Paris 2 · World cuisine · Outdoor Seating
Chef Assaf Granit's vibrant Mediterranean haven celebrates plant-forward sharing plates and ancestral Jerusalem recipes in a festive, eco-conscious setting.
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Plant-forward Mediterranean cuisine that transforms vegetables into crave-worthy dishes through ancestral Jerusalem recipes and modern technique.
The cuisine at Tekés represents chef Assaf Granit's masterful approach to vegetable-centric cooking, drawing inspiration from Jerusalem's rich culinary heritage and broader Mediterranean traditions. This isn't cooking that apologizes for the absence of meat—it's cuisine that celebrates vegetables as the stars they deserve to be, prepared with techniques and flavor combinations that make them utterly compelling.
The menu is built around the concept of sharing, with mezzes forming the foundation of the dining experience. These small plates showcase the kitchen's ability to coax maximum flavor from simple ingredients through expert seasoning, creative preparation, and thoughtful presentation. The green balls—crispy, herb-packed fritters—exemplify this approach, delivering intense flavor in every bite.
Signature dishes demonstrate the kitchen's creativity and technical skill. The gnocchi served in a whole pumpkin is both visually dramatic and delicious, with the squash serving as both vessel and ingredient. The fattoush salad elevates this Levantine classic with perfectly balanced acidity, fresh herbs, and crispy pita that adds essential texture. Grilled leeks receive the same attention typically reserved for premium proteins, emerging from the charcoal grill with smoky depth and natural sweetness.
The kitchen's use of the grill is particularly noteworthy, with many dishes benefiting from the char and smoke that open-flame cooking provides. This technique adds complexity to vegetables, creating layers of flavor that make each dish memorable. The schnitzel made from cauliflower demonstrates how traditional preparations can be reimagined with plant-based ingredients without losing their essential character.
Spices play a crucial role in the flavor profiles, with the kitchen drawing on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions to create dishes that are aromatic, complex, and balanced. The cooking respects the ancestral recipes that inspire it while applying modern sensibilities and techniques.
Desserts continue the creative approach, with offerings like the pumpkin soufflé served with thyme ice cream showcasing unexpected flavor combinations that work beautifully. House-made chocolate desserts provide a more familiar but equally satisfying conclusion to the meal.
The restaurant also offers set menus at lunch (€45) and dinner (€80), providing a curated journey through the kitchen's repertoire. À la carte options range from €9-21 for starters, €12-26 for main dishes, and €8-14 for desserts, allowing you to customize your experience based on appetite and curiosity.
A festive, colorful celebration of Mediterranean conviviality where the energy of an open kitchen meets the warmth of shared plates.
Tekés pulses with the vibrant energy of a Mediterranean celebration. The atmosphere is decidedly festive without being overwhelming—think lively conversations, the sizzle of vegetables hitting hot grills, and the genuine warmth of a restaurant that wants you to feel like you're gathering with friends rather than simply dining out.
The open kitchen creates a sense of theater and connection, allowing you to witness the brigade at work as they prepare dishes with visible passion and precision. This transparency adds an exciting dimension to your meal, transforming dinner into a multi-sensory experience where you can appreciate the craft behind each plate.
The convivial spirit is enhanced by the sharing-style service, which naturally encourages interaction and creates a communal dining experience. Tables buzz with the energy of guests passing plates, discovering new flavors together, and engaging in the kind of animated conversation that good food inspires. It's an environment that feels equally appropriate for a casual dinner with friends, a date night, or a special celebration.
Despite the lively atmosphere, Tekés maintains an accessible, welcoming quality. There's no stuffiness here—just genuine hospitality and a palpable love for the food and the experience of sharing it. The restaurant attracts a diverse crowd of food enthusiasts, neighborhood regulars, and curious visitors, all united by an appreciation for creative, flavorful cooking.
Earth-toned walls and a luminous glass ceiling create a bright, organic space that feels like a modern Mediterranean courtyard.
The design of Tekés reflects its commitment to natural, sustainable dining through thoughtful, organic aesthetics. The most striking feature is the luminous glass ceiling that floods the dining room with natural light, creating an airy, open feeling that evokes dining in a Mediterranean courtyard. This architectural element transforms the space throughout the day, from bright and energizing during lunch service to warm and intimate as evening approaches.
The walls feature earth-toned finishes that ground the space and create a connection to the natural ingredients celebrated in the kitchen. These warm, neutral tones provide a sophisticated backdrop that allows the colorful dishes to truly shine when they arrive at your table. The overall effect is both contemporary and timeless, avoiding trendy design elements in favor of a more enduring aesthetic.
