If the most anticipated restaurant openings of the new season are already starting to emerge, and are certainly piquing our curiosity, these three hidden gems already have plenty to offer. From an enticing wine bar and restaurant in the Marais, to a creative restaurant helmed by an inspiring Japanese chef, and a neighborhood bistro we absolutely love in the Batignolles, here’s a closer look at these off-the-radar spots you may have missed—and that are well worth trying as soon as possible to get back into the swing of great dining.
Magma
The place: We’re already looking forward to returning to this lovely restaurant in Oberkampf, which has built up a loyal following of regulars eager to discover new and creative dishes with every visit. It’s easy to see why: the inventive cuisine of Japanese chef Ryuya Ono has all the right ingredients, consistently hitting the mark with unexpected combinations that remain clear, balanced and coherent. A true discovery, Magma reveals its charms from the moment you step into its charming dining room, reminiscent of a small retro bistro, with a wood and black marble bar, encaustic floor tiles and olive-green banquettes.
On the menu: There are no à la carte dishes here, but rather a six-course Menu priced at €80. A few memorable examples: Sardines, beef heart, lemongrass sauce; Green asparagus, sea urchin, foie gras sauce; Crab, tardivo radicchio, bone marrow; Monkfish, peas, nduja, nettle; Guinea fowl, artichoke, pepper sauce; steamed Meringue, sweet vernal grass ice cream, salsa macha, strawberries. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it. The €120 Menu adds three more courses: Abalone, pig’s head, beurre blanc sauce; horseradish Granita, caviar; Grapefruit, sticky rice ice cream, black cardamom. A masterclass in going from one surprise to the next…
The extra touch: Sommelier (and orchestra conductor!) Lorenzo Di Giosaffatte creates bold food and drink pairings, with options featuring non-alcoholic drinks (€50), wines (€60), or wines and sake (€70), each offering the promise of a new discovery.
Magma, 9 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, Paris 11e. 01 48 05 56 90. Open Thursday to Sunday, lunch and dinner.
Terra
The place: Nestled right in the heart of the Marais, Terra has been winning over regulars for eight years and remains one of the neighborhood’s must-visit spots, with its elegant black-and-green interior and stunning plant-filled glass roof. Behind the restaurant are Arthur, Robin and Alexandre, the trio already behind Terra Pizza and Terra Bar à Vins… and now their latest venture, Carlito’s. The big news? This well-known neighborhood HQ has just welcomed chef Allan Gillery Pavard, who trained in Michelin-starred kitchens at prestigious hotels such as the Royal Monceau Raffles Paris and the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne. A true virtuoso of flavor, the chef presents a cuisine rooted in the seasons, quality ingredients and, above all, sharing—the restaurant’s guiding principle.
On the menu: To keep things interesting, the menu changes every month while maintaining a fixed format: one vegetarian dish, one fish dish and two meat dishes—four different ways to indulge. To start, we fell for the grilled octopus with watermelon and cream (€20), as well as the langoustine sashimi with avocado and samphire (€23). For a main course to share, the grilled Black Angus Chuck Flap, generously coated in an irresistible barbecue sauce and served with ultra-crispy fresh fries (€95), is hard to beat. To finish on a high note, we went for the yellow peach sorbet with marigold oil (€9), even better than a digestif!
The extra touch: The monumental wine cellar, home to more than 1,000 references, brings together natural and artisanal wines, great classics and exceptional bottles alongside highly distinctive cuvées. The wine list takes you on a journey from Burgundy to the Jura, from the Loire to Corsica, and all the way to vineyards around the world.
Terra, 21 rue des Gravilliers, Paris 3e. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 7pm to midnight.
Nuance
The place: The Batignolles have definitely established themselves as THE neighborhood for charming hidden gems where you can enjoy excellent food at refreshingly reasonable prices. Nuance is a perfect example: the restaurant of chef Julien Lacaille (formerly of Le Cinq and Kult), located on highly desirable rue des Dames. Behind its navy-blue façade lies a charming, intimate cocoon, with blue walls throughout and terracotta velvet banquettes. But the true star of the dining room is the daily blackboard menu, which sets the tone with its three starters, five mains and three desserts, selected according to the day’s arrivals and inspired by market-fresh cooking. We love it!
On the menu: While the menu changes very regularly, on the evening of our visit we enjoyed cold shredded salmon with herb sauce, green apples and almonds (€14), beef cheek and langoustines with baby carrots and asparagus (€28), pollock with sweet potato cakes, confit fennel, citrus and bouillabaisse jus (€28), and a divine warm chocolate mousse with cocoa crumble, salted butter caramel and peanut ice cream, as gentle as a caress (€12). Surprising combinations that warm the heart, all at accessible prices.
The extra touch: An unbeatable three-course starter-main-dessert Menu for €39—even in the evening!
Nuance, 25 rue des Dames, Paris 17e. 01 42 93 81 52. Open Tuesday to Saturday, lunch and dinner.
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