The 23 Best Patisseries in Paris, Beyond the Macaron Queue
Paris pastry windows are designed to stop you in your tracks, and that's half the problem. The glossiest cake on the street isn't always the best one, the longest queue often just belongs to the most famous name, and plenty of visitors fly home having tasted nothing but macarons.
These are the best patisseries in Paris we'd happily queue for: 23 pastry shops cross-checked across Time Out, Le Fooding and the guides locals trust, from a 1730 institution to Japanese and Levantine pastry chefs. Chasing one particular treat? Go straight to our macarons or éclairs.
The iconic Parisian salon de thé where the double-decker macaron was born, serving exquisite pastries and tea time in a Belle Époque setting on the world's most famous avenue.
A charming salon de thé where artisanal French pastries meet vintage elegance in a pastel-hued boudoir setting.
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The oldest pâtisserie in Paris, where Nicolas Stohrer invented the baba au rhum in 1730, continues to craft legendary French pastries in a monument historique setting.
A centuries-old Japanese confectionery house brings authentic wagashi artistry and traditional tea ceremony culture to Paris's elegant first arrondissement.
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Celebrated chef Cyril Lignac's bustling pâtisserie on rue Paul Bert showcases artisanal French pastries that reimagine classics with modern flair.
An authentic Portuguese pastry shop serving Paris's finest Pastéis de Nata, crafted from a secret recipe and served warm in a cozy Lisbon-inspired setting.
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The legendary "Picasso of Pastry" transforms macarons and chocolates into edible art at his Saint-Germain-des-Prés sanctuary.
An artisan bakery in the 11th arrondissement where traditional French baking techniques meet creative pastry innovation, offering everything from naturally leavened breads to signature cheesecakes.
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A contemporary pâtisserie fine blending Levantine heritage with French technique, crafting exquisite tarts and reimagined baklavas in the heart of Paris.
A refined pastry boutique within the legendary Hôtel de Crillon on Place de la Concorde, where chef Matthieu Carlin crafts contemporary seasonal creations.
Award-winning Japanese pastry chef Mori Yoshida crafts exquisite Franco-Japanese desserts in the heart of Paris's 7th arrondissement, blending traditional French techniques with refined Japanese sensibility.
Paris's premier artisanal mochi boutique crafting authentic Japanese confections with plant-based ingredients across multiple locations.
A Portuguese pâtisserie in the Haut-Marais dedicated to the art of the pastel de nata, prepared fresh throughout the day.
Former Grand Hôtel Intercontinental pastry chef Carl Marletti crafts award-winning French pastries, including Paris's best lemon tart, in his elegant Left Bank boutique.
A celebrated Franco-Japanese pâtisserie where master pastry chef Sadaharu Aoki has been crafting elegant, innovative creations infused with matcha and Japanese flavors for over two decades.
François Perret's elegant pâtisserie boutiques bring the legendary Ritz Paris savoir-faire to rue Cambon and rue de Sèvres with exquisite French pastries and signature madeleines.
A contemporary pâtisserie offering an array of exquisite desserts with convenient delivery options throughout Paris.
A refined pastry boutique in Vincennes where Noémie Giorno crafts exceptional French desserts with carefully selected premium ingredients.
Paris's premier destination for freshly baked, artisan cookies that redefine indulgence with their signature soft, chewy texture.
A modern Parisian pâtisserie reimagining the classic French macaron with bold Southeast Asian flavors like ube, pandan, and sriracha.
An artisanal pâtisserie near Buttes-Chaumont where traditional French techniques embrace multicultural influences, creating unique pastries with locally sourced ingredients.
A refined épicerie fine specializing in exquisitely crafted Deglet Nour dates, transformed into artisanal confections that elevate this ancient fruit to luxury status.
A refined pastry boutique in the Marais crafting exquisite French-Oriental tarts that celebrate the marriage of pistachios, orange blossom, and Mediterranean flavors.
How to choose the best patisserie in Paris
A great pastry shop is easy to taste and hard to photograph: the fruit tart tastes of fruit, the cream isn't cloying, and the range follows the seasons. Go before mid-afternoon for full shelves, and check the hours with the filters above: several of these shops open late morning, and many close one day a week. The map will show you which ones sit on your walking route.
The classics, at the source
On rue Montorgueil, Stohrer has been baking since 1730, when Nicolas Stohrer, pastry chef to Louis XV, opened shop; the baba au rhum was born here, and the listed interior alone is worth the visit. Try the puits d'amour too. On rue Paul Bert, Cyril Lignac's pâtisserie opens daily from 7am with its Équinoxe caramel-praline, while Ladurée on the Champs-Élysées remains the place for macarons with a proper tea service. For something to take home, pair this list with our chocolate shops.
Paris pastry with an accent
Some of the most exciting pastry in town looks east. Maison Aleph blends Levantine flavors with French technique: a pistachio and orange blossom tart, and the 1001 feuilles, its take on baklava. On avenue de Breteuil, Mori Yoshida brings Japanese precision to French classics, like the Beige chocolate cake with Earl Grey mousse and a citrus Paris-Brest; it opens Wednesday to Sunday only. Near Concorde, Toraya serves Japanese wagashi with matcha, and Comme à Lisbonne pulls warm pastéis de nata from the oven in a 10-seat shop. Love those flavors? Explore our Middle Eastern food.
A tea room for a sit-down
On rue de Bretagne, Bontemps serves its famous sablés and the diablotin, a hazelnut cake with a gianduja heart, in a pastel salon with velvet chairs; book for weekend brunch. It's a sweet stop on any walk through Le Marais, and our cafés list has more places to sit down with a cake.
Where to look, and what to spend
The 11th and the 6th have the most pastry shops on this list, and Saint-Germain alone gives you Pierre Hermé's Ispahan macaron: start with the 6th arrondissement. Expect to pay more than at a bakery; for everyday treats, our bakeries are gentler on the wallet, and in summer the ice cream shops take over. Open any shop to see its signature pastries, prices and the good and not-so-good from reviews.