute for the truffles Jules Verne serves...but did trigger a very happy memory...while satisfying a chocolate craving.

PS - I travel with a high thread count pillowcase and travel candle.

I noticed a few people have stayed at Hotel Minerve in the Latin Quarter. What's it like?

Couldn't help but otice you're staying at HOtel Minerve this month. We're planning to be there next month. Any thoughts on the hotel or surroundings?

linking this to Paris Superthread

"A few days ago, a poster stated that if someone opted for a taxi from CDG it indicated that they weren't 'adventurous' enough to use the RER."

That poster would be me. I've lost count of the number of people who have written that the Paris transport system is something that needs to be "figured out" or can't somehow be managed if one just got off an airplane.

These same people would think nothing of flying into Heathrow and taking the Express to Paddington. Or landing at Frakfurt and transferring to a train to Salzburg.

A minority of people who "opt for a taxi" do it because they like the convenience/cost ratio. But the vast majority do it because they're diffident of their ability to get to Paris by train, and they'd rather blow an extra €40 than risk looking foolish.

Some people are intimidated by new and strange situations. Others thrive on them. The latter group are "adventurous" by any definition.

Asmara, We arrive at the Hotel Minerve next wk on 5/18. We return from France on June 8. Shortly after I will post some info.

re: "...the vast majority do it because they're diffident of their ability to get to Paris by train, and they'd rather blow an extra €40 than risk looking foolish."
Well, it was and would be something to have to work at figuring out the first time in Europe.. I had never used or seen a subway before, rarely rode a city bus, never took a train or had seen one in person before first trip to Europe. Had TERRIBLE jet-lag/disorientation/fatigue. No way I would have wanted to try finding the subway. Didn't even try traveling independently -took a coach tour. BUT we learned a lot, DID try subways and buses and trains, and know that we can do it now, sometimes still with a question here and there. Many, many people do not live in an environment where all these transportation options exist and yes, it can seem daunting. Maybe you were born on a train track and have it in your blood - but you are in the minority, I believe.

re: using RER from airport
I'm plenty adventurous to jump on a train in any city and figure out how to get somewhere - but it's worth the extra cost to me to have a taxi tote my bags and drive me from the airport after a long flight. After that, it's all public transportation, including my return to the airport.
Oh - this post was supposed to be about breakfast. There are other breakfast foods to pick up at markets -how about fresh fruit, some nuts, cheese, some warm bread, or one of those mini quiche things that some bakeries have. You can find something other than pastries.

Re Breakfast in America, we found it accidentally since we were staying nearby, and we did end up having breakfast there midweek. I never eat pastries for breakfast at home, so after too many croissants, the scrambled eggs and hash browns really hit the spot. However, the best was the unlimited American coffee! I can't drink French coffee and had just about o-d'd on hot chocolate by then.

<But the vast majority do it because they're diffident of their ability to get to Paris by train, and they'd rather blow an extra €40 than risk looking foolish.>

That is a broad brush you are painting with.

I take a taxi because hauling my luggage up and down the metro/RER stairs is too much of a strain on my back. And yes, I pack light, and it is still too much to lug around.

About breakfast, I've eaten at BIA twice. Both times the bacon and fried eggs were delicious. I plan to return every time I am in Paris.

I stand by my assertion that <i>the vast majority</i> who use taxis do it defensively rather than out of practical considerations such as yours. These people <u>think</u> it's a bigger challenge than it <u>is</u>.