Guide updated on 30 July 2026
A good izakaya is about more than just a few skewers and a bottle of sake placed on the table. It needs rhythm, proper sharing plates, a welcome that makes you want to stay and that delicious feeling that the evening could last for just one more drink.
To establish this ranking of best izakayas in Paris, we looked for houses with real character, a coherent kitchen and a pleasure that doesn't stop at the decor. Our number one choice without hesitation Izakaya Yukihira, rue de Lévis: an intimate counter, precise Japanese cuisine and a selection of sakes that you want to quietly explore.
By the way, what actually is an izakaya?
In Japan, the izakaya is the place where people come to drink and eat after work, without the formality of a smart restaurant. Dishes arrive over the course of the evening: sashimi, deep-fried food, grilled fish, vegetables, braised bites... You pick, you share, you order more. The vibe matters just as much as the menu.
In Paris, the word now covers several styles. Some establishments remain very close to the neighbourhood Japanese bistro; others give it a contemporary, gastronomic or decidedly festive interpretation. Our top picks embrace this diversity, but every address retains the essential idea: the pleasure of eating and drinking together.
Paris's best izakayas at a glance
Here is our ranking of best izakayas depending on the experience you are looking for, with quite different atmospheres and budgets to help you find the right restaurant without hesitation.
| # | Address | To choose for | Neighbourhood | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yukihira | Cuisine and sake | 17th | €€–€€€ |
| 2 | Haikara | The counter and the small plates | 11th | €€€ |
| 3 | Older Brother | The creative izakaya in the Marais | 3e | €€€ |
| 4 | Shin Izakaya | The tradition in Saint-Germain | 6e | €€ |
| 5 | I dropped it | The market and modern plates | 2e | €€–€€€ |
| 6 | Shuzo | The Japan–Colombia fusion | 11th | €€€ |
Our favourite
Yukihira — the izakaya you'd love to keep to yourself
The fairest, the most intimate, and the one you immediately want to return to.
Among the best izakayas Of Paris, few create such an immediate attachment. Yukihira belongs to this rare family. Behind its noren, at 80 rue de Lévis, the dining room is warm without playing the card of a film set: wood, a pretty counter, an open kitchen and just the right amount of light to forget Paris for two hours.
To the stove, the chef Yasushi Hayashi cooking with precision but without stiffness. The plates follow the market: sashimi moriawase with clean cuts, melt-in-the-mouth kakuni, goma-tofu, fried octopus, catch of the day or vegetables prepared with that extra care that changes everything. At lunchtime on weekdays, the four-course omakase at 28 € is a fantastic gateway. In the evening, the six-course menu at 68 € allows you to truly be guided.
And then there is the sake. Dassai, Suigei, Shichida, Kuheiji, Bijofu… the selection is discerning enough for connoisseurs, but the service also knows how to speak simply to beginners. It is precisely this mix of seriousness and laid-back charm that puts Yukihira at the top: you eat there with care, without ever feeling like you are sitting a Japanese cooking exam.
Haikara Izakaya — the counter that gets straight to the taste
For small Japanese plates, the grill and saké in a vibrant atmosphere.
Haikara has all the makings of the kind of hangout you recommend with a knowing smile. On Rue de la Folie-Méricourt, the establishment focuses on sharing plates and cooking that speaks for itself: sashimis, expertly prepared fish, skewers and cuts seared on the plancha or over an open flame.
The atmosphere is livelier than at Yukihira's, the gesture more direct, and that is precisely what works. In our selection of best izakayas, it's the right choice for a dinner with friends: you order several dishes, add a bottle of sake, and then improvise the rest without being hemmed in by an overly traditional menu.
Onii-San — the trendy big brother of the Marais
Colourful, creative and perfect when you want the plate to look just as stylish as the dining room.
Onii-San translates the izakaya into a very Parisian idiom: a bold interior, cocktails, a menu designed to be passed around the middle of the table, and plates that love colour just as much as umami. You come here less to find a meticulous recreation of a Tokyo bistro than to enjoy a contemporary and festive interpretation.
