Bululu Arepera Montmartre

Our radar is telling us that the "other" side of Montmartre - down the hill from the prime tourist photo-op territory of the Sacre Coeur -  is bubbling under as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Paris right now. We've already told you about burger bar Le Ruisseau, which is drawing local hipsters out of the woodwork, and trendy mid-century modern furniture shop Maison Nordik (check out our full round up in our piece The Other Side of Montmartre), and the area is continuing to build a solid empire of interesting, independent establishments, making this part of town a destination in and of itself. One of the area's top draws is  charmingly ramshackle Venezuelan sandwich joint Bululu - the only Arepera in Paris. In the small space, with chipboard tables and recycled tin cans as cutlery holders , a team of pretty girls with flowery headscarves in their hair explain the Venzuelan sandwiches on offer: made from freshly baked, golden, gluten-free bread, arepas are a filled with various key ingredients such as avocado, tajada (plantain), black beans, cheese and beef. Also on offer are fried plantain chips, and deliciously simple Obleas for pudding - wafer sandwiches filled with sweet Dulce de Leche - and there are a range of juices, beers and lemonades to wash it all down with. Open for lunch and supper, and brunch on weekends. 

Bululu, 
20 rue de la Fontaine du But, 
75018 Paris
Open Weds-Fri: 12-2.30; 7.30-11pm
Sat-Sun: 12-11.30pm

all photos copyright Kim Laidlaw / Unlock Paris

Le Ruisseau - Burgers in the 18th arrondissement

Paris' love for burgers is showing no signs of abating, with burger joints continuing to pop up all over the capital, even as far a field as the new, tasteful Le Ruisseau in a rather quiet corner of the 18th arrondissement. This part of town - on the other side of Montmartre, away from the picture-perfect Amélie-style photo ops -  is rather residential but has lately been showing signs of slowly but surely becoming a destination in and of itself (see our piece on The Other Side of Montmartre) with a trendy Scandiwegian furniture shop, a connaisseur-approved coffee bar and a super-stylish garden concept store all part of the neighbourhood's draw. Le Ruisseau - helmed by chef Alban Jousse, who was trained at Michelin-starred restaurant, Laurent - is bringing more local hipsters out of the woodwork to hang out in its pared-back setting and chow down on one of its many top-notch burgers (including a goats cheese burger, a BBQ burger, a tartare burger and a mighty fine veggie burger - prices from €12), served with homemade chips and a green salad, and washed down with Brooklyn Lager on tap, a cocktail (Mojito, Gin FIzz, Americano... €7.50/8) or wine by the glass or bottle (from €4 for a glass of Chinon Rouge). For those who can't choose between all the burger options, a pair of mini burgers of your choice can be ordered so two flavours can be sampled. And for those all burgered out, there are also other delights on offer including a chicken club sandwich, steak tartare and a Caesar salad. Save some space for the desserts (from €5.50) which include a global round up of sweet favourites from cheesecake and tiramisu, to fondant au chocolat and apple sorbet in Calvados. A welcome addition to the 18th. 

Le Ruisseau

65 rue du Ruisseau

75018 Paris

Open Tues-Sun lunch and dinner; Sun brunch. 

all photos copyright Kim Laidlaw / Unlock Paris

Café Marlette

Created by sisters Margot and Scarlette, Marlette (see what they did there?) began as an organic food brand selling bread and cake mixes (stocked at choice Paris addresses such as Claus and Causses), and has now branched out to include the freshly opened Café Marlette, serving breakfast, lunch, brunch and snacks. The charming space on the trendy rue des Martyrs - with a pared back, bright and breezy decor of bare-brick walls and comfy window seats strewn with cushions - provides a convivial backdrop for laidback daytime dining. On the menu are simple, organic and healthy options at reasonable prices (from €7.50), including sandwiches (such as the delicate yet filling goats cheese, honey and raisin baguette), seasonal salads, soups and sweet treats fresh out of the oven such as cookies and scones. These can all be washed down with superior coffee supplied by Paris coffee masters, Coutume, organic tea from Lov or organic wine for those who wish to indulge. Brunch - featuring a selection of breads and jams, granola, compote and more - is served on the weekends (€25) and the Marlette bread and pastry mixes, from whence this story all began, are also on sale. 

Café Marlette

51 rue des Martyrs, 

75009 Paris

www.cafemarlette.fr

Open: Tues-Fri, 8.30am-7.30pm; Sat, 10am-7.30pm; Sun, 10am-6pm

all photos copyright Kim Laidlaw / Unlock Paris

Holybelly Café

The cornering roads of rue des Vinagriers and rue Lucien Sampaix in Paris' 10th arrondissement may now officially be declared one of the hottest crossroads in Paris thanks to the recent openings of trendy fish and chip shop The Sunken Chip, sleek bakery Liberté and also charming new cafe Holybelly. Inspired by their time in coffee mecca Melbourne, Sarah and Nico opened this cosy cafe just behind the Canal St Martin back in October, serving not only seriously good coffee but also a solid breakfast and lunch menu with which to soak up your cup of joe. Seasonal delights such as kale and beetroot salad or a soup of the day feature on the menu alongside the splendour that is eggs, pancakes, bacon and bourbon butter, and can be washed down with top-notch filter coffee, cappuccino, lattes and more made with blends from coffee holy lands such as Guatemala and Ethiopia. A friendly neighbourdhood joint that it's actually well worth crossing Paris for. 

Holybelly

19 rue Lucien Sampaix, 75010 Paris

Open Mon, Thurs, Fri: 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. 

all photos © Kim Laidlaw 

Café Pinson

The Northern Marais continues its reign as Paris' hipster hub with the arrival of stylish veggie cafe Pinson. Just opposite Nanashi, and just around the corner from Rose Bakery, this new arrival brings another trendy, healthy and laid-back eating option to the happening part of the Marais neighbourhood. In the space which was formerly quiche haven Tartes Kluger, interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon has created a light, bright and breezy atmosphere with geometric fabrics, bare brick walls and very Parisian white panelling, for the 100% organic and vegetarian cuisine. The daytime cafe has a seasonal, daily-changing menu of mostly vegan dishes, made without dairy and without gluten, such as kale, lentil and tofu salad, or beetroot and alfalfa tart, available in a fixed menu including a starter, main course and dessert for €17. Vitamin-packed fresh juices are made to order and cafe from Coutume is also on the menu for those needing even more of a boost. Brunch on Sundays (reserve in advance for brunch; otherwise without reservation). 

Café Pinson

6 rue de Forez

75003 Paris 

09 83 82 53 53

Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm