Vegan
Organic
Beer/Wine
French
Fusion

Cafe serving vegan lunches and cakes. Take metro to Bastille. Est. 2011 and turned vegan in 2013. Reported closed July 2022.


Venue map for Cafe Ginger
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122 Reviews

First Review by Joanna Dubois

wushu

Points +232

Vegan
29 Jul 2013

Nothing extraordinary about the food

The Chef seems to be a friendly person who cares about the customers opinions.

On the other hand the other person there to serve the customers couldn't speak either French or English and didn't make any effort to smile or try to understand what people were saying which made it very difficult to ask questions about the food or anything else.

The menu was an hand-written paper with only one name per dish, no explanation written so it was hard to know what it was, the Chef had to come to each table to explain the menu.
Once he had explained it all we had nearly forgotten what were the first few dishes of the list.

We randomly made our choices ending up with 3 starters and one dish.

Each of them tasted good but nothing out of the extraordinary here, I cook the same dishes at home. Shame because the Chef seemed to be working hard for it.

I had a basic dessert of a blended banana with a soya yogurt, again nothing special there.

We ended up paying 62€ for 2 menu and a beer, which is really expensive !!!

Maybe there was a mistake but it wasn't really possible to get an answer from the waiter as he didn't bother to try to understand our questions.

Not sure I would try it again...

Pros: Friendly Chef

Cons: Really expensive, waiter not friendly, basic vegan food

VeganTrav

Points +164

Vegan
19 Jul 2013

Simply delicious!

Delicious food, super friendly staff, nice outdoor seating, I'm eating it in this exact moment and loving it! Their home made savory tarts are just a dream!!!

Pros: fresh, tasty, friendly

AliceW

Points +32

Vegan
30 Jun 2013

1* dinner - 5* lunch

Dinner - I went on a Sunday night so I am not sure if the food was different for this night only.
The chef was really nice, he came and chatted to everyone and made sure they were alright, which makes writing this review that much more difficult. I found the food the least appetizing restaurant food I have eaten for a long time. I can't recall ever thinking this in a restaurant (I am by no means a good cook) - but I felt even I could do better. It was healthy - composed of cut up vegetables, but from the more 70's school of hippy vegan (or how I imagine it) that says top everything with dried herbs to add flavor (it doesn't). If I had brought a carniverous friend I would have been embarrassed for this vegan representation. On top of that it was very very expensive for what it was (I didn't eat my dessert - again I cannot recall that happening before). The service was relatively efficient but passionless & a little cold.
Lunch - I went to dinner there because my lunches there have been so good. They turned out to be the opposite of dinner; delicious, thoughtful, fresh, good value and tasty. I had a savory crumble of the day which came with a lovely assortment of little salad dishes. The chocolate 'pate' dessert was also good, and the couple serving there were very friendly and approachable.
I'm very sorry to have to give Cafe Ginger such a mixed review.

Pros: Fantastic delicious lunch, Good central location, Friendly service at lunch

Cons: Dinner was very unappealing, Dinner expensive considering qualit

IsabelleTamm

Points +74

Vegan
28 Jun 2013

My first vegan restaurant

The cafe is really small and cozy but is well organised ans run efficiently(at least when I was there)by the friendly staff.

There is not much to choose from but I was very happy with my plate full of delicious healthy things to try. I really liked almost everything and it was really well priced for Paris.

I didn't get to try any of the desserts because I was full from the food but will most likely return.

