Acumen takes you on a journey to discover the finest Italian restaurants in Paris. In a city where every corner can transport you to another world, Italy holds a special place. But there's Italy and then there's Italy. There's the Italy of cliché menus, predictable spaghetti, and stereotypical decor. And then there's the Italy that is sincere, generous, and inventive, championed by four establishments that have made their mark on the Parisian culinary scene.
Bvlgari: Il Ristorante – Niko Romito
It's a place where the whisper of luxury meets a distinctly Italian warmth. From the moment you arrive, a detail sets the tone: homemade bread served warm, accompanied by intensely green olive oil. A disarming, almost domestic simplicity that reminds you that at Bvlgari, you're at home, even amidst the most refined elegance.
Located within the salons of the Bvlgari Hotel Paris, Il Ristorante – Niko Romito embodies contemporary Italy, a style that blends culinary excellence with architectural restraint. Just 26 tables, a décor of Italian brass and Parisian banquettes, and soft lighting that dances across the plates as much as on the faces of the diners. And a few steps away, a private garden where one can dine al fresco on sunny days.
At the heart of this meticulously crafted experience is chef Niko Romito. Awarded three Michelin stars for his restaurant Reale in Abruzzo, he has created an essential cuisine, stripped of all superfluity, yet never lacking in flavor. It's an art of refinement where each ingredient tells a story. Under the guidance of chef Davide Capucchio, whose experience includes stints in prestigious Parisian establishments and at Bvlgari Shanghai, the culinary symphony is executed with masterful skill. Here, Italy dons its haute couture attire, without ever forgetting the art of hospitality.
30, Avenue Georges V, Paris 8th
Vinello: the bistro for friends
In the Batignolles district, Vinello is a place brimming with conviviality. At the helm is a passionate trio: Andrea Focardi and Emanuele Quattrocchi in the dining room and wine cellar, and Roberto Cubeta in the kitchen. Trained under Christian Le Squer in Paris and David Munoz in London, Cubeta delivers a menu that is both generous and instinctive.
The menu navigates between childhood memories and controlled audacity. Vitello with tonnato mousse, cod with snow peas, or buckwheat gnocchi with bisque, langoustines, and asparagus. The dishes are straightforward, sometimes surprising, like the asparagus with licorice and bottarga or the tonka bean brownie with popcorn, always driven by a certain sense of generosity.
Not quite Italian, not quite French: Vinello's cuisine bridges the gap between the two Alpine shores, defying categorization. Generosity is the guiding principle, whether you choose the lunch menu or the four-course tasting menu. And the wine cellar, managed with passion, showcases natural and biodynamic wines from France, Italy, and Spain. A discerning selection, designed to both awaken and move the senses.
106, Rue Nollet, Paris 17th
Zeffirino: Ligurian eternity
The nobility of time, transmission as a horizon. Zeffirino is above all a family story. Born in Genoa in 1939 under the impetus of the patriarch Zeffirino Belloni, the restaurant has spanned the decades while keeping intact its love of pesto, the sea and sharing.
Today, it is Riccardo Giraudi, a native of Genoa and globetrotting restaurateur (Beefbar, Anahi…), who has breathed new life into this institution by establishing it in Paris. At the helm, the Belloni family perpetuates the tradition. The recipe for pesto Genovese, approved by three Popes, is its guiding thread. Basil from Prà, Parmigiano Reggiano, Ligurian olive oil: each ingredient carries within it the memory of a specific terroir.
The "Paffutelli alla Frank," created for Frank Sinatra, sit alongside elegant and nostalgic dishes. It's like stepping into a family tale, a journey through time and space, a cruise of memory and pleasure.
9 Rue Marbeuf, Paris 8th
DIVO: Pizza, wine and music
Born in the 11th arrondissement, DIVO is a true Italian restaurant founded by four friends: Hadrien, Lucas, Ilyes and Thomas. Three pillars: pizza, wine and music.
Hadrien, who trained under Paul Bocuse and Georges Blanc, creates generous cuisine with Neapolitan influences. Pizzas to share, flavorful pastas, and comforting desserts are all served in a family atmosphere.
Lucas, for his part, designed a cutting-edge wine cellar with Frederico Quercia and Vini Mariani: a panorama of the Italian vineyard, between great classics and natural gems.
The atmosphere? A warm, retro setting, a sound system designed by Lucas Moinet, and every weekend, the DJ booth designed by Antoine Vedel comes alive under the direction of Paul Position. At DIVO, you can have lunch, dinner, and sometimes, dancing. Buon viaggio e salute!
116, rue Amelot, Paris 11th
