The story
Anima in Paris opened its doors at 78 Rue du Cherche-Midi as a tribute to traditional Italian cooking adapted for modern dining. Co-founders David Lanher and Marco Marzilli brought in Piedmont-born chef Matteo Testa after a recommendation from chef Simone Tondo. Testa approaches every plate with a strict focus on seasonal produce and clean preparation. This grounded philosophy earned the restaurant a spot on the 2026 Le Fooding list.
Giovanni Garufi manages the enameled wood-fired oven, turning out over twenty pizza varieties that highlight ingredients like yellow Vesuvian tomatoes and spicy n’nduja. The Italian menu traces distinct regions, such as a scampi tartare paired with Puglian stracciatella cheese and bottarga. The team finishes meals with a vanilla and raspberry panna cotta finished with balsamic vinegar. Sourdough bread arrives daily from Ten Belles Bread while espresso comes from Brûlerie Giamaica Caffè.
The dining room retains the original industrial bones of a historic tapestry atelier, including heavy hardwood flooring and period tiles. Large cathedral-style windows flood the space with daylight before black walls and dimmed fixtures create an intimate evening setting. A Calacatta marble counter displays green veins that echo the Gio Ponti textile mounted on the main wall. Careful acoustic treatment keeps conversation easy despite the high ceilings.
Recognition
Ambience
Location
Facebook
Instagram