Beyond Chinatown: 18 Places to Eat in the 13th Arrondissement
Paris's Chinatown, between avenue d'Ivry and avenue de Choisy, is where Parisians go for a real bowl of pho. It's also a maze: dozens of look-alike canteens, laminated photo menus, and no way to tell the great ones from the tired ones by walking past.
These 18 places in the 13th arrondissement were cross-checked across Michelin, Le Fooding and Time Out, so you know which door to push. The list reaches beyond Chinatown too: the village-like Butte-aux-Cailles, a Top Chef finalist's bistrot and a giant Italian food hall. See all our Vietnamese food and Asian food picks.
A sprawling 4,500 m² Italian food paradise in Paris's 13th arrondissement, serving artisanal pizzas, fresh pasta, and more to 1,000 guests in a vibrant, electric atmosphere.
Timeout
A beloved Vietnamese canteen in the heart of Paris's Asian quarter, serving steaming bowls of traditional phô and regional specialties at unbeatable prices.
Michelin Bib GourmandMichelin
Top Chef 2022 finalist Lilian Douchet brings creative seasonal cuisine to a modern bistrot with a verdant terrace on Avenue des Gobelins.
TheFork InsiderTop Chef
An enigmatic dining destination that invites you to discover its hidden depths in the heart of Paris.
TheFork Insider
A welcoming Vietnamese canteen in the 13th arrondissement serving authentic pho and daily-changing soups seven days a week.
Timeout
Fooding
A beloved Butte-aux-Cailles institution serving authentic Algerian couscous at unbeatable prices in a warmly convivial atmosphere since generations.
Fooding AwardTimeoutFooding
A modern bistrot in the 13th arrondissement where Chef Thibault Sombardier crafts Franco-Italian cuisine with seasonal Southern influences, earning an 11.5/20 Gault&Millau rating.
TheFork InsiderMichelin Bib GourmandMichelinFooding
An authentic Vietnamese street food haven serving exceptional bánh mì and bubble tea in a relaxed neighborhood setting near Porte d'Ivry.
Fooding
Chef Justin Brohm's intimate bistronomic restaurant where French tradition meets creative innovation through carefully sourced ingredients and refined technique.
TheFork InsiderMichelinTimeoutFooding
A committed bistronomic bistro in the 13th arrondissement where creative seasonal cuisine meets natural wines in a warm, eco-conscious setting.
TheFork InsiderMichelinFooding
A beloved Parisian institution serving generous portions of authentic Basque and Southwest French cuisine at unbeatable prices.
Timeout
A beloved neighborhood institution serving traditional Tunisian cuisine with warmth and authenticity since generations.
A vibrant Basque tapas bar in Tolbiac serving authentic sharing plates and regional wines in a contemporary, festive atmosphere.
A charming neighborhood spot where fresh, wholesome cuisine meets authentic Parisian conviviality.
A beloved Montmartre institution serving natural wines and seasonal French plates in an authentic, convivial atmosphere since 1950.
A beloved local market between Place d'Italie and Rue Barrault, offering fresh produce and occasional Asian street food festivals in the heart of the 13th arrondissement.
An authentic Chinese tea boutique in the heart of Paris's 13th arrondissement, offering over 200 carefully curated teas from China's most prestigious tea-growing regions.
Marie Quatrehomme, France's first female Meilleur Ouvrier de France in cheese-making, curates 200 to 250 seasonal varieties in this legendary Left Bank fromagerie.
Chinatown Paris restaurants, and the rest of the 13th
The 13th is one of the best-value arrondissements on our list: cheap spots are the biggest group, so check our cheap eats too. It's also spread out, so use the map. Chinatown sits in the south toward Porte d'Ivry, the Butte-aux-Cailles is a walk west, and Station F lies by the Seine to the east.
Pho, bánh mì and daily soups
Pho tai holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its phô spécial, bún bò Huế and bánh cuốn. Ngoc Xuyen Saigon changes its specialty soup every day (chicken and bamboo on Tuesday, crab on Thursday) and opens seven days a week. For a fast lunch, Coupi Bar near Porte d'Ivry fills bánh mì with Vietnamese mortadella and roast pork belly; come before noon or after 1:30pm to skip the student rush. More in our ramen and noodles and sandwiches pages.
Butte-aux-Cailles and North African classics
Chez Mamane, on the Butte-aux-Cailles, serves Algerian couscous royal at gentle prices; call ahead or arrive when it opens in the evening. Le Petit Sfax does generous Tunisian plates, brick à l'œuf included. Chez Gladines packs its room for poulet basquaise and takes no reservations: put your name down in person. See all our couscous spots.
Bistrots on the rise
Dame Augustine, from Top Chef 2022 finalist Lilian Douchet, has a green terrace on avenue des Gobelins. Sellae, a Bib Gourmand, cooks Franco-Italian with escargot ravioli; Sourire, from self-taught chef Justin Brohm, and Tadam, with a Sunday brunch worth booking, round out the bistronomy side. Browse Top Chef restaurants and Bib Gourmand picks.
Go big, or go next door
La Felicità, Big Mamma's 4,500 m² food hall at Station F, seats a thousand for pizza, pasta and burgers. From there, the Latin Quarter in the 5th is an easy walk.