When you're feeling homesick, what's better than finding a little piece of home here on your doorstep? If you're missing Blighty, Mister Bilingue has the best spots in Paris to make you feel right at home!
Since crossing the Channel, you've had only one thing on your mind: where can I get my fill of the that humble and one-of-a-kind thing that is British cooking? No fear, a hearty portion of fish and chips washed down with a nice cup of tea is all that's needed to complete your life here in Paris.
Relax, put down your pint and take a moment to find out about all the best British spots in the French capital in one handy article. With any luck, you may even find your new favourite place for brunch just a stone's throw from your door!
Leslie Road: the one and only English Breakfast
Founded by a French-British woman who used to visit her grandparents every year at 132 Leslie Road in East Finchley, Leslie Road is a typically British eatery both in décor and on the menu!
It's worth going to Paris' 20th arrondissement just to enjoy their 100% English brunch, made up of scrambled eggs, Heinz baked beans, fried mushrooms, baked herby tomatoes, half a potato covered with melted cheddar, and, of course, a slice of bacon cooked just the way the English like it: thick and salty. And if you prefer sinking your teeth into a slice of Scottish smoked salmon over bacon, that's OK too!
Finally, if it's the renowned English "teatime" you're craving, Leslie Road is there for you, offering a whole host of teas–black, green, red, flavoured–accompanied by scones, crumbles and other homemade cakes.
La grande épicerie: the 100% best-of-British aisle
La grande épicerie de Paris, located in the city's 7th arrondissement, is a food hall offering a whole host of brands and delicatessen products, organized by origin. This is a food destination that aims to please, drawing in tourists and expats from all over the world!
Within their walls you can, of course, find a whole department dedicated to Great Britain, with products even including daily English newspapers that you'd have trouble finding elsewhere in France. Other things to add to your shopping list include:
A wide selection of Wilkin & Sons jams and marmalades, the official supplier to the Royal Household (if it's good enough for HRH…);
Heinz and HP sauces;
Carr's and Walkers biscuits;
Taylor's of Harrogate tea.
If you're more of an online shopper, make sure to check out their online shop!
Malins Fish and Chips: the real deal
In France, fish and chips in all its crispy, battered glory is, without a doubt, the defining dish of English cuisine.
Tucked away in one of the 8th arrondissement's shopping arcades, Malins Fish and Chips is Paris' answer to the British chippy, dedicated to preparing the very best fish and chips this side of the Channel. Made with 100% natural ingredients, this place is the answer for any Brit looking for a hearty, authentic portion of their favourite meal.
Served with freshly-made thick-cut chips (that's 'fries' for the non-initiated among you) and mushy peas, you can choose between cod, haddock, and pollock, all accompanied by a homemade sauce and a generous dousing of salt and vinegar.
If that's not enough to transport you to a wind-swept day at the British seaside, take a look at the photos on their Facebook page to get your taste buds going. Bon appétit!
Betjeman & Barton tea merchants: the place for tea
With a selection of over 250 different teas, Betjeman & Barton is the perfect place to stock up on your favourite tea, whether it's a classic, fruity, full-bodied, or flavoured blend that you're looking for.
Arriving at their historic shop on the Boulevard Malesherbes (8th arrondissement), you won't be able to help but wonder at their exquisite window display and inside is no different: their towering wooden shelves are heavy with hundreds of teas caddies, some of which even contain original creations exclusive to the shop.
If it's a tea tasting that you're after, pay a visit to their "tea bar" in the 11th arrondissement, fully decked out in British décor, where you can try a huge selection of teas, both hot and iced. For the tea connoisseurs among you, we suggest giving their very own creation a go: sparkling iced tea, better known as bubble tea.
T'Cup: it's tea o'clock!
"Don't be late, teatime doesn't wait… but no need to take the Eurostar!" That's the motto of T'Cup, a tearoom and restaurant located in Paris' 3rd arrondissement.
