What if you went off the beaten track to discover different cuisines fromCentral andEasternEurope and the Balkans ? In Paris, such restaurants are not the most numerous (compared to Italian or Asian addresses, for example), but the City of Light does have some fine Polish, Hungarian, Austrian and Slovenian restaurants.
First of all, it's worth recalling a few geographical principles and what is commonly known as'Central Europe', 'Eastern Europe' and 'Balkans', as well as the countries that fall within these zones.
Central Europe lies between Western and Eastern Europe, and groups together countries that were at the crossroads of the great empires, becoming a meeting point for Latin, Slavic and Germanic Europe.
The countries commonly considered to belong toCentral Europe are Germany, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Switzerland (often included according to geographical criteria) and Liechtenstein (smaller but sometimes mentioned in official lists).
Marked by its Austro-Hungarian heritage, Central Europe boasts a generous, home-cooked cuisine. These include Hungarian goulash, Austrian schnitzel, Czech knedliky (dumplings), fermented cabbage and refined pastries such as strudel and Sachertorte. Paprika, meadow cumin and bacon play a major role in this cuisine.
When we talk aboutEastern Europe, we're talking about a vast region whose definition is not limited solely to geographical criteria; an area that includes countries long influenced by the Soviet Union, straddling European traditions and Eastern heritages.
The countries of Eastern Europe are generally defined according to these geographical, historical and political criteria: the European part of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldavia, Romania and Bulgaria.
Eastern Europe favors soups such as borscht or solyanka, pelmeni (ravioli), smoked fish, potatoes, beet and the ubiquitous sour cream. Sunflower oil dominates, as do dark bread and large sweet-and-sour gherkins.
The Balkans, in south-eastern Europe, form a mosaic of nations marked by Ottoman history and unique cultural diversity. A complex region at the crossroads of Central, Eastern and Mediterranean Europe, shaped by rugged terrain - the term comes from the Turkish word "balkan" meaning "mountain".
The countries considered to be part of the Balkans are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Kosovo, Greece and part of Turkey - in short, all the states located in or around the Balkan peninsula.
The Balkans combine Ottoman, Mediterranean and Slavic influences. The cuisine is spicier and more fragrant, as well as more plant-based. You'll eat bureks, cevapi, yoghurt, grilled peppers, eggplant, roasted or braised meats, and sweets made with honey or nuts. All washed down with rakija or strong coffee.
The cuisines of Eastern Europe, Central Europe and the Balkans thus share a common background of rustic traditions, nourishing dishes and cross-fertilizing influences, while retaining distinct identities marked by cold seasons, rural terroirs and imperial and Ottoman legacies.
All these countries have developed specialties based on fermented vegetables, simmered meats, simple cereals and bread, with recipes for thick soups, stews, stuffed patties and a particular focus on preserves, marinades and cured meats.
So, would you like to discover these world cuisines? Here are the best addresses in Paris!
