Calling all pasta lovers! Italian chefs are having a field day in the capital of gastronomy. Take a tour of Paris to discover the best spaghetti and tagliolini that would make all the mamas from Sicily, Tuscany, Rome, and Calabria green with envy.
Altro Frenchie
Bye-bye street food, buongiorno Italia! Grégory Marchand, who delighted us for 10 years with his gourmet sandwiches, has reinvented his menu in this hotspot on rue du Nil (formerly Frenchie To Go), now a chic trattoria revamped by Emilie Bonaventure: cushioned benches, beautiful dark wood tables, a sexy mirrored ceiling, and retro tableware. The charm works its magic both in the decor and on the plates. One of the best Italian addresses at the moment.
Must-try: The Gnudi, a Tuscan dish akin to small gnocchi made with ricotta, drizzled with brown butter and sage leaves: absolutely irresistible (€21)! For a veggie option, try the mouthwatering Raviolo with peas, pecorino, and mint (€22). More classic but equally impeccable, the Pappardelle with rabbit ragu, pine nuts, and taggiasca olives (€24). The linguine with crab, velvet swimming crab bisque, datterino tomatoes, and fennel is a head-turner (€28). Still hungry? Finish with the Rhubarb Panna Cotta (€12) and excellent coffee from L’Arbre à Café (€3.50).
Altro Frenchie, 9 rue du Nil, Paris 2e. 01 42 21 96 92, open Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 2:30pm and from 7pm to 10:30pm. © Altro Frenchie (@altro_frenchie).
Clover Saint Germain
Clover Green is no more, long live Clover Saint-Germain! When Jean-François Piège opens a pasta restaurant, the Do It team celebrates and rushes in. This small venue near Café de Flore already charms the fashion crowd, relying on the star chef to serve colorful and addictive dishes (the tableware alone is worth an Insta story). You’ll be back for more.
Must-try: If the appetizers deserve attention (especially the lovely asparagus velouté), pasta lovers will be content with the generous portions that warm the heart with original and visually stunning recipes. Start with the Long "Casarecce" with artichokes from Brittany and Provence, olives, and parmesan (€34), Spaghetti with wild garlic and chili (€28), Casarecce with marinated langoustines, head reduction, lemon, and coriander (€44), or "Pipe" Rigate with veal sweetbread blanquette and morels (€48). For dessert, indulge in decadent churros dipped in salted butter caramel (€8). Scandalous!
Clover Saint-Germain, 5 rue Perronet, Paris 7e. 01 75 50 00 05. Open Tuesday to Saturday, lunch and dinner. © Clover Saint-Germain, Ilya Kagan (@ilyafoodstories).
Langosteria
Among the chicest Italian addresses in Paris, perched on the 7th floor of the luxurious Cheval Blanc hotel. With attentive service, a view of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, and a spacious dining room with an open kitchen and bar, Langosteria promises a refined dining experience.
Must-try: Start with the Carosello, offering a selection of raw fish and crustaceans (€52) and the silky roasted langoustine gazpacho (€42). For the pasta, choose the Tortelli with cuttlefish and peas (€46), Linguine with blue lobster from Brittany, red datterino tomatoes, and basil (€68), or the star of the menu, Tagliatelle with royal langoustine, spring onions, and basil (€64). The chef's trick? Grating fresh lemon zest on top just before serving. For a perfect finish, enjoy the best caffè latte in Paris.
Langosteria - Cheval Blanc Paris, 8 Quai du Louvre, Paris 1er. 01 79 35 50 33. Open for dinner daily and lunch on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. © Langosteria, Cheval Blanc Paris, Cécile & Guillaume, and Anais Boileau.
Adami
Adami's philosophy is all about conviviality and sharing. For his first restaurant, Christopher Kelsey, a Swiss-American in love with Italy, highlights pasta dishes served in generous “primi” portions, perfect for sharing. Located near Pigalle, this modern venue is ideal for tasting fresh pasta with surprising combinations and chatting with Neapolitan chef Marco Sergiampietri (Il Carpaccio, Le George).
Must-try: The ricotta gnocchi alla Nerano, slightly tangy and melt-in-your-mouth (zucchini cream, zucchini, and zucchini flowers, €17) and the spaghetti alla chitarra with Mazara prawns, among the best in the world, in a bisque enhanced with garlic cream and black lemon (€19). Exceptional pasta with high-quality ingredients at these prices is rare in Paris!
