It wasn’t too long ago that breakfast in Paris was a very beige affair — literally. Perhaps you had a croissant and a chaser of coffee, or a toasted baguette washed down with chocolat chaud … Maybe you occasionally added a dash of yellow with an omelette, or a splash of red with your strawberry jam. But mostly it was, colour-wise, a fairly bland affair.
Now though, it seems that almost every Parisian café has gone green, because the avocado toast craze has translated well beyond its original Australian shores, even to a city that was once so notoriously traditional when it came to petit déjeuner. (Paris, you’ve changed!)
Here are ten cafés to consider the next time you want a colourful start to your Parisian day …
Café Berry
There’s the regular Avocado Toast, which is scrumptious enough, but the Special Avocado Toast adds a layer of beetroot hummus for some colour, as well as vitamin, therapy.
€12; 10, Rue Chapon 75003.
Maison Sauvage
A generous serving of avocado, on toasted-to-perfection country bread, dressed up with feta and pomegranate for pops of sweet and salty flavour.
€14; 5, Rue de Buci 75006.
Peonies Paris
At this pretty café-slash-florist, the avocado toast is adorned with — what else? — edible blooms.
€9.50; 81 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis 75010.
Fragments
One of the most luscious avocado toasts in town, particularly given the price, this dish will keep you fuelled all day long, especially if you add a poached egg (€2.50 extra)
€9; 76, Rue des Tournelles 75003.
Ob-La-Di
One of the original Parisian avo toast sensations, and still one of the most popular, this take is topped with a drizzle of chimichurri sauce and a smattering of pomegranate seeds.
€10; 54, Rue de Saintonge 75003.
Le Pain Quotidien
A beautifully seasoned avocado purée on a crisp country tartine.
€10.30; various locations, including: 25, Rue de Varenne 75007; 18, Place du Marché Saint-Honoré 75001.
Avocateria
At the first avocado bar in Paris, Hass is the star fruit on this green-tinged menu — there are avo-infused salads, shakes, tortillas, burgers, sweets and, of course, toast, of which there are multiple options.
From €12; 44, Rue du Caire 75002.
Alcazar
The elegantly garnished avocado toast is one of the star dishes at this glamorous Left Bank restaurant’s vegetarian-friendly Sunday brunch.
Sunday brunch €41 per person (€25 for kids); 62, Rue Mazarine 75006.
Season
Fancy-up your toast and avocado cream (it’s blended with lemon, curry, garlic, mustard and sesame salt) with a choice of egg, bacon, halloumi or salmon.
From €11; 1, Rue Dupuis 75003.
Cojean
For a nutrient-packed start to the day, order the ‘Petit-Déjeuner Idéal’ — a juice of your choice and a ‘green toast’ (grilled multigrain bread, spread with a blend of avocado, lime juice and coriander, and sprinkled with sesame seeds).
€6.90; available at selected Cojean locations, including: 121, Rue Réamur 75002; 17, Boulevard Haussmann 75009; 78, Avenue Kléber 75116.