While Paris may not have a dedicated Italian cultural district like other European capitals, Italians represent the third-largest European population in the French capital. The French appreciation for their Latin cousins’ culture runs deep — but finding true Italian spots here can often feel like navigating an obstacle course of crumbly pastries, cheap burrata, and dishes drowned in truffle oil.

Crafted by a Paris-based Italian art and culture expert in collaboration with Emilia-Romagna’s fragrance house Acqua di Parma, this guide will keep you on la buona strada. With the recent opening of their new boutique at 205 Rue Saint-Honoré, it’s the perfect moment to explore the city through a lens of Italian elegance and Parisian flair—one scent, story, and stroll at a time. When it comes to art, the Mona Lisa is far from the capital’s only Italian masterpiece; a new wave of gallerists is bringing their know-how across the border, offering fresh ways to experience Italy’s creative soul in the heart of Paris.

Here, the best spots to eat, drink, shop, and wander when you need a dose of Italy in Paris.

RESTAURANTS

Fratelli Castellano

43 Rue Fondary, 75015

In a world that loves to overcomplicate, Davide and Gianpaolo are proof that simplicity is key. Everything at this pizzeria–the flour, organic olive oil, fresh basil, and mozzarella di bufala–is sourced and treated with the deft skill and utmost respect of true pizzaioli. All pizzas are “100% biga”–offspring of their family’s sourdough starter–creating a cloud-light crust that gets mottled with the perfect degree of wood-fired char. The space, and the prices, are refreshingly unpretentious; enjoy the Verace pizza (simply tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, basil), homemade babà, and a bottle of organic birra EKÒ on the curb for a quick trip to Naples.

Localino

10 Rue de l’Odéon, 75006

Under the aegis of the charming Ravenna-born Kevin Stradaoli, Localino is the local Italian joint everyone wants on the end of their street. In the heart of the 6th arrondissement, the restaurant offers a pared-down menu of Italian classics, perfect for easy decision making after work: start with the baccalà mantecato or vitello tonnato followed by tortellini burro e salvia or paccheri al pomodoro, though you can’t make a wrong decision. Plus, on weeknights, you can usually snag a table without booking.

Come a Casa

74-76 Bd de Ménilmontant, 75020

A restaurant that delivers exactly what it says on the tin; in fact, there’s not one Italian in Paris who wouldn’t recommend this trattoria to their loved ones with their hand on their heart. With its pared-down aesthetic of ceramic pitchers and bare stone walls, Come a Casa (aptly named “Like at Home”) feels just as at home in Paris’ creative, residential 20th arrondissement as it would in Rome. The constantly changing menu never disappoints, and, on a late-spring day, there’s almost nothing better than enjoying a place of spaghetti con cozze e limone on their ever-sunny patch of pavement.

Pianoterra

49 Rue Popincourt, 75011

On the pianoterra of architectural studio LAN in the vibrant heart of the hip 11th arrondissement, Pianoterra is a gallery turned restaurant with lofty ambition. Pastel blue accents the interiors, lace curtains lay on the windows, and lots of natural light illuminates the rotating art on display. Sicilian Chef Rosa Vanina Pavone curates a short, varying menu prepped with innate skill and love for the Italian food canon. Dishes like anelletti al forno and insalata di carciofi come served on a charming array of mismatched crockery–so tasty and inviting you’d be forgiven for thinking you were dining da mamma.

Mori Venice Bar

27 Rue Vivienne, 75002

Venetian restaurateur Massimo Mori, founder of Pasta Sirio, crafts an elegant dining experience inspired by his hometown. The interiors are designed by Philippe Starck, and every major ingredient on the menu is zealously sourced from Italy: mostarda from Emilia-Romagna, caviar from Brescia, truffles from Monferrato, pistachios from Bronte, and more. A consistent favorite on the tight menu of seasonal, reinvented classics is Chef Mori’s risotto: a silky affair made of Slow Food Presidia Vialone Nano rice. 

Osteria Gòto

151 Bd Voltaire, 75011

Osteria Gòto may be a new kid on the block (it opened in 2024), but it has all the confidence and timeless charm of a long-standing, intimate eatery; it really feels like it’s tucked off one of Venice’s quieter canals rather than a Parisian street. Stop by at midi for a spaghetti carbonara de mer  with a glass of pear-scented biodynamic Venetian Garganega, or pair a crisp Friulian orange with a baccalà toast.

Restaurant Passerini

65 Rue Traversière, 75012

Since opening its doors on Rue Travesière in 2016 to great critical acclaim, Restaurant Passerini has become the benchmark for modern Italian cuisine in the French capital. On the menu, chef Giovanni Passerini celebrates his Roman roots (he makes a supreme trippa alla romana) while doffing his proverbial cap to the elegance and precision of Paris’ gastronomy scene. Their heritage-wheat pasta is handmade at their Pastificio next door (pop in after your meal to take some home) and comes in many forms, topped with everything from delicate crab to gamey wild venison. Secondi are generally sharing plates that change according to the seasons and the kitchen’s creative flair: locally sourced meat and fish lean heavily on signature Italian flavors, and fennel, cime di rapa, puntarelle, and citrus abound.