A stylish and cosy space with a typically British ambiance, it's the perfect place for your four-o'clock pit stop. Sink into the warm embrace of a Chesterfield armchair with a hot cuppa' and a plate of their equally delicious marmalade scones.
Whether it's an authentic breakfast, a brunch with friends or a simple tea stop that you're looking for, you'll be right at home here with the opportunity to taste top-notch British dishes.
WHSmith: the oldest English bookshop in Paris
A stone's throw from the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden, what better way to spend a few hours than perusing the largest English bookstore in all of Paris: WHSmith.
Founded in 1870, this century-old establishment is a haven for all book lovers with a taste for English literature of all varieties. Here you can find novels across every literary genre, daily, weekly and monthly newspapers from every corner of the English-speaking world, as well as stationery and even age-old textbooks.
Last but not least, it's worth mentioning their famous tearoom, newly open to the public since 2016. It's the perfect place to stop for a spot of tea in the midst of newspaper clippings and hordes of homesick British expats looking for that perfect English breakfast.
Shakespeare & Company: the legendary haunt of writers
The Shakespeare and Company bookshop is a legendary place for writers all around the world. Situated in Paris' 5th arrondissement since 1951, this is a must-visit for anyone interested in titles from across the English-speaking world, as well as translations of famous French works.
The uniqueness of this place lies in the fact that it has been home to so many renowned artists, including Darren Aronofsky, Ethan Hawke, Kate Grenville and David Rakoff. For decades, this bookshop has offered a place to stay to people of all ages in exchange for working in the shop. So far, they have opened their doors to several thousands of people who have spent a night in the most legendary home of English literature within France.
More than just a bookstore, they also host different types of literary events and the owners even organize a festival bringing together writers and literature lovers alike.
The British Shop: home to authentically English china
Fine china painted in timeless colors with dainty pink roses… what could be more English? Welcome to The British Shop, the home of English china in Paris!
Both online and in-store in the 16th arrondissement, here you can find all the most prestigious brands in the world of fine English crockery and tableware, including Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Johnson Brothers and Brixton Pottery.
If it's china you're looking for, go no further, because you won't leave this place without finding the answer to your quest for British elegance, or the perfect gift for a friend. This place has to be seen to be believed, so go and take a look for yourself to see the huge range of dishes and tea sets in this timeless gem of a shop. In among the shelves you're bound to run into an ever-growing number of British expats on the lookout for that perfect tea set!
The Bombardier: a taste of England
Looking to quench your thirst with a nice cold pint while watching your favorite rugby team? Look no further than The Bombardier!
Located in the city's famous Latin Quarter, this 100% English pub is a gathering place for beer drinkers and sports fans of all kinds.
Here you can find a wide range of beer and ciders, as well as a continual stream of football and rugby matches on the big screen. And let's not forget their selection of typical pub food with trusty favourites like fish and chips and burgers!
If you're looking to spend a chilled evening among friends with top quality beers on tap, you won't be disappointed in this pub.
The Cricketer: the liveliest pub around
To round off your quest for the best British spots in Paris, make sure to check out The Cricketer for its typical pub interior. On the menu: fish and chips, a lively atmosphere and yes, even a beer named 'Brexit'!
Located close to Madeleine metro in the 8th arrondissement, this pub is home to droves of British students and tourists looking to while away a lively evening and quench their thirst with one (or eight) cold pints of beer.
Even though this addition to our list might take us somewhat away from the previous picture of refined British elegance, there's no denying that drinking each other under the table (all while keeping a pinky finger in the air) is a central tenet of British culture!
That's it for this top 10! We hope our best picks have given you some fresh inspiration for life in Paris and you'll be keen to stay here with us a little longer! It's not too shabby in Paris, don't you think?
You can find even more tips about life in France thanks to the expats to follow when you move to France. These expats tell you everything about their experience of expatriation in France. For example,Tiffanie Davis, the YouTube channel of a New Yorker in France.
Over and out!
Author
Félix
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