Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter - Here's What We Think

Looking for one of the best places for sweet treats in Gaslamp Quarter? Parfait Paris needs to be on your radar.

On our recent 5-day visit to San Diego, we were irresistibly attracted to the Gaslamp Quarter not just once or twice, but a grand total of 3 times!

Part of our visit coincided with my birthday, so our main quest was to discover the perfect spot for a tasty birthday celebration treat; Parfait Paris ticked all those boxes.

This is our honest review of Parfait Paris in Gaslamp Quarter. We’ll tell you exactly what to expect and why you 100% should make a stop here during your next visit.

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Shreeyeh is cutting into a rich, chocolate-topped French Pudding from Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter to celebrate her birthday. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Table Of Contents

Dining At Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter

In 2014, a family-run patisserie & boulangerie set up shop in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, and that’s where it all began. Fast forward to today, and Parfait Paris is spreading its French savoir-faire to different locations, giving people a taste of the French Art de Vivre, or the finer things in life, and celebrating its gourmet Parisian heritage.

They are known for their award-winning desserts like macarons and pastries, which have received critical acclaim. They offer a wide range of savory and sweet dishes, all made from scratch.

We were on the hunt for the perfect birthday treats, and my husband found this incredible spot to grab a slice of cake for me. I had my eyes set on the delicious French Pudding.

We opted for takeout so we could eat it as soon as my birth day started.

After warming it up, the rich aroma of cinnamon wafted through the air, and let me tell you, the taste of that pudding was soooo good!

Menu At Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter

Inside Parfait Paris, the glass counter is filled with a collection of tempting pastries along with twinkling lights decorating the counter. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter offers various menus for different times of the day, including brunch, lunch, drinks, and a wide variety of sweet and savory items. You can dine in or opt for takeout. Additionally, they provide a cake order service for special occasions.

Brunch at Parfait Paris is served until 2 pm. Choose from a variety of savory and sweet options like Onion Potato Tart, Alsacien, Saumon, Le Basque, or San Daniele Croissant. If you’re after a more classic brunch, then the Eggs Benedict (available for dine-in only) and Avocado Toast Flight are popular options.

The lunch menu is available from 11 am to 3 pm and features tasty sandwiches like Avocado and Goat Cheese, Jambon Fromage, Turkey Club, and French BLT. They’ve also got plenty of vegetarian choices including Quiche Lorraine and Veggie Quiche.

To accompany your food, they offer a variety of artisanal coffees and beverages carefully crafted.

Enjoy classics like Espressos and Cappuccinos, or opt for something a little different. Some of their artisan drinks include Lavender Honey Latte, Turmeric Latte, or Matcha Latte. They’ve also got an extensive juice selection and even a cocktail menu if you fancy a boozy brunch.

Parfait Paris offers an array of other sweet treats from crepes, gelatos, and pastries, as well as artisan breads.

Their custom-made cakes are ideal for celebrations. Orders can be placed online or in-store, with a 48-hour notice required.

What’s It Like To Eat At Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter

Close-up of a tasty French pudding topped with chocolate chips from Parfait Paris. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

When you walk into Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter, you’ll feel the warmth of a welcoming atmosphere and be greeted by friendly staff.

The ambiance is charming with mellow music playing in the background. The shop is incredibly cute, offering both comfortable indoor seating and outdoor options on the terrace. The bright open-plan design and large patio windows bring an authentic Parisian vibe to the heart of San Diego.

However, depending on what you order, be prepared for slightly slow service – it took about 45 minutes for one table to receive their food, despite there being few customers. If you’re looking for a quick dash-in-dash-out breakfast, you might be better off going for the takeout option.

Although reservations aren’t necessary, it’s best to allow plenty of time to eat here, and at peak times you might have to wait due to the spot’s popularity.

Reviews Of Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter

One thing we loved about Parfait Paris was the variety and quality of the baked products. From croissants to macarons, everything is fresh and delicious.

The restaurant has been awarded the “Best Dessert”, “Best French Restaurant” and “Best Brunch” in 2023.

Check out reviews from other diners who have been here:

“I love the authentic vibe and cuisine of a small cafe that you would find in Paris. The service was fast and friendly. A definite must when in the Gaslamp area. Grab a bag of macaroons for the road.” Audibfun, TripAdvisor

“Ooooooo yum! Stumbled across this little piece of Paris. Fab service, wonderful cocktails and the best ever slices, Mille fueille with a vanilla crème and chocolate mouse one and a shortcake, chocolate ganache. What not to like! A bit of sanctuary in the Gaslight area.” Lucyjv2018 TripAdvisor

“Stumbled upon this beautiful restaurant by chance. Loved it so much, came back the next day to try some different crepes. Had the Salmon Crepe the first day and the Lobster Crepe the second day. The chocolate and almond croissants were also amazing. Had a very nice outdoor seating area…The crepes were a very generous serving and delicious.” Brent G, TripAdvisor

A cozy outdoor seating area of Parfait Paris in the Gaslamp Quarter, with bright red umbrellas and the restaurant's glowing sign above. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Recommended Dishes In Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter

😋 Macaroons – “Every time my family comes for a visit they demand we come to Parfait for macaroons and croissants.” Miranda V, Google Reviews

😋 Avocado Toast – “The avocado toast flight was delicious. I like the three different selections of AT served on one plate.” Eric H, Google Reviews

😋 Almond Croissant – “Every town we travel to, we try and find the best almond croissant. This was by far the most loaded with filling croissant we have ever had.” Robert K, Google Reviews

Final Thoughts

We recommend Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter for its exceptional French cuisine and charming atmosphere.

If you’re a fan of baked products and sweet treats like us, then Parfait Paris is a must-visit eatery. Their selection of freshly made cakes and desserts are also perfect for any special occasion or celebration.

Don’t forget to try their famous macaroons – you didn’t get a chance to try them this time but we will on our next visit!

Parfait Paris Gaslamp Quarter – Here’s What We Think