Pros: well priced, tasted great, relaxed atmosphere

Cons: really cramped, outdoor seating is squashed

yourfacehxc

Points +202

Vegetarian
12 Dec 2012

Underwhelmed

My lady and I stopped by one Sunday afternoon for brunch and found ourselves at a completely empty Ginger Cafe around 13:00. We were greeted by a friendly and charming man who I assume is the owner.. he guided us in English through the options that day and we both settled on the pumpkin soup.. then it take it from there. Although the restaurant is quiet inviting and the staff was terrific we both felt that the soup was quite bland and underwhelming. I was rather disappointed. There just wasn't anything to it. I realize this a common problem with a lot of pumpkin-centered dishes.. the taste just doesn't pop out. Well we weren't persuaded to try anything else and by the time we left the place was still empty which is always a bit strange.. being the only people in a restaurant. Regardless of the disappointing soup I'll be back the next time I'm in Paris and try something else. We may have just gotten a dud item. Fortunately they seem to be doing some other things well so I won't give up hope. Can't do 3.5 cows so I'll go with 4.

Pros: ambiance, staff

Cons: soup was bland

gracep

Points +96

Vegan
15 Sep 2012

Like homemade!

I'm so glad I decided to visit this place. The staff were probably the best I've ever come across in a restaurant. They were so warm and genuine and it felt like they really had their heart in the job. The husband especially had plenty of interesting conversation to make, and both the husband and the wife made me feel very much like this was a place I wanted to be giving business to.

So, then, how was the food? I think it'd be best described as "lovely." It was healthy and homestyle, but usually when I hear those adjectives, I just think of bland stuff that I'll eat if nothing else is available but which I wouldn't ever choose as my first meal preference. Here, the food feels healthy but is also flavourful. It's the perfect illustration of how food doesn't always need to be complex to be satisfying, and I say that not because the food was overly simple, but because it wasn't presented in a fancy way or anything. The flavour spoke for itself, and even though I was eating a small pie with a plate full of salad, I didn't feel left wanting (though I did have the dessert, which was a comforting fig and apple tart whose crust had a delicious, melt in your mouth texture and whose apples had the perfect combination of softness and residual crispness).

My only word of warning is that I think I got there like halfway through their hours and they were running pretty low on their pies. This and the relatively small number of meal choices are understandable, though--they do everything themselves in that kitchen. I'd simply suggest to get there earlier rather than later, but if you do miss out, they do great things with salad, so don't be disheartened!

Cafe Ginger was great, and it really reminded me of a restaurant I love back home. I think I'll be going back before I leave Paris if I have the time. The owners are simply fantastic (and had knowledge of veganism and what there is for vegans in Paris, as well as English skills) and I found the food both tasty and health-conscious, characteristics which aren't often well-balanced. I also found it remarkably economical for a place that is referred to as "moderate" in price on Happy Cow--I got the pie with a big plate of mixed salads and the dessert for 14 euros. In Paris, I find that a pretty good deal!

Pros: Surprisingly easy to find, Amazing staff, Healthy and yummy food with a good price

Cons: Popularity may mean shortages of items, Not a huge amount of choice

Babette

Points +2101

Vegan
24 Jun 2012

Nice healthy restaurant

I really liked the plate of the day I ate there. It had a lot of variety and everything was tasty, and healthy.

There are not too many options, but if you're looking for a healthy meal (no junk food there) that won't blow you away, but still fully satisfy you, this is a great choice.

I find many macrobiotic or health-oriented restaurants in Paris offer this kind of menu, but many of them serve bland food. This is not the case here.

Pros: organic, inexpensive, healthy

Cons: lack of options

katlove

Points +77

Vegan
27 May 2012

Simple and delicious! A must.

After fabric shopping all day, I arrived tired and starving to Cafe Ginger!

What a gem this little cafe is!

The owners are warm and welcoming. I felt immediately at home. The food was simple, fresh, delicious, and presented beautifully. I had a vegan shepherds pie accompanied by plenty of sides like carrot and beet salad, beautiful bean sprouts, an eggplant puree dip with bread.

They also have vegan desserts and fresh juices and tea. I will certainly visit again during my next trip to Paris! Thanks so much guys!

Pros: Friendly, Fresh, Delicious

Cons: Not 100% vegan

Librahi

Points +350

Vegan
27 Apr 2012

Not my thing...

