British theatre company Rotozaza presents their unique take on drama. Etiquette is a 30-minute theatrical experience without an audience, involving the participation of only two people and two sets of headphones. Seated together at a table, each of the participants follow the simple instructions communicated via their headset, which work in tandem with those of their partner's - unleashing a fascinatingly intimate story in a public setting. The experience, which has received rave reviews by the New York Times, International Herald Tribune and countless other publications since it began, finally makes it to Paris, and is available in English, Portuguese, Dutch, German, Spanish and of course French. For a sneak peek, check out the video on the NY Times website. TM

A no fuss, no frills Franco-Japanese eatery with a cult following. The décor would probably be best described as minimalist, though not in the pretentious sense, but rather in a carefree, undone kind of way. The animated open-kitchen is perfectly suited to the friendly Canal St Martin quartier, and weather permitting, the wall of windows giving onto the street are ideal spots for people watching. Fish lovers will be delighted with the array of raw or easy-over marine life on offer, plates of sashimi (around 18€) and grilled tuna (19€) are a favourite here. Committed carnivores can try the beef in a citronelle sauce, and allow the complimentary amuse-bouche of deep-fried marinated fish to go to their dining partners. The lunchtime menu is good value: 15€ , entrée + plat, plat + dessert, or the full works for 18€. FU

Legion are the high-priced, inauthentic Tex-Mex establishments in Paris, and a quality Mexican restaurant (i.e. Anahuacalli) comes at a price. But for those of us used to eating this type of cuisine back in the States, where it's typically cheap and good, it goes against the grain to pay a premium. That's why Chiaapas is such a great find. Inexpensive and cheerful, this strange little establishment - located next to an aqueduct and sandwiched between the Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord - proposes both Mexican and Indian cuisine. Staples such as nachos, quesadillas and tacos are on the menu as well as dishes like sincronizada, a wheat tortilla filled with cheese, guacamole and choice of cheese, meat or spicy peppers. Imported Mexican beers are a steal at 3.50€. AM

The fact that they serve the best pint of Guinness in town would be reason alone to come to this pocket-sized Irish pub, right in view of the Canal Saint Martin. The warm, friendly atmosphere and genial welcome by Kevin, the owner, makes one want to come back again and again, as do the delicious toasties, jacket potatoes, and communicating shop, Scrumptious, full of British and Irish goodies. There's also darts, a book exchange and football nights. What more could you ask for? AM

Tuna tartare, topped with avocado and wasabi cream, part of 30€, 3-course menu

There didn’t use to be much to tempt the palate in the Louis Blanc neighborhood, lost as it was in a gastronomic no-man’s-land between the budget Sri Lankan quarter and the Canal St-Martin. But the young, friendly owners of La Bulle look set to update the local landscape, and provide another destination beyond the Point Ephémère. A three-month relook changed this bistro from greasy spoon brasserie to modern bistronomique, with exposed stone walls and soft lighting. The chef used to work at The Sporting, on the Canal St Martin, and here proposes a great-value lunch or dinner menu: 3-course for 30€ or 2 for 25€. The starter of tuna tartare with avocado/wasabi cream and poppadum topping was a highlight, and the tasty lamb chops in bordelaise sauce with mushrooms and cumin-flavoured carrots perfect comfort food for a bone-chilling autumn evening. Most bottles on the blackboard wine list are around 20€-30€, but there’s also a good range of glasses for less than 5€. AM

Le Look, a dusty old French bistro, rue Martel, has been converted into a bright London-style café serving delicious, healthy food. Start with breakfast of coffee, a juice and a tartine with home-made jams, come back for lunch and soak up the afternoon sun on the benches out the front over a gourmet sandwich and salad, say, or the plat du jour (there’s usually a vegetarian option) – then come back for the apéro, and hang out in the understated designer interior over a Belgian beer, a Vedett or Duval. You can also choose from organic lemonades, fresh fruit juices, and an original selection of hot drinks, including milkshakes and chai. The bright little space is a busy total concept, so there’s all sorts of side projects in the works, from guest chefs, to publishing ideas, to catering projects, to DJ and hot-dog nights. It’s the new look.

Located on the Canal Saint Martin, this bright, non-smoking café is a popular lunchtime destination, proposing affordable and tasty formules (9-13€) to eat on premises, or to take away. Using fresh and often organic ingredients, the healthy kitchen offers soups, salads and sandwiches with an occasional twist. Suck back a smoothie to start, enjoy a bagel sandwich, and leave with a slice of carrot cake to nibble as you wander home along the canal. Arrive early for a seat outside or be prepared to get friendly with strangers inside. Once the lunch crowd has left, head to the counter for coffee with your laptop and take full advantage of the free Wi-Fi connection, smoke-free environment and jazzy background tunes. They do a good breakfast too. SS

You've got to hand it to the label for finding interesting venues to set up shop. If the first store, opened more than three decades ago, was in an old butcher's shop in Les Halles, their latest boutique is an enormous former sponge factory where Yves Klein bought the sponges he used for this artworks, (apt, considering the label's strong roots in contemporary art). Just a hop away from the men's store at 1 rue Dieu, the gorgeous new space is dedicated to the womens’ and children’s collections. Here you’ll find Agnès b’s tried-and-true, bright and wearable urban fashion. KG

Pastel de Choclo, 13.50€

Along a small side street close to the Canal St-Martin, this small restaurant proclaims Cuisine Familiale Chiléan in bright colours on its front window. The decoration is nothing out of the ordinary, but the wooden tables, mismatched chairs, soft lighting and ambient Latino music are inviting. The thriving local crowd and vivacious welcome from charming owner Carla immediately make you feel amongst friends. The meal began with a pisco sour, a popular Chilean cocktail make from pisco, a grape-based sort of eau de vie. We followed with a very good ceviche, great empanadas – a pasty filled with minced beef and spices – and a side of salsa. The main dish of pastel de choclo, a clay pot speciality of ground corn, beef and chicken, chopped onions and egg whites, and doused with fresh tomatoes to bring out the flavour, was simple, subtle, earthy and delicious. A large pitcher of Chiléan Carménère was a bargain at 10€. Reserve now. AM

At the tail end of last year, Castro (a long-time producer of Jamaican music), and his brother Léo, who had just returned from California, got together and decided to open this charming deli/ snack room not far from the Canal St-Martin. Both passionate eaters, and using terroir as their guiding principle, this small space offers the best of artisanal French and Mediterranean smallgoods, including stellar hand-sliced hams (the Serrano is excellent), soups, sandwiches, oils, tinned luxuries, as well as hard-to-find and smartly sourced drinks, wines and beers. The well-stocked space is inviting, and Castro himself is always there to offer his passionate advice as to what to purchase, to a backdrop of cool tunes, and people from the quartier dropping in to say hello. AM