The layout emphasizes the open kitchen, making the cooking process part of the visual experience. You can watch the team work with vegetables, tend the grill, and plate dishes with care, adding an element of transparency and authenticity to the environment.
Seating arrangements facilitate the sharing-style dining that defines the Tekés experience, with tables sized appropriately for communal eating. The space feels thoughtfully designed to encourage conversation and interaction while maintaining enough separation between tables to preserve intimacy.
The restaurant also features a terrace, extending the dining space outdoors and offering guests the option to enjoy their meal in the fresh air—a particularly appealing feature during pleasant weather that further reinforces the Mediterranean spirit of the establishment.
An eco-responsible restaurant where vegetables take center stage through ancestral Jerusalem recipes and dramatic presentations like gnocchi served in whole pumpkins.
What sets Tekés apart in Paris's crowded dining scene is its unwavering commitment to making vegetables the hero of every dish, executed with a level of creativity and technical skill that rivals any meat-focused establishment. Chef Assaf Granit has created a restaurant where plant-forward cooking isn't a dietary restriction but a deliberate choice that results in more interesting, flavorful food.
The connection to Jerusalem's culinary traditions provides a unique perspective that distinguishes Tekés from other Mediterranean restaurants in Paris. These ancestral recipes, passed down through generations, bring authenticity and depth to the menu while allowing for modern interpretation and presentation. The result is cuisine that feels both rooted in tradition and excitingly contemporary.
The restaurant's eco-responsible approach extends throughout the entire operation, from the sustainable design of the space to the production methods in the kitchen. This commitment to environmental consciousness isn't just marketing—it's integrated into the restaurant's DNA, making Tekés a destination for diners who want their choices to align with their values without compromising on flavor or experience.
The dramatic presentations, particularly dishes like the gnocchi served in a whole pumpkin, create memorable moments that elevate the dining experience beyond simply eating well. These theatrical touches add an element of surprise and delight without feeling gimmicky, as they're always in service of the food itself.
The open kitchen concept creates transparency and connection that's increasingly rare in restaurants. Watching the brigade work, seeing the care that goes into each dish, and understanding the techniques being employed adds educational value to the entertainment, making you appreciate the skill behind what arrives at your table.
The restaurant's versatility is another unique feature—with juice bar service starting at 8:30 AM, lunch and dinner service, weekend brunch, and late-night cocktails until 1:30 AM, Tekés functions as more than just a dinner destination. It's a neighborhood gathering place that adapts to different needs throughout the day while maintaining its commitment to quality and creativity.
Reserve ahead for dinner service, embrace the sharing concept by ordering multiple dishes, and don't miss the weekend brunch for a different perspective on the kitchen's creativity.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner service and weekend meals. You can book by calling 01 40 26 69 66 or through the restaurant's website at tekesrestaurant.com. The restaurant's popularity means that walk-ins can face significant waits, particularly during peak times.
When ordering, embrace the sharing concept fully by selecting multiple dishes rather than trying to replicate a traditional starter-main-dessert structure. The kitchen designs the menu for this style of eating, and you'll have a more satisfying experience by ordering 4-6 dishes for two people and experiencing a variety of flavors and preparations. Don't hesitate to ask your server for guidance on quantities—they're experienced in helping guests navigate the sharing format.
The weekend brunch service (Sunday from 11:30 AM to 4 PM) offers a different perspective on the kitchen's creativity and can be an excellent way to experience Tekés if evening reservations are difficult to secure. The brunch menu showcases the same commitment to vegetables and Mediterranean flavors in a more relaxed, daytime context.
If you're interested in the cocktail program, note that the bar operates on a different schedule than the restaurant, with cocktails available from 6:30 PM to 1:30 AM. The juice bar opens as early as 8:30 AM, making Tekés an option for a healthy, fresh juice if you're in the neighborhood during morning hours.
The restaurant is located near the Réaumur-Sébastopol metro station (lines 3 and 4), making it easily accessible by public transportation. The 2nd arrondissement location puts you in a vibrant neighborhood with plenty to explore before or after your meal.
Given the plant-forward focus, Tekés is an excellent choice for vegetarian diners, but it's equally appealing for omnivores who appreciate creative, flavorful cooking. The kitchen's skill ensures that no one leaves feeling like they've sacrificed anything by eating vegetables.
The terrace is available when weather permits, offering an alternative to the indoor dining room. If outdoor seating appeals to you, mention this preference when making your reservation, though availability isn't guaranteed.
Gnocchi in pumpkin, Fattoush salad, Grilled leeks, Green balls, Cauliflower schnitzel, Pumpkin soufflé with thyme ice cream, Laffa bread, Mish-mish tabbouleh, Beetroot ceviche, Druze galette
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