Langosteria

8 quai du Louvre, 75001 

If it wasn’t for the breathtaking panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower, this restaurant might trick you into thinking you’re in Milan. Sitting pretty on the seventh floor of the legendary Cheval Blanc, Langosteria is the left bank’s temple of luxury dining, which means legendary langoustine tartare and foie gras on offer. For the freshest seafood, fritture, and impeccable pasta as well as one of the longest wine lists in the city, there’s simply no other address.

ANNA

13 rue Vertbois, 75003

The striking black-and-white mosaic that wraps this restaurant inside and out creates a stunning backdrop for its exquisite dishes. With just three years under their belt, co-owners and chefs Alessandro Allegri and Giuseppe Craparotta, from Milan and Sicily respectively, have made a name for themselves serving up simple pasta al ragù bianco antico, changing the meat with the seasons–from beef, lamb, rabbit, to wild boar. Round out your pasta with two menu staples: the Negroni sbagliato with a splash of French pet-nat and the panna cotta, perfectly creamy despite containing no gelatin.

Osteria Ferrara

7 Rue du Dahomey, 75011

Once a gathering spot for Italian anarchists, it was transformed into a bistro by a cabinetmaker in 1932, and today, it’s an elegant osteria. In the 11th arrondissement, not far from Place de la Bastille, Sicilian chef Fabrizio Ferrara curates a tight menu featuring regional specialties, from Calabrian ‘nduja to Mantua’s squash, with a special focus on Sicilian flavors. When on the menu, don’t miss the ravioli di bollito misto.

Mmmozza…!

57 rue de Bretagne, 75003

Here, they combine the best of Paris (baguettes) with the best of Italy (cheese and meats). In the currency of panini, quality ingredients do the leg work, and this shop cares deeply about sourcing excellent Italian products. You can grab a panino or pick up a selection of their baguettes, cold cuts, and mozzarella (smoked or fresh!) for the perfect picnic in the Marais.

BAKERIES

Pane Vivo
Six locations around the city
At Pane Vivo, Adriano Farano makes bread that’s as good for you as it is delicious. A journalist-turned-baking-obsessive, he set out to (re)discover the most digestible dough possible. His secret: nutrient-rich ancient durum wheat from Sicily and ultra-slow fermentation, using a 136-year-old (!) starter culture. Pop into one of his boulangeries across the city for light, fluffy loaves in various sizes and flavors, plus a small offering of dried, ancient-grain pastas. You can also order his bread across France via a subscription service. Buona scarpetta!

Pasticceria Simona
8 Rue Mandar, 75002
When your morning pains au chocolat become redundant, Simona’s maritozzo alla crema and real cappuccinos offer sweet respite. The adorable Italian pasticceria with a blue facade is an equally nice escape from the bustling crowds and overpriced terraces of Rue Montorgueil, perfect to fuel up for a day of gallery hopping or for a quick lunch of pizza al taglio. Be sure to grab a couple of baiocchi al pistacchio to cure the inevitable afternoon ennui.

CAFÉS

Cova

1 Rue du Pont Neuf, 75001

Despite the fact that you can’t go a block in Paris without seeing a café, it won’t be long before you realize that, unlike in Italy, most of the coffee served in these places is average at best. Yet, hidden in plain sight in the city center, you’ll find an outpost of Milanese stalwart Cova just next to the Pont Neuf. Serving true espresso since 1817, this is still the best spot in the city to score a delicious caffè and un toast–which you can actually enjoy al bancone (standing at the bar).

WINE BARS

Isola La Cantine Littéraire

15 Rue Ternaux, 75011

After a few spritzes on the terrace at Isola, you probably won’t remember that you aren’t actually in a bacaro on a Venetian canal. Inside the bright green facade, a long counter filled with perfect cicchetti–Venetian nibbles made of whatever is in season, from artichokes to seafood to beans–helps to solidify the illusion. Venice-born owner Guido has created more than a food spot; come aperitivo hour, Isola hums with chatter and lively debates on Italian culture. Keep an eye on their Instagram for upcoming events.

GELATERIAS

Pozzetto

39 Rue du Roi de Sicile, 75004 & 16 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004

Widely recognized as a top spot for gelato in Paris by French and Italians alike, here, about half a dozen incredible flavors are hidden away under confidence-inspiring stainless steel lids. Unbeatable options include the pistacchio, gianduia, fragola, and nocciola, best ordered with a bombetto–melted chocolate topping. The tiny, paper-thin, rectangular napkins are sure to make expats feel nostalgic for their local gelateria, and their great coffee renders Pozzetto a veritable gathering spot for more than just a cono or coppetta.

