Expect a queue in Paris

12 places for Expect a queue in Paris, picked by creators — with what they said.

• Du Pain et des Idées — Mark Wiens, TOPJAW, Locavore Eats
  A deeply buttery croissant, crisp outside and noticeably denser and heavier inside than most, an escargot layered with pistachio cream and chocolate, and the signature loaf with its crackling crust and airy, open crumb — all of it, in his words, top-tier pastry.
  Heads up: He'd heard the line stretches well outside the shop, so he recommends going early in the morning.
• Kodawari Ramen (Yokochō) — Jeremy Jacobowitz, Louis, Malo Halna
  Said the sardine bone broth was intensely rich and umami-packed without any fishy taste, and the noodles — made with wheat from Champagne's own fields — had excellent chew.
  Heads up: Popular ingredients like the sardine fillet can sell out, and the classic tonkotsu-style broth is served at a different location.
• TonTon Ramen — Louis, Malo Halna
  Praised the miso broth's strong punch, the option to choose oiliness level, the chewy texture of the thick, wavy noodles, and the perfectly cooked egg — ranked number one in the whole video.
  Heads up: The chashu is on the thin side, and at €17–18 a bowl it's not cheap. There's usually a line, though the wait was only about 2 minutes that day.
• Hakata Choten — Louis, Malo Halna
  Praised the delicate, 'melodic' tonkotsu broth typical of a pork-broth specialist, its harmony with the ultra-thin noodles, and the gyoza, which were as reliably delicious as frozen ones.
  Heads up: The noodles are very thin and go soft quickly, so it's recommended to order the firmest noodle option (barikata); also suggested going for the black broth or special over the basic tonkotsu — noted that with gyoza added, it comes to about €25 per person, pricier than expected.
• Aki Boulangerie — Jeremy Jacobowitz, Bappa Life
  Said the braided pastry with matcha, red bean, and chestnut cream had delicate butter flavor and just the right touch of sweetness at the finish — called it 'my kind of pastry.'
  Heads up: Said the egg sandwich had too much mustard, overpowering everything, was unevenly distributed, and the crust stuck to the bread, which was disappointing.
• Omusubi Gonbei — Bappa Life
  Freshly hand-formed, warm triangular onigiri with just the right kombu seasoning — raved that it tasted 'exactly like the ones in Japan,' even 'better than convenience store onigiri.'
  Heads up: Very popular with a line out the door, and only one Japanese staff member (the rest are Vietnamese).
• Boulangerie Utopie — TOPJAW
  Sesame is their signature, and the sesame éclair is far more interesting than any chocolate one — as are the charcoal sesame roulé and the pain suisse.
  Heads up: There's a queue for almost all of opening hours.
• Le Meurice — 조승연의 탐구생활
  Praised for its wildly popular dessert shop that draws long lines, as well as its fascinating history as a hotel designed to suit the lifestyle of English aristocrats.
  Heads up: You have to wait in a very long line to buy the desserts.
• L'As du Fallafel — Jeremy Jacobowitz
  Said the falafel was crispy on the outside without ever being dry, with a strong tahini flavor, and that the creamy fried eggplant in the middle was the best part.
  Heads up: Usually has a line, so it's best to go right when it opens; the inside is dark, and if you get takeout, the filling overflows so much that eating it by hand is hard — a fork may be needed.
• Le Relais de l'Entrecôte — Les Frenchies
  The steak is very tender and full of flavor, the secret pepper sauce has punch without blowing your head off, and the food arrives in about 15 minutes.
  Heads up: No reservations are taken, so you queue outside; some locations can mean a 30–45 minute wait, so arriving right at noon is recommended.
• La Baguette d'Or — Jeremy Jacobowitz
  Said the meat was tender and the mustard sauce was actually pretty tasty.
  Heads up: Waited in line for 15 minutes, and the classic size felt too dry because of the bread and fries — a larger size might be better.
• Cedric Grolet Café — Messinger Guides
  Heads up: Warned that tourists line up for a 20-euro croissant, and that this isn't a truly authentic Parisian experience.

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