Toyo

Chef Toyomitsu Nakayama used to be the private chef of Japanese couturier Kenzo Takada, and the designer’s influence can be seen in the restaurant’s beautiful plates and pictures, giving a particular elegance to the large space with its long bench seating fourteen, a few small tables and a private room at the back. Just next door to the Poissonnerie du Dôme, often cited as the best fishmonger in Paris, Toyo has great ingredients (plus meat from Hugo Desnoyer and vegetables from Joël Thiébault).

The signature dishes include things like the Toyo paella with nori seaweed, veal carpaccio seasoned with tororo algae, gnocchi in a seasonally-inspired consommé and fish katsu curry. Ideally, ask for a spot at the counter to watch the chef’s mind-blowing knife skills.