A little taste of Italy in Paris

I’m starting a new way of approaching my “best addresses” section with a focus on a specific country (as I previously did for Japan), and this time with a selection of great Italian spots within our beautiful capital.

Indeed, I must say that Italy is certainly the country I have visited the most outside of France, and I love its culture as much as its gastronomy. Plus, the fact that it is one of our close neighbors makes exploring it and interacting with France much easier.

On the agenda for this little Italian guide: a selection of restaurants that feel authentically Italian and will, I hope, allow you to discover the culinary delights of the “boot” without ever leaving Paris.

Linguine pasta with seafood, mussels, clams, and shrimp.

Table of Contents

Papelli, the biggest pizza in Paris

You come to Papelli to eat homemade pizzas and also to discover the biggest pizza in Paris (+ 60 cm) at very affordable prices.

This very family-oriented address in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, in the heart of the Faubourg Saint-Denis neighborhood, offers quality, fresh, and homemade products, based on a simple menu of pizzas made with “Manitoba” flour, the best flour on the market according to the experts.

The products are actually imported directly from Italy, in order to offer a truly authentic Italian pizza…

The menu offers a wide choice of pizzas with varied toppings such as Parma ham, Coppa, Speck, Pancetta, Buffalo Mozzarella, Burrata Mozzarella, Taleggio, Gorgonzola, Scamorza, not to mention their succulent truffle cream…

Large pizza cut into four different flavors on a wooden board.

Set tables and exposed stone wall in an Italian restaurant in Paris.

Wine bottles and oils on a wooden counter in front of a stone wall.

Large pizza topped with ham, arugula, olives, and tomatoes, with two glasses of red wine.

You can also taste their Focaccia, with homemade bread made from flax seeds and black olives, slightly crispy and topped with arugula, Mozzarella, zucchini, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, Coppa, parsley-topped tuna, or even Spianata, salmon and avocado, Bresaola… a delight!

Another house specialty: the famous Panzerottis, those small fresh pizza dough turnovers stuffed with tomato, mozzarella, and truffle cream, and baked in the oven (an absolute must-try!).

For desserts, I recommend the classic tiramisu or the hazelnut version (if you follow my Instagram account, you know how obsessed I am with this dessert), the Panna cotta, the chocolate lava cake, or fromage blanc with raspberry coulis.

Calzones and small bread rolls with two glasses of red wine on wooden boards.

Garlic rolls, Italian appetizer knots on a wooden board.

Four pizza slices topped with ham, arugula, olives, tomatoes, and vegetables.

Garlic rolls sprinkled with parsley on a cutting board.

Two Italian desserts in verrines, tiramisu, and an Illy coffee on a wooden board.

The little extra: a nice selection of Italian wines to discover.

The insider tip: order a giant pizza as an appetizer to share with friends.

Pizza prices: between €4.50 and €25 depending on the size of the pizza

Papelli
74 rue du Faubourg Saint Denis 75010 Paris

25 indoor seats, 6/9 on the terrace
Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Al Taglio, a taste of Roman pizza

Al Taglio has just opened its 3rd location in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, a stone’s throw from the Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Rue du Bac metro stations. Located on a very lively street, Al Taglio Dragon offers you the chance to discover traditional Roman culinary customs in a simple and relaxed setting.

Chandeliers on the ceiling, a wall serving as a guest book (Mademoiselle Bon Plan left her little dedication there if you want to have fun finding it), large, friendly wooden tables, etc.

The house specialty: pizza al taglio. These are pizzas by the slice; you order custom portions at the counter upon entering, then join a table, and the waiter brings your order. The advantage of this tasting by weight and by the slice: you can try many recipes according to your tastes and desires.

Red tasseled chandelier above drawings and messages on a white wall.

Bar with red chandelier and scribbled walls of an Italian restaurant in Paris.

White wall with customer messages and drawings, oil bottle and salt shakers on a wooden table.

Assortment of various pizza al taglio slices on a wooden board.

Slice of Al Taglio Roman pizza with zucchini and vegetables on a wooden board.

Slices of pepperoni Roman pizza on a wooden DORI Made in Italy board.

Sweet pizzelle filled with chocolate, sprinkled with powdered sugar on a wooden board.

Handwritten inscriptions: 'Betti e Gérard', 'Super evening, a treat', 'Grazie mille ottima pizza', '1st'.

Restaurant interior with walls covered in writing and red chandelier.

Glass of Aperol Spritz on a wooden counter in front of a wall with writing.

This new establishment, dedicated to pizza, was born from the partnership of Antoine, owner for 8 years of “Le Dragon” bar right next door, Franck, and Olivier Papillon, a former journalist who, after his baker-pastry chef diploma, created in 2008 the pizza by the slice and weight concept in the first pizzeria of its kind in Paris in the 1st arrondissement. The pizza chefs at Al Taglio are all trained by Olivier to achieve the desired perfection.

