American Food in Paris: 18 Burger, Brunch and BBQ Picks
On the Champs-Élysées, a brasserie burger can cost you €25 and still arrive with a frozen patty and a bun from a plastic bag. Brunch is no better: the spots with the prettiest Instagram pancakes are not always the ones worth the queue.
These 18 spots for American food in Paris made it through our cross-check of Le Fooding, Time Out and dozens of other sources: smash-burger counters, a Texas smokehouse, a New York deli, a diner that has Paris lining up for pancakes. Most are cheap. Craving one thing only? Go straight to our burgers or the best breakfast in Paris.
A bustling American-style diner in the 10th arrondissement serving legendary pancakes and seasonal all-day breakfast to devoted crowds willing to queue for a taste.
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Thomas Chisholm's creative bistro blends French, Catalan, and American influences into shareable small plates, earning recognition in the MICHELIN guide for its innovative approach to sustainable gastronomy.
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A dual-concept Mexican taqueria with a secret speakeasy bar, serving authentic tacos and creative cocktails in the heart of Le Marais since 2011.
A 17m² Brooklyn-inspired burger counter in Pigalle serving expertly crafted smash burgers with potato buns and house-made everything.
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A neighborhood burger joint in Montmartre serving handcrafted burgers made with traditionally raised French meat, crispy homemade fries, and vegetarian options in a casual, convivial atmosphere.
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Authentic Texas barbecue with slow-smoked meats prepared in visible smokers, serving generous portions of brisket and pulled pork in an industrial-chic setting.
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A minimalist burger joint in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés serving authentic smash burgers crafted by a Swiss-trained chef.
A sun-soaked slice of Los Angeles in the Sentier, serving homemade neo-Californian comfort food from breakfast through late lunch.
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An American-style bakery and diner serving homemade pies, fresh bagels, and Brooklyn-inspired organic fare in the heart of Paris's 18th arrondissement.
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A genuine Texas smokehouse bringing slow-smoked meats and authentic American barbecue traditions to Paris's 15th arrondissement.
A Parisian burger institution serving handcrafted burgers made with traditional French farm-raised meat across four vibrant neighborhoods.
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A slice of 1950s New York deli culture serving authentic corned beef sandwiches on Moïse Sfez brioche in the vibrant Marais.
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A sun-soaked Californian brunch haven in the heart of the Marais, serving homemade comfort food with Venice Beach vibes from morning until late afternoon.
A vibrant soul food haven in the Marais serving authentic Southern comfort classics with craft cocktails in a warmly designed space.
A Brooklyn-style coffee roastery and sandwich shop serving artisanal espresso and creative egg buns in the heart of Paris's 9th arrondissement.
A New York-inspired Italian osteria in the heart of Paris's 5th arrondissement, serving bold Italian-American classics in a chic, laid-back setting.
A colorful haven serving fresh açaï bowls and all-day brunch across multiple Parisian locations, where Brazilian superfoods meet local ingredients.
An American burger haven in Pigalle where patties sizzle on volcanic lava bricks, delivering authentic flavors steps from the Moulin Rouge.
Getting American food right in Paris
The USA tag on this list is broad. It covers burgers, brunch, barbecue and deli, plus a Mexican taqueria and a chef's bistro with American touches. Pick your craving, then use the filters above for neighborhood and opening hours, because many of these places close in the afternoon.
Smash burgers and farm beef
Dumbo, in Pigalle, is 17 square meters of stainless steel and plancha heat: smash burgers on potato buns, double-fried fries, and only about a hundred burgers per service, so come early. Spécimen Burger, in Saint-Germain, makes its own secret sauce and ketchup. Le Ruisseau, in Montmartre, and its sister Le Ruisseau Burger Joint in the Marais use French farm-raised beef and offer a chickpea patty for vegetarians. All of them are in our cheap eats.
Brunch, pancakes and pie
Holybelly, near the Canal Saint-Martin, is the diner Paris queues for: sweet and savory pancake stacks, a grilled cheese with Saint-Nectaire, no reservations ever. Arrive before 10:30 on weekends or expect a wait of up to 45 minutes. Echo, in the Sentier, brings LA café food until mid-afternoon. At Halle Pajol, Bob's Bake Shop bakes pecan and cherry pies, bagels and New York cheesecake from 8am. More pies and cakes in our pastry shops.
Smoked meat and deli sandwiches
Melt smokes its brisket, pulled pork and pastrami for hours in visible smokers, in Oberkampf and on rue Cambronne; small groups can't book, so show up early. JANET by Homer, on rue Rambuteau, piles Wagyu corned beef on a cumin rye brioche from baker Moïse Sfez. Browse our sandwiches for more to eat on the go.
Tacos, cocktails and a chef's twist
In Le Marais, Candelaria serves tacos al pastor in a five-seat taqueria, with a speakeasy bar behind a hidden door; our Latin American food goes further south, to ceviche and churrasco. ChoCho, on rue de Paradis, mixes French, Catalan and American ideas into small plates and has a Michelin mention.
The Marais, the 18th and the 10th have the most addresses here, and the bill stays low almost everywhere. Open the map, pick the closest, and check each place's hours and must-try dishes before you queue.