The best pasta in Paris

The best pasta in Paris

Every time I visit Italy, I come back to Paris with a new appreciation for Italian cuisine (and maybe an extra kilo or two). I usually spend the weeks following my return scouring the city for the best, and friendliest pasta joints. The freshness and the quality of the ingredients in Italy really sets their food apart from any other cuisine out there. And the same is true for the best Italian restaurants in Paris: it all comes down to the ingredients.

Sun-ripened tomatoes really do make the best-tasting sauce, and I think you’ll agree that real D.O.P. parmigiano reggiano should not even be compared to that powdered stuff sold in the supermarket. Perhaps thanks to its endless possibilities, pasta is one of the most iconic Italian dishes in every region. Combine pasta with just about any ingredient you have on hand, and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal.

Versatile, comforting, and affordable, pasta is a great choice for any occasion. But just where can you find authentic, delicious, Italian pasta in the French capital? I’ve done some hunting and narrowed down the spots where you can find the best pasta in Paris. From ribbons of fresh mafaldine covered in decadent black truffle shavings, to seafood pasta with clams and lemon zest. And all the way back to heartwarming classics like linguine cacio e pepe made in a real cheese wheel, there’s a little something for everyone in this list. And suffice it to say that Paris doesn’t disappoint in the pasta department.

Mamma Primi

71 rue des dames 75017

© Big Mamma Group

If you’ve been debating which of the hugely-acclaimed Big Mamma Group restaurants to test out, this is the one to try!

Mamma Primi is expertly tucked away in the Northwestern part of Paris, far away from the tourist crowds. The 17th arrondissement is often overlooked by first-time visitors, but the area shouldn’t be missed! Museums, parks and winding cobblestone streets are all found in the 17th. And if that’s not reason enough to visit, how about some of the best pasta in Paris?

Set among the charming streets of Paris’ 17th district, Mamma Primi is the perfect spot to grab a plate of pasta for lunch or tuck in to a decadent plate at dinner time. Set in the calm, family-oriented neighborhood of Batignolles, this cozy Italian restaurant definitely lives up to its Big name. I love this spot because it’s smaller and has a more intimate feel than some of the other Big Mamma restos. Plus, their pasta offerings are creative and change monthly to incorporate seasonal ingredients.

The more unique choices include handmade raviolis stuffed with a rich and savory ragu as well as their tagliolino al tonno which highlights fresh tuna and their famous tomato sauce. If you’re feeling something more classic, their pasta pesto will hit the spot plus it comes topped with burrata. And don’t forget the decadent malfaldine truffle pasta, complete with cream sauce and a generous heaping of black truffle shavings.

© Big Mamma Group

If you still have room after enjoying one of their pasta dishes, the desserts at Mamma Primi are also excellent. So don’t hesitate to explore the menu, and the area!

You can find our article all about the 17th arrondissement here.

César Etoile

12 Avenue wagram 75008

Easily making our list of the best pasta in Paris is César Wagram. Right in the glitz and glamour of Paris’ 8th arrondissement, César is just a couple blocks away from the Arc de Triomphe. This is the perfect spot to enjoy an incredible pasta dinner after catching the sunset from one of Paris’ most famous monuments, the Arc de Triomphe.

At César, the menu as well as the clientèle match the chic neighborhood. Believe it or not, you can almost always spot a celebrity here. From footballers to rappers to fashion designers, the rich and famous seem to love the cozy, friendly environment and delicious pasta here. And honestly, the incredible food and atmosphere make this place one of the area’s best kept secrets! On the weekends especially it can get quite full, so a reservation is recommended.

As you can imagine, decadence is the name of the game here. At César, ingredients like truffles and lobster abound. And Chef Giovanni di Carlo’s exceptional and extravagant pasta offerings won’t disappoint even the pickiest pasta connoisseurs. If you’re a seafood fan, the lobster pasta is a must-try. But if truffles are more your style, the homemade ravioli stuffed with burrata and topped with black truffle shavings will be your new favorite. Or maybe you want to opt for a classic. It’s hard to go wrong here. Their deliciously authentic cacio e pepe is made in a giant wheel of parmigiano reggiano cheese right before your eyes.

Whatever you choose, your meal at César is sure to be a good one. Just don’t forget to make a reservation!

L’Étage

1st floor Inside pastavino boutique, 15 rue de buci 75006

The next place where you can find some of the best pasta in Paris is a total neighborhood secret. Hidden away inside a store in the Saint-Germain neighborhood is a legendary eatery. Enter the tiny PastaVino Boutique on the busy Rue de Buci and you’ll find yourself in an old-school Italian deli which also doubles as a grocer. But this cozy little spot adopts a third identity come nightfall.

During the day, the small shop makes use of every last centimeter of space, and has a great selection of dry goods, wines and spirits from all over Italy. And you can’t miss the fresh deli serving up cold cuts, cheeses, and hot panini on house made bread. They even sell fresh pasta by the kilo, so if you’re short on time you can grab some to take home. PastaVino is really a great resource if you’re hoping to do some Italian cooking of your own in Paris.

