The best couscous restaurants in Paris

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A little humility…

Yes, I admit it’s pretentious to talk about the “best couscous in Paris”. First of all, I haven’t tasted them all. Secondly, there’s no guarantee that I have the right taste. Above all, what is a good couscous? We could talk for a long time about the semolina alone: what grain size? What texture? How well is the broth absorbed? Olive oil or butter? So, in all modesty, I give you my vision of the subject… and I’m ready to listen to your comments!

A tradition of good couscous

Good couscous has always been served in Paris. We always have. Because the tradition is there, firmly anchored. Of course, history has a lot to do with it, as France has strong links with Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia… Paris is a cosmopolitan city, where many cultures and traditions mingle. As a convivial dish, couscous has become a natural part of the Parisian gastronomic landscape.

Couscous, France’s favorite dish

The success of couscous is also due to its adaptability: there’s something for everyone, whether you like meat or fish, vegetarian or sweet and sour. It’s a universal, comfort food that brings people together in a festive atmosphere. It’s not without reason, then, that couscous has been one of France’s favorite dishes for many years, as various surveys and studies of culinary preferences in France regularly confirm.

The best couscous and tajines in Paris

LE VICQ D’AZIR (Algeria)

I’m going to be frank about this address: the owners are my friends. But that’s also why I know how demanding they are when it comes to the quality of the dishes, the freshness of the produce and the rigor in the kitchen. This beautiful 1930s art deco bistro, owned by the same family for 3 generations, has been kept in its original state for the pleasure of the eye. This is the place to prepare “seksou”, couscous “à la kabyle”. Terrific. The sweet and sour tajine is also well worth the trip. A brasserie dish of the day at lunchtime to please everyone. Excellent selection of Maghreb wines. And finish with an oriental pastry… if there’s any left!
21 Rue Vicq d’Azir, 75010 Paris, metro Colonel Fabien
No website (they work the old-fashioned way!), but call 01 42 08 47 37

LE 404 (Morocco)

Wood, exposed stone walls, soft lights, semi-open kitchen, an authentic Moroccan style. “Le 404″ is worth a visit. Delicious couscous and tagines, perfect barbecued lamb, so light that it is as if you are eating steamed carrots. A good idea if you are a table of at least 5, ask for the round table above the cloakroom (overlooking the restaurant). The only thing is it gets rather crowded and the sound level is high. Not the type of place for a wedding proposal. In the evening there are two services: 8 and 10.30. And don’t get offended if you get the bill with the dessert…
69, rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris, 01 42 74 57 81, metro « Réaumur Sébastopol »
Open every day for lunch and dinner, Berber brunches on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 4pm. www.404-resto.com

ESSAOUIRA (Morocco)

For once, Le Figaro and L’Express agreed on one thing: Essaouira offers the best pastilla in Paris. And it’s richly deserved. Chef Ali El Mansouri, who received a Michelin star in his previous restaurant, also excels in seasonal fruit tagines and lamb mechoui. I haven’t eaten one this good in a very long time… Add to this a stunning decor of wood and stuck that took Marrakech artisans 2 years to create, and a thoughtful head waiter who serves semolina, broth and mint tea at discretion. Isn’t life beautiful? Clearly, this is a rare address in one of Paris’s most beautiful neighborhoods, ideally situated between the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero.
16 rue de Magdebourg, 75016 Paris, 01 47 27 57 28, metro « Trocadéro », www.essaouira-paris.fr

L’ATLAS (Morocco)

A restaurant like no other: waiters as straight as spikes and white cloths on their arms, seffa couscous à la carte (sweet and sour with orange blossom water semolina, hard to find in Paris), and an imposing decor. We regret that prices are a little high and portions not very generous.
12 Bd Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris, metro “Cardinal Lemoine”, www.latlas.fr and menu on https://latlas.foxorders.fr

LE TAGINE (Morocco)

A staple of Moroccan gastronomy for 40 years. I won’t go on too long: everything is excellent. Fresh fig tagine, pigeon tagine, mechoui couscous with Pyrenean lamb, Kefta couscous… Generous portions, very fragrant broth, lean meat. Don’t be fooled by the owner’s insistence on wine and other extras.
13 rue de Crussol, 75011 Paris, metro “Oberkampf”, www.letagine-restaurant.com

And 2 canteens to finish:

CHOUKRAN (Morocco)

Certainly one of the most successful themed fast-food concepts in Paris in recent years. Imaginative (and very successful) decor, perfect welcome, funny menu with puns a mile long. On the plate, portions are a little small, and lovers of Moroccan gastronomy will regret the lack of texture (not very spicy, not very spicy, not very hot). The jasmine is a killer. Well done, guys!
29 rue Saint-Georges, 75009 Paris, metro “Notre Dame de Lorette”, https://choukran.fr

YEMMA (Morocco)

Approche tout aussi contemporaine de la gastronomie marocaine que Choukran : street food sans complexe et à la cool très Instagram. C’est bon, ça fume, ça revisite… Format “tout en 1” avec une assiette bien copieuse sans service à part pour le couscous des pois-chiche et des raisins, sandwichs très inspirés et autres trouvailles “comme chez maman”.
119 rue du chemin vert, 75011 Paris, metro “Rue Saint-Maur”, www.cantine-yemma-paris.com

BUT ALSO:

– MANSOURIA (Morocco), Not to be missed if you’re in the area, 11 rue de Faidherbe 75011 Paris, metro “Faidherbe-Chaligny”, www.mansouria.fr
– LA RUCHE A MIEL, 5-star semolina and a wide choice of pastries, 19 Rue d’Aligre, 75012 Paris, metro “Ledru-Rollin”, https://la-ruche-a-miel-restaurant-paris.eatbu.com
– L’HOMME BLEU, All the great classics in a Berber tent setting, 55 bis rue Jean-Pierre-Timbaud, 75011 Paris, 01 48 07 05 63

RETURN TO MY SELECTION OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN PARIS and MY TOURIST GUIDE TO PARIS