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Paris For French-Haters

guide
/
byo club
internatty
microclimate
from the cellar
in good company
edges of reason
bottom of the bottle

Paris For French-Haters

words

Wilko

images

No items found.

The French aren't to everyone's taste. Apparently arrogant, reportedly rude and, to boot, undoubtedly better at food than the rest of the world. For those that believe this, thankfully the best food in France is rarely French food. In Paris, these are those eats.

REYNA

In the City of Love, some lust for lechon. The Filipino fare at REYNA satisfies cravings for pork belly, sisig rice and anything adobo. Plus, trust this team’s pairings of natural wines that’ll tingle-tangle your palate.

41 Rue de Montreuil, 75011 Paris, France

Chez Omar

Like a lamb to the slaughter, I’m helpless at the smell of anything agneau from this legendary Algerian bistro. Atmosphere buzzing like a bouillon, Chez Omar shines in serving North African staples of pillowy couscous, succulent merguez and unhurried hospitality. 

47 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France

Aux Mandarins de Belleville 食全食美

The matriarch of Paris’ north-east Chinatown, The Mandarins bears fruit for many a soy-seeking soul. Secure a sun-drenched table al fresco, feast upon Sichuan’s finest Yu-shiang eggplant and cherish the city’s most honest, ho-hum house wine. 

12 Rue Jules Romains, 75019 Paris, France

MEHMET

Historically, a half-dozen wines comes before the kebab. This perfectly-trendy Turkish restaurant in the shadow of Sacré-Cœur bucks that trend: Have the heart and horniness to indulge in both döner poulet and pétillant at once. 

43 Rue Ramey, 75018 Paris, France

Pho13

But what if your disdain for Paris, France is really f–king personal? Then venture far from the city centre for phở kings and bánh mì queens in the very-Vietnamese 13è district. Here, Pho13 proudly and promptly serves bún bò huế at a price even the Aussie exchange rate can love. 

66-68 Av. d'Ivry, 75013 Paris, France

Mokonuts

A petit taste of what Paris does well is permitted. Swing into Omar & Moko’s marriage via their loving union of Japanese, Levantine and French flavours at Mokonuts. Choose upmarket café eats on house-made toast in the AM, stay seated for the daily-changing lunch menu revered by those in-the-know. 

5 Rue Saint-Bernard, 75011 Paris, France

BING SUTT (RIP)

Shoutout to BING SUTT and a heartfelt plea for it to come back. Hong Kong cha chaan teng within ten steps of République? BING SUTT ain’t (weren't) your average boulangerie; savour bolo bao pineapple buns, yeunyeung milk tea and a spicy stare from the godmother herself via umami-laden Lao Gan Ma cheese rolls. 

Here is my longer location list where the hungry French-hater can eat well.

published
Wilko is the wildcard in food media. The creator of the opposite-ordering “LEAST EATS” series, he’s a big mouth with a good heart, plus great taste that’s gone to his big head.
No items found.
guide
/
byo club
internatty
microclimate
from the cellar
in good company
edges of reason
bottom of the bottle

Paris For French-Haters

words

Wilko

images

No items found.

The French aren't to everyone's taste. Apparently arrogant, reportedly rude and, to boot, undoubtedly better at food than the rest of the world. For those that believe this, thankfully the best food in France is rarely French food. In Paris, these are those eats.

REYNA

In the City of Love, some lust for lechon. The Filipino fare at REYNA satisfies cravings for pork belly, sisig rice and anything adobo. Plus, trust this team’s pairings of natural wines that’ll tingle-tangle your palate.

41 Rue de Montreuil, 75011 Paris, France

Chez Omar

Like a lamb to the slaughter, I’m helpless at the smell of anything agneau from this legendary Algerian bistro. Atmosphere buzzing like a bouillon, Chez Omar shines in serving North African staples of pillowy couscous, succulent merguez and unhurried hospitality. 

47 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France

Aux Mandarins de Belleville 食全食美

The matriarch of Paris’ north-east Chinatown, The Mandarins bears fruit for many a soy-seeking soul. Secure a sun-drenched table al fresco, feast upon Sichuan’s finest Yu-shiang eggplant and cherish the city’s most honest, ho-hum house wine. 

12 Rue Jules Romains, 75019 Paris, France

MEHMET

Historically, a half-dozen wines comes before the kebab. This perfectly-trendy Turkish restaurant in the shadow of Sacré-Cœur bucks that trend: Have the heart and horniness to indulge in both döner poulet and pétillant at once. 

43 Rue Ramey, 75018 Paris, France

Pho13

But what if your disdain for Paris, France is really f–king personal? Then venture far from the city centre for phở kings and bánh mì queens in the very-Vietnamese 13è district. Here, Pho13 proudly and promptly serves bún bò huế at a price even the Aussie exchange rate can love. 

66-68 Av. d'Ivry, 75013 Paris, France

Mokonuts

A petit taste of what Paris does well is permitted. Swing into Omar & Moko’s marriage via their loving union of Japanese, Levantine and French flavours at Mokonuts. Choose upmarket café eats on house-made toast in the AM, stay seated for the daily-changing lunch menu revered by those in-the-know. 

5 Rue Saint-Bernard, 75011 Paris, France

BING SUTT (RIP)

Shoutout to BING SUTT and a heartfelt plea for it to come back. Hong Kong cha chaan teng within ten steps of République? BING SUTT ain’t (weren't) your average boulangerie; savour bolo bao pineapple buns, yeunyeung milk tea and a spicy stare from the godmother herself via umami-laden Lao Gan Ma cheese rolls. 

Here is my longer location list where the hungry French-hater can eat well.

published
August 2026
Wilko is the wildcard in food media. The creator of the opposite-ordering “LEAST EATS” series, he’s a big mouth with a good heart, plus great taste that’s gone to his big head.
No items found.
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Veraison's "Internatty" guides are a tool for navigating the broader world through a local lens. Our favourite discoveries from across the globe.
We published a lot of wonderful writing from friends and colleagues back in Veraison's days as a physical publication, and we wanted to give some of it a permanent home. Our "From The Cellar" articles are a curation of our favourite pieces from Veraison's print days, brought online for you.
Veraison's "Microclimate" guides are focused on what's happening here in Naarm. These guides try to shine a light on some of the often overlooked aspects of this ridiculous city of ours.
"Edges Of Reason" is a recurring chit-chat between besties Claire and Moira; a (very) loosely structured exploration of ideas, sometimes over a bottle of wine, with much vim and vigour.
The "Bottom Of The Bottle" article series is our long-form meandering exploration of ideas, championing the kinds of conversations you might get into when you're 750ml deep with a friend or two.
"BYO Club" is Darryl's routine roundup of the best spots to bring your best botts (and friends, of course). Each BYO Club Guide is compiled with a different theme in mind.
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