Racines

Cuisine

Traditional Italian cuisine rooted in Sardinian family recipes, executed with Michelin-starred precision using carefully selected seasonal ingredients.

The Vibe

A convivial Italian osteria atmosphere where old-world bistro charm meets contemporary warmth in an intimate, welcoming setting.

Racines cultivates an atmosphere that transports you to a traditional Italian osteria while remaining distinctly Parisian. The restaurant exudes a relaxed, convivial energy that encourages lingering over meals and conversation. Despite its Michelin star, the vibe remains refreshingly unpretentious—this is a place where culinary excellence coexists with genuine warmth and accessibility.

The intimate scale of the restaurant naturally fosters connection, whether you're seated in the cozy main dining room, the particularly secluded upstairs space, or at one of the tables positioned directly in the Passage des Panoramas. The open kitchen adds a dynamic element, allowing diners to witness the culinary team's choreography and creating a sense of transparency and engagement. The historic passage setting contributes its own character—the covered arcade's 19th-century architecture and the gentle flow of passersby create a uniquely Parisian backdrop that enhances the dining experience.

The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between casual and refined. You'll find both neighborhood regulars and destination diners, food enthusiasts and couples seeking an intimate meal. The service team's exceptional hospitality, recognized as one of the restaurant's strengths, reinforces this welcoming vibe—professional without being stiff, knowledgeable without being pretentious. Whether you're visiting for a leisurely lunch or an evening dinner, Racines maintains a consistent warmth that makes every guest feel like they've discovered a special place. The daily operation from lunch through late evening (until 22h30) means the atmosphere evolves throughout the day, from the bright energy of midday service to the more intimate glow of evening dining.

Decoration

Vintage bistro charm with old tiled floors, patinated furniture, and an open kitchen that evokes a traditional Italian osteria.

Racines's décor perfectly embodies the "bistrattoria" concept—a harmonious blend of French bistro and Italian osteria aesthetics. The restaurant's design celebrates authenticity and patina, creating spaces that feel lived-in and genuine rather than contrived or overly designed.

The main dining room features beautiful vintage tile flooring that immediately establishes the space's historic character. The tiles, worn smooth by decades of foot traffic, provide a foundation that speaks to the building's 19th-century heritage. Furniture throughout the restaurant shows deliberate patina—tables and chairs that bear the marks of use and time, contributing to the sense that you've stepped into an established neighborhood institution rather than a recently opened restaurant.

The open kitchen serves as both a functional workspace and a design focal point, allowing diners to observe the culinary team while adding movement and energy to the space. This transparency aligns with the restaurant's honest, straightforward approach to hospitality. The kitchen's visibility also fills the dining room with the aromas and sounds of cooking, enhancing the sensory experience.

Upstairs, a small, intimate dining room offers a more secluded atmosphere while maintaining the same aesthetic vocabulary of vintage charm and comfortable simplicity. This space works particularly well for those seeking a quieter, more private dining experience.

Perhaps most distinctive is the restaurant's relationship with the Passage des Panoramas itself. Tables positioned directly in the covered passage blur the line between interior and exterior, allowing diners to become part of the passage's daily theater while remaining sheltered under its historic glass roof. This integration with the passage's architecture creates a uniquely Parisian dining environment that you won't find elsewhere.

The overall effect is warm, unpretentious, and timeless—a space that honors both Italian osteria tradition and Parisian bistro heritage while feeling entirely natural and unforced.

Uniqueness

A Michelin-starred restaurant in a historic Parisian passage that serves authentic Sardinian-inspired cuisine with an exclusively Italian natural wine list.

Racines occupies a truly distinctive position in Paris's dining landscape, combining several elements that set it apart from other Italian restaurants in the city.

The location itself is exceptional—situated in the Passage des Panoramas, one of Paris's most beautiful and historic covered passages dating from the early 19th century. This setting provides a uniquely Parisian backdrop that few restaurants can claim, with the ability to dine directly in the passage itself, surrounded by the arcade's glass roof and historic architecture. The passage's charm and foot traffic create an atmosphere that's simultaneously intimate and connected to the city's daily life.