For desserts, you must try the nostalgic little sweet chocolate pizzas, just perfect with a small coffee.

As for drinks, you can also find typically Italian products, such as Peroni beer, red frizzante Lambrusco, Chianti, Prosecco, or even rosé from Piedmont…

The must: the quality of the products, the freshness of the toppings imported from Italy, and a dough that rests for 72 hours, made with flour from a small village located between Naples and Rome. And honestly, the dough is quite incredible and it makes all the difference!

The fun part: Al Taglio’s golden wall to leave your impressions, which is therefore covered with all kinds of graffiti in all languages.

The little extra: a small terrace on the street for sunny days.

Al Taglio
20 rue du Dragon 75006 Paris

Open 7/7 days from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. and 7 p.m.-11 p.m.

Bombolo, the Sicilian restaurant

Thanks to the adorable Parisian Touch, I had the chance to discover the Italian restaurant Bombolo, specializing in Sicilian cuisine. This came at the perfect time, since I was in the middle of writing and researching good addresses for this little guide to Italian gastronomy in Paris.

In terms of decor, it’s truly in the spirit of a no-frills trattoria.

Wine glasses on a set table, Italian restaurant atmosphere.

Glass of white wine on a wooden table in front of wine bottles.

Italian restaurant interior with set tables, wine glasses, and wine bottles.

Book 'Naples, Capri, Sorrento' and Italian desserts on a cafe counter.

The menu is short and written every day on a large slate (which proves the freshness of the products and dishes) with pasta on the agenda, obviously, but also fish dishes, which are very present in Sicilian gastronomy, of course.

For dessert, I advise you to try the very creamy tiramisu, quite different from those I’m used to eating, but just as delicious.

Red radicchio salad on a white plate, close-up, Italian restaurant.

Eggplants in tomato sauce in a radicchio leaf, Italian dish.

Italian ravioli in a creamy truffle sauce served with salad.

Spaghetti with seafood, mussels, clams, and shrimp on a white plate.

Tiramisu served in a glass with a spoon and red napkin.

Creamy tiramisu sprinkled with cocoa in a glass, Italian dessert.

Bombolo

51 Rue Basfroi, 75011 Paris

East Mamma, the Italian spot in the 11th

This restaurant was born from the Big Mamma project, which aims to popularize authentic Italian cuisine by offering low prices, like those practiced in the trattorias of deep Italy. It is actually the first Parisian restaurant of the project, led by Tigrane Seydoux and Victor Lugger. It has only been open since the beginning of April and success is already here.

For your information, another place Ober Mama, more in the Aperitivo Cocktail Bar vibe, has just opened its doors in the Oberkampf neighborhood. The trattoria is located across from the magnificent Trousseau square, at the corner with the passage de la Main d’Or, in a building with brick walls, a glass roof, and industrial charm. Regarding the decor, we find the products used in the kitchen, notably with the impressive and appetizing wall of parmesan…

In total, the restaurant has 100 seats, including 20 at the marble counter, directly facing the chefs, to admire the cooking. There is a great rhythm in there and from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. it is packed and Parisians are wisely queuing on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine to discover this new place that everyone is talking about. The cuisine of East Mamma is run by a group of young chefs from all over Italy, from Venice to Puglia, passing through Rome, led by Neapolitan Ciro Cristiano.

Creamy burrata and beef carpaccio on Italian plates.

Parisian bistro corner with marble table, wooden chairs, and torn poster.

Rows of Parmigiano Reggiano wheels under lights, Italian decor.

Interior of an Italian restaurant in Paris with customers seated under a glass roof.

Italian table setting: lamp, PIANORO olive oil, glass, and cutlery.

All products used at East Mamma are purchased directly from producers in Italy without intermediaries, and the cuisine is 100% homemade with seasonal products offered and a short menu. The menu changes every day, with very fresh products varying according to the seasons.

The pasta is fresh, served in large pots, and made every day with organic durum wheat semolina; the pizza is wood-fired, served for two to share on large wooden boards, and the coffee is roasted on-site, Neapolitan style (needless to say, it would wake the dead, but I think Italians will appreciate it).

To try:

A small variety of Spritz for an aperitif.
The Buffalo Mozzarella and all its variations, just excellent!
The Bresaola in Tuscan fillet, a very melt-in-the-mouth cured meat.
The renowned homemade tiramisu, il tigramisu. For my part, it’s the revisited tiramisu version with banana and speculoos, Banofeemisu, that I tested, but even though it was very good, I found it a bit heavy and I would advise you to stick to the classic version instead…
The Panna cotta with a drop of grappa, a very good choice to finish the meal more lightly.

Beef carpaccio on a decorated plate near an Italian menu.

Fusilli pasta with tomato sauce and parmesan shavings in a pan.

Two Spritz, Italian orange cocktail, on a marble table.

Italian beef carpaccio with red beet, parmesan shavings, and arugula.

Creamy burrata on a decorated plate with a basil leaf, accompanying an Italian dish.

