Vegan
Organic
Raw
Mediterranean
Take-out
Bakery
French
Vegan restaurant featuring refined cuisine for dinner on Friday evenings (reservations recommended). Brunch at weekends. Holds cooking classes on weekdays. Reported closed, Jun 2019.
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Last update on 23 Sep 2020 by jumarino
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229 Reviews
First Review by AnnFromIllinois
jdwle
Points +186
Gourmet vegan dining in Paris - Edit
3 words I'd never thought I will be able to put together, especially in France. But yes... Gentle Gourmet Café did it!
Read moreI've been there three times now, even I've been living in Paris for a year, it's really not enough !!! the menu changes with season which is great ! and everything I had was always beyond amazing.
The staff is really attentioned and behave how you'd expect them to behave in a "classic" gourmet restaurant.
I've been there once with my dad (who's omni) and he was totally amazed at the food.
Thanks for everything and I can't wait to come back again!
ps: It is really preferable to book in advance cause it's a small venue and it is definitely being successful.
Pros: Food, atmosphere, music
Cons: nothing !
Guest
JacobS
Points +95
Elegant But Cozy Vegan Dining - Edit
Gentle Gourmet is one of the best spots for vegan dining in Paris. The food is delicious and the staff takes great care and artistry in making the display appealing as well. Great desserts, too! Prices are reasonable by Paris standards. It's best to make a reservation, because the restaurant does fill up and I've been turned away more than once. Oh, and their Sunday brunch is divine! Definitely make a reservation for the brunch - the website says "reservation recommended," but when I was there last time I thought I observed them turning away people who didn't have a reservation, even though there were plenty of open tables.
Read morePros: friendly staff, delicious food
Guest
Veganessent
Points +109
Beatiful place & beautiful food! - Edit
I loved everything about this place. Location, food, stylish decor, service. We arrived and the kitchen was closed. I pleaded and grovelled as I was visiting from London. I was kindly obliged by the owner. Thank goodness. The wild mushroom & squash soup was like a hug in a bowl and then... LE SANDWICH. I am NOT a sandwich person and definitely not a bread lover. But this was a delight. It was filled with seitan, tofu, tomatoes, a creamy dressing and alfafa. The baguette was just delicieux! The texture was delightfully complex. Soft but firm at the same time? You could smell and taste that it was fresh. My friend's 13 year old is still raving about it too. We ordered two and two of us were stuffed on one. They also have a deli, I bought some whipped cream and a few other bits. This is a must do restaurant in Paris. Fantastic location near Bastille metro. I shall return & I really want to try the Sunday brunch ; ) Owner was very friendly and the service was impeccable.
Read morePros: Beautiful food, Location & Service, Stylish
Guest
mik
Points +4289
Fairly yummy food - Edit
I have been here three times. The first time round they were fully booked and I ended up eating outside in the rain, some (delicious) seaweed salad that I had bought elsewhere. Oh well. The second time I had a reasonably-priced full meal which I enjoyed very much. On my third occasion it turned out that it was once again fully booked. Apparently there was some table but it was previously booked and soon to be taken. I was suggested to instead order anything for take away, with a 10% discount. Seemed like the best thing to do in that situation. However, it wasn't easy to choose, even though I didn't find the menu to be exactly comprehensive: I had already had the portobello burger, I don't want wine in my food, and raw food in December didn't feel quite right. Having pasta or risotto to choose from (the remaining two options), I opted for the latter. However, I did order a cup of hot chocolate with Espelette pepper, which I would have on the premises as a starter. Staff said they would accomodate. In the end the risotto came out earlier, and I was suggested (pressed, perhaps?) to have the chocolate to take away too. I reluctantly agreed. To my surprise, it still took a while to get the chocolate done, maybe 15 minutes in total since I entered the restaurant, and the table was still not being used... I couldn't help but wonder if it wouldn't have been easier to just let me sit there and quickly devour my meal in a more "gourmet fashion"? Alas, by the time I arrived at the station where I was to take my train, about 15 min later, the risotto was still warm and quite good, but the whipped cream in the chocolate had vanished, leaving my drink with the consistency of water. On top of that, I noticed that I only received a discount on the risotto, not on the chocolate. I suppose not leaving a tip was the only fair thing to do, as I would have expected more from a restaurant that calls itself gourmet. Maybe it's a Paris thing, I find that whenever I'm there my initial plans (Cafe Ginger, in this case) fall apart, as it's not always easy to find out about opening hours, etc.. and if you are to come up with an alternative dining option on a Friday evening this could be what you get.
