Italian restaurants in France
-
A
Michelangelo
A one-man show, chef Michelangelo does it all – the shopping, the chopping, the table-waiting, the cooking, the sitting down with guests for a glass of wine while the pasta is boiling…it is, in fact, the equivalent of being invited over to a Sicilian chef’s house for dinner. There are things to know, of course: 1) there are only 14 chairs (everyone eats at a long table in front of the open kitchen) so reservations are mandatory; 2) Michelangelo chooses the menu (three courses, about €25, cash only), so you have to be somewhat adventurous; and 3) all the products – the olive oil, the wine (from €28 per bottle), the cheese – come from Sicily, so if there’s no more oregano t…
reviewed
-
B
Casa Bini
With classical façade and sober interior, the décor clearly plays second fiddle to cuisine at this highly recommended Italian restaurant where homemade pasta is cooked to al dente perfection and children are treated like gods. Be it squid and creamed courgette soup, tagliolini studded with white summer truffles or a classic veal saltimbocca (veal escalope flavoured with ham, thyme and sage), tastebuds won’t be disappointed. Lunch, which has a different menu from that after dusk (including a tasty €16 carpaccio de jour), is a more affordable affair.
reviewed
-
C
L’Enoteca
The ‘Vinotheque’, a trattoria in the historic Village St-Paul quarter of the Marais, serves haute cuisine à l’italienne, and there’s an excellent list of Italian wines by the glass (€3.50 to €9). It’s no secret that this is one of the few Italian wine bars in Paris to take its vino seriously (there are 400 labels in the cellar), so book ahead. Pasta dishes (€13 to €18) are good, as is the generous tavola antipasti (antipasto buffet table) at lunch.
reviewed
-
D
Swann et Vincent
Unpretentious French staff can help you select from the huge blackboard, where at least two of the starters, pastas and main dishes change every day. Go slow on the complimentary basket of olive-and-sweet-herb bread, though; you need to leave room for the tiramisu (€6.50). And, if you must know, Swann and Vincent, whose larger-than-life portraits as children face you through the front window opposite at No 14, are the sons of the owner.
reviewed
-
E
Bistro Romain Champs-Élysées
This ever-popular Italian-ish bistro-restaurant chain, which has some 14 branches in Paris proper and another nine in the banlieues (suburbs), is a surprisingly upmarket place for its price category, and service is always pleasant and efficient. The Champs-Élysées branch, one of a pair along the city’s most famous thoroughfare, is a stone’s throw from place Charles de Gaulle and the Arc de Triomphe.
reviewed
-
F
Inamorati Caffè
This long and narrow storefront space filled with tables covered in checked tablecloths attracts a loyal and local clientele who love the authentic (and ample) dishes, prepared by partners Salvatore and Rocco. The mammoth salads and risotto are excellent choices but we usually go for something in a marmite (cooking pot), be it homemade cheese-stuffed ravioli with meatballs or the fisherman’s stew of shellfish.
reviewed
-
G
Bistro Florentin
Expect excellent Italian fare amid cosy surrounds: grilled, finely seasoned aubergine for starters, tiramisu as light as a feather for dessert and, in between, a wide choice of mains and pastas (€12 to €17). The penne à la crème d’artichauts (penne with cream and artichokes; €15) is superb as is the ravioli à la gorgonzola aux épinards (spinach and cheese ravioli). Pizzas are €8 to €13.
reviewed
-
H
Luna Rossa
Luna Rossa is like your dream Mediterranean dinner come true: fresh pasta, exquisitely cooked seafood (pan-fried John Dory, grilled sea bass, sautéed king prawns), sun-kissed vegetables (artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus tips) and divine meats (beef carpaccio with truffle and parmesan shavings). Wash it down with one of the excellent bottles of red or rosé from the cellar.
reviewed
-
I
Bistro Romain
This ever-popular Italian-ish bistro–restaurant chain, which has a dozen branches in Paris proper and seven in the banlieues (suburbs), is a surprisingly upmarket place for its price category, and service is always pleasant and efficient. The Champs-Élysées branch is a stone’s throw from place Charles de Gaulle and the Arc de Triomphe.
reviewed
-
J
Caffé Boboli
Affordable Italian fare in the heart of the Marais? Not as preposterous a notion as you might think with this small restaurant run by two young Florentines. The food is very wholesome and based on vegetables, cheese and charcuterie like Parma ham and beef carpaccio. On the walls are original paintings and photographs that are changed every few months.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Al Piccola Ristorante
Every lunchtime a queue of hopefuls forms at the door of this minute restaurant that's essentially just someone's front room. The reward for all that waiting are the beautifully crafted, homemade Italian dishes that'll leave you feeling like you're living la dolce vita. If you don't want to join the hopefuls at the door, book ahead.
