Some would say that the best discoveries begin at the tip of the fork. And when it comes to discoveries, Paris leads the way with a multitude of restaurants, each more exotic than the last. But why exactly are exotic restaurants so appealing? Quite simply because they make you travel!
In addition to offering dishes from different cultures and regions of the world, exotic restaurants also have a knack for immersing gourmets in an immersive atmosphere, with decor featuring traditional elements. Perfect for those looking to discover new flavors or cooking techniques not yet known in the capital, these addresses are sure to provide a change of scenery!
Whether you're looking for spicy or sweet and savory dishes, Asian, South American or Mediterranean specialties, or traditional drinks from the other side of the world, these restaurants are sure to please both taste buds and eyes.
To broaden your horizons and awaken your senses, here are our top addresses for exotic restaurants in Paris for lovers of new flavors and cultures!
Luangpra, a little Lao-Thai nugget in the neighbourhood
As tasty as it is affordable, the Luangpra restaurant, with its specialties at the crossroads of Thai and Laotian cuisine, deserves to be known by the inhabitants of rue Saint-Maur, but not only. [Read more]
OKA - FOGO, the fiery double-restaurant from Michelin-starred Brazilian chef Raphaël Rego
A change of direction and address (again!) for Brazilian chef Raphaël Rego's OKA restaurant. Relocated to the 17th arrondissement, it has become OKA - FOGO, a double venue combining gourmet cuisine and grilling. [Read more]
Thiou, Apiradee Thirakomen's Thai restaurant back at the Norman hotel
Chef Apiradee Thirakomen installs Thiou, her iconic Thai restaurant from the 2000s, in the Hotel Norman, a stone's throw from Place de l'Etoile. [Read more]
Taco Mesa, chef Beatriz Gonzalez's authentic taco restaurant
Chef Beatriz Gonzalez has opened Taco Mesa, her taco restaurant in Paris. A long-awaited success story! [Read more]
Ayahuma, a stunning, friendly and (very) affordable Ecuadorian restaurant
Between Voltaire and Père Lachaise, a well-kept secret that local regulars pass on to each other: the Ayahuma restaurant. A (very) friendly, (very) tasty and (very) affordable address. A big yes. [Read more]
Sharma Ji, chef Manoj Sharma's Indian restaurant far from folklore
Chef Manoj Sharma has opened Sharma Ji, a far-from-folkloric Indian restaurant that honors his family recipes. [Read more]
Mugung, Sentier's favorite Korean restaurant
Dive headlong into Korean dishes at Mugung restaurant in the Sentier, a far cry from the ever-popular bibimbap and bulgogi. [Read more]
Maison Kapunka, a Thai bistro combining tradition and modernity
Between tradition and modernity, Maison Kapunka opens a new Thai restaurant in Strasbourg Saint-Denis. [Read more]
Soré, a generous African canteen-grocery on the Canal Saint-Martin
Embark on a journey to Africa and its thousand and one flavors at the Soré canteen-grocery store, a stone's throw from the Canal Saint-Martin! [Read more]
Lou, Californian cuisine with Mexican influences by Mailea Weger
With her Californian cuisine infused with Mexican influences, Nashville chef Mailea Weger lights up the 11th arrondissement at her restaurant Lou. [Read more]
Chulita, Mexican street food and churros for brunch
Head to Chulita for a taste of Mexican street food, and in particular torta, a devilishly generous traditional sandwich. [Read more]
Mosugo, African street food and fried chicken burgers by Mory Sacko
Gone are the white tablecloths and silver cutlery of his Michelin-starred restaurant; at Mosugo, Mory Sacko dabbles in street-food and fried chicken. [Read more]
Mao Fry, Taiwanese street food, XXL fried chicken and burgers to die for
Mao Dumpling Bar's little brother, Mao Fry takes a closer look at another mainstay of Chinese street food: the XXL fried chicken of Taiwan's night markets. [Read more]
Qasti, exquisite Lebanese cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Alan Geaam
Michelin-starred chef Alan Geaam recounts his childhood in the streets and markets of Tripoli at his bistro Qasti on Rue Saint-Martin. A thrilling table. [Read more]
Kubri, a contemporary Lebanese restaurant that brilliantly reinvents the genre
Opened by three women, including chef Rita Higgins, Kubri is reshuffling the cards of Lebanese cuisine with contemporary dishes never before seen - let alone tasted - in Paris. A success story just a stone's throw from the Cirque d'Hiver. [Read more]
Nour, a small counter serving Israeli street food and grilled arayes
Nour unveils arayes, a must-try Levantine street food that is still too little known in Paris. [Read more]
Faurn and his man'ouchés, Alan Geaam's Lebanese pizzas
Alan Geaam has opened Faurn, a restaurant a stone's throw from his previous addresses, where he makes it a point of honour to introduce diners to man'ouché, the Lebanese cousin of pizza! [Read more]