Read morePros: Fairly yummy food
Cons: Not wide enough array of dishes, Hard to get a table, Staff could be more flexible
Domainedebrocfontaine
It is true that we are very popular and that it is always best to book in advance. If I understand correctly , when you did eat at the Gentle Gourmet you liked your meal, as well as the take-out that you had on the third time. The real problem seems to be that twice, because you had not booked in advance, the restaurant was not able to seat you and you were disappointed - in fact enough so to write a very lengthy review and to give us a three star because of your disappointment. The fact that a table that was reserved was empty when you arrived did not mean that we could give it to someone, even if the people were coming twenty minutes later - I am sure you agree that if you booked and arrived to find people at your table that you would not be happy. I think the reason that the hot chocolate was suggested as a take away was so that it accompanied your meal wherever you were going to be eating it. If you drank the hot chocolate 15 minutes after receiving it , the soy whipped cream ( like with a dairy equivalent) would have " fallen" and the water and fat content would have separated. There is nothing that can be done to change that culinary phenomena by anyone anywhere. The moral of the story is to book to be sure and for us to think about adding a second GG to the Paris vegan scene!
Read moreGuest
Winedunce
Points +389
Outstanding gourmet food - Edit
This was our most delicious meal in Paris. Truly gourmet. One of the best vegan meals I've ever had actually. We also took a friend who lives in Paris and doesn't eat vegan and she loved it as well. I had the risotto which was out of this world. The desserts were also incredible. They don't have a liquor license so you need to bring a bottle of wine if you want to enjoy a glass with dinner.
Read morePros: hands down most delicious food, romantic environment, friendly staff
Domainedebrocfontaine
Thank you for your wonderful review - we are so happy that you enjoyed your meal!! I have good news - we have just obtained our license and now everyone can enjoy great vegan wine, champagne , beers and other temptations!
Read moreGuest
HappyAnna
Points +32
Sets a new standard - Edit
My mother (omnivore, foody) took me to the Gentle Gourmet for my birthday. It alone was worth the three-hour single way train trip.
Read moreI started with the 'faux gras', she had a salad with homemade nut cheeses and goji berries. Rather a lot of goji berries for my taste, fortunately not for hers. The faux gras literally melted on the tongue and had a wonderful flavour. The cheeses were very nice.
My entree was canneloni with tofu and ready made vegan cheese, my mother had seitan bourguignon. The canneloni had a subtle flavour which I enjoyed a lot. The bourguignon was very hearty, I'd recommend it to meat eaters in the company.
By the way, the seitan was stewed in wine, which made us wonder why they didn't serve it - but the waitress mentioned that they are actually aiming to compose a wine list. Maybe they don't want to start serving any wine before they think they've a reasonable amount of choices? Who knows.
We both had the 'chocolate coffee' dessert, which we finished even though we were overly full already.
The service was very nice, the food arrived very quickly, we were offered bread three times (and declined three times because we wanted to finish the meal), the dishes looked lovely made up with edible flowers and decorative sauces - all in all, a great dining experience.
Pros: Excellent food, Lovely atmosphere, Friendly staff
Cons: No wine
Guest
babytrotters
Points +62
Best vegan in Paris - Edit
We've been there last October (2014). The location is very good, 5 minutes walk from La Bastille. Simple yet elegant (much more classy than usual vegan restaurants) with a warm atmosphere and very kind staff. We went there for the first time at lunch: we ordered Cannelloni and Seitan Bourgignon served inside a pumpkin. The dishes look beautiful and taste is amazing! They really care about presentation and quality of ingredients. We liked the food so much that we came back for dinner and also Sunday brunch the days after. We always tried delicious dishes: main, salads, appetizers and desserts too. They also have a very good selection for drinks. The waiter really cared about us and we had a nice talk about vegan food. This is one of the best places we've ever visited so far. Highly recommended!
