I have made a shortlist of the most unusual restaurants to be found in Paris, whether it is by the place, the service, the name of the meals or the meals themselves.
This is where they are to be found:
1) Bustronome
2 Avenue Kléber, 75016 Paris
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To taste some local gastronomy while visiting Paris and its tourist places is now possible thanks to this bus, in which you take your meal under a glazed roof to enjoy the nicest views of Paris.
The restaurant menu will offer you different and restyled courses that can also be adapted according to your diet plan.
You can also find in the kitchens former candidates of the French version of Top Chef.
Enjoy!
2) Pedra Alta
25 Rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris
13 Place Lachambeaudie, 75012 Paris
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Pedra Alta is a Portuguese restaurant not far from the Champs Elysées. Its dishes are mainly seafood served in very large portions.
In Portuguese, Pedra Alta is a rock that indicates a natural fishing site when the tide goes down. This gives us an idea about the product’s quality!
The restaurant serves huge seafood and fish platters.
For instance, one of the most enjoyed platters is very complete: it has two half-lobsters, big shrimps, a stuffed crab, squid skewers, garlic shrimps with sides of clams, french fries, shredded carrots, soy…
Be ready for huge quantities of food. Come in groups with empty stomachs and have a good time.
3) Papy aux Fourneaux
70 Rue de l’Ouest, 75014 Paris
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PAF is the perfect place for a fun, communal dining experience.
Sit at large tables and share dishes—plus, the more people you bring, the less you pay after the fourth person.
Enjoy a cozy relaxation area, lively foosball games, and even an in-house grocery for unique finds.
Want to celebrate an event? You can privatize the establishment partially or entirely. (Website in French)
4) Coco de Mer
34 Boulevard Saint-Marcel, 75005 Paris
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The Seychelles, but in Paris, they said.
It’s a restaurant with a very exotic atmosphere: inside, you will find woodwork, small palm trees, and even sand on the ground. You will discover some dishes from the little pieces of heaven everyone dreams about.
What you will find the most exotic is probably what’s inside your plate: on the menu, there is curry beef, Seychellois cod, coconut and curcuma chicken, curry squid, and much more.
You will also have a wide choice among a selection of arranged rums with coconut, lime, or passion fruit. There is also homemade punch and wine: some of them come from Catalonia, Australia, or New Zealand.
5) Bao & Me
89 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75009 Paris
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The story of Bao & Me originates from the moment when two lovers of Asian and French cuisine worked together to create a “fusion cuisine”.
The chef, who is from Laos, is always putting effort into adding his personal touch to dishes that would otherwise be simple, such as burgers.
They become ramen burgers: the burger buns are replaced with crispy noodle pancakes.
In the Bao Sukiyaki, we also find bao buns instead of bread, with some teriyaki chicken inside.
This fusion cuisine, which tastes very exotic, will be a real discovery for your taste buds. You must not miss this restaurant.
6) Le Café des Chats
9 Rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris
This café-restaurant is well known for its unusual concept: you can enjoy your meal or coffee among cats, freely roaming in the restaurant.
Indeed, in this unique place, a dozen cats live here and are pretty much everywhere. You will have some company during your meal.
The restaurant serves nice homemade meals. They are rather classic, like some Provençale lasagna, croque-monsieur, burgers, salads, and other simple but tasty foods.
However, the restaurant has certain strict rules about the cats: do not carry them in your arms, do not bother them when they are sleeping, do not feed them…
7) Le Wagon Bleu
7 Rue Boursault, 75017 Paris
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This restaurant is uncommon because it is located in a wagon, just like its name indicates.
It also has a terrace. On Friday and Saturday nights, around midnight, it turns into a “dance space”, sort of like a nightclub. A lot of people like the unusual atmosphere, and it charmed a lot of customers. The restaurant is quite popular.
The more you look at the menu, the more you realize the restaurant has mastered the art of Mediterranean cuisine, especially Corsican cuisine.
The chefs work with Corsican producers to provide products of excellent quality. The restaurant also has a wide variety of 40 Corsican wines.
Among the dishes, you can find Corsican burgers with lonzu carpaccio (lonzu is a Corsican sausage), melted sheep milk cheese, and a Corsican cheese sauce. By the way, most of their burgers have Corsican products in them.
To preserve Mediterranean excellence, the restaurant also serves tapas.
8) Le Dernier Bar Avant La Fin du Monde (the last bar before the end of the world)
19 Avenue Victoria, 75001 Paris
Notice to sci-fi, literature, and every universe lover.
Come and eat or take a drink in a restaurant that puts your favorite movies or TV series at the center of everything.
Here you can taste drinks and meals named after famous characters or places like Godzilla Call, Poison Ivy, or even the Tardis.
Another strong point for this restaurant is that it organizes events about those different universes, and cosplay is welcome.
So slip on your finest costume of Jedi, Doctor, Batman, or, more simply, of yourself, and meet other fans.
