Au P'tit Cahoua

Loooovely food!
Yes the portions are huge so just go for the mains.
Good option for vegetarians and the mint tea is so nice, a bit too sweet though.

Delicious food, especially the meats and couscous. Portions were huge.

France has kept a very good relationship with Morocco, and many Moroccans have come to live in France, retaining their identity and culture. Those who have opened restaurants make food only second in authenticity to what you could get in the souk in Casablanca! If you're looking for an exotic getaway during your stay in Paris, you can try one of the many ethnic food restaurants scattered throughout the city. You may think that while you're in Paris it's a shame to eat anything other than French food, that ethnic food is available in every major city in the world and that you'll try it when you get home... However, your stay in France is the opportunity to try very authentic ethnic foods from those who brought the best recipes with them.

Such is the case of Raquel, who runs this small restaurant outside of the touristic mayhem. After visiting the Latin Quarter or the Jardin des Plantes area, make your way to Boulevard Saint-Marcel and step into Au P'tit Cahoua... and feel instantly teleported to Morocco! {quotes}As soon as you walk through the door, you feel engulfed in a middle-eastern atmosphere. {/quotes}You have to walk around plants to reach the mosaic-tiled tables, the dimmed lights shine softly on the drapes and curtains... It feels like you just entered a berber tent, and the cars and passers-by on the street seem very far away!

If you're not sure what to order, let the owner guide you through the menu. For a small meal, order a couple of the tasty appetizers, like the roasted red pepper salad, which you can spread on the excellent bread for a delicious snack... if you're quite hungry, try a tajine or a couscous, the traditional Moroccan dish! It comes with a heap of semolina, a vegetable stew, and various meats. There is a lot of food, so sharing it among two people is a good bet. Especially since doggy bags are not common in France.

If you still have room for dessert, try some of the Moroccan pastries or loukoums. They are very sweet, but delicious! And be sure to finish your meal with a cup of traditional mint tea, served with skill by Raquel.

Entrees at Le P'tit Cahoua range from 20 to 30 Euros. But since one is more than enough for two people, it makes it reasonable. If you try one of the Moroccan wines, like the Boulaouane or the famous Sidi Brahim (the rosé goes very well with Moroccan food), and have pastries and tea, your check for two should be around 40-50 Euros.

After your meal, make your return to Parisian reality a little softer by walking up scenic Rue Mouffetard, just 1/2 mile away. You'll miss your short excursion to Morocco but will be delighted by the wonderful Parisian atmosphere on this narrow street.

Costs: Entrees at Le P'tit Cahoua range from 20 to 30 Euros. But, don't order separate places. Order one plate and share it between two people, as you get a LOT of food.

What to do after: Just down the street is the Paris Mosque. So you can complete your near-east experience by heading down there for a mint-tea and dessert. Or, head over to the Jardin des Plantes (Paris Plant Gardens) next to the Natural History Museum and go for a walk among the botanical collections, or head to the Seine and walk in the Tino Rossi garden along theriver that has a wonderful open-air sculpture exhibit, and also at the Tino Rossi is outdoor salsa on the Seine on Friday nights throughout the summer.

Food is amazing!! Lunch deal is pretty cheap for Paris standards! Highly recommended.

My go-to restaurant for couscous. Make a reservation if you go on a weekend.

Food is always delicious. The portions are enormous! My boyfriend and I usually get one tajine and one couscous - the mixed one with all the meats is delicious. Lamb is so tender it falls off the bone. They have good vegetarian options as well. Wine is mediocre.

Price is reasonable. It's my splurge restaurant when this broke kid wants something nice.

Only complaint is no ac - normal for Paris, but when you're hot and trying to put away that much food it's not a good combo.

Absolutely amazing. Very authentic and fresh. Possibly my favorite meal during a 10 day excursion to France! Ordered the Tagine with chicken, pumpkin, fried onion and chili. Highly recommend

Great service (for Paris), delicious cous cous and tajines. Homemade bread to die for.

A fantastic restaurant! Great food and great service. I had the lamb tajine with dates, which was excellent. It was one of many, many tajine choices on the menu -- it would be pretty hard to be disappointed with all the choices. If you are looking for tajine on the rive gauche, this is the best place I've been so far!