Today, we are taking on that ever-important and heaving-hitting question – are the places mentioned repeatedly on TikTok actually the best croissants in Paris? I set out to taste twenty-one of the top croissants across the city of Paris to see which might reign supreme. What a terrible task, right? Thirty miles of walking and twenty-five subway rides later (and some serious contemplation regarding the choices that led to this endeavor), I managed to complete 16 of the stops. But did the influencers get it right?

As a former pastry chef who has worked for Boulangerie Eric Kayser (as well as multiple Michelin-starred restaurants), to say I am particular in my pastry preferences is putting it mildly. While having made my fair share of croissants professionally (there is no way I am putting that much effort into pastry at home), I took this challenge very seriously (and enjoyably).

Now, to the rating system. Each specimen was rated on elements such as price, appearance, smell, temperature at purchase, crispiness, time waiting in line, and taste. Taste is the actual deciding factor in the end. However, small tenths of a point were given based on the other criterion to set each apart (sadly, only one croissant was warm when I received it, so that category was rendered moot).

The Final Scores:

Mamiche………………………. 4.95

Leonie Bakery………………. 4.55

Le Pain Retrouvé…………… 4.4

Boulangerie Utopie………. 3.95

Fou de Patisserie…………… 3.95

Ernest & Valentin…………. 3.95

Du Pain et Des Idées……. 3.85

Des Gateaux et du Pain. 3.5

Blé Sucré………………….….. 3.5

Bo&Mie………………………… 3.45

The French Bastards….. 3.35

Tout Autour du Pain………. 2.9

Cédric Grolet Opéra…… 2.85

Stoher…………………………… 2.85

Boulangerie LIBERTÉ… 1.35

*Note: while the numbers make it look as if those listed on the lower end are significantly less enjoyable than those at the top, this is Paris. Even grocery store croissants are superior to what we are used to in the United States, so any of the top fourteen listed are very good croissants, period. The only caveat to this is Boulangerie LIBERTÉ, but more on that below.

#1 – Mamiche

Address: 45 Rue Condorcet, 75009 Paris, France (and others)

Closed: Sunday – Monday

Rating: 4.95 out of 5

Cost: €1.40

Time waiting in line: 10 minutes

Notes: While not the most beautiful of the lot, this croissant most definitely lived up to the hype (and the wait). This boulangerie was certainly frequented by locals, with a dose of tourists, and ultimately is an amazing boulangerie all around—a must-stop at one of the multiple locations.

#2 – Leonie Bakery

Address: 15 Av. Trudaine, 75009 Paris, France

Closed: Monday

Rating: 4.55 out of 5

Cost: €1.40

Time waiting in line: 2 minutes

Notes: This was the only croissant to be sold while still a touch warm (which was amazing). Just down the street from Mamiche, make sure to stop here as well for an excellent croissant (which is a bit more visually appealing, not that it matters).

#3 – Le Pain Retrouvé

Address: 18 R. des Martyrs, 75009 Paris, France

Closed: Open 7 days

Rating: 4.4 out of 5

Cost: €1.10

Time waiting in line: 5 minutes

Notes: While I think that natural levain is a great idea in theory, in practice, if you are striving for visual appeal, it is a tough row. This croissant was an absolute shocker in the taste department, and I had to take back all my snobby assumptions. If you find yourself walking down the hill of Montmartre after Mamiche and Leonie Bakery, definitely stop and grab a croissant (or one of their many other delicious items).

#4 – Boulangerie Utopie

Address: 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France

Closed: Monday

Rating: 3.95 out of 5

Cost: €1.30

Time waiting in line: 3 minutes

Notes: This was a lovely, solid croissant with a bit more of a butter scent and crispness to the exterior than those lower down the list. It is a great option if in the neighborhood.

#5 – Fou de Pâtisserie (Bacillus)

Address: 36 R. des Martyrs, 75009 Paris, France (and others)

Closed: Open 7 days

Rating: 3.95 out of 5

Cost: €1.30

Time waiting in line: no wait

Notes: The Fou de Patisserie shops are certainly not sought out for their croissants. However, just like all of their selections, the croissants are well done and worth the purchase if you are already there.

#6 – Ernest & Valentin

Address: 10 R. des Martyrs, 75009 Paris, France (and others)

Closed: Varies by location

Rating: 3.95 out of 5

Cost: €1.30

Time waiting in line: no wait

Notes: Formerly called Farine & O, this croissant was surprisingly good, considering the number of locations throughout Paris—a very solid option if you find yourself walking past.

#7 – Du Pain et Des Idées

Address: 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris, France

Closed: Saturday – Sunday

Rating: 3.85 out of 5

Cost: €2.60

Time waiting in line: no wait

Notes: Known also for their escargot pistache chocolat, the croissant was good, albeit double the price of most other options on this list. Probably not worth the trip if only going for the croissant.