Read morePros: Quality of ingredients, Presentation of dishes, Atmosphere and staff
Guest
Karin Elrod
Points +22
Magnifique,tasty vegan delicacies - Edit
A little way off the tourist main stream quarters, near Bastille, this restaurant, which modestly calls itself a cafe, is a must for vegans. Delicous, inventive dishes, all vegan, raw as well as cooked. prices are nearly modest compared to the high quality of the food.The staff is very friendly and informative (speaks English fluently). They don't serve alcohol, but you are free to bring your own wine, which they will open and serve at not extra price. My husband and I, both vegans, went there for lunch one day with two omnivores, who were just as satisfied as we were with their crudités, seitan bourguinon and other delicacies and we came back next day for dinner with great expectations, which were also fulfilled. Remember to book in advance.
Read morePros: Excellent, alternative food, Nice, easy-going, English-speaking staff, Away from the tourist traps
Guest
veganmommy09
Points +47
Sunday brunch like no other - Edit
After missing our chance to eat at Gentle Gourmet Cafe for dinner on our most recent trip to Paris my family opted to stop by around noon on Sunday to see if we could be seated for lunch, or if possible, their about-to-end brunch. We were quickly seated and we (a group of five) ordered the brunch. It was listed as a juice (apple or orange) a hot drink (tea or coffee), a tofu dish, and French toast. For 19 Euros/pp we expected a small bit of scramble and a slice of typical French toast. What we got was an absolutely amazing tofu scramble with potatoes, tofu, seitan (I think), sweet potatoes (actually not sure, but they were orange), some other veg, and a sauce that tied everything together. The toast was three large chunks of French bread/toast (not sandwich bread) absolutely slathered in chocolate and raspberry sauces, whipped cream, and chocolate chips. My husband wasn't a fan of the chocolate (it was rich) but otherwise enjoyed the plate. My five-year-old absolutely inhaled his plate (we stopped him at two slices). There was also a bread basket with butter and jam for the table.
Read moreMy one big complaint is that the hot drink could only be coffee or tea. We asked if we could substitute hot chocolate instead, but were told it wasn't possible. My husband drinks neither tea or coffee and wound up trading my mother his tea for her orange juice. My son (far too young for either option) was allowed to get plain hot soy milk in place of his hot drink, but it was so bland and non-sweet that it wound up mainly in my tea rather than in his stomach (even with an added sugar cube). It also came scalding hot, so it was nearly 20 minutes before he could attempt to drink it, which seemed rather silly since the waitress knew it was for a child.
Out of three visits I'd say this brunch was my favorite experience at this restaurant. The dinners we've had have been fairly tasty but very inconsistent in their value, but my group all agreed the cost of the brunch was money well spent.
Guest
JonJon
Points +20621
Quality is improving! - Edit
We (I and my girlfriend) tested this restaurant six times since it opened until now.
Read moreEven if the place is very nice and the food is totally vegan (which is already great), the first time we went there (in May 2012) was quite disappointing. Good point: we arrived 10 minutes before the time of our reservation and we were able to sit at our table, even if it was not ready so far. Bad point however: we then waited for more than 25 minutes until a waiter, bringing a dish to the next table, takes care of us, although the room was not very crowded. We were finally able to order but our dishes have been served very late. Good point: the food was good in taste but – bad point – the steak of our burger disappeared in several pieces at the first bite. Another bad point: between courses, we missed successively bread, cutlery and glasses. But good point: the waiter offered us a glass of lemonade to apologize for the wait and the missing elements. The staff was disorganized but friendly and the dinner was good despite the fact that the service offered by the restaurant was not at the level of the paid price.
