A Michigan-born chef's love letter to vegetable-forward Mediterranean-Californian cooking, tucked away on a quiet street in the Sentier. Chez Carrie has earned a devoted following for its brunch and bright, warm dining room — think wood tables, a candle-dotted wrap-around bar, and a peaceful little terrace that makes you forget you're in the 2nd arrondissement.
A Michigan-born chef got Parisians to prioritize vegetables — and they keep coming back for the brunch on a quiet Sentier side street.
Reserve ahead for weekend brunch — it's the most popular slot and the small space fills up fast.
Vegetable-forward brunch that Paris actually loves
Chez Carrie is the kind of place that sneaks up on you. You turn onto the quiet Rue Léopold-Bellan and suddenly the noise of the Sentier fades — there's a small, charming terrace and a bright dining room full of wood tables and a candle-dotted wrap-around bar that feels equally right for a solo lunch or a long weekend brunch with friends. The Michigan-born chef behind it all has done something quietly radical for Paris: she's gotten locals to actually prioritize vegetables. Animal proteins show up as condiments, as counterpoints — not as the main event. It's Mediterranean-Californian in spirit, which means lots of pickling, lacto-fermentation, and bright, seasonal plates that don't feel preachy.
The brunch is what most people come for, and rightly so — it's fresh, generous, and full of flavor without being heavy. The salade Caesar gets mentioned again and again by regulars, and the service is consistently warm. At 4.7 stars across 400+ reviews, this isn't a secret anymore, but the calm street and unhurried vibe make it feel like one. Go for brunch on a weekend, or grab a seat at the bar solo on a weeknight — both work beautifully.