Lunch at Ao Izakaya

by Melle Bon Plan 21 January 2018

written by Melle Bon Plan Published: 21 January 2018Updated: 12 May 2026

You know how much I love Japanese cuisine, given that I’ve already written several thematic articles on the subject. So, I’m always thrilled to discover a new Japanese spot in Paris. Today, I’m introducing you to the restaurant Ao Izakaya, located in the Madeleine district. It offers traditional Japanese cuisine with sharing plates and hot and cold tapas (just like in Tokyo, it seems…), with an added French touch from Chef Yasuo Nanaumi, who showcases Franco-Japanese fusions.

I really loved the decor of the place (spread over two floors), designed by Japanese interior architect Kunihiko Takano (KT Architect), featuring geometric wooden shapes. Downstairs, you’ll find the long Chef’s counter where you can watch the dishes being prepared right in front of your eyes, which is always very pleasant. For our part, we had lunch upstairs, as it was already full downstairs when we arrived.

Ao Izakaya interior with staircase, wooden counter and midnight blue ceiling.

Woman eating sushi and sashimi at the Izakaya Ao with sake bottles.

Interior of Ao Izakaya restaurant with wooden partitions and dark blue walls.

Clients dining in the modern interior of the Ao Izakaya restaurant.

Interior of Ao Izakaya restaurant with wooden dividers and clients.

Interior of Ao Izakaya restaurant with wooden shelves and sake bottles.

Interior of Ao Izakaya restaurant with tables, blue chairs and a wooden slat screen.

Spiral wooden and metal staircase in a textured yellow setting at Ao Izakaya.

To taste from the lunch menu:

As an aperitif, we had a glass of sparkling sake (€10), much softer and sweeter than the sake we are used to in France. The establishment actually has a great selection of sakes if you are a fan. An original specialty of the house, the Mio sparkling sake we tasted is brewed in the traditional brewery style with rice, water, and Koji (a microscopic fungus obtained by fermenting rice with a bacterium called Aspergillus oriza).
For enthusiasts, I also recommend the cocktails, which are very good!

Cucumber cocktail served to a customer at the Ao Izakaya restaurant.

Champagne flutes and cutlery on a wooden table at Ao Izakaya.

Bottles of sake lined up at the Ao Izakaya restaurant.

The Shake Bento Box (€29) with an assortment of Label Rouge salmon, teriyaki sauce, sashimi, sushi, tempura, maki, tsukemono, rice and miso soup.

Japanese bento with tempura, sushi, grilled salmon and sauce.

Miso soup in a ceramic bowl with green onions.

Salmon and tuna nigiri, and makis with assorted sushi.

Japanese bento with sushi, sashimi, soy sauce and side dishes.

The Chef’s Suggestion menu, a 3-course set with starter + main + dessert (€30), which changes regularly according to the chef’s inspiration. And in the evening, they also offer the Omakaze menu, which is evidently a tradition in Japan and leaves it up to the chef to design the menu for their clients, a concept I personally quite like…

Fresh salmon salad with green vegetables and chopped onions.

Pieces of grilled meat, braised daikon, and broccoli on a black plate.

Grilled meat dish with black sauce, vegetables and white rice at the Izakaya.

The sashimi, makizushi or nigirisushi assortments (€25) are truly delicious! The fish is super fresh and melts in the mouth.

Plate of varied sashimi with chopsticks at the Ao Izakaya restaurant.

Plate of nigiri, edamame and sashimi enjoyed with chopsticks at Ao Izakaya.

Grilled salmon sushi rolls, pickled ginger and wasabi on a dark plate.

Interior of Japanese restaurant Ao Izakaya with set tables and bottle shelves.

Bowls of salted edamame at Ao Izakaya, a person eating with chopsticks.

For the dessert of the menu, we chose something light with the Sherbet, which offers 2 homemade granita-style sorbets with yuzu and shiso. And the cherry on top (if I may say so), the coffee is accompanied by a little matcha financier, obviously.

Two cups of coffee with green cakes on a wooden table.

Woman eating a spoonful of dish at the Ao Izakaya restaurant.

Sorbet or Japanese ice cream served with cut strawberries in a bowl.

Facade of the Ao Izakaya restaurant with wooden terrace and vegetation, storefront at number 12.

Storefront of Ao Izakaya restaurant with outdoor terrace and parked car.

Facade of the Ao Izakaya restaurant with cars parked on the street.

My little tip: I very strongly recommend booking, whether you are going for lunch or dinner.

Thanks to Ao Izakaya for these invitations.

Ao Izakaya

12 rue Caumartin 75009 Paris

Lunch: from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM (except Saturday and Sunday)
Dinner: from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM (except Sunday)

Bowl of Japanese ramen with soft-boiled egg, scallions and wooden spoon.

Find all my restaurant reviews in Paris below:
⇒ My restaurant reviews in Paris
⇒ My Asian restaurants in Paris
⇒ My Japanese restaurants in Paris

MY ARTICLES GOOD JAPANESE RESTAURANT ADDRESSES IN PARIS
⇒ Toraya Tea Room
⇒ Hakata Choten
⇒ Ao Izakaya
⇒ Ramen Bowl
⇒ Kodawari Ramen
⇒ Matsuri

MAP OF MY GOOD FOOD ADDRESSES IN PARIS AND THE ILE-DE-FRANCE REGION

Restaurant Bar Patisserie / Bakery Tea Room / Coffee Shop
Brunch Ice Cream Shop

Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez
Photos not royalty-free, authorization from the photographer required before any use

Lunch at Ao Izakaya

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