A decade or so ago, an American-style breakfast in Paris -- think eggs, bacon, pancakes, and granola -- would primarily be found in your hotel's continental array. Typical Parisian breakfast used to be as simple as a cup of coffee and a cigarette, and the idea of a croissant dipped in café crème at a frosty sidewalk bistro, which many tourists envisage, is far from the reality of locals savoring their coffee at the counter or at home, seldom ordering a croissant.

Nicolas Piégay, the brains behind KB Coffee Roasters, KB Pigalle, and Back in Black, says, “French breakfast historically wasn't as elaborate as the American or British notion of ‘breakfast being the most important meal of the day.’ It was usually bread and butter or cornflakes.” Piégay expresses how travel and exposure to other cultures have influenced the French to adapt to more extensive breakfasts, wanting to replicate the experience at home.

Paris’ culinary landscape has indeed changed due to this exposure. A myriad of breakfast choices, from weekend brunches to pancakes made from Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products, and even scrambled eggs at local brasseries, have become available thanks to a collation of expats and French entrepreneurs opening breakfast-centered eateries.

Di Keser, co-founder of the Australian-style breakfast and brunch restaurant, Hardware Société, observes the shift, “When I moved here about ten years ago, there were hardly any places to have breakfast.” She explains how the narrative has now transformed for the better, with top breakfast joints elevating the standard egg and bacon fare to something more refined and exciting.

Chefs are a crucial component of creating this new breakfast culture, with unique creations like baked eggs in Le Creuset cocottes, creamed leeks, mushroom duxelles, and goat cheese, all beautifully plated to woo patrons. A la carte options and limited, well-executed menus cater to the increased demand for sophisticated breakfasts.

As this evolved breakfast culture continues to embed in Paris, it's clear that it's not just a trend but also an extension of the French's love of sharing meals and conviviality. Popular breakfast locales, like Le Passager and The Dancing Goat, purposely encourage customer interaction by discouraging laptops, instead promoting intimate conversations over well-crafted meals.

An increase in all-day brunch menus and American-themed restaurants have not only attracted foreigners but also a considerable number of locals. Iconic establishments like Holybelly, Echo, and Cocoricains have become Instagram hits with creative dishes like soufflé-style pancakes, Dutch babies, and even doughnut smashburgers.

“For me, the growing attraction to breakfast in Paris is not just a trend, it’s a new openness…It has become another occasion to see people, extending our social interactions and pleasure. I don't foresee a regression, in fact, I think it will continue to expand,” concludes Piégay. The burgeoning breakfast culture in Paris serves as a testament that the city is heartily awakening to new culinary horizons, making it the ideal place to start the day with an unforgettable meal.