Everyone knows you eat well in Paris. The list of local delights that the French capital executes exceedingly well is seemingly endless—not to mention the wealth of chart-topping Vietnamese, Japanese, and Lebanese restaurants that anchor the city’s modern palate. But while the French may lean more heavily on butter and baguettes than their Mediterranean neighbors, the city’s culinary landscape welcomes Italian cuisine beyond just the two cultures’ shared penchant for bold red wines and sweet morning pastries.

Paris may not have a dedicated Italian cultural district like other European capitals, but Italians represent the third-largest European population in the city, and their influence can be felt across every arrondissement. The culinary exchange began centuries ago when Catherine de’ Medici’s chefs first brought refined Italian techniques to the French court, and it continues today, if you know where to look. Here, the best spots to eat and drink when you need a dose of Italy in Paris.

*Excerpted from our full Italian guide to Paris, which you can read here. 

RESTAURANTS

Fratelli Castellano – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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.

Osteria Ferrara – 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…! – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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.