Our staff is absolutely enamored with Paris, a city that consistently ranks as one of our most beloved destinations. From the captivating art and mesmerizing views to the enchanting music, Paris offers a symphony of experiences. However, what truly sets Paris apart, in our humble opinion, is its gastronomic scene. The restaurant landscape in Paris is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, constantly evolving and surprising us with its diversity. Beyond the classic viennoiseries that are synonymous with the city, Paris is home to an exciting range of culinary experiences, including Korean cooking that tantalizes the taste buds, Jewish-inspired dishes that showcase the richness of culinary heritage, and, of course, the unforgettable bistros that are an integral part of the Parisian experience. With such an abundance of culinary gems, we’ve curated a list of 17 restaurants that have captured our hearts and palates.
A Culinary Adventure: Vegetable Delights and Charcoal-Grilled Delicacies
Nestled in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement, Tèkes is a haven for vegetable lovers. This restaurant, a brainchild of the team behind acclaimed Mediterranean-Israeli establishments like Shabour in Paris and Machneyuda in Jerusalem, is a testament to the power of vegetables. At the core of Tèkes is an open kitchen featuring a charcoal grill, where vegetables are transformed into vibrant, shareable dishes that pay homage to a diverse range of Jewish culinary traditions. Imagine a fattoush salad brimming with flavor, adorned with creamy labneh. Or, how about a burnt cabbage salad dressed in a za’atar chimichurri, a symphony of textures and tastes. For those seeking a vegetarian take on a classic, there’s the restaurant’s creamy chicken liver dish, a testament to the culinary ingenuity that Tèkes embodies. The restaurant also boasts an impressive wine list, spanning the Mediterranean, and a plant-based cocktail and juice bar that caters to a variety of palates. The earthy, wood-washed space is adorned with mesh shelves overflowing with fresh market produce and terracotta earthenware, creating an inviting atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you can linger for a natural light-soaked lunch or a long, leisurely dinner.
A Pizza Paradise: Sourdough Perfection and Chef’s Surprises
If you’re seeking a culinary escape from the traditional Parisian bistro scene, Oozbatz is the place to be. This restaurant began as a pizza pop-up at Le Rigamarole, a Japanese-inspired tasting menu space, where its slow-fermented sourdough crust captivated diners. Such was the popularity of this pizza that a brick-and-mortar home became a necessity. Oozbatz opened its doors earlier this year, featuring a concise but exciting menu that includes pizzas adorned with white asparagus and preserved lemon or tiny meatballs with red onion and chives. The dining room, with its cool, blonde wood accents, evokes a sense of tranquility, like a breath of fresh air. For a culinary surprise, order the number six, a “surprise du chef” pizza, which last month featured dollops of duck ragu nestled alongside pockets of melty cheese. Steak au poivre can wait; tonight, let Oozbatz transport you to pizza paradise in the heart of Paris.
A Gastronomic Oasis: Modern Bistro Delights
When our family arrived in Paris last summer, the jet lag seemed to stretch time itself. However, our spirits were lifted knowing that we would be dining at Elmer, a modern-but-not-austere bistro located on a quiet street in the northern end of the Marais, just off the Canal Saint-Martin. Elmer is a haven of gastronomic delights, where dishes are light, precise, and utterly original. Imagine compositions of crudo nestled in wafer-thin pastry shells, or a savory seasonal fruit salad plated geometrically like a tart. The faux-filet steak is expertly shingled with creamy eggplant slices, a symphony of textures and flavors. Elmer is a testament to the beauty of simplicity, where perfection is found in the details. And desserts? They are nothing short of glorious. The vanilla hazelnut praline tart for two is a culinary masterpiece, a sweet indulgence that soothed our tired nerves and set our internal clocks ticking towards the right time zone.
