I tried finding threads on this travel topic but alas none were found!
This will be a one week ladies trip, all of us first timers. Would love some cafe and restaurant suggestions as well as insider tips. I do plan on doing my due diligence with Rick Steves podcasts and guidebooks. Thanks in advance!
I’d use the Tripadvisor Paris Forum for this. You’ll have to create an account.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g187144-i13-Ile_de_France.html
Perhaps a silly idea, but: A girlfriend and I spent a week a couple years ago. Not our first visits, in fact she had lived there and I was very familiar. A year or so before we took the trip, she introduced me to the Aimée Leduc detective/mystery books written by Cara Black. Each is set in a different region of Paris with thriller plot against the Paris setting with decent descriptions and a map of the area. We enjoyed finding some of the specific places in the novels while out walking/wandering. http://carablack.com/books/
If mystery novels aren’t to your liking, my best advice is to just identify the “biggies” you want to see - Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Bateau Mouche cruise, Rodin Museum, Notre Dame, Montmartre, whatever. Find it on a map, get off at the closest Metro, visit the venue, then when done, wander the surrounding area. There is not the same level of concern wandering Paris as there is in many US cities. If you do find an area where you aren’t comfortable, it is easy to retreat. I would check the news before venturing off to see the Basilica of St Denis which is in an area where protests and riots occur from time to time. Of course, the most recent disruptions were heart of the city: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/26/paris-begins-clean-up-after-gilets-jaunes-clash-protest-with-police
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-cafes-and-coffee-shops-in-paris?
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-restaurants-in-paris?
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-paris?
We are going in March (first time),so I’m reading with interest. 
Thanks @simba9 I wasn’t aware Trip Advisor had forums. I’ve used that site to book tickets and things to do in NYC before but that’s it.
I actually had fun reading thru a thread that shared the little nuances of interacting with the French people which I found very helpful. That’s the kind of thing I was looking for.
I also want to be able to say common tourist French phrases to help us get around.
@intparent how exciting! I hope more people chime in on this thread. I’ve read on the TA forum that Paris is a place you get addicted to even if you visit for a couple of days.
ETA: we will be staying in the Trocadéro area
Do the boat ride along the Seine River. Tripadvisor reviews have great tips on where to get on and off. For lunch on the go, stop in any local bakery for sandwiches freshly made on a baguette. We were there in early May and experienced a variety of weather - you’ll need some cold weather clothing. We had trouble with our Metro subway tickets and had to ask for help from the local police who were standing nearby. Know how to ask for help in French.
We loved having lunch at the Musee D’Orsay. Very elegant, great food. Reservations required. My favorite museum in Paris too.
@Momofadult thanks for the author and book suggestions! I do love reading and mystery genre is a favorite of mine. Great to bring along too for the long flight.
Appreciate the heads up on potential areas for disruption as well. So unfortunate the riot that took place at Champs de Elyseé over the weekend 
@chercheur thank you, we do plan on doing a boat ride and thx for the clothing tips too!
@momofsenior1 great suggestion
We are considering the bike tour of gardens and castles. Anyone do this?
Any feedback on the hop on hop off bus tour?
I suggest downloading the French dictionary from Google Translate. This way even if you don’t have an internet connection, you can access the dictionary on your phone. I have some French but even so have found it very helpful to be able to look up a word on the go when I needed it.
I was in Paris with my daughter in early May. It was cold and rainy on some days and sunny and warm on others. We had a wonderful time! We stayed in a small hotel in St. Germain des Pres where there were small restaurants and cafes. D met up with a friend for morning photos at the Eiffel Tower and brunch at Angelina’s (famous for their hot chocolate.) Another fun discovery was stocking up on Claudalie products at CityPharma. We were wondering why people were leaving the pharmacy with bags and bags of stuff!
Shop at a street market like a local. We happened upon the Marché biologique Raspail while they were setting up early in the morning. We planned to return but we got back from Versailles too late. The next day, I saw on my Instagram that Ina Garten posted that she was there buying a roast chicken!
Practice your merci, bonjour, bonsoir and au revoir - and use it everywhere especially in the shops. Have a great time!
@b1ggreenca thanks for the tip! Will definitely do that.
@lilmom love your post! Now I have to look up what Claudalie products are
@CALSmom, oops, it’s Caudalie, not Claudalie.
I hope you are not going April 14-21? We were in Paris a number of Aprils ago and learned that half of the country celebrates Holy Week in the city! It was a fabulous trip but everything was sooo crowded! I would definitely recommend scheduling your time in Paris to avoid Easter and the week immediately before.
@CALSmom like Washington DC, personally I would not do biking tour in Paris. Walking & taxi would be my choice.
Good to know @BelmontVA
We will be there the week before @CaMom13 because some of us have kids on break that we scheduled our trip around. I had no idea but good to keep in mind when planning.
A few restaurants we enjoyed in Paris over the years:
Creperie La Petite Bretonne on Rue Mouffetard
Pottoka (Basque food)
Le Colimacon Marais
Breizh Cafe (also a creperie but more fancy/modern)
There are many more but do your homework, they’re hit or miss.
@yucca10 thank you! I’ll check those out online.
My daughter was in Paris for Spring Break and absolutely loved the cooking class I found for her and a friend. They shopped for ingredients in a market, prepared a 4 course meal, and enjoyed the meal with the chef and fellow participants. She said it was the highlight of their trip!
I spend significant time in Paris and France annually (month+). A favorite restaurant with a great story is La Fermette Marbeuf. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d718661-Reviews-La_Fermette_Marbeuf-Paris_Ile_de_France.html?m=19905
Tea by appointment at the Ritz (get the rose champagne with your tea! 1-2 hours to indulge. Worth every penny.
Crepes in Montparnasse. Maybe creperie Bretonne. With cidre belge!
Tart in the diner of garden in Musee Rhodin.