The second time was much more successful. We tested the Sunday brunch (in June 2012) and it has, on the whole, met our expectations. For 30 euros, every food and all drinks (such as the vegan cappuccino) were available ad libitum and served at our table. We stayed from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, which was great. One regret though: the restaurant uses a little bit too much ready-made vegan meat and its cuisine would gain in refinement if it would do it itself.
The third time, we ordered vegan pizzas to take away (in December 2012) which disappointed us a lot. The dough was a vulgar puff pastry with only a few mushrooms, vegan cheese, smoked tofu and tomato sauce on it. It was not really fair for a 20-euro-normal-size pizza! We have not repeated the experience.
The fourth time was in April 2013. My girlfriend went there to celebrate the birthday of a friend, like other twelve people. If the food was good, portions were very small in comparison to the paid price (for example, 8 euros for a simple and small salad). In addition, they had prepared a chocolate cake for birthday, but they charged 8 euros per person and per slice! Which makes the price of the cake completely amazing (13 people eating a 8-euro slice leads to pay for more than 100 euros for a chocolate cake! Moreover, vanilla ice cream was available only with a supplement of price).
End of my review below.
Pros: vegan food and pastries, good location, generous portions, interesting brunch
Cons: simple decoration, expensive, no wine
JonJon
End of my review:
Read moreThe fifth and time was in October 2013 at the Paris Vegan Day. The restaurant ensured the full supply of food for the festival with sandwiches, cakes and pastries. The sandwiches were excellent (even if they were a little bit expensive), like croissants.
The sixth and last time was in October 2014. Firstly, I've found the experience far more consistent with the standing of the restaurant this time. Service quality was really improved even if the waitress were still in training. No waiting between the orders and dishes, friendly people that do not hesitate to discuss with you, no missing elements (except may be bread that was not given for starter---a salad---but stayed on the table even for dessert...). Great improvements since my first expericences. In terms of food, I was also impressed by the portions and the food quality: homemade food with now generous portions and a menu consistent with the season. I had a raw cheese salad with gojis berries as a starter, then a bourguignon seitan with mushrooms in a roasted half-pumpkin as main dish and a beautiful bavarois with pear and Chantilly cream as a dessert. I was very hungry at the beginning but completely full at the end. All was good. If I still find the prices a bit high, the experience is more consistent with them and Paris' lifestyle.
In summary, we had a very mixed opinion about this restaurant for a long time but it really improves its quality, both in terms of service and food. We still believe that it could be nice if the restaurant was able to serve good French wines.
Guest
tatjanabanana
Points +84
The best! - Edit
This place for me is one of the best vegan places I've ever been to. They call themselves a cafe but when we got there and sat down the atmosphere was much more formal and classier than just a regular cafe. The service was great, both people who served us spoke English well which is always good. The food took a little long to make but the guy serving us came up and apologised and said that it was because they make the dough for there pizza as well, it was no fuss for us we weren't in a hurry. The pizza was THE best ever! I couldn't believe the cheese was vegan it was that good. My Aunty got the mushroom burger, I couldn't resist trying some and it was really really delicious. They make there own mayonnaise as well which was yummy! I am definitely going back there if I ever get the chance.
Read morePros: Great service. , Delicious food., Heaps of dishes to chose from.
Cons: Is not open all day.
Guest
carlasamalot1
Points +16
Amazing Vegan Food - Edit
My husband and I are both Vegan and while visitng in Paris came across this gem of a restaurant. We were so impressed the food was amazing (can I mention you can eat everything even the decor; flowers), the staff was very helpful and the owner was always there. We went twice while visiting Paris that's how good it was, for lunch and dinner.
Read moreWe are from NYC and have been to many Vegan restaruants and we have to say this is on our top 5.