Adami, 19 bis rue Pierre Fontaine, Paris 9e, 07 60 87 02 64, open Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 2:30pm and from 7pm to 11pm. Reservations by phone and online. © Adami, Capucine Petit.
Les Vitelloni
More than an address, it’s a haunt for regulars of nearly 20 years! Located on a semi-pedestrian street in the heart of the Marais, near the Carreau du Temple, Les Vitelloni combines the charm of a lively dining room, a delightful terrace, and a cool, relaxed ambiance infused by the owner, Benjamin Sussfeld. Over the years, he has cultivated a clientele of friends, families, and personalities from cinema and fashion. Day or night, life is celebrated here!
Must-try: Don’t miss the diabolical Linguine aglio, olio e peperoncino, the house stars that have created addicts all over the city (€16). For a refreshing twist, go for the Pappardelle al Limone (€16). Fancy a seaside escape? The Linguine alle vongole will transport you to the coast in one bite (€25). For dessert, though the Tiramisu is a heavyweight (€9), we prefer the Affogato with its milk flower ice cream (€8).
Les Vitelloni, 4 rue Dupetit-Thouars, Paris 3e. 01 48 87 38 45, open Monday to Friday from 12:15pm to 2:30pm and from 7:15pm to 10:30pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and from 7:15pm to 11pm. © Les Vitelloni, Jordan Sapally (@jordansapally).
Sugo
Arthur Dumait confirms his love for Italy with the opening of Sugo. After a year at the Eden Hotel in Rome, orchestrating the opening of Eataly in Paris, and running the restaurant Carbon, he now ventures solo with this rustic-cool spot in the Opéra district. His recipe for success? 100% homemade pasta prepared before your eyes on a machine at the back of the room, paired with expertly crafted sauces using top-quality ingredients sourced directly from Italy.
Must-try: The menu features five permanent pasta recipes, including fiery Cacio e pepe (€14) and pesto pasta with Sicilian almonds (€15). The bonus? A weekly special at a fixed price (€15): Carbonara on Tuesdays, Lasagna on Thursdays, and Carciofi on Fridays! For dessert, choose between creamy Tiramisu with real Savoiardi biscuits (€7) or an organic hazelnut cake with pistachio whipped cream (€7).
Sugo, 16 rue Saint-Augustin, Paris 2e. 01 88 61 24 13, open Monday to Saturday from 11:30am to 2:30pm and from 6pm to 11pm. © Sugo, Salomé Rateau.
Il Ristorante - Bulgari Hotel
Originally from Abruzzo, the promised land of Italian terroir, chef Niko Romito is a true star whose Il Ristorante concepts shine from Beijing to Milan, Tokyo, and Shanghai. It's only fitting that his knives now grace the kitchens of the Bulgari Hotel in Paris, embodied by executive chef Davide Capucchio. Dining at his table is like booking a one-way ticket to the Eternal City, with dishes that are sheer perfection.
Must-try: After a delightful and unexpected start (a highly aromatic chicken and vegetable broth instead of amuse-bouches), enjoy luxurious pasta such as divine spaghetti e pomodoro (€34), linguine with langoustines and red prawns (€58), house-made beef ravioli with asparagus sauce (€38), or torrid vegetable lasagna (€36). Don't forget to dip your bread in the explosive olive oil, almost green and sun-drenched. The lunch menu at €70 is a promise of delightful discoveries.
Il Ristorante - Bulgari Hotel Paris, 30 avenue George V, Paris 8e. 01 81 72 10 00. Lunch 12:30pm - 2:30pm. Dinner 7:30pm - 10:30pm. Bar open daily until 1am. © Il Ristorante, Bulgari Hotel.
Pastificio Norma
Following the success of pizzeria La Massara and deli Rusidda, the family expands with the pasta factory named Norma. Located in the same block of the 10th arrondissement, this venue honors fresh pasta, and it’s a hit. Here, everything is made in-house, including the emblematic pistachio pesto, and the burrata is just as delectable.
Must-try: The high priestess of the place, chef Gaia Rigacci, juggles between the pasta machine and the oven to prepare penne with 4 cheeses (€18), orecchiette with broccoli, anchovies, and Sicilian almonds (€19), or pappardelle with beef cheek ragout (€22). All accompanied by a selection of gourmet Italian wines. Please note, bookings are recommended to secure your table.
