We love our pretty Parisian breweries, but sometimes a little change doesn't hurt. And Paris is full of unusual places where a meal becomes a real experience. To find the unusual restaurant in Paris that will surprise you, we've picked from our craziest addresses. Beware, we often go there more for the ambiance than for the quality of the food.
The most childish: Lavomatic
At first, no one wants to spend hours in a laundromat... But that was before knowing Le Lavomatic, a hidden bar on the upper floor of a laundromat. Inside, the colors are punchy, the ambiance discreet and far from the Parisian hubbub. A big bonus point: the little wooden swings to go back to childhood. Small dishes, like multicolored carrots and fresh tuna cream, perfectly accompany your wine.
If you can't go to the countryside for an afternoon, you can relax in a calm spot by the water in Paris! The Canals Pavilion (or life-size doll house) will delight you with treats and naps on big armchairs and sofas. You can enjoy a smoke at your convenience: by the canal or on the terrace. An added bonus is that the prices for drinks are very affordable (2 euros for coffee and 3.5 euros for hot chocolate). So you can stay there for several hours with just a coffee and no one will kick you out.
If you can't afford a plane ticket to the Seychelles, Coco de Mer restaurant will magically transport you to the shores of the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by palm trees, lit by candlelight, and with your feet in the sand, you can enjoy exotic cocktails and feel like you're on vacation. All that's missing is the sound of the waves. The staff is Seychellois and offers traditional recipes from the country and fresh fish directly from the Seychelles. Get ready to have your senses and taste buds whisked away to a whole new world!
Just a few steps away from Place du Trocadéro, the decor is stunning. In front of us, there is a 650,000-liter water tank dominating the restaurant and the club. The star here is the never-ending circle of fish. Stingrays, groupers, exotic fish... We are literally mesmerized by the living spectacle that unfolds before us. As for the atmosphere, the restaurant boasts a sleek and rather classic setting, bordering on a bit cold. The cuisine, on the other hand, is refined and the portions are generous. You can choose from 3 starters, mains, and desserts, all prepared according to seasonal produce.It's in season.
Beyond dinner, we highly recommend the nighttime visit. Immersed in relative darkness, we rediscover the blueish pools and stroll at our own pace in the Aquarium, a glass of champagne in hand, in front of the 50 tanks and their 10,000 fish. A moment suspended in time, ideal for ocean lovers.
Aquarium de Paris
Every Saturday from 7pm to 9pm - visit + glass of Champagne for 27.90€
Nighttime visit + Evening Dinner (Starter, Main Course, Dessert) starting at 9pm: 69.90€
The Thousand and One Nights journey: La Casbah
In the Bastille neighborhood, you'll find a little corner of the Eastern Mediterranean. Open the...Majestic sculpted wooden doors of the Casbah will leave you in awe of the magic of the place. With its large colonial zinc bar, mezzanine, oriental wrought iron chairs, colorful hanging candles and tealights, fountains and palm trees, the decor is magical, and so are the belly dancers... Your taste buds and eyes will be delighted with traditional Moroccan recipes that combine ancient flavors and subtle spice blends, including couscous, tagines, and merguez sausages.
Step into a completely timeless place for a feast worthy of Asterix and Obelix. In an authentic and festive atmosphere, enjoy a great formula for only 40€ where red wine is served in a barrel, just like in the old days. What else? A basket overflowing with raw vegetables,a basket of seasonal fruits, and grilled meat over a wood fire.
Just steps away from Le Marais, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre, this restaurant has the unique feature of offering its customers a completely unique experience, in complete darkness. While the idea may seem strange, removing the dominant sense of sight immerses us in a world that makes us doubt our environment, the perception of things and people. Touch, smell, and your other senses are heightened!
Paris, gourmet cuisine, glass roof... Welcome to Bustronome for a truly unique dinner experience. Set to carefully selected music, you dine and (re)discover the capital during a gastronomic escapade. And forget about stepping into a soulless tourist bus. Bustronome is not just any vehicle: it is so imposing that it seems to smooth the road as it passes by... It is a luxury double-decker bus, fitting for this one-of-a-kind experience.
A mini forest and swings right in the middle of Paris? And you can even eat and take care of yourself there?! On Un Arbre Perché offers all of that in one place. You can enjoy healthy products, dishes made with fresh ingredients, and inventive and semi-gourmet cuisine. But the main attraction is its extraordinary decoration, a true little forest. A piece of advice: book one of its adorable tables with swings as the seats!
Here, you can snuggle soft cats on your lap while sipping your hot chocolate. Allergic people, beware! Inspired by Japanese cat cafes (Neko Café), a Parisian wanted to create her own in the heart of the Marais district for the well-being of her customers. The feline company and its purring even have anti-stress qualities for us humans.
The idea was born from the desire to welcome friends every night at home. Nestled behind the 404 and the Andy Wahloo, this restaurant is decorated and furnished like a lovely house where you would want to spend hours. The cuisine is simple but made with super quality products. A ping pong table in the middle of the restaurant, dressers, records, dining room, a living room with a big sofa... there's even a bed upstairs with its own bathroom for the more adventurous. Here, you are at home, but even better. However, remember to make a reservation.
Knock on the door of the Blue Elephant and you will be transported to the kingdom of Siam. Tropical plants and flowers, lavish decorations and servers in local costumes make this Thai restaurant one of the most exotic in the capital.
A dinner in Châtelet is a no-go. But what if we tell you "dinner in a medieval chapel"? Does that tempt you? We take you underground to discover this ancient 12th-century building. It is in this unsuspecting setting from the outside that you can admire an incredible ceiling height and magnificent beams. It's a shame we can't be as complimentary about the dishes...