Chef Simone Tondo's personal culinary narrative distinguishes Racines from other Italian establishments. His cooking draws directly from his Sardinian grandmother's recipes, creating a menu that reflects a specific regional Italian tradition rather than a generalized "Italian" concept. This specificity, combined with Tondo's Michelin-starred technique (the restaurant has held its star since 2019), results in cuisine that's both emotionally resonant and technically excellent—a combination that's rarer than you might expect.

The Fooding guide's designation of Racines as a "Bistrattoria" captures another unique aspect: the restaurant successfully merges French bistro culture with Italian osteria tradition. This hybrid identity feels natural rather than forced, creating a dining experience that honors both culinary traditions while belonging fully to neither.

The exclusively Italian natural wine list represents another distinctive choice. While many Paris restaurants offer natural wines, Racines's commitment to sourcing only from Italian producers creates a focused, curated selection that deepens the restaurant's Italian identity while appealing to Paris's sophisticated natural wine culture.

The restaurant's intimate scale—with its small main dining room, even smaller upstairs space, and handful of tables in the passage—creates an experience that feels personal and discovered rather than commercial or touristy. Despite the Michelin star and critical recognition, Racines maintains an accessibility and warmth that makes it feel like a neighborhood secret.

Finally, the restaurant's daily operation for both lunch and dinner, combined with its location in a passage that's easily accessible yet feels removed from the bustle of the Grands Boulevards, makes it both convenient and special—a rare combination in Paris's competitive dining scene.

Insider Tips

Reserve well in advance, request the upstairs dining room for intimacy, and consider the lunch menu for excellent value on Michelin-starred cuisine.

Given Racines's popularity and intimate size, advance reservations are essential—book through the restaurant's website (/posts/racinesparis.com) or by calling +33 (0)1 40 13 06 41. The restaurant's small capacity means that walk-ins are rarely accommodated, especially during peak dining hours.

If you're seeking the most intimate experience, request the small dining room upstairs when making your reservation. This space offers more seclusion than the main dining room and creates a particularly romantic or private atmosphere. Conversely, if you want to embrace the unique character of the location, ask for a table in the Passage des Panoramas itself—dining directly in the covered arcade provides a quintessentially Parisian experience, though be aware that you'll be more visible to passersby.

The lunch menu at €60 represents exceptional value for Michelin-starred cuisine, offering an opportunity to experience Chef Tondo's cooking at a more accessible price point than the €90 dinner menu. The à la carte option (€52-76) provides flexibility if you want to focus on specific dishes or share multiple plates.

Don't overlook the menu carte blanche if it's offered—this allows Chef Tondo to showcase his current inspirations and seasonal highlights, often featuring preparations that aren't available on the standard menu. This option works particularly well if you're open to culinary surprises and want to experience the chef's full range.

The natural wine list deserves attention—ask the service team for recommendations based on your food choices. Their knowledge of the exclusively Italian selection can enhance your meal significantly, and they're typically happy to suggest pairings or offer tastes before you commit to a bottle.

The restaurant operates daily until 22h30, making it a reliable option throughout the week. However, the atmosphere and crowd can vary—weekday lunches tend to attract a mix of business diners and food enthusiasts, while evenings and weekends draw more couples and destination diners.

The Passage des Panoramas location means you're also well-positioned to explore one of Paris's most charming covered arcades before or after your meal. The passage houses several other interesting shops and restaurants, making it easy to extend your visit to the neighborhood.

Finally, while the restaurant has earned a Michelin star, the dress code remains relaxed and the atmosphere unpretentious. Smart casual attire is perfectly appropriate—there's no need for formal dress unless that's your preference.

Must-try Dishes

Vitello tonnato, Polpette al sugo, Ravioli di ricotta e spinaci, Gnudi verdi with gorgonzola, Tiramisu, Burrata parmigiana, Pappardelle al ragù di manzo