Disclosure: I was a guest of the property for this meal.
Years ago, my little sister and I were regulars at Judy, a flexitarian restaurant specializing in the sorts of smoothies, juices, and gluten-free fare you may be used to if you’re freshly transplanted from Australia or Southern California. A former rarity in Paris, this kind of café has since proliferated all over the capital, but Judy still slaps with its authentic approach, bright dining room, and heaps of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. In sum, it’s the perfect place for a lunchtime catchup or to linger over a juice for the afternoon.
We started with some juices. A surprising Karma Cleanser (7.9) paired pineapple, parsley, mint, ginger, and a generous dose of fennel for a lovely herbaceous touch. My Elixir cold-pressed shot (4.5) combined turmeric, ginger, Cayenne pepper, pineapple, apple, and lime for a refreshingly zesty sip with a not-at-all-subtle kick of spice. Aka: perfection.
Breakfast is served until 11 and includes scrambled tofu with fermented veggies, a granola bowl, or chia pudding. For lunch, on our visit, we had a range of choices: a summer salad with burrata and peach (18), a Bangkok bowl with konjac noodles and smoked tofu (18), or a buckwheat galette with loads of veggies and feta (17). My friend opted for the Persian aubergine (18), a roasted eggplant half stuffed with quinoa, preserved lemon, and almonds and surrounded by a house made red dukkah sauce and sheep’s milk yogurt.
I, on the other hand, was tantalized by the Kind Lox (19), described on the menu as smoked trout with sheep’s milk tzatziki, pickled cucumber and fennel, and salad. I was surprised to find that what actually arrived was all of the above on top of gluten-free brioche, which was tasty enough for a gluten-free alternative.
The lox itself was delicious, and I loved the pickles (though there was no fennel I could see!), but the tzatziki was a bit thin and under-seasoned, and the salad, too, could have used a bit more dressing.
For dessert, we were both considering the Summer Crumble (9.5), and my friend was gracious enough to order it and let me have a taste. A thick layer of barely-sweetened fresh apricot purée was topped with a delicious crumble and vegan vanilla-coconut ice cream. If only the crumble had been a bit warmer, it would have been perfect; as it was, the ice cream sat on top rather than melting into the dessert.
I went for the banana bread French toast (12), which begins with an excellent banana bread base studded generously with walnuts. It’s topped with house-made almond butter – also excellent –, pumpkin seeds, and strawberries. There was none of the promised pollen, but the granola on top was lovely, and I adored the touch of cinnamon.
Ultimately, today’s iteration of Judy is a bit expensive for what it is, and the menu could use some revising to more accurately reflect what’s being served. But at the end of the day, a gluten-free, veg-friendly café is a big ask in this neighborhood, and Judy delivers.
Judy – 18 Rue de Fleurus, 75006