The concept of the Middle East was introduced by the Anglo-Saxons in the early 20th century to describe the area stretching from the Red Sea to the British Indian Empire. Although after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, all Arab countries were added to this area, resulting in the abandonment of the term Near East, France continues to use the terms Middle East and Near East interchangeably.
So today we're taking you to these sunny countries, from Morocco to Pakistan, via Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Thegenerous cuisines of the Middle East vary from country to country, and even from region to region within the same country, influenced by the history and geography of these states. Each country has its own specialties and regional variations, but it is worth noting that certain ingredients often recur, such as olive oil, spices like sumac and zaatar, and dried fruits.
As formeat , they are often marinated and then roasted on a spit or grilled over an open flame, accompanied by small portions of various dishes called mezzes. Want to discover new flavors? Here are some great Middle Eastern restaurants in Paris!
Moroccan restaurants in Paris, our best addresses
If you're looking to savor dishes with bright colors and spices that will take your senses on a journey, you've come to the Moroccan restaurants of Paris. [Read more]
Algerian restaurants in Paris, our best addresses
Here are the best addresses of Algerian restaurants in Paris for a colorful and tasty lunch! [Read more]
Tunisian restaurants in Paris, our best addresses
How about Tunisian for lunch? Here are the best addresses for Tunisian restaurants in Paris! [Read more]
Lebanese restaurants in Paris, our best addresses
Gourmet and healthy, Lebanese gastronomy is THE cuisine of pleasure. How about a delicious meal at a Lebanese restaurant in Paris? [Read more]
Turkish restaurants in Paris, our top picks
Flavorful, generous, and deeply convivial, Turkish cuisine is becoming increasingly popular in Paris. With grilled meats, mezze, warm breads, and oriental sweets, Parisian Turkish restaurants invite you on a gourmet journey to the heart of Istanbul and Anatolia. [Read more]
Israeli restaurants in Paris, our top addresses for Jewish cuisine
Let yourself be tempted by the diversity and conviviality of Jewish cuisine at Israeli restaurants in Paris! [Read more]
Zoutra, the Levantine restaurant, wine bar, and eatery that delights Montmartre
Zoutra is the new Levantine restaurant and bar in the 18th arrondissement in Montmartre. The little sister of Adraba, this wine bar with beautiful, creative dishes to share and rich in flavor is a wonderful discovery. We'll tell you more about our discovery. [Read more]
Feyma: a family-run Mediterranean canteen, part delicatessen, part coffee shop in the 18th arrondissement
Part Mediterranean cuisine, part friendly coffee shop, Feyma is the 18th arrondissement's warm and welcoming cantine, where you can enjoy generous, homemade dishes from a smiling family who pass on their culinary heritage every day. [Read more]
Maison Didon, an excellent Tunisian restaurant serving fish couscous in the 15th arrondissement.
Discover the unmissable specialties of Tunisian cuisine at Maison Didon, an address where you'll feel right at home, feasting on fish couscous, bricks and other Maghreb delicacies. [Read more]
Karamna: the generous family-run Lebanese restaurant in the 16th arrondissement
Just off Place Victor Hugo, Karamna celebrates the generosity of Lebanese cuisine, with tasty sandwiches, mezze to share and hearty grilled meats, to eat in or take away. [Read more]
Restaurant Alan Geaam, the chef's star-studded setting for gourmet cuisine with a soft Lebanese accent
In the heart of a hushed setting a stone's throw from Place de l'Etoile, chef Alan Geaam unveils a gourmet cuisine - crowned with a star - that honors his Lebanese roots while paying tribute to the savoir-faire of French haute gastronomy. [Read more]
Mazmez, the delicious Lebanese restaurant of Hugo Danaguezian aka @pari_beyrouth in Paris
If you've been following the adventures of Hugo Danaguezian aka @pari_beyrouth on social networks, then you'll be delighted to learn that he's finally opened his Lebanese restaurant in Paris... and it's a success! [Read more]
