Decoded City Guide – Paris with Manda Moor

Manda Moor might be best known these days for her warm, groove-led DJ sets and her releases on labels like Hot Creations and Kaluki, but before all that, she was a Paris local, growing up surrounded by a blend of cultures, crate-digging for records, and soaking in the energy of the city.

With roots in France, Denmark, and the Philippines, her sound naturally draws on a wide palette, classic Chicago house, soulful funk, and stripped-back techno, but underneath it all is a simplicity and rhythm that traces back to her time living in Paris. It’s a city she knows well beyond the surface, from neighbourhood bakeries to under-the-radar vinyl spots and quiet corners by the canal.

In this Decoded Magazine City Guide, we’re stepping away from the dance floor to explore cities through the eyes of the artists who call them home. It’s not about the biggest clubs or latest food fads, it’s about the trusted local spots, the slow mornings, the good coffee, and the moments that connect a place to a person’s creative rhythm.

So if you’re planning a trip to Paris, or just looking for a different side of the city, Manda’s guide is a calm, considered starting point. Less tourist, more local. No velvet ropes. Just good records, better food, and a look at Paris through the lens of someone who knows the backstreets as well as she knows the booth.

Let’s set the scene. If someone lands in your city with 48 hours to explore, where’s the first place you’d take them to get a real feel for the place — no tourist traps, just pure local energy?

A “petit bistrot de quartier” and a walk through the galleries of the 3rd arrondissement. Paris is the capital of art and love, and nothing captures that better than a long conversation over good food, followed by getting lost in contemporary art. That’s the purest local energy I know: LOVE, in every form.

From late-night izakayas to street corner bistros — where are the restaurants that are genuinely pushing boundaries right now?

H Vegan Bento (by Hiroko Shiraishi) – Elevated, vibrant Japanese vegan dishes in a minimalist setting. It’s where food becomes ritual. I’m not vegan, but I still send people to order their food, it’s that creative. 
Folderol (75003) – Ice cream meets natural wine in the most stylish way. A sensory experience, not just a treat. 
Rojo Paris (75003) – Eggs done every way imaginable, plus standout cocktails. 

Caffeine is a ritual for most of us. Where are the cafés or coffee haunts that fuel the city’s creative pulse?

Essaim – Where design, natural light, and coffee meet. You’ll hear Ableton talk at one table and curators planning a vernissage at the next. 
Dreamin’ Man – Japanese-style coffee with Parisian soul. A quiet spot with deep focus energy. 

Cocktails, natural wine, mezcal… or maybe something off-menu. Where are the bars that are more than just bars — the ones where the playlist is as good as the drinks list?

Hôtel Amour – Classic Parisian hedonism. The energy, the soundtrack, the people-watching, all unmatched.
Omakase Saké Bar – A hidden saké spot with a low-key vibe and a perfectly curated soundtrack.
Mesures Paris – Artful cocktails with a deep listening ambiance. 

When it comes to places to stay, are there any boutique hotels, artist residencies, or under-the-radar accommodations that reflect the local culture and subcultural scene?

Distrikt Paris – A creative community hub, part co-working, part collective, all soul.
Rex Club residencies – A legacy institution with artist residencies that still matter.
Café Barge (for those who like to live on the water) – Dancing, dining, and sleeping on the Seine. The club closed recently, but you can still have food there.
Otherwise – post up in the 11th, that’s where the energy lives.

For the wax heads and selectors — where’s the first stop for digging vinyl?

Yoyaku – It’s a temple for minimal, dub techno, and deeper cuts. They press, host in-stores, and keep Paris vinyl culture alive. – https://www.yoyaku.io/
Techno Import – A longstanding go-to for new and classic dance releases. – https://techno-import.fr/en/
Syncrophone – Amazing for House music, and a favorite among serious diggers. – https://www.syncrophone.fr/

Let’s talk clubs. Which venues are doing it right — from sound systems and bookings to crowd and character?

La Machine du Moulin Rouge – Big room vibes, but curated lineups and a loyal local crowd.
Taboo Paris – A smaller, warmer space that still feels intimate and underground.
Gate – At Palais Maillot, great club to listen to trending artists, recently they had Jamie Jones for example.
Rex Club – Forever a legend, it’s where Paris club culture matured.

Transport for the tuned-in: What’s the best way to reach your city or town for the international gig-hoppers?

Charles de Gaulle or Orly by plane. High speed train TGV through Gare Du Nord (from Amsterdam for example), or Gare De Lyon. Once you’re here, metro is king. It’s late, reliable, and cheap. For local flair: rent a Vélib’ or hop on a Lime scooter for those golden hour rides along Canal Saint-Martin for example. Careful for the crazy French drivers.

Who’s next? Tip us off to a few local producers, DJs or live acts that are breaking through.

The Mekanism – Bringing heavy yet soulful sounds to the new Paris since years. 
Arthur Nozen – An incredible selector and sonic storyteller.
Gauthier DM – Inventive, bold, and uniquely Parisian. He inspired me a lot when I started DJing
Salomé – She’s a force, bridging genres with a minimal, housy flair.

Every city has its architects of culture. Who are three promoters, collectives or club crews that have genuinely shaped your local scene?

Concrete / Samedimanche – Even after the boat stopped, their influence echoes in every Paris party.
Taboo Paris – Championing house, minimal, and community vibes. Played there recently.
Mirage – Same street as Taboo, more into deep House and Afro vibes, small, intimate and great sound. I remember vividly some of my first gigs there.

If you had to bottle your city’s sound — what genre, tempo, or spirit would define it?

Paris is a slow-burner, deep grooves, sultry house, stripped-down techno, and jazz undercurrents. It’s not about trends here; it’s about texture and feeling. The tempo is steady, the vibe is intimate, and the sound is always laced with emotion.

What dish or culinary experience defines your city?

A flaky vegan croissant in the morning sun. A chaotic bistro dinner. But if I had to pick one: the Vietnamese/French fusion scene is thriving, try the vegan bánh mì at Saigon Sandwich in the 10th.

For the fashion-forward — where do locals shop underground or independent?

Merci (3rd) – Concept store heaven with a sharp eye for detail.
Encré – a personal favorite, simple yet bold. The brand is defined by its timeless pieces and unisex cuts, but above all by its bold embroidery and typography. it’s eco-responsible and is inspired by tattoos and fun quotes. They are know for the colorful threads on basic fits.
NOIRFONCÉ – Where skate, music, and fashion intersect.

Lastly, give us the secret. What’s the one place that only locals know about, but should be on every curious traveller’s radar?

Square Maurice Gardette: it’s a quiet park in the 11th district where artists and weirdos gather to think, flirt, and daydream. Bring a sandwich, a book, and stay until golden hour. Magic lives there.

Manda Moor is playing at Paradise In The City Festival at Boston Manor Park in London on 2nd August. Together with Sirus Hood, Manda runs Beatport Hype Label of the Year 2025, Mood Child

by Decoded Magazine

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