Moveable Feasts: Paris in Twenty Meals

by Chris Newens

WINNER OF THE JANE GRIGSON TRUST AWARD

'Thoroughly entertaining (and hunger-inducing)' The Times

'A joy and an education for anyone who loves Paris' Diana Henry, author of From the Oven to the Table

Paris has a justifiable claim to be the centre of European gastronomy - but beyond its trademark terrasses and zinc-topped tables, what can its cuisine tell us about the city? Chris Newens, an award-winning food writer and long-time resident of the historic slaughterhouse quartier Villette, takes us on a delightful gastronomic journey around Paris' twenty spiralling arrondissements, seeking out, sampling and attempting to recreate a dish that represents each as it is today.

Hemingway wrote that 'wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast'. From Congolese cat fish in the 18th to Middle Eastern falafels in the 4th, to the charcuterie served at the libertine nightclubs of Pigalle in the 9th, Newens lifts the lid on the city's ever-changing, defining and irresistible food culture.

'A gorgeous romp through the city's culinary past and present that made me hungry for Paris' Olivia Potts, author of A Half-Baked Idea

'This joyful, delicious book is a feast for all the senses' Ned Palmer, author of A Cheesemonger's Tour de France

Genres: France, Food, Food and Drink

368 pages, Hardcover

Published July 3, 2025

Reviews

[Zainab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars go to the fact that the book is about Paris. I loved the concept and the way the book truly transports you from one arrondissement to another, all while casually teaching you something about each neighborhood. It felt like walking, eating, and wandering through Paris alongside the author.
Were all the food choices my personal favorites? Not necessarily. I would have enjoyed it more if the meals leaned more consistently toward classic French cuisine. That said, the choices were clearly personal to him, and in the end, they worked within the spirit of the book.
The structure is very organized, the tone light, and the sense of humor enjoyable. Overall, a charming, easy read for anyone who loves Paris, food, and the idea of discovering a city one meal at a time.

[Leah Soeiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much - from the humility of its excited and enthusiastic narrator who takes us down the Paris spiral, the way it tells Paris’s history through its many foods and nationalities, to the hope it instills in its reader - a hope that we can still find ways to connect in a city and a world that struggles to be ”personal” or ”distinct” in the shadow of an increasingly globalised and culture sick political environment. Whether Parisian, expat, immigrant or tourist, you will walk the streets of Paris differently after reading this book. P.S, don’t read it when you’re hungry!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate that the book starts with a big question - what is the representative dish of each arrondissement? - and that the author quickly accepts the subjectivity of this quest.

Something that could have easily been just another Paris guide book is instead a very personal journey through the city, and one I very much enjoyed reading. It was a nice reminder to really consider what and where we eat, and to stay curious, because there is a story behind every dish.

[Ellouise Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a personable book, where you're gaining a deep understanding of the food and culture of Paris through a likeable narrative voice. One of the only non-fiction books I have actually read and enjoyed. Can't wait to try some of these restaurants.

[Tom Kitson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I don't know Paris particularly well, but that didn't matter at all as Chris Newens is such a thoughtful, curious and entertaining guide through the city's arrondissements, each chapter told through the story of a representative meal.

It's such a clever way of sharing with us what he has learned about Parisian society today, as well as in its recent history. To me this is as much a travel book as it is a food book, and Chris Newens paints such a rich picture of a complex and contradictory modern-day Paris, exploring every corner of the city. Particular highlights for me were the chapter about the homeless communities living in the park, and of course his escapades at Moon City (no spoilers).

For an Anthony Bourdain fan like myself, this book was a real treat, and I can't wait to read whatever Newens writes next. Congratulations Chris Newens!