Mariage Frères' gourmet terrace: exotic tea cuisine and gourmet pastries in Paris

The terraces are out in Paris! Everyone is flocking to the capital's most gourmet spots for a delicious break in the sunshine. And as is inevitable in Paris, there are always nuggets to be discovered, and sometimes it's the finest institutions that reveal the best surprises.

Tea lovers are bound to be familiar with Mariage Frères, a veritable benchmark in the field. These timeless boutiques can be found in every corner of the capital. And insiders know that some of these jewel cases hide intimate restaurant-teahouses that you'd like to keep to yourself.

But the secret is no longer so well-kept: while awaiting the reopening of its other tea rooms on June 9, Mariage Frères unveils its terrace not far from Place de l'Étoile, in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré. While enjoying the capital's fine weather, you can enjoy a delicious tea brewed to perfection from the hundreds of references on offer here, before indulging in the gourmet treats on the à la carte menu.

Because here, tea isn't just a beverage: its delicate aromas are also sublimated in the kitchen through refined dishes full of flavor. To give Parisians in need of a vacation a taste of travel, this beautiful address unveils a menu of exotic specialties from the four corners of the globe, revisited in the Mariage Frères style.

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For our part, we were tempted by the three versions of bao offered on the menu. You choose your recipe - smoked salmon, beef tataki or vegetarian- and your bao bread, which comes in charcoal, turmeric or matcha. In all cases, you'll find a colorful plate at your table, delighting your eyes before your taste buds. Each of these recipes offers a fine balance of flavors, with the taste of ginger in the beef version and the creaminess of beet hummus in the vegetarian version.

But if the dishes are enough to seduce gourmets, the desserts are a must for sweet tooths. In our opinion, Mariage Frères is undoubtedly one of the best patisseries in Paris, and its creations deserve to be better known. Throughout the year, themed ephemeral creations such as the Sakura attract connoisseurs.

During our visit, we tasted a tribute to Roland Garros, a light, trompe-l'oeil tennis ball with rhubarb. A creation that echoes the sunny days and the fast-approaching summer!