The 2nd best Italian restaurant in the world in 2026 is in Paris

Paris is bursting at the seams withaddresses where you can enjoy generous transalpine cuisine. Yet only one Italian restaurant in the French capital has ever won the title of best in the world. This distinction, awarded in 2024, continues to promote Italian gastronomy far beyond the borders of the Botte.

An Italian restaurant in Paris crowned best in the world

The 50 Top Italy ranking, an essential reference for Italian food lovers, has placed Virtus at the top of its international category. This list, which is closely followed by gourmets, evaluates the best Italian restaurants outside Italy every year. So, in 2026, the Parisian address in the 12ᵉ arrondissement remains on everyone’s lips.

Behind the stoves, chef Marcello Trentini and pastry chef Chiara Barla form a talented duo. Their approach blends exceptional Italian products with French inspiration. What’s more, their backgrounds – both from Piedmont – nurture a sincere cuisine, rooted in tradition but never confined to it.

This Italian restaurant like no other has opened its doors near the Gare de Lyon. The sober, elegant setting emphasizes the plate rather than the decor. As a result, each dish becomes the center of attention as soon as it arrives in the dining room.

“Italian cuisine is all about respect for the product. In Paris, we are fortunate to be able to cross paths with two exceptional gourmet cultures.”

A cuisine that celebrates the product above all else

At Virtus, the menu evolves with the seasons. Fresh pasta, prepared each morning, sits alongside vegetables carefully sourced from local and transalpine producers. On the other hand, there’s no overkill or endless lists: the menu remains short and to the point.

This high standard is also reflected in the desserts created by Chiara Barla. Her sweet creations, light and fragrant, prolong the gustatory journey without weighing down the meal. In this way, each service tells a coherent story from beginning to end.

• Fresh homemade pasta made daily with selected Italian flours
• Seasonal products from short circuits between France and Italy
• Regularly renewed tasting menu to surprise regulars
• Wine list focusing on small, little-known Italian estates
• Intimate setting with 30 covers near Gare de Lyon station

Why this coronation still resonates in 2026

The title of best Italian restaurant outside Italy catapulted Virtus into the spotlight. Since then, the queue for reservations has not let up. Enthusiasts now book several weeks in advance to hope for a table.

This success also benefits the Italian culinary scene in Paris as a whole. Other establishments, buoyed by this momentum, are also seeing an increase in footfall. As a result, the capital confirms its status as a major destination for transalpine gastronomy.

The phenomenon is more than just a media buzz. International guides and rankings are now scrutinizing Paris with renewed attention for its Italian scene. This dynamic is encouraging young Italian chefs to try their hand in Paris.

The area around the Gare de Lyon, long perceived as a place of transit, is also gaining in attractiveness thanks to Virtus. Italian food shops and wine cellars are gradually moving in. The presence of an Italian restaurant of this caliber acts as a real magnet.

What sets Virtus apart from other transalpine tables

Many Parisian addresses claim an Italian culinary heritage. Yet few of them go so far in their choice of raw materials. At Virtus, every ingredient is rigorously traceable, from the durum wheat used for the pasta to the extra-virgin olive oil.

The Trentini-Barla duo also cultivate a sincere relationship with their customers. The service, attentive without being stuffy, reflects the conviviality typical of Piedmont trattorias. What’s more, prices remain moderate for an establishment of this level, making the experience accessible to a wide audience.

This philosophy explains why Virtus is not just another Italian restaurant on the Parisian scene. It embodies a modern vision of Peninsular cuisine, faithful to its roots and open to the world.

Paris, the new capital of Italian gastronomy?

This is a serious question in 2026. With over 2,000 addresses offering Transalpine-inspired cuisine, Paris offers fertile ground for enthusiasts. Yet it’s quality – not quantity – that attracts the attention of global rankings.

Chefs like Marcello Trentini prove that an Italian restaurant can shine at the top, even far from Rome or Milan. Their success is inspiring a new generation of chefs who no longer hesitate to go abroad. The culinary dialogue between France and Italy has never been richer.

For gourmets, this effervescence translates into an unprecedented choice. From simple artisanal pizzerias to Michelin-starred gourmet tables, every Parisian neighborhood is now home to a Transalpine nugget. Virtus, however, is the only one to wear the crown of the world’s best.

This outreach benefits all lovers of good food. It is a reminder that the art of eating well knows no borders. An Italian restaurant in the heart of Paris can, with passion and rigor, seduce the entire planet.

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