DELICATESSENS

Cooperativa Latte Cisternino

Multiple locations around the city

The team behind Cooperativa Latte Cisternino have thoughtfully established an orbit of locations across the city’s compass, ensuring that Hexagone-roaming Italophiles are never far from an encyclopaedic counter stocked with prosciutto di san daniele, porchetta, ricotta salata, fresh mozzarella, olives, tortellini for your homemade brodo, and more. You can comfortably complete your Artusi repertoire without ever stepping foot back in Italy.

Nanina

24 Rue Basfroi, 75011

For years, Italian expats in Paris had to forgo true mozzarella di bufala, since the distance between Naples and the French capital did not permit the freshly pulled cheese to travel unrefrigerated. That was before Nanina opened in Paris’ residential 20th arrondissement in 2018. To make his excellent mozzarella, the Neapolitan proprietor sources buffalo milk in the Auvergne region of France, serving it alongside other delights like spicy spianata and rich ricotta. Every afternoon, you can watch the cheese production while you munch on a just-made panino.

BOOKSTORES

Tour de Babel

10 Rue du Roi de Sicile, 75004

A stone’s throw from the Saint-Paul metro station at the gateway to the Marais, La Tour de Babel is a true cornerstone of the transalpine Italian cultural community. Founded in 1984 by Fortunato Tramuta, its shelves are crammed with over 11,000 titles (almost all in Italian), from new releases to secondhand classics. It’s also a hive of other Italian language resources, films, exhibitions, and events. Renowned for their aperitivi letterari, they regularly host acclaimed authors (Antonio Tabucchi, Vincenzo Consolo, and Claudio Magris have all been guests) as well as university professors, critics, and literary translators.

La Libreria

89 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75009

Opened 20 years ago by the French Florence Raut and her Italian partner Andrea De Ritis, La Libreria has become a haven for bibliophiles in the heart of the 9th arrondissement. With a selection of both French and Italian books, the cozy atmosphere is enhanced by the booksellers, who are always on hand to suggest your next page-turner or the best Italian phrasebook. They even organize an Italian book club in the shop, making it a great gathering spot for expats.

ORGANIZATIONS

Architalie

Itinerant Association

Architalie is an association of Italian architects in France, with an aim to connect and elevate the enormous talent of the many architects from the peninsula living in the hexagon. They organize free lectures in beautiful locations around Paris every month that are open to the public, with a cocktail to follow. Stay up to date on all their events via their Instagram.

HOUSE MUSEUMS

Musée Jacquemart-André

158 Bd Haussmann, 75008

This is the most grandiose house museum in a city filled with chic homes. Built at the end of the 19th century as the home of Édouard André (1833-1894) and Nélie Jacquemart (1841-1912), it now displays their private art collection. Their Italian mini-museum is the most impressive, featuring a 15th- and 16th-century sculpture gallery with sculptures by Francesco Laurana, Donatello, Luca Della Robbia; a Florentine gallery with works by Botticelli, Francesco Botticini, and Perugino; and a Venetian gallery with a coffer ceiling by Mocetto. The temporary exhibitions are also noteworthy–next up is the Roman Baroque Master Artemisia Gentileschi–and a private booking of the collection is recommended. 

L’Ange Volant

Garches (Hauts-de-Seine)

In the western suburbs of Paris, the Modernist L’Ange Volant (Flying Angel) villa is a monument to Italian design nestled in Saint-Cloud. Built in 1927 for the Bouilhet family– directors of the silversmith company Christofle–this is the only property in France that was entirely designed by famed Milanese architect and designer Gio Ponti (1891-1979). Highlights of the space include two angels cemented in the neoclassical-inspired facades, a lush garden, an exposed central staircase, and a double-height living room with full length windows. With seven bedrooms and five bathrooms, the house is available for group visits or to rent for the night for parties of up to 12 people.

GALLERIES

MASSIMODECARLO Pièce Unique

57 Rue de Turenne, 75003

In 2021, the iconic Milanese gallery opened their fourth gallery space in Paris. Designed for ultimate functionality by architect Kengo Kuma, Pièce Unique is just one room and showcases only one work for two weeks at a time. The gallery represents some of the coolest contemporary artists, and their glass vitrine offers thought-provoking window shopping day and night to passersby in the Marais.

Galleria Continua

87 Rue du Temple, 75003

At first glance, this gallery looks more like a delicatessen, as visitors are welcomed by a fully stocked bar and shelves filled with Italian produce. But as you venture further, the giant complex slowly unfurls, offering a multitude of exhibition nooks and crannies with contemporary Italian artworks by established names and newcomers. Created by three locals in the medieval Tuscan town of San Gimignano in 1990, they’ve since spread to Beijing, Sao Paolo, Havana, and more, with their recent opening in Paris in 2021.