La Jonque d'Or, an ultra-affordable counter near the Champs-Elysées where you can travel to East Asia
La Jonque d'Or is the secret address to enjoy good East Asian dishes just a step away from the Champs-Elysées for an ultra affordable price! We take you to discover this gourmet counter where good mood and good flavors reign. [Read more]
Bomaye, amazing African burgers inspired by traditional African dishes
At Bomaye, you can discover and enjoy African burgers with recipes that pay homage to traditional African dishes such as mafé, garba, yassa chicken and alloco. [Read more]
Ismaïl, colorful and tasty Indo-Lebanese cuisine
The Ismaïl restaurant offers a marriage of two gastronomies with many points in common. Indian and Lebanese cuisine come together in colorful, spicy and flavorful dishes. [Read more]
Mala Boom, the first restaurant to serve málà xiāngguō, a highly spicy Chinese specialty
Are you familiar with málà xiāngguō, the Chinese specialty straight from the Sichuan region? Take the plunge at Mala Boom, the first restaurant to offer this highly spicy dish in Paris! [Read more]
Bolo Bolo Paris, the Chinese restaurant that takes you to Hong Kong
Bolo Bolo Paris is the name of this new Chinese restaurant which opened its doors in the 2nd district of Paris and which proposes to you to taste the kitchen which one finds in Hong Kong. [Read more]
Blanca, Fernando de Tomaso's stunning Argentinian restaurant with Basque accents
And that's two for chef Fernando de Tomaso who, after Biondi, unveils a stunning new Argentinian address, tinged with Basque accents: Blanca, near Bastille. A wonderful discovery. [Read more]
Isshin: the excellent Japanese ramen restaurant with immersive decor in Paris
Looking for an escape to Japan? Push open the doors of Isshin! Located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, this immersive restaurant offers a marvellous and delicious journey to the land of the Rising Sun to discover Tonkotsu-style ramen. Shall we take you on board? [Read more]
Hando Parisian Handroll, luxurious Japanese handroll bar a stone's throw from Le Bon Marché
At Hando Parisian Handroll, the new luxury handroll bar just a stone's throw from Le Bon Marché, discover handrolls, a Japanese delicacy that's come all the way... from the USA! [Read more]
ONdA, the first revisited Tapiocas counter – the indulging Brazilian pancakes
Have you heard about tapiocas? The Brazilian pancakes based on cassava flour? OndA is the name of the latest street-food counter in the Marais area inviting you to discover them in innovative recipes. How about adding some sun to our stomachs? [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]
Uma Nota, Japanese-Brazilian cuisine, exotic cocktails and wild parties
What an original marriage! Uma Nota showcases Japanese-Brazilian cuisine, in a colorful setting where wild parties are held several evenings a week. [Read more]
Seoul Mama, Manoj Sharma and Sangmi Lee's Korean canteen at the Jardin du Luxembourg
Chef Manoj Sharma and his wife Sangmi Lee have just opened a second Seoul Mama in Paris, a stone's throw from the Luxembourg Gardens. On the menu: naughty street-food, Korean-style cocktails and delightful dishes, the perfect link between France and Korea. [Read more]
Shirvan, a road trip along the Silk Road with Akrame Benallal
At Shirvan, Michelin-starred chef Akrame Benallal invites us on a road-trip of unique flavors along the Silk Road. A culinary journey that takes in Azerbaijan and the discovery of Azeri cuisine. [Read more]
Tse Yang, gourmet Chinese restaurant of the highest quality
For a gastronomic trip to China without even leaving Paris, head to Tse Yang in the 16th arrondissement. On the menu, top-flight Chinese cuisine, a blend of tradition and modernity. [Read more]
Soon Grill Champs Elysées, the temple of Korean gastronomy
Soon Grill opened its second restaurant this year, Soon Grill Champs Elysées. The new temple of traditional Korean haute cuisine. [Read more]
New Soul Food Le Maquis, the temple of Afropean street food
New Soul Food, the famous foodtruck, is opening a "bricks-and-mortar" restaurant a stone's throw from the Canal Saint-Martin. At Le Maquis, you'll savour Afropean street-food dishes that are original and, frankly, delightful. [Read more]
Jugaad, chef Manoj Sharma's fabulous Indian restaurant
The Uma Nota team and chef Manoj Sharma are opening a new place together: a restaurant featuring modernized Indian cuisine, in the 2nd arrondissement, christened Jugaad! Shall we take bets on your favorite new Indian restaurant? [Read more]
La Cantine Chinoise, Belleville's excellent Chinese restaurant
You may have walked past it dozens of times without ever stopping. Yet for 20 years, the Cantine Chinoise has been delighting regulars in the Belleville district. We recommend a visit to discover all the specialties of Wenzhou. Ravioli, nems, tempura, woks, kaifans, tanmians... a real treat. [Read more]
