City guide · Paris

Italy in Paris: trattorias, osterias and chef's pasta

Chef's osterias, neighborhood trattorias and fresh pasta: Paris's real Italian cooking, far from the tourist menu.

By the Gatto editorial team5 min read11 places
Italy in Paris: trattorias, osterias and chef's pasta

Paris has fallen for real Italian cooking, the kind found in chef's osterias and neighborhood trattorias, far from the tourist-menu clichés. Carefully made fresh pasta, seasonal produce, sharp transalpine wine lists: a new generation of addresses has raised the bar.

The landmarks are clear: Racines and its veal Milanese in the passage des Panoramas, Passerini and its chef's pasta near Aligre, Osteria Ferrara over by Faubourg-Saint-Antoine. Around them, more creative tables like Dilia or ones signed by a big name, Piero by Pierre Gagnaire.

These addresses share one thing: they recur in the press and the guides, often for the quality of their fresh pasta and their cellar. No selfie decor here, just plates that keep the promise.

Places in this guide

  1. Racines
    1Italian restaurant

    Racines

    In the passage des Panoramas, an intimate room with a Michelin past that bets on simplicity: fresh pasta, tender veal Milanese and a list of living wines.

    « The restaurant doesn't take itself too seriously despite its Michelin past, creating a laid-back atmosphere. »

    Google
  2. Restaurant Passerini
    2Italian restaurant

    Restaurant Passerini

    At Giovanni Passerini's, the fresh pasta and big shared cuts, pigeon in two courses, lamb shoulder, sum up a cooking without artifice where technique serves flavor.

    « Tagliatelles, linguines, and casarecce consistently praised for sauces that cling perfectly to the pasta. »

    Google
  3. Altro Frenchie
    3Italian restaurant

    Altro Frenchie

    On rue du Nil, the Frenchie group's Italian table pairs the pleasure of fresh pasta with a real wine bar and pairing advice.

    « Gnocchi, tagliatelle, and ravioli are consistently praised for their refined flavors and quality ingredients. »

    Google
  4. Osteria Ferrara
    4Italian restaurant

    Osteria Ferrara

    Steps from rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, an osteria with careful cooking, fresh pasta and risottos, a cellar leaning to small producers and a terrace in season.

    « Dishes demonstrate real technical mastery with well-balanced flavors and fresh ingredients; fresh pasta and risottos are particularly praised. »

    Google
  5. Dilia
    5Italian restaurant

    Dilia

    On a Menilmontant square, creative and precise Italian cooking where the pasta cooking stands as a signature, carried by thoughtful wine pairings.

    « The pasta cooking is a true signature of the restaurant, rarely found at this level in France. »

    Google
  6. Piero
    6Italian restaurant

    Piero

    Pierre Gagnaire's Italian table on rue du Bac, between tradition and creativity, saffron risotto, open lasagna, reimagined tiramisu, in an elegant setting.

    « Dishes blend traditional Italian flavors with modern creativity: saffron risotto, open lasagna, plin plin, reimagined tiramisu. »

    Google
  7. La Madonnina
    7Italian restaurant

    La Madonnina

    Near the canal Saint-Martin, a neighborhood trattoria with a seasonal menu, fresh pasta and a warm welcome from Miguel and Mylene.

    « Dishes change with the seasons and availability, ensuring fresh produce and a degree of creativity in the offerings. »

    Google
  8. Sormani
    8Italian restaurant

    Sormani

    Near the Etoile, an institution of refined Italian cooking, market dishes following the arrivals, truffles, langoustines, and Murano glass chandeliers.

    « Dishes adapt to seasonal ingredients and market arrivals (truffles, langoustines, scallops), creating genuine surprise with each visit. »

    Google
  9. Red Sauce
    9Italian restaurant

    Red Sauce

    On cour des Petites-Ecuries, unabashed Italian-American: pasta all'assassina, spicy spaghetti and Detroit-style pizza in a retro diner setting. Clearly on the rise.

    « The spicy spaghetti and pasta al assassina are the standouts, with texture and flavor consistently praised across positive reviews. »

    Google
    10 mentionsRating rising
    See the full place file
  10. L'Enoteca
    10Italian restaurant

    L'Enoteca

    In the Marais, a warm Italian table with a fine transalpine cellar, homemade pasta, osso buco and the owner's recommendations.

    « An outstanding selection of Italian wines with personalized recommendations from the owner to pair with your meal. »

    Google
  11. Restaurant Chez Bartolo
    11Italian restaurant

    Restaurant Chez Bartolo

    On rue des Canettes, a historic Saint-Germain trattoria-pizzeria, homemade pasta and pizzas some compare to Naples, in a small lively room.

    « Pizzas are generous and flavorful, with several customers comparing them favorably to those from Naples. »

    Google

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Italian tables in Paris?
Among the most praised: Racines (2nd), Passerini (12th), Osteria Ferrara (11th), Dilia (20th) and Piero, Pierre Gagnaire's Italian table (7th), all known for their fresh pasta.
Where can I eat real fresh pasta?
Passerini, Racines, Altro Frenchie and La Madonnina make their pasta in-house; at Dilia, the al dente cooking is considered a signature.
Which address for a date night?
L'Enoteca in the Marais and Osteria Ferrara offer an intimate setting and a fine Italian cellar, perfect for a tete-a-tete.
Any more casual or American option?
Red Sauce, on cour des Petites-Ecuries, plays the Italian-American card with pasta all'assassina and Detroit-style pizza in a retro diner setting.
Do these restaurants have a good wine list?
Yes, the Italian cellar is a recurring strength, notably at L'Enoteca, Sormani (owner-sommelier) and Altro Frenchie, which doubles as a wine bar.