Which gastronomic specialties are most present in your neighborhood? This map of Paris, produced by IGN (L’Institut national de l’information géographique et forestière), shows us the types of cuisine that dominate each geographical area of the capital. Let’s discover and decipher this map of culinary Paris.
A map that paints a culinary portrait of the capital
This map, which pinpoints the most common types of cuisine in the capital, reveals that each arrondissement has its own gastronomic signature. Compiled from OpenStreetMap data and analyzed by several media outlets, the map maps culinary offerings by zone, from traditional cafés and brasseries, Italian trattorias and Asian counters to African restos and kebabs. The result is a geography not of monuments, but of plates.
In many central arrondissements (notably the 5th, 7th and 15th), Parisian-style gastronomy is still dominant, with local bistros, brasseries and terrace cafés forming the main part of the landscape. The eye then turns to the younger or livelier areas (9th, 10th, 11th), where more varied cuisine is present (Indian, kebabs, sandwiches). Otherwise, in the east, for example, there’s a high concentration of pizzerias. These findings highlight a generational logic, as well as a frequentation pattern, geared towards conviviality and quality fast food.
On the other hand, the heart of Paris and the south-east of the city highlight a strong Asian presence: Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese and Koreans occupy a large share of the restaurant market in these areas. To the north of the capital (18th, 19th), African cuisines and kebabs demonstrate the area’s cultural diversity.
The result is a portrait of Paris that is not homogeneous, but fragmented, varied and rich in contrasts. For those who like to stroll, this map can also be used as a guide: identify a neighborhood with a cuisine that matches your desires, or even discover an unexpected culinary direction. For those curious about the capital and those who love good food, this tool is an invitation to explore Paris in a different way.