5 new adventurous tables in the heart of Paris

The place: One tastes the Greece of terroirs with a modern twist at the sunny gastrotaverna Ypseli, which has just landed in Montorgueil. Delphine Pique, Symeon Kamsizoglou, and Fragiskos Dandoulakis are behind this restaurant with a hyper-design setting featuring a red and green polychromy, where the overall atmosphere blends the codes of tradition and modernity. Marble, white brick walls, and tableware in the colors of Athens: one gets a ticket to the land of the Hellenes and enjoys mezzés, traditional dishes, and desserts to die for. An ultra-gourmet epic to discover for the beautiful days ahead.

On the menu: One indulges in epicurean pleasures and savors the taste of the Mediterranean. At lunchtime, one enjoys a Mezzés / Main Course / Dessert menu for €28. Slow-cooked chicken Giouvetsi, cuttlefish with wild herbs, and to end on a high note, Ekmek, Greek brioche, cream, and pistachios: absolutely delicious (€12 à la carte). For mezzés, on the menu or à la carte, one orders the must-have zucchini fritters to dip in tzatziki (€12), or the 24-hour marinated peppers (€9). For the evening menu, one is tempted by the ultra-fresh Seabass Crudo (€17) or the melt-in-the-mouth braised beef cheek (€24).

The extra touch: The restaurant’s grocery and catering section, hidden behind its sumptuous bar. One can shop for the best typical Greek products, tableware, and cookbooks.

Ypseli, 88 rue Réaumur, Paris 2nd. 06 99 33 60 13. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8 AM to 11 PM.

The place: We had already widely praised the merits of its first two addresses, first in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, then near Place Vendôme. Hando is back at it (or rather, the chopsticks) with this third establishment in Le Marais, conveniently just a stone’s throw from the Do It In Paris office, which has made it their favorite canteen. It must be said that Adrien Albou's concept is highly appealing, with handrolls that are as healthy as they are addictive and interiors that are wildly zen, bright, and design-inspired by the work of Tadao Ando, which inspired the restaurant’s name. The result: the district’s fashion crowd is already flocking to its large counter to admire chef Chiharu Takada and her team master the art of nigiri like no other.

On the menu: A small menu and a pencil are provided to select the desired dishes. Among the must-haves: Wagyu, Black Cod, Bottarga, or Yellow Tail and Fried Tofu handrolls (€7–€19), nigiris like Toro Uni (tuna and sea urchin), King Crab, or Aburi Wagyu (€8–€16), and an excellent miso soup with a delightful aroma (€7). Our recommendation? Go for the handroll menus, ranging from three to six pieces (€19–€45) to avoid breaking the bank. But oh, how delicious it is… One finishes with genmaicha ice cream (green tea with roasted rice, €6) or matcha or black sesame mochis (€8).

The extra touch: The adorable tableware, with handmade Japanese ceramics featuring irresistibly cute kawaii animals. We want them too!!

Hando Handroll Marais, 14 rue de Bretagne, Paris 3rd. 01 86 04 57 49. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

The place: Nestled in the 11th arrondissement, Jamrock stands out as one of the (very) few Jamaican cuisine spots in Paris. Despite being widely popular in England and, of course, the USA, Caribbean gastronomy has taken its time to reach our shores! Jamrock is the perfect opportunity to finally discover the island’s flavors (Jam) and its nickname, the "unshakable rock" (rock). Behind the project are Kelly Schaal and Vincent Durupt, two passionate friends, and chef Camille Le Breton de la Perrière, a Franco-Jamaican talent (ex-Shangri-La Paris, Traiteur Té), joined in the kitchen by Jason, a Jamaican expat who has lived in Paris for a decade. This is sunshine on a plate, elevating street food with refined dishes in a chic, 70s-inspired Jamaican setting.

On the menu: The must-try jerk chicken—Jamaica’s signature dish—featuring a chicken thigh marinated for 24 hours (at least!) in a blend of a dozen spices, then slowly cooked twice, including once over charcoal (€15). The Coco Bread burgers, a coconut brioche bun that makes all the difference, are equally delicious, whether filled with pulled beef or grilled fish (€15). As starters, don’t miss the best fish fritters you’ll ever have (€5) or the avocado-marinated shrimp (€9). For dessert, one succumbs to the divine rum-soaked bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and pecans, best paired with a refreshing, exotic cocktail.