First, if you're liking for it off the metro, go to the Henry IV exit to the street. It's 40 yards away. The place was small and had no menu, just a few things to choose from for lunch. While very healthy, I prefer more protein (tofu, seitan). Was a bit expensive for what we got, but still I line with Paris prices. Two workers (assuming owners?) were great, especially the guy. Fantastic service and friendliness were certainly there. Wouldn't go back but worth a visit once to mix it up! It was busy at 3:00 in the afternoon...

Pros: Vegan selections

Cons: Lack of options

Laudi

Points +366

Vegan
23 Mar 2012

Great and special home made food

We just loved this place. A nice variety of vegan home made food is served for a very good price (which is kind of hard to find elsewhere in Paris). The place is not as crowded as the "hip" vegan places, but the food is as good if not better. The staff is super friendly (and English speaking ;)). We will definitely come back next time we are in town.

Pros: Great home made food, Very good prices, Super friendly staff

Cons: -, -, -

AnnFromIllinois

Points +773

Vegan
10 Mar 2012

Great cafe!

This is a wonderful little spot for lunch! We made a trip to this place because of the good reviews here and we were not disappointed. It's a tiny little place, probably only 12-15 places, but that means a lot of personal attention. We ordered the plate of the day (shepherd's pie) and were pleasantly surprise with the variety platter that was served. Several little salads and sides that were all delicious. The owner/staff were all very attentive and friendly. I would make this special trip again.

Pros: Owner/Staff, large portions, variety of options

PhilippeNicolitch

Points +91

Vegan
14 Jan 2012

A great little veggie cafe in the heart of Paris

Cafe Ginger opened a few months ago. It's well hidden behind Bastille and opens every day for lunch and afternoon snacks except Mondays. We were served a hearty soup of the day and a selection of vegetable tarts, followed by a slice of vegan cheese cake. Although Ginger Cafe is technically vegetarian, most of the dishes on the menu are vegan. The owners are well aware of diet requirements and are very involved in making their business a success. She bakes and cooks while he looks after the customers. Brunch on the weekend is always busy, so think about going early or making a booking as seating is limited. Definitely a place we will recommend to people who are looking for a cosy location with delicious well-priced home-style food prepared with love and care.

Pros: Taste, Friendliness, Location

Cons: Small - need to reserve

pmoreira

Points +78

Vegan
04 Jan 2012

Delicious!

The food is delicious and they have many (mostly) vegan options. The owners are very friendly as well. You order at the counter and then sit down and wait for the food to be brought to you. It's very busy at lunch time, and very small but cozy. Loved it! Payed EUR 17 for soup + juice + salad and tarte salé... Lots of food and all organic.

Pros: Delicious, Affordable, Friendly

Joanna Dubois

Points +75

Vegan
23 Oct 2011

The best place for vegan food in Paris

As a long-time vegan, until now eating out in Paris was a bit of a challenge. Not anymore. Totally by chance I discovered the newly-opened Ginger Cafe and it really is vegan heaven. It is run by a most simpatico young couple: he's English, she's Latin-American. She does the cooking (with organic ingredients), he runs the show. Although it's not 100% vegan, the choice of vegan dishes is both imaginative and very tasty (which in my experience is often not the case in vegetarian restaurants, where vegans seem to be considered the poor relations). I had a watercress soup, which tasted even better than my own soups, even though I've been called "The Queen of Soups" by (non veggie)friends. Served with the best bread I've tasted in Paris.Then I had a mushroom and sweet potato quiche, which was served with a lovely, imaginative salad.By then I was full, so I took the apple tart as a take-away for later. The whole lot came to € 17. At the moment, they're only open from 9h30 till 18.00 Tues-Sun. since they've got a young child. But check with them before you go, since they are planning to extend opening hours. Another thing I am very pleased with is that they don't use microwaves.

Pros: Excellent food, Organic, Good value




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