Pastificio Norma, 10 rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, Paris 10e. 01 48 01 29 36, open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday dinner only. © Pastificio Norma, Salomé Rateau.
LE GEORGE
Everyone is talking about it. Simone Zanoni (formerly of Trianon Palace) is making waves at George V with his Michelin-starred dining room where he delivers a sophisticated yet relaxed experience. His cuisine is presented through small plates served tapas-style, even transforming pasta into shareable sashimi-like bites. An ode to lightness and finesse. A true masterpiece.
Must-try: Braised veal agnolotti with oyster mushrooms and rich jus (€42), octopus caramelle with red wine sauce (€42), or ricotta tortelli with lemon and fresh mint (€40).
Le George, 31 avenue George V, 75008 Paris. 01 49 52 70 00, open daily from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm.
MULINO MULÈ
Cédric Casanova (La Tête dans les Olives) adheres to the motto "self-sufficiency is key" by installing his organic flour mill in this cozy Belleville spot to craft 100% homemade pasta. The ancient wheat grains are cultivated in Italy on the land of his partner, farmer Marco Mulè. Chef Roberto Rispoli (formerly of Royal Monceau) completes the team.
Must-try: Daily pasta specials with two recipes to choose from at lunch for €13. For example, linguini alla puttanesca or beef meatballs (€36 for a pot for 2 people). Desserts include classic tiramisu and panna cotta (€8), bringing a taste of Italy with their dolci selections.
Mulino Mulè, 25 rue Sainte-Marthe, Paris 19e. 09 54 75 92 07, open Tuesday to Saturday from 12 pm to 1:30 pm and Wednesday to Saturday from 7 pm to 9:30 pm.
© Mulino Mulè (@mulinomule)
RACINES
©Pauline Chatelan
Freshly Michelin-starred, Simone Tondo is officially the most stylish Italian in Paris. He uniquely fuses bistro-style dining with Italian flair, offering a menu that changes daily and features amazing natural wines. It’s a wild ride.
Must-try: Seasonal garganelli, fresh penne with sausage ragu, saffron, fennel seeds, and pecorino. Simply ultimate! His gnocchi are divine, as are the occasional fantastic carbonaras.
Racines, 8 passage des Panoramas, Paris 2e. 01 40 13 06 41, open daily from 12:15 pm to 2 pm and 7:30 pm to 10 pm.
RESTAURANT PASSERINI
The Roman prodigy needs no introduction, having been settled for two years near the Aligre market in a contemporary, refined, and classy setting (terrazzo floors, wooden tables, design lighting). Awarded by Fooding and praised by Michelin and foodies alike, Giovanni Passerini remains one of the undisputed masters of pasta in Paris. He crafts them daily in the back room of his neighboring deli.
Must-try: The lunch menu includes a starter and pasta for €34, featuring mezze maniche with chicken liver, watercress, and mole. For dinner, try the casarecce with lamb ragu (€26) or smoked eel puttanesca linguine (€26).
Restaurant Passerini, 65 rue Traversière, Paris 12e. 01 43 42 27 56, open Wednesday to Friday for lunch from 12 pm to 2:15 pm and Tuesday to Saturday for dinner from 7:30 pm to 10:15 pm.
© Passerini, Mickael A. Bandassak
AND ALWAYS…
The black truffle cacio e pepe spaghettoni at Malro (€25). 7 rue Froissart, Paris 3e.
The pasta of the day at Carboni’s, always a delightful surprise (€24). 45 rue de Poitou, Paris 3e.
The langoustine linguine at Localino (€36). 10 rue de l’Odéon, Paris 6e.
Il Camino. 43 rue des Petites Écuries, Paris 10e.
The spaghetti alle vongole at I Grappoli (€24.50). 22 place Denfert Rochereau, Paris 14e.
The pea and fava bean pesto tagliolini at Anna (€22). 13 rue Vertbois, Paris 3e.
The sausage and rosole stuffed ravioli at Osteria Ferrara (€25). 7 rue du Dahomey, Paris 11e.
The vegetable, basil, and pine nut lasagna at Ischia. 14 rue Cauchy, Paris 15e.
Also, discover a gourmet Italian table in the 8th and a cool restaurant that will take you on a journey around the Mediterranean.