8 restaurants to delight fans of Italian cuisine
With its multiple flavors and quality products, Italian cuisine is clearly one of the most popular! The proof is in the trattorias that continue to flourish in our capital… Paris Select reveals its favorite places to enjoy pastas, pizzas and burratas.
For lovers of fine Italian cuisine…
Il Carpaccio
Il Carpaccio, the restaurant at the Hôtel Royal Monceau, has just been awarded its first star! At the helm of this emblematic venue for Italian gastronomy, the Italian chef-couple Oliver Piras and Alessandra Del Favero aim to bring their world to the most Parisian of Palaces. On the program: friendly Italian gourmet cuisine, through an exclusive menu created with the Da Vittorio*** family. And to make sure you have the time of your life, the two Chefs treat their guests to a “live show” of their signature dishes. Mouth-watering dishes include the famous “Al Verde” amberjack tartare, truffled beef carpaccio and pumpkin risotto with raw langoustines and bottarga.
Il Carpaccio à l’Hôtel Royal Monceau, 37 Av. Hoche, 75008 Paris.
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Tosca
Restaurant Tosca is an embassy of Italian gastronomy in Paris, nestled in the Hôtel Splendide Royal in the heart of the chic 8th arrondissement. Top Italian chef Raffaele de Mase looks to the future without ever forgetting his roots. His dishes are a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. He demonstrates the subtleties of Italian gastronomy, combining savoir-faire, modernity and contemporary accents of Italy’s finest flavors.
Ristorante Tosca à l’Hôtel Splendide Royal, 20 Rue du Cirque, 75008 Paris.
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And for lovers of typical Italian trattorias…
Giusé Trattoria
Named “Giusé” in honor of their recently deceased father Giuseppe, the trattoria run by the Mancuso brothers – Sébastien and Grégory – offers diners the authentic flavors of Italian cuisine. Located in the heart of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, this uniquely chic eatery begins with a glamorous setting: marble tables, velvet banquettes, an attractive bar dotted with elegant bottles (100% Italian!) and large mirrors… Good news, the delight continues on the plate! Here, the family recipes shared by the owners’ grandmothers are followed to the letter, and the pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven just like in Naples. The menu includes arancini, octopus salad, vitello tonnato, spaghetti carbonara and gnocchi…
Giusé, 125 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris. 01 44 07 38 23 -Horaires : 12h-14h30, 19h-23h. Ouvert tous les jours.
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Villa Sophia
Just off the Champs-Élysées, this Italian-style brasserie has perfectly blended traditional and modern cuisine. In this elegant setting, the actress Sophia Loren is honored with several of her portraits hanging on the walls. Renowned for its fresh produce and impeccable service, this spacious Italian restaurant and wine bar specializes in pizzas. While the seafood pizza is absolutely exquisite, we also recommend the veal escalope Milanese and the house’s wonderful risottos. For a hearty meal, don’t miss this friendly, refined spot in the Alma Marceau district!
Villa Sophia, 53 Rue de Chaillot, 75116 Paris. 09 82 60 24 26
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Conti
In a distinguished setting of red and black tones, Conti stands out for its carefully twisted cuisine. The menu features Milanese-style osso bucco, truffle burrata and spaghetti al vongole to die for, not to mention a scallop risotto that makes you want to come back for more. With its Venetian theater air and intimate ambience, this Italian restaurant is the ideal place for a business meal or a romantic rendezvous. Not far from the Place du Trocadéro, this restaurant easily tops the list of the best Italian restaurants in Paris.
Conti, 72 rue Lauriston, 75116 Paris. 01 47 27 74 67
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Piero TT
When multi-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire goes Italian, it’s bound to be a hit. At Piero TT, you’ll discover true dolce vita in Paris. As soon as you walk through the door, the tone is set: checkerboard floors, marble tables and leather seats combine with vintage plates and photos on the walls, trompe l’oeil ivy… The atmosphere is both chic and retro. On the menu, pasta of course (tortellini, cacao e pepe, delicious seafood spaghetti…) but not only! The chef, Ivan Ferrara, also sublimates other dishes typical of the region, such as veal Milanese, vitello tonnato, octopus tentacle with pesto… Not to mention the desserts, which are of a completely different level!
Piero TT, 44 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris. 01 43 20 00 40
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Manhattan Terrazza
At 108 avenue de Villiers, the former “Grand bistrot du 17ème” has given way to Manhattan Terrazza and its 100% handmade Italian cuisine. With its warm ambience and unusual decor, this new spot has established itself as the finest terrace in the 17th arrondissement (seating 130!). Here, simplicity is the order of the day, with “the best Neapolitan pizza at the lowest price: real margherita without cheating on size or product excellence”. On the menu, you’ll find burrata to die for, antipasti, pasta of all kinds and pizzas with bird’s names that are no less succulent! If you’ve already had your fill at this point, it would be a mistake to skip dessert. Nutella pizzettas, blackcurrant cheesecake, incredible tiramisu served by the spoonful… All absolutely delicious. The best part? The house offers brunches and happy hours, so you can prepare for your meal in the best possible way, Spritz in hand.
Manhattan Terrazza, 108 Avenue de Villiers, 75017 Paris. 01 47 63 32 77
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Madison Caffe
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Following on from The Brooklyn Pizzeria, The Little Italy and Manhattan Terrazza, comes Madison Caffe, the latest (and very successful) addition to the Dorr group. This time, it’s in the west of Paris, in the heart of the very chic 16th arrondissement, that the cheerful squadra has decided to take up residence. As in Garry Dorr’s other establishments, all the codes of the New York Prohibition era are to be found here. Brick walls, exposed pipes, vintage fans, tiled floors and torch-tagged tables, not to mention the street-art shining under the red neon lights. To take things even further, decorator Pierre Canot has even installed large swings and suspended cages, echoing the enclosed boxing rings of the famous Madison Square Garden. Take the time to stroll to the back of the restaurant and discover the ‘speakeasy’ transformed into a huge 70-seat smoking room. Accessible by password, it opens onto a small courtyard that will delight smokers… The return to the clandestinity of the ’20s is a great success here!
You’ll quickly be seduced, as much by the hearty dishes as by the impeccable service and young, dynamic atmosphere. Open non-stop from breakfast until 1am, Madison Caffe is a real invitation to discover the best flavors of Italy… Definitely the new HQ for pastas lovers.
Madison Caffe, 10 Chaussée de la Muette, 75116 Paris. 01 45 03 14 84
Par Mélanie Hroorakvit
