Paris Crepes Cafe
4613 Queen Street
https://www.pariscrepescafe.com
Food: 9/10
Space: 9/10
Price: 7/10
Total: 25/30
Queen St., the “authentic downtown” of Niagara Falls, is hanging on by so infamously a thread that it’s a bit of a local game to wander the oft-barren strip and look at which shops have opened or closed in the last month alone. But a few mainstays have survived—and one ranks among the best restaurants in Niagara Falls.
Whenever people ask (usually on Reddit) where to eat, someone (maybe me) will always recommend Paris Crepes Cafe. It’s unique and delicious, with a terrific atmosphere, beautiful floor tiles, weekly specials and a packed weekend brunch. If you’re going for brunch during the summer, I’d recommend making a reservation.
The fully gluten-free crepes—all buckwheat, with no traditional flour in the kitchen, making it safe for visitors with celiac disease—are the stars of the menu. Dynamic flavour combinations range from traditional hams, cheese and egg to the explosive Thalassa, topped with smoked salmon, caviar and capers. Other favourites of ours include the Rocamadour (goat cheese, walnut, honey, pear) and the Sud Ouest (onion jam, fried egg, Swiss cheese and duck confit).
Other main courses offer traditional French fare, including beef bourguignon, mussels, ratatouille and a whole plate of duck confit. Naturally, there is an extensive wine menu.
They offer a few non-crepe desserts like creme brulee and chocolate mousse, but for our money, we’d stick in crepeland; a simple crepe with jam, Nutella or dark chocolate runs for less than $10 as of summer 2024.
Which brings us to the price. We can’t fault the good people of Paris Crepes Cafe to price their food high; the quality of ingredients and preparation is excellent. And since we literally opened this review by noting how remarkable it is that this Queen St. institution is still in business after so many years, we’d be dumb to criticize them for making money.
But the prices are a tad high, with the most expensive menu options costing near $30. Pre-pandemic, when things were cheaper, we’d visit on Mondays, when they’d sell crepes for half-price, and indulge in the most decadent offerings for something like $13. That was a steal, and we don’t fault them for nixing that special. But you probably can’t justify eating here regularly.
That said, for tourists hoping for a genuinely unique dining experience, or gluten-free diners who don’t want to risk restaurants that aren’t genuinely gluten-free, I’d recommend splurging. You won’t regret it.