9) Sur un Arbre Perché
1 rue du 4 Septembre, 75002 Paris
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Sur un Arbre Perché is a restaurant set in a welcoming and relaxing natural concept.
You can enjoy modern cuisine in a fun, friendly, and creative atmosphere on “swing” chairs and massages are offered at the end of your meal.
All dishes are made with fresh products.
The decoration of the restaurant will remind you of nature, trees, and forests, and will offer you a relaxing degustation.
The dishes are original and you will be able to see how they are prepared thanks to the open kitchen.
10) Dans le Noir
51 Rue Quincampoix, 75004 Paris
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In a rather quirky spirit, the restaurant Dans le Noir is a great suggestion.
Dive into complete darkness in a dining room as dishes are served by visually impaired waiters.
Unleash your imagination as you eat the surprise menus that you will taste but never see!
11) Bel Canto
72 Quai de l’Hôtel de ville, 75004 Paris
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If you want to taste French cuisine while listening to opera repertoire, you are in the right place.
Indeed, during the service, waiters and waitresses become opera singers accompanied by a piano located in the room.
While singing the greatest operas, the quartet will serve you delicious and refined cuisine worthy of the finest restaurants.
You can taste, for example, a butternut velouté with chestnut, candied chuck steak, or even king prawns cooked “a la plancha.” With the Bel Canto, the opera is on the corner of your lips.
12) The Libertalia
Quai n°6 Jean Compagnon, 94200 Ivry-sur-Seine
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The Libertalia is an old decommissioned warship, rearranged as a restaurant. It is basically a floating restaurant, as the boat never moves.
You can have a nice time enjoying a good meal with a view of the Seine.
You can have classic, traditional cuisine. Salads and carpaccios for appetizers, homemade burgers, fish, rib steaks for the main dishes, and tiramisu, crème brûlée, and fruit palettes for dessert.
13) Dragon Elysées
1 Rue de Berri, 75008 Paris
Inside this Asian restaurant is a wonderful aquarium on the floor.
It is one of the main reasons why it is so popular.
You will enjoy your onion beef and your caramel pork, and when you look at the ground, you will see plenty of fish swimming everywhere in the huge aquarium, spanning the whole surface of the restaurant.
14) La REcyclerie
83 Boulevard Ornano, 75018 Paris
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Everything about the way it functions, from the importation of ingredients to waste management, is said to be eco-responsible.
They only count on organic products and have gotten rid of plastic straws, plastic packaging, etc.
15) Le Chalet des Iles
Bois de Boulogne, Embarcadère du Chalet des Îles Porte de la Muette Ceinture du lac inférieur du, 75016 Paris
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This restaurant is located in the Bois de Boulogne. What’s rather unusual about it is the fact that it is located by a lake. You can enjoy your meal in the quiet atmosphere of the lakeside restaurant.
It is very enjoyable as a restaurant in the capital city.
On the menu, you can find traditional French and Italian cuisine.
16) Le Refuge des Fondus
17 rue des 3 Frères, 75018 Paris
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This restaurant has a rustic and narrow interior. It specializes in Savoyarde and Bourguignonne fondues.
Another particularity: wine baby bottles! You can drink your white or red wine in a baby bottle. This will make for a very friendly and warm atmosphere to have a good fondue with your friends or family.
17) Le Monteverdi
5 Rue Guisarde, 75006 Paris
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Le Monteverdi is unforgettable with its exposed beams, leather chairs, old books, and velvet curtains.
This iconic restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine. Enjoy live jazz or pop music every evening while you dine.
Three private rooms are also available for your gatherings.
Want to celebrate an event? You can privatize the establishment partially or entirely. (Website in French)
18) Under The Sea Restaurant – Ephemera
160 Av. de France, 75013 Paris
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Under the Sea in Paris transports you to an enchanting underwater world. With blue-lit walls, coral structures, and an oceanic ambiance, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience.
Enjoy fresh, refined seafood dishes in a stunning setting.
Perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion, Under The Sea promises an unforgettable culinary escape in the heart of Paris.
Want to celebrate an event? You can privatize a space in the establishment. (Website in French)
19) Jungle Palace – Ephemera
12 Rue de la Fidélité, 75010 Paris
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In this restaurant, you’ll be immersed in a lush jungle.
Enjoy a spectacular setting with tropical plants and waterfalls while savoring refined dishes with diverse influences.
20) Les Fils à Maman
7 bis Rue Geoffroy-Marie, 75009 Paris
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Discover Les Fils à Maman in Paris for a retro and flavorful experience.
Immerse yourself in the ambiance of the 80s and 90s with authentic revisited cuisine, from burgers to nostalgic desserts. Perfect for a lunch with friends or a family dinner, this restaurant offers a convivial experience infused with nostalgia.
Want to celebrate an event? You can privatize the bar with a foosball table. (Website in French)
And if you prefer bars to restaurants, go check our article on quirky bars in Paris.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
