Cova launches its chic aperitivo in its patisserie next to La Samaritaine

Would you like to enjoy an aperitivo almost like in Italy? Head for Cova, a patisserie in Paris's 1st arrondissement that offers il Giovedi da Cova every Thursday. You arrive, grab a cocktail and enjoy a selection of mouth-watering bites and plates smelling of Italy, with plenty of good local produce.

• To be read
• Bars with a beautiful view in Paris, our top picks
• Italian restaurants with terraces in Paris, our top picks
• This week's tips in Paris and the Île-de-France region, December 1-7, 2025

But before theaperitivo, the setting: outside, a lovely terrace opposite La Samaritaine, with a beautiful view of the Seine. And inside, a cosy space, with a gigantic display case for cakes and pastries at its center. A beautiful, chic and powdery house, inviting you to indulge in gourmet pleasures, but above all, to enjoy tea time!

La Pasticceria Cova, pastry shop, tea time and beautiful Italian terrace
La Pasticceria Cova is the new café-tea room that has taken its place in the corner just in front of the Samaritaine. This mythical Milanese institution with its refined decor and creative pastries now opens its arms to us in Paris. You can sit down all day long, from breakfast to tea-time, including aperitivo, inside or on the large terrace overlooking the department store and the quays. [Read more]

Otherwise, the menu for this aperitivo includes three canapés, as well as a first course in the shape of risotto or pasta, and a dessert to finish on a sweet note. Please note that dishes change every Thursday.

An aperitivo that the editors were able to try. In cocktails, we were tempted by an Italian Sour, made with amaretto and a pleasant bitterness, and a Moet Ice Imperial, made with champagne and fresh fruit. Two surprisingly tasty drinks. On the food side, focaccia with onion confit and anchovy, beef carpaccio with goat's cheese and black rice chips, and a small dish of pappa al pomodoro (tomato pulp) and pine. These pretty morsels are sure to whet the appetite!

To follow this aperitivo, a small beet risotto, exquisitely flavored and slightly sweet. Very pleasant on the palate. And finally, for dessert, a cannolo siciliano with chocolate chips and cherries in syrup, a little like a black forest. A lovely sweet treat to end this moment of pleasure in the best possible way.

Note that although the portions may seem small, we can assure you that it will fill your belly, having emerged from this aperitivo without feeling hungry afterwards. But of course, gourmands and other big eaters will still have some room for the tempting cakes and pastries on display.

In short, a great address if you're stopping off in the area, but especially if you like the house's fine pastries. Shall we drop in, friends?

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.