The extra touch: A great selection of vegetarian options, including plantains with mango salsa (€4), grilled corn on the cob (€6), and vegetable curry (€15).

Jamrock, 16 rue de Candie, Paris 11th. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

The place: After the success of Bomaye on rue de Paradis, Camille Gozé and Laurent Kalala open a second restaurant on rue de Charonne. In a small, colorful space inspired by wax fabric boutiques, Bomaye continues to celebrate African cuisine with dishes from across the continent, revisited and modernized. Designed by Laura Chavy in collaboration with Laurent Badier, the restaurant is small but unique, vibrant, ultra-pop, and stylish. Perfect for an affordable dinner for two or a group of six on the outdoor tables after a concert at Badaboum or a drink on rue de Lappe.

On the menu: The best bissap in Paris (€5) and Bomaye’s signature burgers, inspired by Senegalese, Ivorian, and Congolese gastronomy. Our favorite? The Babi La Douce with grilled fish and chili (€15.90) and the Kin La Belle with fried chicken and spicy mayo (€13.90). For starters, go for the delicious buttermilk-marinated chicken (€12 for six pieces) or the klaklos—plantain fritters with onion, garlic, and spices (€8). For lunch, unique bowls with chicken, falafel, or tuna are served with plantains, roasted sweet potatoes, and onion (€14.90).

The extra touch: Currently on the menu, the Saha Majouja burger, inspired by Hmiss (Machouia), created in collaboration with Chef Nora from the Algerian restaurant Majouja. And for students: a special meal deal at €9.90.

Bomaye 2, 15 rue de Charonne, Paris. Open Monday to Thursday for lunch and dinner, and all day Saturday (12 PM–11 PM).

The Place: Facing Pont Neuf on the Left Bank, the chicest Greek table in Paris has just landed, open exclusively in the evening. While chef Paul Evangelopoulos’s divinely comforting dishes make you feel like you're dining with family by the sea, Spiti Sou—which translates to "My home is your home"—welcomes guests in an elegant setting with blue banquettes and refined light wood paneling. At the helm are three connoisseurs of Hellenic cuisine: the charismatic Melina (a Greek-American, ensuring authenticity), her husband Alexandre, and Hugo. They scoured Greece to source the country’s finest sun-kissed products.

On the Menu: Kick things off with sublime sunflower seed breadsticks, perfect for dipping into next-level bottarga tarama (€12). Share-worthy starters include crab tartare with finger lime (€42), zucchini fritters (€15), and fried kasseri cheese served with a surprising lemon jelly (€10). For the main event, indulge in the already-iconic Fisherman’s Pasta with shellfish and Greek saffron (€38) or the braised osso buco (€38). And for dessert? The orange cake with olive oil ice cream (€14) is so good, it’ll have you booking the next flight to Athens.

The Extra Touch: A tiny cocktail bar at the heart of the space tempts guests to linger with creations like the Greek Tonic with Mastiha or the velvety MetaXour featuring Metaxa and Amaretto (€14).

The extra touch: Taking center stage, a pocket-sized cocktail bar invites you to extend your dinner with creations right in theme, such as the Greek Tonic with Mastiha or the very gentle MetaXour with Metaxa and amaretto (€14).

Spiti Sou, 53 quai des Grands Augustins, Paris 6th. 01 42 03 00 31. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 7 PM to 11 PM. Bar open until 1 AM. Sunday brunch available.

The location: Tucked away on a quiet street just a stone's throw from Gare Montparnasse, this charming spot is worth the visit! Orchestrated by Linda Lee, already at the helm of six renowned restaurants in the United Kingdom and a Parisian street food spot (On the Bab), this little piece of Korea ticks all the boxes for beauty and excellence. Resolutely sleek, soothing without being cold, the décor unfolds with wise dark green banquettes, light wood tables, exposed stone walls, and abundant greenery. At Misu, it's easy to imagine yourself in Seoul, especially when the first dishes arrive!

