Paris can be perplexing for tourists. After all, some of the landmarks in the city are the most photographed places on earth. Watch out to avoid being trapped among the armies of selfie-takers and frenzy shoppers. For the City of Light, you need a trustworthy guide to show you the best and local way to explore around town.

Bakeries and pastries are unbelievably delicious here. Don’t waste the opportunity to chew a long breadstick (baguette) all day or swallow a bag of pain au chocolat. Pastry shops are abundant in every neighborhood. You can always trust the independent, decent-looking ones at street corners, but some chain pâtisseries also offer quality and savory treats, such as Paul.Recommendations:

Paul. Various locations all over the city.

Sandwiches, basic pastries (croissants, danishes, and more).

L’Eclair de Génie. Le Marais.

Heaven on earth. Enjoy the best variety of éclairs (cream-filled choux dough topped with icing). Buy more than enough!

Pierre Hermé. Various locations all over the city.

Premium, gorgeous macarons. It doesn’t need a greater explanation than that. It is not difficult to find edgy, metropolitan places to eat in a city with so much diversity. Fed up with long, heavy, and formal French extravaganza, give the places below a shot to refresh your palette:

Sheger Restaurant. Boulevard Voltaire, 11ème.

Small and intimate Ethiopian restaurant hidden in a quiet alley away from the noisy main boulevard. Get your hands dirty because you have to! You will most likely get a soft, sour bread as a base that is then topped with all types of vegetables and occasionally meat.

Pierre Sang. Rue Oberkampf, 11ème.

French-Korean fusion at its best. Exquisite wine selection plus meticulously cooked dishes (warning: the server will always ask you to guess the ingredients). This place is perfect for the adventurous - but don’t forget to inform the staff about your allergies beforehand.

Le 37 m2. Opéra, 2ème.

The most authentic Taiwanese bento and bubble tea in town. Unassuming environment and kind servers. The best place to satisfy your Asian-food nostalgia.

Krishna Bhavan. Rue Galande, 5ème

Superbly-priced vegetarian Indian restaurant in the Saint-Germain area. Delicious, simple dishes that captivate stomachs and souls. It is a great place for students seeking economic, healthy, and particularly meatless lunch and dinner options.Mais…mais… you still would like some traditional French food? Aren’t there plenty of options? There are two main types of places that offer traditional, delicious French cuisine: street-side cafés and restaurants inside hotels. Be sure to make reservations in advance for the latter. Set menus in both can come in handy when you are on a budget or just simply not well-versed in deciphering unfamiliar dishes and ingredients.Recommendations:

L’ébouillanté, Rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 3ème

Delectable salads and decadent desserts. Located only steps away from the Seine River and situated on sloped stone pavement, don’t miss out on this hidden gem in central Paris.

Restaurant at Hôtel San Régis, Rue Jean Goujon, 8ème

Beautiful dessert trays are presented after the main meal for you to choose. Classic and predictable French dishes in a historical and well-illuminated dining room. Good for small parties such as parents and romantic interests.

Auberge Pyrenees Cevennes, Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 11ème

Rustic French cuisine with top-notch, attentive service. The restaurant is famous for their cassoulet - a mixture of beans, blood sausage, and ribs. Enjoy the homemade mustard too, it’s unbelievable. This article was written by Ze Liu. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Ze Liu