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]
Etsi Le Traiteur, the Greek caterer of Franco-Greek chef Mikaela Liaroutsos
Franco-Greek chef Mikaela Liaroutsos continues to bring the cuisine of her childhood to Parisians, this time through a fabulous caterer, Etsi le Traiteur. [Read more]
Ypseli, a true bistronomic Greek tavern in Paris
Ypseli has opened its doors on the Montorgueil side, in the pure vein of Athenian neo-gastrotavernas, and it's a success. [Read more]
La Datcha, chef Maksym Zorin's Ukrainian-influenced bistro restaurant
Having left the Ducasse galaxy, chef Maksym Zorin opens La Datcha, his first bistronomic restaurant with Ukrainian influences. [Read more]
Matka, chef Piotr Korzen's gourmet Polish restaurant
Young chef Piotr Korzen opens Matka, his first restaurant in Paris, featuring the great classics of Polish cuisine with a gastronomic twist. [Read more]
Spiti Sou, the astonishing Greek bistronomic bar-restaurant with beautiful dishes to share
Spiti Sou is the restaurant that lets you savor Greece as you've rarely tasted it in Paris! Here, you'll find refined, sharing cuisine, where gourmet tapas and comforting dishes battle it out to the delight of gourmets. [Read more]
Mavrommatis, the Michelin-starred Greek restaurant for a Mediterranean getaway in Paris
Since 1993, the Michelin-starred Mavrommatis restaurant has established itself as a temple of Hellenic gastronomy in Paris. From April 6, 2024, the restaurant expands its culinary horizons by opening its doors on Saturday lunchtimes, allowing fine gourmets to enjoy the Mediterranean delights of chef Andreas Mavrommatis. [Read more]
Etsi - Le Bistro, the Greek-Parisian tavern in Paris' 18th arrondissement
Etsi - Le Bistro, is the first of two restaurants run by Franco-Greek chef Mikaëla Liaroutsos. Located just a few minutes from the Montmartre cemetery, Etsi takes us to Greece for a meal. [Read more]
Prost, a Jules Verne-style German speciality restaurant and speakeasy in Bastille
Just a stone's throw from Place de la Bastille, you'll find comfort food, Franco-German specialities and craft beers at Prost, a surprising restaurant full of surprises! [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]
Elia, the authentic Greek restaurant in Paris's 11th arrondissement
Elia is the name of a small Greek restaurant in the 11th arrondissement, a stone's throw from the Place de la République, that's well worth a visit. It's a real little corner of Athens, serving authentic and delicious homemade pitas and mezzes. [Read more]
Evi Evane, Greek delicatessen and sunny grocery store in the Marais
Evi Evane has set up store in the Marais district of Paris with a well-stocked Hellenic grocery store and a caterer offering traditional Greek mezzés and recipes. [Read more]
Mantchouk, Armenian cuisine by Petrossian
Want to discover Armenian cuisine? Then head to Mantchouk, Petrossian's new restaurant and caterer in the 17th arrondissement. It's like a return to the company's roots. [Read more]
Filakia Petit Café d'Athènes, tasty and generous Greek street food
Generous mezzés, typical sandwiches with beautiful spit-roasted meats, cocktails based on Hellenic spirits, there's no doubt about it: Filakia is a real little Greek tavern in Paris! [Read more]
etsi l'ouzeri, Greek street-food according to Mikaela Liaroutsos
Following on from étsi le bistro, Franco-Greek chef Mikaela Liaroutsos has just opened a Greek taverna a stone's throw away, featuring Greek street-food and shareable mezzes. [Read more]
Yorgaki, the Greek café just a step away from Pigalle
Lovers of coffee and Greek gastronomy meet at Yorgaki, a new Greek café in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Let's drink a little ellenikos, friends? [Read more]
Greek gastronomy in the spotlight at Grand Café d'Athènes
Filakia, the delicious Greek street-food address, now has a (big) little brother! Make way for Grand Café d'Athènes, the new lifestyle spot on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, which celebrates the gastronomy of Athens. [Read more]
IBRIK Kitchen, comforting Balkan cuisine
Fancy discovering a cuisine you're not (too) familiar with? Ecaterina Paraschiv, owner of Ibrik Café, has just opened her first restaurant, Ibrik Kitchen, in the 2nd arrondissement. On the menu: Balkan specialties and cocktails made with Eastern European spirits. Perfect for overcoming the winter blues! [Read more]
Petrossian, the restaurant where caviar is king
At Petrossian, caviar is king. And this is certainly the case in their new restaurant, opened on boulevard de la Tour Maubourg, opposite the historic Petrossian boutique. Exceptional dishes centered around the black gold, to the delight of purists. [Read more]
Find the location of all these addresses by clicking on the map at the bottom of the article.
Russian restaurants in Paris
Discover Russian restaurants in Paris and enjoy culinary specialities that are little known in France! [Read more]
Looking for some sunshine on your plate? Here are the best Greek restaurants in Paris, for a lunch that will make your heart and taste buds beat faster! [Read more]
Russian restaurants in Paris
Greek restaurants in Paris, our best addresses
