Fact: Paris is cooler because of Elodie Fagan. The Franco-Irish twenty-something has made it her mission as the Community Director at Yelp! Paris to ferret out the best, freshest and most worthy spots in the capital. In a city larded with boutiques, cafés and bars of vastly varying quality, she’s been astoundingly successful – at both building a network of Yelpers who are equally as passionate about Paris and support local business and evolving the site into a veritable community of its own with helpful reviews. In her own words, she’s the “swiss army knife” for Yelp! Paris and wears many hats but her natural curiosity and background in food have allowed her to tackle each role with aplomb and skill. Learn a little bit more about the face of Yelp! Paris!
Describe what you love about France in three words.
Sophistication, food culture, quality of life.
The unique places you like to take out-of-town guests in Paris?
I love taking people to places that are not 100% traditional French. Paris is changing and the best food scene now is more European/American than strictly French. So I’ll usually take them to West Country Girl for a phenomenal, off-the-beaten track crepe, or to Ito for a cool Japanese-French dinner in the 9th (south of Pigalle), then to Du Pain Et DesIdées for the best bread and croissant in town or to Frenchie-to-Go for a Reuben. I’d pick Claus, Colorova or Bob’s Kitchen for brunch and might even take them to Rice&Fish, Neobento or Zen Zoo for some fun asian inspired meal or bubble tea. Then we’d have to go for coffee at The Broken Arm, Loustic, Lomi or Kooka Boora and might finish with some French tapas at Aux Deux Amis orArtisan, a fabulous new foodie spot in Pigalle. I wouldn’t forget Mary Céleste or Dirty Dick for a cocktail at night and a meal at the Marché des Enfants Rouges for the unique vibe.
Favorite new shops in the city?
Ma Demoiselle Pierre: it isn’t brand new (it opened a year ago) but I love the jewelry there,and the shop is adorable. MaisonNordik is a great new store in my neighborhood which sells amazing pieces of furniture! I discovered it thanks to one of my Yelpers.
Where you go outside of Paris for a relaxing getaway?
I love Saint Malo ! But here’s a closer option. While my dad lived in Paris, I grew up with my mom in the suburbs, in a wonderful little place called Ville d’Avray. The train that goes to Versailles will take you there in 20min from the center of Paris, and then you can enjoy the forest, the ponds and ducks and the wonderful little colonial-style cafés by the water. It’s very scenic and so close to paris and the Château de Versailles, totally worth it.
Top 3 must-visit restaurants or cafés?
I’ll pick the places that combine sophistication and warmth (two qualities that are respectively French & Irish to me- the perfect balance). I have unconditional love for Bob’s Juice Bar, the smallest, warmest, healthiest yet most comforting veggie food in Paris. It has such a homey feeling.
Even though I’m not a fan of the decoration there, I am always amazed by the food at Braisenvile, and the modesty of the team. It’s mind blowing. And there’s nothing pretentious there, unlike a lot of uber cool foodie spots. I would also go to Tuck Shop for an avocado toast and an LSD (Latte Soja Dandelion) on a crisp winter morning. It’s a truly friendly and loving place.
Thanks, Elodie! For more reviews, follow Elodie on Yelp! and be sure to sign up for the always-useful Yelp! newsletter HERE.
