There is no shortage of accomplished cooking in Paris. But truth be told, it is not so often that we find soulful, more-ish food that makes us want to come back to a place again and again. Colvert, in the 6th arrondissement is a hidden gem eatery offering old-world ambiance, unpretentious service and satisfying food that fits the bill in a way that can be surprisingly hard to find in Paris.

The restaurant was recently refurbished, and reopened with a new chef and menu. It seemingly straddles a number of worlds. Technically neither a bistro nor a restaurant, but a little of both. The food is sophisticated but has the swagger of chef Arnaud Baptiste’s bold personality. Baptiste built his career in the renowned kitchens of places like au Meurice, Carré des Feuillants and also Allénothèque. Top Chef propelled him and his audacious cooking into the limelight.

Left: Chef Arnaud Baptiste dressed in his chefs whites with a blue apron on, sat in front of Colvert restaurant; right: the beautiful interior of Colvert restaurant with it's aged stone walls and antique tapestry behind a row of wooden tables and benches.
Top: Colvert’s dining room and above left: Arnaud Baptiste, photos by Florian Domergue; Right: photo by HIP Paris

The ground floor dining room has been tastefully re-done giving it a timeless quality. It’s bathed in light with a décor made up of raw materials like the rustic stone walls. Together with the homage to Aubusson tapestry in the main dining room the décor and materials add a boatload of character to the space. The service is exceptionally inviting and friendly.

Seasonal, fresh ingredients and beautiful plating characterize the menu which changes weekly. It is reasonably priced for the quality of the food. The prix-fixe lunch in particular offers good value at 35 euros for three courses. While the freshness of the ingredients are allowed to shine, the dishes don’t shy away from strong umami flavors and generous sauces. The Gravadlax with radish, dill, and lemon cream was the perfect combination of rich fish, and a light cream sauce balanced by the freshness of the herbs, crunchy radish and tart citrus.

Left: Gravadlax made from a white fish served on a bed of cream and green herbed oil drizzled around; right: a fish appetizer in the shape of a square with thinly sliced cucumbers and dill neatly decorating the top.

The off-menu curry spiced fish, grilled with cucumber and dill on a bed of herb infused yoghurt was, again, the perfect combo of luxurious fish balanced by the coolness of the cucumber, yoghurt, herbs and citrus.

The lamb with feta, mint and crispy kale was a burst of robust flavor. The jus and feta had an intense savory-ness while the crispy kale was a perfect contrast to the rich tender, lamb.

Left: Lamb with crispy kale on top and red and green jus; right: cherry clafoutis with oxalis leaves on top with both dishes served on white plates

For dessert the in-season cherry clafoutis was pretty as a picture, adorned with oxalis. But there was nothing dainty about the dish which was pure comfort food. It was a gratifying end to a meal, cooked from the heart, at a local gem that is destined to be one of our new favorite haunts.

The exterior of Colvert restaurant in Paris taken at an angle with street signs in the center and the dark blue facade and an entryway on each side of the street corner.
photo by Florian Domergue

Colvert

30, rue des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris

+33 1 42 03 73 67

Rugby World Cup 2023 at Colvert
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy exceptional food, in a private room for you and your closest friends to enjoy the Rugby World Cup, you’ve come to the right place. Colvert is offering a private room that can seat 12 with a TV. The matches air Monday – Sunday at 21:00. The private room is by reservation only with one menu for the entire table. The cost is 65€ per person not including drinks

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HiP Paris

HiP Paris is a lifestyle website about everything Paris and beyond. We enlighten and entertain our community, and share tips and recommendations. We believe in respect for French culture, timeless luxury, being comfortable in your skin, and the simple beauty of French life. Started in 2008, HIP Paris has evolved into a hub for expats and Francophiles. We have been featured in the New York Times, Business Insider, Bloomberg, Buzzfeed, Eater, Bon Appetit, Refinery29 and many other publications.

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