Gisèle, the owner, wanted to create a cutting-edge organic vegetarian restaurant which was different from the more ethnic or hippy options that were available in the city until now. She wanted to create a space to bring this kind of cooking to the public in general and was advised by Valérie Cupillard, our blogger from Provence.
INFORMATION
Star product: Vegetable Lasagna
Suitable for: vegans, vegetarians, coeliacs
Average price: 15€
Contact: 20 Rue de la Pierre Levee, 75011 Paris, França
Tel: +33 1 48 06 33 02
Open every day except Sunday night.
The restaurant is located a few stop from the centre, near the Saint-Martin canal in a very quiet neighbourhood which is only visited by locals. It’s quite a small space, but it’s very cosy due to lots of light, the double height of the ceiling and its minimalistic style. The three large tables for sharing and half a dozen smaller ones create a very informal, casual environment
The menu includes a dozen delicately prepared dishes made with the best seasonal organic produce from Paris. There are salads with spectacular vinaigrettes, a version of spring rolls, hot and cold soups, pasta and rice specialities, Lebanese-style pulses, hummus, tabbouleh, seaweed balls, and its famous vegetarian lasagne. It also has an exquisite selection of quintessentially French desserts and tarts. And they even think about allergies and intolerances; 90% of their dishes are gluten and dairy free and many of the desserts are made using natural sweeteners. If you really want to be sure or you would like to make a change, just ask them; they’d be delighted to help you.
At the weekend, when we went, they put on an all-day brunch buffet that has practically everything on the menu, so you can try out all the dishes. You can go back and refill as many times as you want as they always put out new food, always with the same high quality and good presentation. This affects the attitude and flow of people coming in to the restaurant: they are constant and calm as there’s something for everyone. When you’ve got what you want from the buffet, they come round with a jug of water and another one with a delicious, freshly-made orange and carrot juice. The high quality of the dishes, the refined preparation and excellent flavours were all impressive. Everyone will love the superb vegetarian cooking that goes on here.
It is open every weekday for lunch and dinner (French eating times), and at the weekend they have the brunch: Saturday all day and Sunday only up to lunchtime. If you’d like to go anytime after 1 pm, you’ll have to book.
In short, if you’d like to try some of the best organic food in the French capital in an intimate, cosy atmosphere surrounded by locals, Soya must be on your to do list.