Tiramisu on a decorated plate with a spoon, Italian dessert in Paris.

Italian Panna cotta with poppy seeds and biscuits on a decorated plate.

Latte coffee with art and espresso on a wooden board.

Result: a very welcoming place (especially thanks to the banter of the waiters who perform during the whole meal), which focuses on the quality of the products offered through popular cuisine.

The establishment also has a passion for Italian wine and you know how much the wine list matters to me in appreciating a restaurant. Here we find productions from Piedmont, Tuscany, Alto Adige, Puglia, and Sicily, most of which are organic or natural. For beer lovers, you can also taste products from Piedmont or Lombardy for example.

The little extra: the small 14-seat terrace right in front of the trattoria.

Price: A house-roasted Neapolitan-style coffee costs €1 at the counter, fresh homemade pasta costs €12, a Margherita DOP pizza with buffalo mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes costs €12, a dessert costs €6.50.

East Mamma
133, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine 75011 Paris

Open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight
Brunch on Sunday

Mazzucco Mozza & Pizza

This Italian restaurant is located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, a stone’s throw from the grands boulevards and Strasbourg St Denis. The principle of Mazzucco is based on slow food: we take the time to appreciate what we eat, with special respect for the product and its origin.

We find a mozzarella bar (with original, traditional, and quality products), antipasti and cured meat boards, pizzas with thin dough made by Pizza Chef Matteo Fadda.

Everything is homemade, from the antipasti to the pizza dough, or unearthed by the owner, Lorenzo Mazzucco, from small Italian producers (including the mozzarella, wine, beers, olive oil, flour, etc.).

Mazzucco Mozza & Pizza facade in Paris with parked bicycle.

Full Italian restaurant interior with customers and wooden tables.

Mazzucco menu under hanging wine glasses and stacked tableware.

Interior of Italian restaurant with wooden tables and hexagonal wall decor.

To try:

Sicilian green olives (€1.50) as an appetizer with a small Italian lemonade, Gassosa.
As a starter, the Fior di latte mozzarella or burratina (€9.50) with an antipasti of seasonal vegetables (€8.50).
The Estée pizza with tomato sauce, fior di latte, n’duja, coppa, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil (€13).
The pizza of the moment (which obviously changes regularly) with fresh anchovies, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and olives.
The Mathias pizza, Calzone style with tomato sauce, fior di latte, n’duja, and smoked ricotta (€14).
For dessert, I naturally tasted the tiramisu, one of my favorite desserts as you will have gathered. Quite runny, but tasty nonetheless (€5.50).

Otherwise, you can also finish your meal with a small coffee, accompanied by a piece of panettone…

Water glass, olives, cutlery, and bottle of Sicilian Gassosa.

Seasoned grilled vegetables (peppers, cherry tomatoes) on a decorative plate.

Olives and bottle of GASSOSA Polara, Sicilian drink, for an appetizer.

Bottle of Gassosa Polara on a wooden table in an Italian restaurant in Paris.

Artisanal Neapolitan pizza with salami, cherry tomatoes, and basil.

Calzone or Neapolitan pizza with tomato sauce and cheese on a white plate.

White pizza with anchovies, arugula, cherry tomatoes, olives, and capers.

Close-up of Italian pizza with cherry tomatoes, raw ham, and basil.

Wooden table and chairs in Italian restaurant with hexagonal decorative wall.

Tiramisu served with an espresso on a blue-patterned plate.

Mazzucco
7 rue d’Enghien 75010 Paris

Price: pizzas from €12.50 to €14; mozzarella from €8.50 to €20; pizza + dessert combos at €15 or panini + dessert at €9.50

To finish this article, a small selection of books that will take you straight to the boot-shaped country:

Mmmozza, a book with 30 recipes around mozzarella by Hachette Cuisine (€12.90).
Naples Capri Sorrento, recipes from the Amalfi coast (€25.90), Amanda Tabberer reveals in this book recipes gleaned from chefs and cooks of this fabulous region.
Love Italy, a cookbook also from Hachette editions (€49.95), to discover all the ingredients that make the essence of Italian cuisine through 150 recipes by Guy Grossi, one of the most renowned Italian chefs in Australia.

Cover of the Mazzella book with bruschetta, mozzarella, olive oil, and breadsticks.

Cover of the book 'Love Italy' by Guy Grossi, about the Italian gastronomic paradise.

Neapolitan pizza with anchovies, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto.

Find my restaurant reviews in Paris below:
⇒ My restaurant reviews in Paris
⇒ My Italian restaurants in Paris

MY ITALIAN RESTAURANTS IN PARIS
⇒ List of pizzerias in Paris
⇒ Little Nonna gluten-free pizzeria
⇒ Italian brunch
⇒ Dai Dai
⇒ Ammazza
⇒ Gemini Family
⇒ Simonetta, trattoria on the Canal de l’Ourcq

Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan
Photos are not royalty-free, photographer authorization required before any use