The Best Hidden Italian Dining Spots in Paris

Last Updated:

10/14/2023

If there’s one thing the French and Italians have in common, it’s their passion for eating. Seasonal ingredients, delicious pizzas, fresh pasta, leisurely lunches, and indulging in good food? There’s no denying that Italian gastronomy appeals very strongly to Parisian sensibilities. The French are the biggest consumers of pasta in Europe (besides Italy). New Italian restaurants, bars, and festivals have taken the city by storm in recent years. With several Italian restaurants in the French capital, it’s difficult to navigate the scene in search of the best places. If you’re looking for an authentic Italian experience avoid the tourist-traps and stick to our favorite places! Here is our updated guide to the best Italian restaurants in Paris.

Come a Casa

Opened by Tuscan-Roman duo Flava Frederici and Gianluca Tamorri, this neighborhood restaurant is all about simplicity and fresh ingredients. The seasonal menu is small, but contains a perfect mix of Italian dishes. A handful of fresh pasta dishes sit alongside a single meat and fish option. For primi there are plates of top-quality Italian specialties charcuterie and cheese.

Like the menu, the interiors are paired-back. The owners (who often pause for for a warm welcome and convivial chat with the customers), ensure there is friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere. Highlights include aubergine parmigiana (bold as you like, laced with depth and umami). There is also the homemade tiramisu— a marshmallow-like confection offset beautifully by plenty of coffee and booze. Come a Casa –“just like home”– feels like a visit to nonna’s. That is if nonna’s dining room was decked out in industrial chic decor.

Food presented at Come a Casa Italian restaurant. On the left, lasagna and on the right, tiramisu — top: photo by Josh Hild; Above: Aubergine parmigiana and tiramisu from Come e casa, photos by Rachel Naismith

Fratelli Castellano

Frattelli Castellano, proudly adorned with its ‘Forza Napoli’ football scarf above the entrance, a roaring pizza oven occupying a significant portion of the floor space, and charismatic pizzaiolo, is the perfect spot to a savor a truly indulgent Neapolitan-style pizza. Located not too far from the Eiffel Tower and Champs de Mars, it offers a sanctuary for those in search of exceptional food amidst a bustling tourist hotspot.

As I arrive in the early evening, a lively and animated queue has already formed. There is a symphony of Italian voices filling the air. It assures me that this popular Italian restaurant would be worth the wait.

Their specialty pizzas here stay true to classic traditions. They are adorned with premium fresh products, and their delectable flavors are complemented by the warm and attentive service of Davide and Gianpaolo, the proprietors of this charming pizzeria.

Left pizza oven in an italian restaurant, right Parisian cafe chairs — Left: Louis Hansel; Right: Pronoti Baglary

Nanina

The main dish at Nanina is cheese, as it is essentially a fromagerie specializing in the Italian variety. The goal? To produce mozzarella in the centre of Paris that tastes like it’s been made in Naples. Hey, if it’s good enough for the neighboring and highly acclaimed Septime restaurant, it’s good enough for me! Bag yourself a ball of mozz. And don’t forget, as I was sternly informed by owner Julien Carotenuto, that is should never be refrigerated.

Then, order some lunch. There’s crowd-pleasing panini filled with pistachio-infused mortadella, fresh caprese salad, and mini homemade pizzas bianca if you prefer to forgo tomato sauce. Dine in (and peek at the staff making the cheese!) or picnic in the nearby park. Either way, you’re guaranteed a fine lunch the Italian way.

Guillaume Grasso

Nestled discreetly on a quiet street in the heart of Paris’s 15th arrondissement, you’ll discover a dynamic duo. Both Guillaume Grasso Pizzeria and Guillaume Grasso Wine Bar sport vibrant blue awnings that perfectly mirror the lively atmosphere within.

These unassuming Italian gems serve some of the most authentic Italian cuisine you’ll find in the city. The pizzeria has garnered such acclaim for its signature dishes that it secured a place on the prestigious ‘Top 50 Pizzas in Europe’ list. And rightfully so. Crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients, I dare say, pizza doesn’t get much better than this.

