The story
Zeffirino opened its first doors in Genoa in 1939, quickly becoming an Italian institution known for serving one of the country’s finest pestos. Now, that same family legacy has arrived in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, in the luxury district known as the Golden Triangle. The restaurant is helmed by Riccardo Giraudi and Mehdi Abdelhedi, who have brought in executive chef Thierry Paludetto to oversee the kitchen.
The heart of Zeffirino remains its Pesto Genovese, a recipe passed down through the Belloni family. Chef Paludetto draws from these historic preparations while crafting a contemporary Italian menu that respects tradition without being bound by it. The result is a cuisine that highlights the diversity of Italian culinary heritage, from Ligurian classics to revisited signatures. The restaurant’s reputation earned it a Michelin Recommended distinction, a nod to the consistency and quality of its kitchen.
Designer Cédric Capron, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France in painting and decoration, has created an interior that nods to 1920s Italy and the opulence of the 1970s. Custom furniture, rare Cipolino Verde marble, and wood paneling set the stage. Tables are dressed in linen and upholstered in Pierre Frey fabrics, with goose-feather seat cushions. The adjoining patio offers a quieter, open-air escape – a sun-drenched terrace that invites long lunches and evening drinks under the Parisian sky. Inside or out, the mood is chic, discreet, and unmistakably Italian.
Zeffirino Paris serves lunch and dinner daily, with continuous service on weekends. The terrace becomes a sought-after spot in warmer months, ideal for a relaxed meal that carries the same care as the dining room. Whether you come for the legendary pesto or to discover chef Paludetto’s inventive takes, the experience stays true to the restaurant’s founding spirit: generous, joyful, and timeless.
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