reviewed
-
L
Le Cherche Midi
This popular restaurant with red awning and classic interior buzzes all the more at weekends when shoppers (Saturday) and those out for a stroll (Sunday) make a beeline for Le Cherche Midi’s small sunlit pavement terrace. Cuisine is Italian, classic and elegant. Get here by 12.30pm and 8pm respectively to be sure of getting a table.
reviewed
-
M
Da Mimmo
Neither the less-than-salubrious neighbourhood nor the relatively high prices are enough to keep fans away from this delightful trattoria with its authentic Neapolitan cuisine. Naples is, of course, the birthplace of pizza (€11.50 to €20); try one with rocket and forget about pizzas of the past.
reviewed
-
N
Restaurant Verdi
This restaurant does delicious Italian fare, especially fish dishes, in an Italian ambience (walls are plastered with posters relating to the eponymous Verdi). It has an outstanding wine list. Two doors away, Pizzeria Aïda serves pasta, pizzas and salads from the same kitchen and in a more informal setting.
reviewed
-
O
Pizzeria Aïda
This restaurant does delicious Italian fare, especially fish dishes, in an Italian ambience (walls are plastered with posters relating to the eponymous Verdi). It has an outstanding wine list. Two doors away, Pizzeria Aïda serves pasta, pizzas and salads from the same kitchen and in a more informal setting.
reviewed
-
P
Osteria Enoteca Italiana
A lively Italian ristorante that's proud of its authentic, heaping plates of pasta (including vegetarian fettuccine), meat and fish dishes, and its scrumptious homemade desserts (think tiramisu). The decor hints at Venice, the chef's hometown, and the wine list is Italian (glass €3.50).
reviewed
-
Q
La Cantinetta
The top table at cours Julien serves perfectly al dente housemade pasta, paper-thin prosciutto, marinated vegetables, bresaola (air-dried beef) and risotto. Tables in the convivial dining room are cheek by jowl; we prefer the sun-dappled, tiled-patio garden. Reservations essential.
reviewed
-
R
Il Terrazzino
Dried sweet-corn cobs dangle from the ceiling of this colourful eating space where traditional Neapolitan fare fuses with Italian charm. Pea green and turquoise chairs grace the mellow conservatory-style terrace, but the best bit is the eat-as-much-as-want antipastibuffet.
reviewed
-
S
Le Venezia
This cosy, Italian-inspired restaurant just off the main waterfront drag brims with diners and no wonder - its pastas, fish and salads are all bellissimo. There are two tiny steps out the front, but otherwise excellent wheelchair access includes an internal ramp.
reviewed
-
T
Huit et Demi
Eight and a Half is a chic, clean-cut place with an industrial interior and pavement terrace filling an entire street running off rue Princesse Caroline. The fare is a mix of Italian (lots of pasta) and local (think bagna cauda, lamb with Sospel olives).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Il Duca
This intimate little Italian restaurant has good, straightforward food, including homemade pastas (€11 to €15). The selection of Italian wine and cheese is phenomenal; themed weeks, with various regions and types of produce, are scheduled throughout the year.
reviewed
-
V
Pizzaria Chez Étienne
This classic family-style neighbourhood haunt serves the best wood-fired pizza in Marseille, succulent beef steak and scrumptious pan-fried squid. Pop in beforehand to reserve in person (there’s no phone). Skip the nothing-special pastas. No credit cards.
reviewed
-
W
La Main à La Pâte
This long-standing restaurant serves nothing but high-quality pasta dishes at eminently affordable prices. You choose the colour (white, orange, green or black), the form (tagliatelle, fettuccine, rigatoni) and the accompanying sauce. Good fun and tasty.
reviewed
-
X
Jim-Deli
A newbie on the luncheon scene, this adjoining Italian duo stuns. One half serves authentic panini to take away; the other half carpaccio, pasta, salads and other delicious Italian dishes clearly emblazoned with an Italian Mama stamp of approval.
reviewed
-
Y
Casa Valério
Mona Lisa welcomes you with a wry smile at this buzzy Italian, famous for its delectable pasta, fresh fish and award-winning pizza margherita. Wine lovers are in their element. Sadly, staff with an attitude can let the show down somewhat.
reviewed