Raw fish, generous sashimi, spicy sauces and more creative combinations make it an easy place to suggest for a group. It is the ideal compromise when part of the table wants authentic Japanese cuisine and the other wants a slightly more lively night out.
Shin Izakaya — the safe bet in Saint-Germain
An authentic Japanese bistro where dishes and recommendations are shared in equal measure.
A stone's throw from Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Shin takes on a more classical vision of the izakaya. The menu invites you to order multiple dishes, from fish to comforting plates, in a simple and warm dining room. Nothing tries to overdo it: the pleasure comes from the succession of bites and that very natural conviviality.
This is a place to keep up your sleeve for a Japanese lunch in the 6th arrondissement or an unceremonious dinner. Its opening at lunchtime and in the evening, seven days a week barring exceptional closures, also makes it particularly practical in a neighbourhood where good restaurants fill up quickly.
Kokashita — the new energy of the Passage des Panoramas
Market-led Japanese cuisine, lighter at lunchtime and more playful in the evening.
Kokashita brings a breath of fresh air to the Passage des Panoramas. At lunchtime, the bentos offer a way to discover the establishment without turning your lunch break into an expedition. In the evening, small plates take over with a more free-form style of cooking, fuelled by the daily catch and seasonal produce.
We love the idea of a menu that doesn't freeze the izakaya into a list of classics. Here, burrata might meet katsuobushi, beef pass over charcoal, and vegetables have just as much importance as fish. A place to watch closely among the best izakayas modern of the capital.
Shuzo — when Tokyo meets Cali
The tropical izakaya for an evening full of character, music and good surprises.
Shuzo does not seek to replicate a traditional izakaya. Chef Andrés Ramirez brings Japan and Colombia into a dialogue, with a cuisine where corn, barbecue, citrus fruits and deep broths meet Japanese techniques. On paper, the balancing act is intriguing; on the plate, the identity is distinct.
The fermented corn arepa, grilled on the barbecue and served with a coconut milk and smoked haddock bisque, sums up the restaurant well: technical, generous and impossible to pigeonhole. Add a lively dining room and a real musical energy, and you get the most exotic izakaya in this ranking.
How to choose the right izakaya in Paris?
In this guide of best izakayas, Yukihira is our simplest answer for a first experience or a tête-à-tête dinner: the dining room is intimate, the cooking is easy to understand and the sake recommendations are genuinely useful. For a group evening, Haikara or Onii-San offer more energy. Shin plays the traditional bistro card, Kokashita the market card and Shuzo the travel card.
In any case, avoid everyone ordering “their own” dish. The whole point of an izakaya is to put together a shared spread: two cold starters, two hot plates, a deep-fried dish, some fish or meat, and then another order if you're still hungry. It's much more lively, and often far more memorable.
Frequently asked questions about Parisian izakaya
What is the best izakaya in Paris?
In our comparison of best izakayas, it is Yukihira, at 80 rue de Lévis in the 17th arrondissement, which takes the lead. The establishment brings together precise Japanese cuisine, an intimate dining room, an experienced chef and a very fine selection of sakes, without losing the convivial spirit of a true izakaya.
Which izakaya should I choose to discover sake?
Yukihira is the most reassuring place to start thanks to the advice in the dining room and a selection that ranges from accessible references to more niche cuvées. Haikara and Shin are also good choices for pairing several small plates with a glass of sake.
What budget should you expect for an izakaya in Paris?
Generally expect between €35 and €60 per person, drinks included, depending on the number of shared plates. For a more structured set menu, Yukihira's lunchtime omakase is offered at €28 on weekdays, while the gastronomic experiences can exceed this budget.
Do I need to book?
Yes, especially from Thursday to Saturday. The best izakaya often have small dining rooms and few counter seats. At Yukihira, booking in advance is strongly recommended even during the week.
