izakaya

The 7 best Parisian izakayas where you can devour tapas like in Tokyo

undefined undefined 6 mai 2025 undefined 12h00

undefined undefined 7 octobre 2025 undefined 09h17

The Editor

An izakaya is a traditional Japanese bistro, a blend of a bar and a restaurant, where you can grab a drink and share small plates with friends after work. It's kind of like a tapas bar, but Tokyo style, with dishes like crispy karaage, miso eggplant, or zesty edamame.

In Paris, more and more Japanese restaurants are embracing this format, offering an alternative to classic sushi and ramen. Whether in the Marais, the 9th arrondissement, or near the Opéra, these spots are perfect for a delightful dinner. Here’s our selection of the best izakayas in Paris.

Espace Gohan

At Espace Gohan, the experience changes with the time of day. At lunch, Chef Utaco Okuno serves up **delightful bento boxes: miso fish, simmered vegetables, fluffy rice**, and steaming miso soup. In the afternoon, the place transforms into a Japanese tea room, offering **matcha lattes, dorayakis, chiffon cakes**, and black sesame mochis to enjoy between manga pages. When evening arrives, the izakaya comes alive under the guidance of Satoko Onaru: **lime edamame, a revamped potato salad**, scallops with tosazu jelly, or crispy karaage. Every bite is a little poem and a zen experience.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par Espace Gohan (@espacegohan)

Espace Gohan
12 rue de Nancy – 10e


Honō

At Honō, binchotan – traditional Japanese charcoal – is the star. In a softly lit atmosphere reminiscent of the streets of Kyoto, Chef Akira Sugiura skillfully grills yakitori and other delicious treats: tender chicken, melt-in-your-mouth meatballs, and fragrant vegetables. The skewers keep coming, perfectly paired with finely selected sakes. All of this is enjoyed around a wooden counter that invites you to slow down and engage in conversation. A discreet yet incredibly effective find.

Honō
70 Dunkirk – 9th

Zakuro

Here, there are no sushi rolls, but rather a stripped-down cuisine designed for lovers of authenticity. Chef Go Sato reinterprets Japanese classics with impressive skill: tempura potato with Chichibu miso, semi-cooked akami tuna with two types of sesame, and a moist matcha cake served with artisanal ice cream from Enzo & Lily. Another highlight of the place is the sake. About twenty exceptional varieties are offered, always paired with personalized advice. Sober yet refined, Zakuro hits the mark perfectly.

Zakuro
34 rue de Montreuil – 11th

Naniwa-Ya

A lovely hidden gem in the Sainte-Anne neighborhood, Naniwa-Ya has been delighting food lovers for over thirty years. In a simple and unpretentious setting, this spot serves generous and approachable homemade cuisine: plump takoyakis, crispy gyozas, melt-in-your-mouth Japanese curry, and mouth-watering breaded pork. It’s a favorite canteen where people return for the consistency, warmth, and the feeling of dining in Tokyo, just a stone's throw from the Louvre. A classic that never disappoints.

Naniwa-Ya
11 rue Sainte-Anne – 1er


Onyx

Onyx is not your traditional izakaya, but it captures the spirit of sharing, blending French gourmet cuisine with Japanese inspiration. Chef Nassim Kouta creates refined, precise, and visually stunning dishes in a chic setting accentuated by a spectacular onyx wall. Marinated fish, pickled vegetables, and subtly distilled ponzu or yuzu sauces make each bite a true delight. It’s an elegant, hybrid, and surprising experience!

Onyx
71 rue de Provence – 9e

Onii-San

Onii-San is a new-generation izakaya at the crossroads of cultures. Blending Tokyo vibes with Californian energy, this spot in Le Marais offers creative and uncomplicated tapas: temakis rolled fresh on the spot, spicy shrimp, caramelized pork, zesty ceviche… All served in a street-chic atmosphere, complete with house cocktails and a carefully curated playlist to keep the night going. The izakaya spirit reimagined in a pop, fresh, and super enjoyable way.

Onii-San
82 rue des Archives – 3e


Kiku

Kiku is a heartwarming family story brought to life by three sisters. One of them is in the kitchen, trained by Thierry Marx and having worked at renowned establishments; the other two provide warm and attentive service. Everything here is homemade, embracing a contemporary izakaya spirit: small French-Japanese sharing plates, melt-in-your-mouth miso eggplant, reimagined sashimi, and seasonal vegetables delicately prepared. We finish off with a dessert featuring yuzu or a delicate mochi.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par Kiku izakaya (@kiku_paris)

Kiku 
8 Saulnier Street – 9th Arrondissement