Dalia, the remarkable new Levantine restaurant in Paris 2nd arrondissement

A new restaurant has opened in the Sentier area, and has already delighted us. Running the kitchen, female chef Or Bitan intends to shine a light on flavors coming from Israel to Lebanon via Syria, Turkey and Jordan.

A new restaurant is about to fill the hearts and taste buds of Paris 2^nd inhabitants and tourists with sun thanks to many Levantine recipes. Its name: Dalia. In the heart of the Sentier area, this new table promises to take us on a journey through Levantine flavors from Israel to Lebanon via Syria, Turkey and even Jordan. Intrigued yet?

Running the kitchen, female chef Or Bitan who trained at Miznon and Shouk. Available on the menu, straight from her open-plan kitchen, many dishes to share inspired by Oriental Mediterranean and enhanced with seasonal French produces perfectly sourced.

Recipes are healthy and mouthwatering to be enjoyed on big tables, perfect for groups of friends – once the health situation allows it of course – and to pair with a nice cocktail. Because, cocktails served here are incredible and original!

So, which one would you like? The Dalia Mule (vodka, elderflower liquor, homemade lime juice, cardamom, ginger beer, and dried lemon chips; €10), the Miss Green (cucumber, mint, homemade gin, lime juice and hibiscus flower; €12), or the Eastern Stormy (lime dices, dark rum, ginger beer, bitter, zaatar leaf and dried orange chips; €11)?

Let us browse the menu, shall we? Dalia recommends foodies two plates to share per person to leave the place with a full belly and a smile one their faces. So, we go for the Dalia bread (homemade and served warm!), to joyfully dip in three Levantine dips: grilled red bell pepper and walnuts, so good, zaatar hummus, and labneh with zhough some confiment based on chili pepper, garlic and cilantro.

We loved the house's flagship dish, the astounding eggplant carpaccio (€11), covered in tahini, date molasses, whole pistachios, rose flowers, thyme, and crumbled feta. Eggplants are served smooth; wonderfully soft.

We also obviously recommend the deconstructed pita with halloumi (€13), crispy pita generously filled with roasted halloumi dices, roasted apricots for a mix of sweet and savory flavors and fresh herbs; as well as lamb kabob (€10) served here not in pita bread but in soft meatballs to dip in tahini and enjoy with grilled bell peppers and chili peppers.

And let us tell you now: we forbid you from leaving Dalia without trying desserts, some keep some room for them! As a matter of fact, there is a dessert to die for: the very, very indulging French toast-style croissant (€10), some croissant dough served warm in a casserole dish with raspberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

To finish on a lighter note, the malabi (€9), the famous Eastern panna cotta with strawberries, raspberries, and pistachios likely to delight sweet-toothed. Tempted yet? Then, head to Dalia now, you will fall in love with it.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please mention it in the comments.