Where to Eat on the Coolest Street in Paris

Did you know there’s an annual French fries world championship? Held on the Grand’Place in Arras in northern France, where frites are a big part of the culinary tradition, the event convenes candidates to compete in a range of categories— from “authentic French fries” and “creative fries” to “French fry sauces of the year”— in front of legions of ravenous spectators. For the inaugural championship in 2023, Chef Allan Gillery Pavard clinched the award for the best sauce, and now he’s taken up residence at Terra Restaurant in Paris.

Terra has been a fixture on the Paris dining scene for eight years. It’s located in the Upper Marais on the rue des Gravilliers, named one of the coolest streets in the world by Time Out magazine. In fact, you’ll marvel at the number of trendy, enticing eateries on this ancient thoroughfare — including a popular wine bar and pizzeria that are part of the Terra family.

Beneath a glass atrium roof, the restaurant is flanked by an open kitchen and a wall of wine bottles alluding to the 1000 classic and natural wine references on offer. It’s an elegant space, decorated with leafy plants, and all the tables were taken on a buzzing recent evening. A happy crowd tucked into grilled asparagus starters and mains meant to share, like the sublime orange duck, presented on an enormous platter with braised radicchio and carrot puree. (Easily big enough for three or four people). The Terra signature is wood-fired cooking, and the sharing plates also currently include a stuffed cabbage veggie option and the chuck flap cut of Black Angus steak.

These delights illustrate Pavard’s cooking style, developed over a career including stints at Beau-Rivage Palace (Lausanne), the Royal Monceau (Paris), and Pollen Street Social (London). Most recently in Paris, he worked at Le Galopin alongside Romain Tischenko (the first winner of Top Chef), before taking over the reins of Le Verre Volé, where he worked for six years as head chef. At Terra he’s bringing fresh, new energy to the high-octane 3rd arrondissement.

DETAILS
Terra Restaurant
21 rue des Gravilliers, 3rd
Tel: +33 (0)1 45 30 02 58
Open for dinner from 7 pm Tuesday to Saturday
Starters from 17 euros, shared mains range from 68-95 euros