But this article is all about the best pasta in Paris, so I bet you’re wondering where the pasta is. Well, head to the back of the store and up a spiral wooden staircase to l’Étage. You’ll arrive in a beautiful and comfortable restaurant decorated with a cozy Italian charm and home to some of the best pasta in Paris.  With just 20 seats in the entire restaurant, this upscale dining spot has all the feels and flavors of an Italian trattoria.

The Chef hails from Italy (of course!) and brought his passion for perfectly cooked pasta with him. Everything is proudly made in house, from the slow simmering tomato sauce down to the noodles themselves; you just can’t go wrong with fresh pasta! Although there are just a few dishes on the menu, everything is truly excellent. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the fresh linguine with squid ink. Did you know that this is a specialty dish from the Calabria region of Italy? That’s the region making up the “toe” of Italy’s boot shape. Of course, there’s also an incredible fettucine with culatello and Sicilian lemon, which shouldn’t be missed.

Either way, this place is a worth a repeat visit since their offerings change quite regularly to keep up with seasonal produce. And every season’s menu is just as good as, if not better than the last!

Ciasa Mia

19 rue laplace, 75005

© Frenchforfoodies

Up next on our list of the best pasta in Paris is Ciasa Mia, and it’s the perfect spot to dine after our free walking tour in the 5th arrondissement. Work up your appetite on our guided stroll through Paris’ historic Latin Quarter, and afterwards treat yourself to an exceptional meal at Ciasa Mia. Just minutes from the Pantheon, Ciasa Mia couldn’t be more centrally located. And don’t think that just because you’re in one of the busiest neighborhoods that you won’t receive great service. The incredible staff at Ciasa Mia are sure to give you a warm welcome. They really bring the true friendly vibe of Italy to the heart of Paris.

As soon as you enter the restaurant, you’ll feel at home. The comfortable decor gives the illusion of being in small-town Italy. Exposed wooden beams and cute curtained windows add true charm to the space. This little restaurant is run by Chef Samuel Mocci and his partner Francesca. Their menu offers a fresh and modern twist on Italian classics, which are some of the best outside Italy.

Everything is homemade, from the bread to the sauces. And you can taste the freshness in dishes like their signature risone pasta which is with topped with chicken and finished in a butter chive sauce. If you’re feeling more adventurous, opt for their daily special, which always incorporates surprising flavor combinations but always turns out delicious.

And as you may have guessed, like any good Italian eatery, food and wine go hand-in-hand at Ciasa Mia. So don’t hesitate to ask for their recommendation if you’d like a pairing with your meal. Their menu changes often, so you know you’re getting the real deal in terms of ingredients. Which brings us to.. dessert. If you still have room after your meal, their desserts are just heavenly.

But please remember,  as with most of the spots mentioned in this article, reservations are strongly recommended.

Racines

8 passages des panoramas, 75002

If you haven’t discovered the charm of Paris’ covered passages yet, this is the perfect opportunity! The last, but surely not the least of our picks for the best pasta in Paris is Racines. This spot is tucked away on  the charming  Passage des Panoramas, one of Paris’ oldest covered passageways! Located amidst a true piece of Parisian history, Racines has been open since 2007. But judging from the beautiful interior you would never guess this lovely restaurant is actually a converted print shop!

The Italian chef, Simone Tondo has called Paris home for years, but spent many of them working alongside top chefs like Petter Nilsson to hone his skills. And all of that hard work has paid off! In early 2019, Racines was awarded it’s first Michelin Star – the ultimate culinary honor.

The menu is very imaginative combining flavors from Tondo’s native Sardinia and French cuisine. Here, you can always count on being surprised. No two days in the kitchen are alike at Racines, and offerings literally change on the daily. Their menu is handwritten on a chalkboard every day, with the chef making down to the minute additions and tweaks.  The result is a delicious Franco-Italian mélange  which can only be described as exceptional bistrosteria cuisine.

Although the menu is always changing, there are a few signature dishes which tend to appear more regularly. Fresh pasta, decadent risottos and meats aged and cooked to perfection are just some of what you can expect to find here. So don’t be shy, the only surprises at Racines are (really) good ones!

Racines also features an extensive wine list, which shouldn’t be overlooked. And I think we can agree that the perfect wine pairing is the cherry on top of an already excellent meal. My only words of warning: it’s small, delicious and popular. So, make a reservation to be on the safe side.

Alright well there you have it! This round out our list of the best pasta in Paris! I hope this article has been helpful for you. And I hope that thanks to these recommendations you’ll enjoy some incredible pasta in the City of Light!

Still hungry? Check out our article all about the best pizza in Paris.

Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or if there’s a place you think should be on the list. We always love hearing from our readers!

Hope to see you soon in Paris!