#8 – Des Gâteaux et du Pain

Address: 89 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris, France (and other)

Closed: Tuesday

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Cost: €1.80

Time waiting in line: no wait

Notes: This is another entry similar to Fou de Pâtisserie, where you are not likely to be seeking this shop out for croissants specifically. However, if you are already there, it is solid (though a bit more “bready” than the others on this list, as you can see in the honeycomb structure).

#9 – Blé Sucré

Address: 7 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012 Paris, France

Closed: Monday

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Cost: €1.30

Time waiting in line: no wait

Notes: Sadly, this visit was not the best showing for this cute shop, as on previous visits, the croissant was top-notch. The center was a bit underbaked and claggy this time, though the overall flavor was still nice. Stop by if you are in the neighborhood and are not likely to be disappointed.

#10 – Bo&Mie

Address: 359 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris, France (and others)

Closed: Open 7 days

Rating: 3.45 out of 5

Cost: €1.40

Time waiting in line: 3 minutes

Notes: Solid croissants, though their other more exciting and eclectic offerings, will likely tempt you away (such as the raspberry or praliné croissants).

#11 – The French Bastards

Address: 181 Rue St Denis, 75002 Paris, France (and others)

Closed: Open 7 days

Rating: 3.35 out of 5

Cost: €1.40

Time waiting in line: 1 minute

Notes: Great flavor, another somewhat claggy interior. Definitely stop by if in the neighborhood of one of the shops.

#12 – Tout Autour du Pain

Address: 134 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France

Closed: Open 7 days

Rating: 2.9 out of 5

Cost: €1.60

Time waiting in line: 5 minutes

Notes: While this croissant looked rather appealing (compared to some of the others), the flavor was just a touch less buttery than others farther up the list. Try if in the neighborhood.

#13 – Cédric Grolet Opéra

Address: 35 Av. de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris, France

Closed: Monday – Tuesday

Rating: 2.85 out of 5

Cost: €4.00

Time waiting in line: 105 minutes (no, this is not a typo)

Notes: Where to even begin. The short? Just skip this endeavor. The shop opens daily at 9:30 am, and if you are not in line at least 45 minutes prior, you are not likely to get into the shop prior to them selling out (the day I went, I was ~40th in line having arrived 40 minutes prior to opening, and still secured the last croissant after waiting in line for a total of 1 hour and 45 minutes). The croissant is beautiful, but it does not have the great flavors of the shops at the top of this list. If set on trying their croissant, book a reservation at their Salon de Thé (which is upstairs) and have the prix-fix breakfast that starts at around €50 per person. There is no option to preorder croissants for pick-up (though you can order some of their more elaborate patisserie items in advance).

#14 – Stohrer

Address: 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris, France

Closed: Open 7 days

Rating: 2.85 out of 5

Cost: €1.60

Time waiting in line: 1 minute

Notes: This croissant actually looked at tasted better than some of the photos I had previously seen, so that was a nice surprise! Definitely, no need to seek Stohrer out for their croissants, but if you happen to already be there for some of their more popular items, it is not bad at all.

#15 – Boulangerie LIBERTÉ

Address: 145 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris, France

Closed: Open 7 days

Rating: 1.35 out of 5

Cost: €1.40

Time waiting in line: 2 minutes

Notes: This is the only croissant in Paris I have ever been unable to eat. It was terrible (which is expected when you look at it). Dry, stale, likely not made with butter (even though it was being sold as a croissant au beurre), I would go ahead and skip stopping at these shops and head to Paul, Eric Kayser, or many of the other chain options that are consistently solid.

Honorable mention: L’Eclair de Génie

Address: 122 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris, France

Closed: Open 7 days

Notes: I am throwing this one on as an honorary member, as their filled croissants are beautiful (and tasty, too). This one was raspberry with pistache creme filling and was worth purchasing if you are already there for their beautiful eclairs or tasse tiramisu.

Closed/Missed (but come highly recommended):

Union Boulangerie – Union was unexpectedly closed for a few weeks during my visit.

La Maison d’Isabelle – La Maison d’Isabelle closed unexpectedly during my visit, much to my disappointment.

Sain Boulangerie – Sain sold out of croissants before noon the day I went and was sadly on its weekly closure for my remaining days.

Le Petit Grain – I terribly underestimated the length of my tasting menu lunch the day I intended to visit Le Petit Grain, and sadly, I was not able to get there before they closed (this one is a bit farther out of the way than the others).

Pain Pain – No good excuse on this one other than misreading the days it is closed each week.

If you liked this guide, reach out to customize and book your next travel experience. Or just to chat about travel in general.