Generous and sunny, Greek gastronomy is one of the most appreciated by true gourmets. Some even venture (and perhaps rightly so) to consider it the best in the world! Whatever the case, there’s no better place to find it than in the 10th arrondissement, on rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis to be precise, where the Grand Café d’Athènes proudly stands. This superb bistro, with its sweet Mediterranean fragrance, will transport you straight to the city of Athena or the sunny Cyclades. Kalosórisma!
The charm of Athens in the heart of Paris
In these gloomy, chilly times, the very mention of the Mediterranean sun would put a smile on our faces. Although the turquoise waters and warmth of summer still seem a long way off, we’re already looking forward to it! As a little preview of our next vacation in Greece, we can go to 74 rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, where the Grand Café d’Athènes is established. This successful establishment is now packed almost every night. Whether it’s the setting or the food, it’s easy to see why!
Like many Frenchmen, Benjamin Rousselet and Chloé Monchalin, after an idyllic vacation in the Cyclades, thought of opening a restaurant, trying to capture the unique charm of the islands and the good humor of Greek tavernas. After opening Filakia (now nicknamed Le Petit Café d’Athènes) specializing in souvlaki, the pair took the plunge and unveiled Le Grand Café.
The best of Greek cuisine, from Salonika to Santorini
Once inside this unique place, you already feel at home. Simple, uncluttered decor, crockery painted by an artisan from the island of Sifnos and knick-knacks picked up left and right: all the ingredients are there to put you at ease, naturally. But since the essential is on the plate, the 10th arrondissement restaurant has opted for a simple, effective menu. Here, the emphasis is on fresh, sourced, seasonal produce and, of course, 100% homemade. From Crete to Eastern Macedonia, the best of Greece has been carefully selected to create a mouth-watering menu.
In this cheerful establishment, there are three ways to show off. You can opt for conviviality and share a myriad of mezzedes. Feta, Tzatiki or mussels au gratin, there’s an embarrassment of riches to choose from, from the great classics to original creations. You can also choose to indulge in an excellent souvlaki, certainly one of the best in Paris, or go for one of the tasty dishes available à la carte, such as octopus fondant, moussaka or sea bass ravioli.
Whatever you find on your plate, Grand Café d’Athènes is sure to make you want to come back, or head for the Aegean.
Grand Café d’Athènes – 74, rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis – 75010