Clasico Argentino

A concept from an Argentinean duo, Enique Zanoni and Gaston Stivelmaher, in a hip corner of the Marais, Clasico Argentino goes beyond steak and ceviche; it also offers superior empanadas, which are rapidly coming to compete with tapas as the drinker’s snack of choice in Paris. On sunny days, the terrace is full to bursting, but inside is a comfortable room done out in light blue with wrought iron fans and raw wooden tables giving a pampas vibe.

We had a selection of empanadas at €4 each (three per person is usually enough). There’s something for everyone: beef, ham and cheese, tuna, humita sweetcorn with coriander and choriempa herby pork. On the side, fresh rocket and spicy chimichurri sauce. Punchy Argentinean wines go perfectly with all this, or a local Quilmes beer. For dessert, there’s a lovely list of artisanal ice cream (raspberries with malbec, zagablione, dulce de leche) or sweet empanadas with dulce de leche.

Something of a victim of its own success, Clasico Argentino is always rammed, and you can expect to queue. If you’re resident in the 3rd, 4th, 11th or 12th arrondissements, though, you can order for home delivery; for everyone else, there’s a food truck, El Carrito, that travels the streets of Paris and whose whereabouts can be found here.