What if we told you that you don't need a passport or a layover to travel the world? In Paris, travel also happens through food. And sometimes all it takes is pushing open the door of a shop to feel the world unfold before you. Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America: we're smitten with these restaurants that embrace faraway places, capable of transporting you in just a few bites.
At the helm of these restaurants are globetrotting chefs who reinvent traditions, summon spices from the ends of the earth and shake up the codes of gastronomy to make the French capital a haven of audacity and exoticism! No need for a compass. Acumen takes you on a culinary world tour through five establishments: five ways to travel the world without leaving Paris…
Dimdan Maidan: Hong Kong Star
Authentic cha chaan teng, Dimdan Maidan immerses us with accuracy and simplicity in the alleyways of Hong Kong. Emblems of Chinese culture, the cha chaan teng These are popular and welcoming places where it's wonderful to gather around essential local specialties. Originally from Hong Kong, Chef Chan wanted to offer Parisians the rich flavors of these authentic recipes, infused with his childhood memories. Among these are... lo mien mixed noodles, Chinese noodles with meat and vegetables. People also come here for the Wontons & Soup Noodles (all the art of Chinese broth in a single dish), the roast & rice bowls (a generous bowl of fragrant rice) or the iconic brioche bolo. If you are only passing through the 2e In this district, be sure to try the street food available at any time of day. Our favorite? The street curry fish balls Small fish balls cooked in a homemade curry-garlic-chili sauce, perfect for nibbling on like a treat! But what we love most about Dimdan Maidan is its ambiance, which pays homage to Hong Kong pop culture with its vintage posters. A total, almost cinematic immersion in the world of Asian urban eateries…
Sunday Maidan
21, rue de Turbigo, Paris 2e
Mumbai Café: An Iranian café in Paris
After Delhi Bazaar, the trio behind Tandoor Club – Eqbal Hossain, Bastien Peccoux, and Alexis Gracio – continues to anchor Indian culture in the Parisian urban landscape with Mumbai Café, at 6 rue de Trévise. For this new venture, the trio traveled for several weeks to capture all the richness and secrets of the cuisine of Mumbai's Iranian cafés! These cafés emerged in the 19th century.e In the 19th century, these popular restaurants, created by the Persian community, drew inspiration from the Art Deco style of our illustrious Parisian cafés. Under the aegis of Dorénavant Studio, the trio delivers a modern interpretation of this tradition with this sublime room that immerses us in the world of the film. The Darjeeling Limited by Wes Anderson. Comforting, flavorful, and spicy, the Mumbai Café menu has everything to transport you, starting with breakfast. Here, French pastries sit alongside... bhurji, Scrambled eggs cooked with onions, peppers, and cilantro, served with toasted bread to dip in a delicious homemade masala ketchup. For an instant Paris-Mumbai trip! Signature dishes, the tandoors compete in boldness. Like this tandoori jhinga Made with prawns marinated in cumin, fenugreek, Kashmiri, turmeric, and garam masala, grilled in a tandoor oven and served in a creamy sauce. Finally, it's impossible to discuss Indian culinary tradition without mentioning curries. Among them, the very famous butter chicken, A juicy chicken with a smooth, creamy tomato and mild spice sauce wins everyone over.
Mumbai Cafe
6, rue de Trévise, Paris 9e
@Victoire Terrade
Karamna: Flavors of the Levant
Hidden away on a quiet street in the 16th arrondissemente In the 16th arrondissement, Karamna is a family-run Lebanese restaurant that champions sincere and authentic Levantine cuisine. The very soul of the project lies in its name, which means "generosity" in Arabic. A lovely way to promise heartfelt cuisine, where every dish is meant to be shared with conviviality! Still a hidden gem, the restaurant remains true to Lebanese hospitality. Enjoy gourmet mezze, spicy grilled meats, hummus, and more. moutabals fill the tables of this small establishment with its discreet but always attentive service. Among the menu's must-try items are the famous crispy, golden falafels and the fatayer, This pastry is filled with spiced meat or spinach. Rooted in family traditions, Karamna reinvents Lebanese classics with a modern twist inspired by a passion for travel and Mediterranean cuisine. Our favorite is undoubtedly the mloukhiya, a typical Levantine stew prepared with jute leaves (mloukhiya) and simmered with spices, not forgetting the kibbeh labaniyehThese delicious meatballs are served in a yogurt sauce with dried mint. To complement this flavorful dish, Karamna highlights traditional Lebanese drinks. Homemade orange blossom lemonade, Lebanese wines, or Almaza blonde beer brewed in Lebanon: the hardest part will be choosing…
Karamna
77, rue Boissière, Paris 16e
BMK Paris-Bamako
More than just a restaurant, BMK Paris-Bamako is a human adventure. At the helm are brothers Abdoulaye and Fousseyni Djikine, whose mission is to promote the African continent and contribute sustainably to the economic development of its countries through its rich and still largely unknown culinary heritage. All dishes are homemade, prepared from raw, fresh, and seasonal ingredients by Chef Sada Sy and his team of Malian cooks, based on recipes from Fatoumata, the brothers' mother. French free-range chicken raised in Brittany, fresh fish from sustainable fishing practices, organic eggs from free-range hens: the Djikine duo prioritizes transparency and eco-responsibility. This approach has been recognized with the Écotable certification! Infused with the founders' Malian roots and the classics of African cuisine, the festive menu showcases a mafe made with homemade peanut butter, a thieboudienne, yassa Offered in a vegan version with seasonal vegetables or a delicious gluten-free "coconut bread." True hubs for interaction, the chain's two restaurants (the other is called Folie-Bamako), located in the 10th arrondissement...e and 11e The districts proudly display the colours of Africa. Vibrant places for a cuisine rich in flavours!
BMK Paris-Bamako
14, rue de la Fidélité, Paris 10e
Terraza Mikuna: Latino Paris
Let all lovers of South American-inspired culinary experiences rejoice: we've found the address of the year for you! A sublime rooftop located at 7e Located on the upper floor of BHV Marais, Terraza Mikuna is an authentic tapas bar that will transport you directly to South America! Designed by the interior design firm Studio Louis Morgan, the establishment, spanning over 300 square meters, accommodates 45 diners inside and 40 on the terrace. As a bonus, it boasts panoramic views of the entire capital. Food, music, décor: everything here is designed to bring the vibrant atmosphere of Latin America, its markets, warm light, and colorful furnishings, to the rooftops of Paris. We love the controlled explosion of color that combines burgundy walls with seats upholstered in a solid saffron yellow velvet. These warm colors are reflected even in the dishes! From guacamole to ceviche of fresh fish marinated in lime, and beyond... pies From Argentinian-style beef and veggie tacos to charcoal-grilled dishes, Terraza Mikuna promises a culinary journey that will take you to seventh heaven. The added bonus? A glass roof adorns the rooftop, allowing it to remain open year-round. Just the thing to bring a touch of... good life about your winter…
Terraza Mikuna
1, rue des Archives, Paris 4e
APR – Studio Louis Morgan – TERRAZA_MIKUNA ©MARY_DEVINAT_39
