Racines is an Italian restaurant in Paris that is located in the 2nd arrondissement inside of the Passage Panoramas. I absolutely love this place.
The restaurant earned one Michelin star in 2019. To be honest, when I saw the Michelin star plaque on the wall I was a little surprised. Not because Racines isn’t amazing, trust me it is, but because the restaurant doesn’t strike me as one of those places. I’ve eaten in many Michelin star restaurants and the mood can be very serious. There’s a certain level of stress that comes with maintaining the accolade, and as a guest, you can sometimes feel the stress while you’re dining. You don’t feel this at Racines. You only feel warmth, hospitality, accommodating kindness and professionalism without being too serious, and lots of smiles. And the food is amazing.
The small space has beautiful star design tile floors, dappled vintage mirrors, white table cloths and elegant plates. There were little candles on every table. We were just meandering through the passageway and I saw the restaurant and was so mesmerized that I inquired about having dinner there that night. They said they didn’t have any available reservations that night. Overhearing our request, the manager came over and said we could eat at the table at the top of the stairs. Seeing the puzzled looks on our faces she asked us to follow her up a spiral staircase. When we got up to the top I felt like I had just been led to the secret room where the rockstars dine.
If you have a group of 4-8 people you can request the “table at the top of the stairs”, which is now one of my favorite dining experiences in Paris. This super cool little room is set up to feel like you’re sitting in someone’s home. The decor gives off a cool, chic 1970’s musicians hideaway vibe.
The food was as special as the service and the ambiance.
Starters included things like buffalo mozzarella (€19), a creamy lentil soup with Saint Jacques scallops (€24) a polenta dish (€19). Mains included a ricotta gnudi with datterini tomatoes and guanciali, a paparadelle with beef ragoût, and a butternut squash ravioli with blue cheese, all €24. Desserts offered were tiramisu, panna cotta, and tarte aux figues all €14. Wines were all Italian and all spectacular. Barbaresco, Barolo and Super Tuscans, all between €11 & €18.
Racines is open every day for lunch and dinner. From the left bank you can walk to the restaurant, it’s just over a mile from the Orsay Museum. It’s easy to get here on the metro too. From the right bank you can take metro line 3 from Arts et Métiers toward Levallois and get off at Bourse, it’s a 5 minute walk from there. From the left bank you can take metro line 4 toward Porte de Clignancourt, get off at Réamur-Sébastapol, transfer to the 3 line toward Levallois and exit the metro at Bourse, its a 5 minute walk from there.
📍Racines
8 Pass. des Panoramas
75002, Paris
Hours:
Lunch everyday 12:15 – 2:00
Dinner everyday 7:30-10:00
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, then check out some of my most popular blog posts:
My favorite hotels in Paris, many under $200 per night
Unique “in-home” dining experience in Paris
Normandy: The stunning White Cliffs of Etretat
The dreamiest village in France that sits right on the Mediterranean Sea…
Jump on the train and head to Bordeaux for the day. (If you love wine you’ll want to read this one!)
A very special and intimate dining experience in Paris with palace views
My favorite things about Luxembourg Garden in Paris’ 6th arrondissement
A 3 mile city walk overlooking Paris
Click here to follow me on Instagram
Click here for my Paris Travel Blog Facebook page
One Response
This restaurant looks lovely. I suspect that my mom would travel to France just to try their lentil soup with scallops.