Paris Restaurants: Three Great Snacks in the 10th Arrondissement

Un goûter, to savor just a little taste; un en-cas, in case one gets hungry; un casse-croûte, when it’s quick and informal; un amuse-bouche, to amuse your mouth; even the slightly more vulgar form of mouth, un amuse-gueule, if I may—all ways the French express the word snack. Contrary to common belief, snacks have become a rather ubiquitous commodity in Paris. In fact, to the untrained eye, the number of Parisians nibbling on a baguette sandwich or devouring a falafel between meals seems to have skyrocketed over the few past years. As the site of newfangled culinary gems such as Vivant Table, Albion and le Galopin, among other such Paris restaurants, the 10th Arrondissement coincidentally houses some of the yummiest snackeries in the city. We’ve nosed (or rather nibbled) out three great places to begin snacking your way across the 10th.
Tuck Shop
13, rue Lucien Sampaix, in the 10th Arrondissement. 09 80 72 95 40.
Open Tues–Fri, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat–Sun, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Photo via hipstersinparis.com.

The world’s underground coffee masters, the Australians, have struck again (if you don’t believe me, check out Coutume Café, their coffee supplier)—this time at the Tuck Shop on the rue Lucien Sampaix. An excellent source of java, the trendy new spot also offers a variety of alternative toasties, sandwiches, salads and sweets to snack on. If, like me, you’ve been frisking the restaurants in Paris high and low for ginger beer over the past couple of years, you’ll be happy to hear that Tuck Shop always keeps it in stock! Patrons can bring their laptops or tablets for a serious work session fueled by lovely study snacks to tuck into.
El Guacamolé
37, rue Yves Toudic, in the 10th Arrondissement. 01 42 41 09 09.
Open Mon–Sat, noon–11 p.m.

Photo via r-m-g.fr.  

A forerunner to Paris’s new-wave taquerias, this tiny Mexican cantine, occupying the corner of the rue de Lancry and the rue Yves Toudic, largely paved the way for the taco craze that’s slowly taking over the city. Many Parisians (including myself) notoriously in need of good Latin American restaurants have delighted in the Mexican movement ever since. Tacos can be ordered one by one or in servings of three for un repas léger. Toppings range from chorizo to mushrooms, so there’s something for everyone. With some of the most wholesome guacamole I’ve tasted in the city, El Guacamolé lives up to its name with flying colors. Overall, the service is speedy and chipper, the atmosphere casual and the bill minuscule.
La Fabrique à Gâteaux
34, rue des Vinaigriers, in the 10th. 09 83 26 68 02.
Open Wed–Sun, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Photo via la Fabrique à Gâteaux on Facebook.

For a sweet bite that’s as branché as it is beautifully crafted, check out la Fabrique à Gâteaux. Former students of Ferrandi, l’École Française de Gastronomie, Alice and Lisa, who both worked for the superstar de la pâtisserie, Gérard Mulot, exalt the French classics while gracefully goofing off with a tasty batch of Nutella cake pops here and a lovely oeuf génoise there. The best part: the atelier offers regular courses, so you can brush up your own baking skills! 

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Related Links
Tuck Shop
El Guacamole
La Fabrique à Gateaux