Pros: Excellent Food, Super Friendly Staff, Good Portions
Guest
lissabliss
Points +41
super impressive - Edit
It's not the fanciest place... or the most impressive/creative cooking ever (it's casual but upscale-ish), but it deserves a 5 because we had great service, almost all the food was excellent, a good location by the canal, and we can't really ask for much more. My partner and I each had 3 courses. We didn't love every single thing (the salad greens could've been fresher, the ice cream 'creamier'/more flavourful), but I am giving it a 5 because we were both extremely pleased with our time there. The server was extrememly helpful (he translated the new menu for us and gave detailed instructions on where to buy a bottle of wine nearby -- no corking fee). Tip: arrive just after they open in the evening and you can get one of the window seats.. then stroll the canal after the meal.
Read morePros: excellent service, most dishes were perfect, by the canal
Cons: plastic water cups, unimpressive ice cream, doesnt serve alcohol
Guest
MadelineWarren
Points +36
Some top cuisine in the top cuisine capital - Edit
I thought this was a lovely restaurant with a great choice of tasty food. Good portion sizes. Was great to at last get a pastry dish in a city filled with delicious looking pastries. Shame they don't serve alcohol as a nice glass of wine or beer would have went so well with the delicious food but you can bring your own bottle. Waitress spoke English which was helpful. Decor was modern and clean.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Good choice, Good location- easy to find from metro.
Cons: No alcohol
Guest
Veganswife
Points +315
creative menu, simple serene decor - Edit
We visited this restaurant twice during our week in Paris. Enthusiastic and helpful waiting staff, pleasant modern decor and and enticing menu, all vegan. our favourite items were the asparagus soup, the marinated tofu and eggplant dish and the pizza. A vegan and a vegetarian from New Zealand, our taste buds have become accustomed to spicy seasonings from South and South East Asia and we have found vegan food in France relatively bland. However, this was not the case with these three dishes. The eggplant dish bake with a spicy chilli coconut sauce, which was much appreciated. We had no room for dessert!
Read morePros: All vegan, Some dishes had spicy touches, Imaginative menu
Cons: Coffee was not hot, Some dishes a bit bland, No wine. Why not vegan wine?
Guest
Necia11
Points +268
Lovely vegan restaurant in Paris - Edit
I took my parents to Gentle Gourmet for their first vegan experience and they were extremely impressed. My dad ordered the best meal of the night being the Rogan Josh however my mums raw lasagne was also delicious and a very large portion. I tried the risotto which is not something I would normally order therefore do not have a lot to compare it to. I will say it was full of beautiful citrus flavours but was a little overlooked for my taste. My partner had the burger and loved it! For vegans travelling to Paris I would recommend this restaurant and make sure to reserve a table and enjoy
Read morePros: Friendly staff, Menu variety, Ambiance
Cons: A little pricey
Guest
pmoreira
Points +78
I feel divided - Edit
I tasted two dishes: one was absolutely amazing, seitan on a creamy sauce, and it was a good portion. The risotto was quite blend, mostly tasted tangy, and was a very small portion for the same price. The cheesecake was quite disappointing and I've had better in many other places. The service was a bit rude and slow, but that's quite common in Paris. My meal cost about 30 EUR with main dish, dessert and a drink so it is quite expensive!!!
Read morePros: some dishes delicious, cute place
Cons: VERY expensive
Guest
StacyLeibowitz
Points +66
Vegan Perfection - Edit
The food here is fabulous! Do yourself a favor and make a reservation, you don't want to miss this place. Amazing food and desserts! I can't rave enough! Try the vegan "cheese" ; )
Read morePros: Great Food, Great Desserts
Guest
elrujo
Points +236
AMAZING - Edit
People you gotta try the food
Read moreespecially the pizza is very tasty
also nice close to canal
Pros: tasty food, warm people, nice location
Cons: pricey
Guest
isaacwatamaniuk
Points +16
we loved it! - Edit
My girlfriend and I ate there once ( so far ) during our stay in paris. We have tried many raw and vegan restaurants in north america and a few in Paris. This was by far one of the best vegan dining experiences either of us has had. The menu is seasonal and has a lot to offer, food is excellent and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. We will be going back again and recommending it to others.