On the menu: Far from being limited to the famous Bibimbap, offered here in an egg and beef version (€16), Misu's menu offers some incredibly exciting and creative proposals, signaling a beautiful modernity. From the starters, the tone is set with crazy squid and vegetable fritters (€8), delicate grilled pork and shrimp dumplings (€8), and a devilish knife-cut beef tartare with pear and a quail egg yolk (€13). Follow up with a bansang, an elegant platter served to the kings and nobles of the Joseon era, combining a main dish and 5 small side dishes. On that day, indulge in the Braised Chicken Bulgogi bansang with soy sauce (€20). To finish this feast rich in flavors, don't miss the simply perfect black sesame beignet filled with white anko (€8).

The extra touch: A divine signature drink made with roasted cereal milk, to be sipped before the meal or as a dessert instead of the traditional coffee (€7).

Misu, 8 bis rue Falguière, Paris 15th. 09 78 80 65 09. Open Monday to Saturday from 11:30am to 2:30pm and from 6pm to 10pm.

The location: After tantalizing the appetite on Rue Saint-Martin (Qasti Bistrot, Faurn), our beloved chef Alan Geaam is now at the bustling Sentier, introducing a new green restaurant in heart and soul. Nestled on Rue des Jeûneurs, this charming spot adorned with leaves on the walls and punctuated with olive green accents, features a counter, banquettes, and hides a basement room for group feasting. Note: come summertime, the establishment will offer a small terrace on the sidewalk and will open its wide windows. Let the apéros begin!

On the menu: 100% vegetarian offerings paying a gourmet ode to plants. It's simple, we loved everything: from the basil & pistachio hummus (€12) to the fried cauliflower with tahini sauce (€10), passing through the little feta & mint turnovers (€12) to the mind-blowing vegetarian shawarma arriving on its small wooden tray, drizzled with tahini that we finished off with our fingers (€14)! With the appetite satiated but the craving for indulgence still flashing, we couldn't resist the sweets: adorable kneffey with rose ice cream (€10) and a scoop of Atcha ice cream (milk cream and orange blossom) signed by Bachir (€10).

The extra touch: On Sundays, Qasti Green switches to brunch mode with a generous buffet (€38/person).

Qasti Green, 41 rue des Jeûneurs, Paris 2nd. Open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 2:30pm and from 7pm to 10:30pm. Sunday from 12pm to 4pm.

The location: With velvety banquettes, black and white zelliges, golden metal suspensions, and plenty of plants, Sonia's decor, conceived by interior architect Jordane Arrivetz (Bonnie, Noti Club), skillfully blends Parisian and Moroccan aesthetic codes. Nestled in the calm 17th arrondissement, this sunny brasserie welcomes chef Stéphane Lemarchand, who has worked in the kitchens of the Crillon and the Élysée, and Fatéma Hal, the Moroccan queen behind Mansouria, who designed Sonia's menu.

On the menu: Dishes that take you on a journey with stops in Greece, Spain, and a major stopover in Morocco! Among the starters, cheeky goat cheese and fresh mint briouates (€12), tender falafels with yogurt herb sauce (€15), homemade tzatziki (€12), and a delightful eggplant caviar enhanced with lemon and coriander (€12). For mains, the star remains the couscous with perfectly buttered semolina. It comes in all flavors here, including a royal version with lamb skewers, chicken, merguez, and beef meatballs (€28), with sea bass fillet (€28), and even vegetarian (€23). If you're inclined towards tagines, the one with free-range chicken, Kalamata olives, and preserved lemon will melt your heart (€27). Feeling a bit peckish? The perfect option is the grilled lamb skewers served with fresh green beans (€26). And even if you have to loosen your belt a few notches, finish with the thin pear and pistachio tart and Berthillon vanilla ice cream: absolute bliss! (€14).

The extra touch: Regarding sourcing, all meats come from Hugo Desnoyer.

Sonia, 115 avenue de Villiers, Paris 17th. 01 53 81 56 78. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 11pm.

Also discover the new cocktail bars that are awakening Paris and Kapara, Assaf Granit's new restaurant.