If you're traveling to Paris, consider these dozen exceptional dining options endorsed by our restaurant critic!
In the vibrant culinary landscape of Paris, a new star has emerged – Datil Restaurant. Opened in September 2023, this innovative eatery has been making waves in the city's food scene with its commitment to vegetable-centric dining and eco-conscious philosophy.
Datil, led by chef Manon Fleury, is recognised for its refined, vegetable-focused French cuisine, crafted in an eco-conscious, zero-waste approach. The restaurant has a revolutionary streak in plant-based cooking, elevating plant-based dining to fine art status in the City of Lights.
The menu at Datil is a lyrical vegetable experience, evoking garden freshness without being flashy or overtly showy. Dishes highlight seasonal vegetables and fruits with artistic presentations, fostering a close relationship with producers and emphasising sustainable ingredients. The minimalist and soothing Scandinavian-inspired interior supports an intimate atmosphere where the vegetable-driven menu can truly shine.
One standout dish at Datil is a savoury play on a mille-feuille, formed from sinewy, perfectly salted blanched zucchini. Another noteworthy dish is a porridge made using white rice from the coastal southern region of Camargue.
While Datil is a must-visit for vegetable enthusiasts, Paris offers a rich gastronomic tapestry. Breizh Cafe, with its 13 locations around the city, serves reliable crepes and galettes with traditional buckwheat flavour. Teléscope Cafe, presided over by Nicolas Clerc, the godfather of Paris's fourth-wave coffee movement, offers a long list of pour over options.
For seafood lovers, Restaurant Le Duc in the 14th district offers a fancier dining experience with midcentury Parisian elegance, simple and impeccable seafood, and a lovely crab salad. Oobatz, a pizza restaurant by Dan Pearson, offers a sourdough base for the crusts and a "chef du surprise" pie with creative toppings.
Paris is also home to Maison by Sota Atsumi, a restaurant that grafts Japanese and French dining, with meticulous compositions and shockingly soulful flavours. Clamato, the seafood restaurant next to Septime, offers casual lunch with fish and shellfish from the French coast, seasoned with restraint and a nod to Japan.
For those seeking a taste of Morocco in the heart of Paris, Le Tagine in the 11th district offers some of the best tagines and couscous I've tasted outside Morocco. Bistrot des Tournelles offers a more intimate, relaxed but still bullseye bistro dinner.
For a unique culinary adventure, consider a cheese tasting experience organised via Paris by Mouth, which includes a visit to Laurent Dubois, a favourite cheese shop in Paris, and a selection of cheeses tailored to the group's interests and knowledge levels.
Tiba, a tiny coffee shop that gets intensely busy on the weekends, offers friendly service and a supply of Colombian beans roasted by local company Datura. Substance Café, a reservations-only coffee bar run by barista Joachim Morceau, is known for roasting their own beans and offering excellent suggestions for pour overs or milky espresso drinks.
Lastly, Le Bistrot Paul Bert, a popular bistro in Paris that has become a de-facto option for visitors over the last decade, offers traditional French bistro fare in a lively atmosphere. Plénitude, a three-star restaurant led by Arnaud Donckele, offers a tasting menu with a side of the sauce to taste on its own and a booklet detailing the ingredients.
Whether you're a vegetable enthusiast, a seafood lover, a cheese connoisseur, or a bistro aficionado, Paris offers a culinary journey like no other. So, bon appétit and enjoy the city's rich gastronomic offerings!
- Chef Manon Fleury's Datil Restaurant, located in Los Angeles, also boasts a refined, vegetable-focused menu with an eco-conscious approach, much like the one in Paris.
- Aside from Datil, California's vibrant cuisine scene features USC's Food and Wine Society, where students explore various food and drink cultures.
- In the heart of California's cultural hub, Los Angeles, travelers can find diverse culinary experiences, just as they would in Paris or other global cities.
- For a unique lifestyle experience, one might consider visiting a local business, such as Tiba Coffee, known for its Colombian beans roasted by Datura, a similar local company to Datil.
