MY 6 MUST-VISIT PASTRY SHOPS IN PARIS IN 2026 🍰

My picks for the best pastries in the capital 

Paris has never stopped being a global reference when it comes to pastry. Yet in 2026, this reputation no longer relies solely on tradition. It is built on a subtle balance between heritage, innovation, technical excellence, and international openness. Each year, new addresses emerge, trends evolve, formats change—but some houses continue to stand out as true pillars of Paris’s gourmet landscape.

Source: https://www.bfmtv.com/paris/paris-est-elle-toujours-la-capitale-mondiale-de-la-gastronomie_AV-202212090404.html

When people ask me which are, in my opinion, the best pastry shops in Paris, I always give the same answer: it all depends on what you’re looking for. Pure indulgence, finesse, mastery of chocolate, or absolute respect for ingredients. That’s precisely why I’ve never believed in fixed rankings or impersonal lists.

In this article, I share my six must-visit pastry shops in Paris in 2026. A personal selection, based on my tastes, repeated experiences, and my perspective as a demanding customer. These houses all share one essential thing: they each tell a coherent, clear, and sincere story.

Why Paris Remains a Global Pastry Capital in 2026

If Paris still sits at the top of the global pastry scene, it’s not out of nostalgia. It’s thanks to an extremely high level of standards, upheld by chefs trained in major institutions, often award-winning, and capable of evolving their craft without betraying the fundamentals.

Parisian pastry is built on three pillars:

transmission, technical mastery, and international openness, particularly toward Japan.

As a customer, what strikes me most is consistency: a great pastry shop is judged on regularity, not on a single exceptional dessert.

Cyril Lignac – Paris · Saint-Tropez. London. Dubai · Saint-Barth

Cyril Lignac heads several restaurants, pastry shops, and chocolate boutiques in Paris. His pastry is generous, clear, and deeply indulgent.

Source: https://www.leparisien.fr/bien-manger/cyril-lignac-tout-seduque-y-compris-le-palais-11-05-2024-PRYXOGWHFRHHXL3FY34ATVYVFI.php

Why I love it

He speaks to everyone without ever sacrificing quality. No unnecessary effects—just perfectly mastered pleasure.

Must-try desserts

• Chocolate marshmallow bears, now iconic
• Gianduja tart
• Vanilla Équinoxe
• Rum baba

My advice

A safe bet for gifting or treating yourself.

Checklist

• Start with the classics
• Absolutely try the bears
• Look out for seasonal creations

 

Christophe Michalak – Paris / Tokyo

Christophe Michalak has modernized French pastry. Present in Paris and Tokyo, he offers a graphic, contemporary approach to pastry.

Source: https://www.elle.fr/Elle-a-Table/Les-dossiers-de-la-redaction/News-de-la-redaction/J-ai-teste-la-Michalak-masterclass-2598601

Why I love it

Everything is clear, readable, and instantly recognizable.

Must-try desserts

• Chocolate marshmallow bears
• Mango
• Orange peel cake
• Fonkie XXL

My advice

Perfect if you enjoy modern pastries.

Checklist

• Taste a chocolate marshmallow bear
• Take the Michalak masterclass
• Observe the visual coherence

 

Mori Yoshida – Paris 7th

Located in the 7th arrondissement, Mori Yoshida a franco-japanese pastry is a benchmark for finesse and precision.

Source: https://www.lemonde.fr/le-monde-passe-a-table/article/2022/10/26/sous-le-manteau-de-neige-et-de-marrons-du-mont-blanc-de-mori-yoshida-on-decouvre-un-tresor-inattendu_6147428_6082232.html

Why I love it

Everything is about balance, delicacy, and lightness.

Must-try desserts

• Strawberry cake, airy and incredibly refined
• Vanilla cake
• Custard tart
• Canelés and chocolate sablés

My advice

Ideal if you prefer low-sugar desserts.

Checklist

• Try the strawberry cake, the house signature
• Observe the lightness of the textures
• Pay attention to the restrained sweetness

Arnaud Larher – Paris / Tokyo

Arnaud Larher is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (2007), present in Paris and Tokyo.

Source: https://www.ouest-france.fr/societe/gastronomie/chefs/entretien-de-brest-a-paris-le-parcours-dun-patissier-meilleur-ouvrier-de-france-aa727a6a-2cad-11f0-bcfe-3a5efa388100

Why I love it

Absolute respect for fundamentals and remarkable consistency.

Must-try desserts

• Paris-Brest
• Flaky kouign-amann
• Mille-feuille

My advice

To understand excellence in French pastry.

 

Checklist

• Observe the consistency of the finishes
• Try a chocolate dessert to appreciate technical precision
• Focus on texture mastery

Jean-Paul Hévin – Paris / Tokyo

Elected World’s Best Chocolatier-Pâtissier in 2023 and 2024, Jean-Paul Hévin is a global reference.

Source: https://www.lexpress.fr/styles/plaisirs/saveurs/jean-paul-hevin_1611344.html?cmp_redirect=true

Why I love it

Chocolate is handled with depth and elegance.

Must-try desserts

• Orange tart
• “Pomme de terre”
• Macarons
• Mont-Blanc

My advice

A must for chocolate lovers.

Checklist

• Choose a chocolate-based dessert to understand the house’s universe
• Discover the “pomme de terre,” a signature dessert with chocolate, orange, and almonds
• Take your time savoring each bite

 

Des Gâteaux et du Pain – Claire Damon

Founded by Claire Damon, voted Best Pastry Shop Chef in 2018, this pastry shop places ingredients and seasonality at the heart of its philosophy.

Source: https://www.latoque.fr/rencontre/article/883322/claire-damon-respecter-le-vivant

Why I love it

Respect for fruit and perfect balance.

Must-try desserts

• Fruit tarts
• Saint-Honoré
• Pistachio mille-feuille

My advice

Appreciate fruit-based desserts, seasonality, and precise balance.

Checklist

• Follow the seasonal fruit offerings
• Pay attention to the quality of raw ingredients
• Savor the fruit pastries

Global Checklist – How to Choose a Great Pastry Shop in Paris

• Identify a clear signature
• Favor seasonality
• Try a classic
• Observe the balance between sweetness and texture

FAQ – Pastry Shops in Paris

What is the best pastry shop in Paris in 2026?

There’s no single answer—it all depends on your tastes.

Where can you find an excellent strawberry cake in Paris?

At Mori Yoshida, in my opinion.

Which pastry shop should you choose for chocolate?

Jean-Paul Hévin.

Are Parisian pastries expensive?

Yes, but the quality and consistency justify the price.

 

According to me, these six pastry shops represent the very best of Paris in 2026: excellence, consistency, and identity. They are places I return to, time and again, with complete confidence.