Jais

On a corner in the 7th arrondissement’s Gros Caillou neighborhood, Jais is a modern bistro where the energy of the whole room radiates from its semi-open kitchen. You can watch chef Jaïs Mimoun and his team at work, which sets a lively, focused tone for the entire space. The rest of the room is pure Parisian bistro: a large zinc counter runs along one side, with Art Deco light fixtures overhead and vintage-style tiles underfoot. It’s a sober, unpretentious design, but the room’s character comes from the layout. Tables are set very close to one another, a deliberate choice that fuels the constant, energetic buzz – it gets loud in here. The whole place is a family operation, run by the chef and his two brothers, Yanice and Samy, who manage the dining room with a warm efficiency. This translates to the food, which is rooted in traditional French cuisine but refined with modern technique. The menu changes with the seasons, always built around high-quality products from French producers. You’ll find signatures like roasted octopus with black garlic cream or a classic pâté en croûte with foie gras and pistachio. Main courses stick to bistro classics done right – think sole meunière with mashed potatoes or linguine with trout roe and lime zest. For dessert, the profiteroles with hot chocolate sauce are a fixture. Reservations are essential. It’s common to find people having a drink at the bar while they wait for a table to open up. A two-course 'formule' is available for lunch, though the service gets particularly busy after 1 p.m.