Read moreGuest
annaegel
Points +110
Yummie, but pricey - Edit
My daughter and I went to this restaurant on our trip to Paris. We ate there twice. The first trip we had the portabella burger, which was really tasty. For desert, she had the brownie (just okay) and I had the white chocolate desert (yummie). The bill came out to 65 euros. The second time, we each had something different. My daughter had the "hot chocolate" drink. Maybe they flavored it to european taste buds, but it was luke warm and not very sweet at all. They still put it on our bill, but I explained that we did not drink it and they took it off the bill.
Read morePros: Tastes good, plenty of choices on the menu, all vegan
Cons: price, hot chocalte not very good, location, not convinient
Guest
Richme
Points +44
Best vegan food in Paris! - Edit
I can't say anything bad about this restaurant. It was without a doubt the best vegan restaurant me and my partner visited in Paris. Great food, desserts and smoothies. Friendly and helpful staff that really raised the bar for what we were used to in terms of service. We were very happy with our visits to this restaurant! As of now they also have English menus, so don't worry about that if you don't speak French. Oh and if you visit this restaurant make sure to try their home-made ice cream, the best vegan ice cream you'll ever eat!
Read morePros: Excellent food, friendly staff, good atmosphere
Guest
Chris W
Points +432
Great for dinner but brunch not so good - Edit
This place offers really top quality vegan food with a good range of options. Highly recommended for dinner. The staff are also really friendly.
Read moreOn the negative side Sunday brunch, which used to be an amazing buffet now consists of a couple of very meagre portions of fairly uninspiring food + bread. Went straight out for lunch after my last visit as was still really hungry!
Reservation system also a bit erratic - emails are often not answered and opening times are variable.
On the positive side therefore I would highly recommend this place for lunch or dinner as it does offer some of the best vegan cooking in Paris.
Updated from previous review on Sunday May 25, 2014
Pros: Great for lunch and dinner, Friendly staff
Cons: Brunch very disappointing, Unreliable reservation system
Guest
kbevis
Points +40
Mixed feelings on brunch - Edit
I was really excited to try this place while in Paris, but was disappointed. We went for Sunday Brunch. I called the night before to make a reservation - for 10:30. The guy spoke English and made the reservation. However, the next morning, we got there, and they didn't open until 11:30! Very frustrating. Brunch was a set menu, which was a surprise. A tofu/veggie dish (which was not very "brunch"-like) and a french toast dish. The french toast was really good, with coconut whipped cream and a mango sauce, but small. Whole thing was pricey for what we got.
Read morePros: Tasty sweet dishes
Cons: Expensive , Hours/reservations sporadic
Guest
lilliebliss
Points +268
Wonderful Paris Vegan Gourmet - Edit
Very easy to locate and right by the wonderful Bastille and Marais areas, this central restaurant has a fantastic breakfast. We had delicious hot chocolate and marvellous vegan Pain Perdu (french toast) with chocolate sauce and berries here. I went back for lunch a few days later and had a lunch that was innovative and yummy. I would advise any vegans or vegetarians that this is a must visit when in Paris.
Read morePros: delicious food, value for money
Cons: expensive
Guest
Ritakafija
Points +120
Great for a dessert - Edit
Dessert was outstanding, however rest of the experience was more than disappointing compared to the price paid. Seitan main dish was soaking in soy sauce, way too salty and no other flavor than salty, salty, salty. There was no music - a dead silence, had to ask twice to put music on. Candles were all out on all the tables- not very inviting at all. Paid over 80CAD for 2 desserts, tea, one main and one soup. definitely not a good representation of vegan food unless you only go for the white chocolate dessert (that one was just wow!)
Read morePros: Dessert
Cons: Lack of atmosphere - music, candles, Price
Guest
Elisabeth_Vienne
Points +123
Exclusive dishes in an exclusive ambiente - Edit
I've been there about two years ago and I absolutely loved it there! :) A very fine restaurant with interesting dishes. The food looks very exclusive and they even had vegan crêpes!! :)
Read moreThe prices are little high, but still okay I think :) The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere very pleasant :)
Pros: excellent food, friendly staff
Cons: a bit expensive
Guest
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