Almas, when Lebanon, Iran and Russia come together in one restaurant
Three chefs of three different origins have come up with Almas, a restaurant on the borders of Lebanon, Iran and Russia. [Read more]
Aldehyde, Youssef Marzouk's Michelin-starred restaurant with a strong Tunisian flavour
What an overwhelming discovery Aldehyde is, the gourmet restaurant of chef Youssef Marzouk, lulled by memories of his childhood in Tunisia. [Read more]
Namak: the warm, saffron-scented Iranian restaurant where you can discover Persian flavours
In the heart of the 9th arrondissement, your palate is about to travel to Namak, a warmly welcoming Iranian restaurant where family recipes and typical ingredients blend with modernity in a generous and surprising cuisine. [Read more]
Coderak, delicious burgers with traditional Moroccan recipes
Head for Marrakech without even getting on a plane, thanks to Coderak, a charming Moroccan-style burger restaurant packed with good ideas and flavors from elsewhere. [Read more]
Em Sherif, Monaco's Lebanese restaurant opens in Paris
Em Sherif, Monaco's famous Lebanese restaurant, is moving to Paris in January 2025. [Read more]
Leven, Kurdish street-food on fire
Boarding for the Middle East at Leven, a new Kurdish street-food stall in the Sentier. [Read more]
Anatolia Village, a home-made restaurant serving inexpensive Kurdish specialities, in the 10th arrondissement.
Located in the Strabourg Saint-Denis district, Anatolia Village brings Kurdish food lovers together every day for dinner and lunch, with specialties straight from Asia Minor. [Read more]
Nissi, soft hallah sandwiches with Levantine flavours, very (very) tasty
From sabich to schnitzel, Moroccan-style fishballs to stewed beef, Nissi's finger-licking hallah sandwiches with Levantine flavors. [Read more]
Nemesis, the Lebanese-inspired kebab artisan
Located behind the Butte Montmartre, in the pretty Rue Caulaincourt, Nemesis is an artisan kebab shop offering 100% home-made sandwiches and side dishes. A trendy place, offering Lebanese flavors, to be discovered in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. [Read more]
Sonia, an elegant and affordable Moroccan restaurant
Located a stone's throw from Place Pereire, Restaurant Sonia offers Oriental flavors in a setting inspired by a Moroccan riad. The dishes are generous and delicious. [Read more]
Maison Ambre, Moroccan canteen and tea room with home-made pastries, brunch and Ftour menu
Maison Ambre is the name of this canteen, tea room and pastry shop in the 15th arrondissement, just a stone's throw from Gare Montparnasse. Bowls to compose, tagine and pastries of the day await you. [Read more]
La Sabicherie, home of the 'other' Israeli sandwich
Less well known than the falafel sandwich, the sabich has nothing to envy it! You can eat it to go at La Sabicherie, near Bastille and now at SoPi too! [Read more]
Kapara, the rebirth of Balagan with chef Zohar Sasson
Balagan is dead, long live Kapara! The menu has changed, but the venue and its boisterous atmosphere remain the same. And in the colorful plates, sunny dishes signed Assaf Granit and executed by chef Zohar Sasson. [Read more]
Bistro Baghdad, an affordable Iraqi restaurant a stone's throw from the Champs-Elysées
Comfort food and affordable formulas: that's what awaits us at Bistro Baghdad, a restaurant a stone's throw from the Champs-Elysées that proudly shares Iraqi gastronomy with us. [Read more]
L'Atelier Dürüm, the Turkish canteen with delicious dürüms in the 18th arrondissement
On Rue de Clignancourt, in the 18th arrondissement, Atelier Dürüm is a family affair, before becoming a must-visit address in the neighborhood. On the menu? Generous, homemade cuisine, inspired above all by the traditional cuisine of southeast Turkey. [Read more]
Find the location of all these addresses by clicking on the map at the bottom of the article.
Central, Eastern European and Balkan restaurants, our best addresses
Austria, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia... Head for the Central European, Eastern European and Balkan restaurants of Paris to discover specialities rarely tasted elsewhere. [Read more]
Would you like some mint tea or Turkish coffee to round off this feast?
Central, Eastern European and Balkan restaurants, our best addresses