Meanwhile, the adjacent Wine Bar offers a stunning Italian wine list. They are complemented by cold meats and cheeses, making it a great place a for a post-work aperitivo.

left: a table with two wine glasses and aperitif items with a sign saying Happy Hour at Guillaume Grasso; balls of Mozzarella on a wooden board with some rocket leaves to the side. — photo courtesy of Guillaume Grasso

Tempilenti

When I arrived at Tempilenti, the temperature in Paris had reached dizzying heights and, as such, I reasoned that it was far too hot to eat pasta. But with the prospect of lemon and ricotta stuffed ravioli dangled in front of me, my resolve crumbled. Seven minutes in, using a piece of bread for la scarpetta (the crafty Italian act of mopping up each morsel of sauce) I was glad it had. Ordinarily a side-show, the ricotta stood its ground; its creaminess and light tang offset (not overshadowed) by a measured grating of lemon zest. The handmade pasta was delicate and perfectly al dente – no easy feat when it comes to the fresh stuff – and accompanied with Daterrino tomatoes and a healthy glug of olive oil. Simplicity works wonders.

Run by two super-cool women, this is a restaurant where, as its name suggests, you’ll want to take your time.

Left: a bowl of ravioli in tomato sauce in the sun at Tempilenti Italian restaurant; right: a plate of panacotta with cocoa powder sprinkled on top and another plate of biscotti and liqueur in the background. — left: lemon and ricotta stuffed ravioli from Templilenti, photo by Rachel Naismith; right: photo courtesy of Tempilenti

Osteria Chez Marius

Offering a melange of French cuisine and Italian, there’s nowhere else quite like Osteria Chez Marius. Just a stone’s throw from Gare de l’Est, this establishment boasts a concise menu brimming with a variety of home-cooked, uncomplicated dishes prepared with utmost care, allowing the quality ingredients to take center stage.

Here, you’ll find main courses like a côte de bœuf coexisting harmoniously with a lemon-infused, smoked provolone-topped pizza. It’s not unusual to commence your culinary journey with an assertively Italian flair (tagliatelle with ragout or Minestra Sbiraglia) only to conclude it on a distinctly French note with Brioche Perdu.

This intimate bistro offers a symphony of Mediterranean delights, making it a one-of-a-kind, enjoyable, and exciting experience. Does the restaurant adhere to a true Italian identity? Not exactly. But what does it matter — the food here is exceptional, and the service matches it perfectly.

Faggio Salumeria

Describing Faggio’s as a hidden gem might be a bit of a stretch, especially with notable voices like Vogue and Le Fooding singing its praises. But rest assured that, unlike many other Italian establishments in Paris, this one doesn’t fall victim to excessive hype.

Pizza is the heart of the matter at Faggio’s, and I can genuinely vouch for them as the best I’ve tasted outside of Naples. Don’t be deceived by the concise menu; it’s a meticulously crafted selection. One standout is the Comme à Marseille pizza – moitié/moitié (half and half), with one side adorned in anchovy fillets and tomato sugo, and the other featuring fior di latte, parmesan, black olives, and garlic, a nod to Marseille’s famous pie. The pizzas are astoundingly light – a true embodiment of what a good pizza should be – and easily digestible.

While these pizzas might be on the pricey side, the slightly higher price tag translates to top-notch ingredients, impeccable service, and an ambiance that strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and casual comfort. Along with their location near the Gare du Nord, they’ve recently opened a spot in the Passage des Panoramas, just moments from Grands Boulevards.

Left: a pizza from Faggio covered in grated parmesan and a basil leaves; RIght: a pizza from Faggio with half of it fovered in cheese and capers and the other half with only tomato sauces and anchovies. — pizzas from Faggio Salumeria, photos by Rachel Naismith

Il Cuoco Galante

Il Cuoco Galante in a fresh and contemporary eatery that beautifully showcases the richness of Italian produce. The lunch menu currently stands at an attractive 24€ for three courses, offering relatively low prices that’s hard to match elsewhere in the city, especially for authentic Italian food of this calibre.

It’s little surprise that this spot is consistently flocked by locals. My main course (a black truffle laced Mafaldine pasta) was simply sublime — the pasta perfectly al dente and the sauce luxurious yet neither heavy or heady with the taste of truffle. Equally pleasing were the antipasti options: caponata topped with delicately picked red onions, and Culatello ham served atop a thimble of melon gazpacho.