Elbi

A chef is sometimes freer when he breaks away from the dictates of what we call haute gastronomie. While Omar Dhiab has unquestionably made a strong impression with his ambitious restaurant—aimed at the stars and earning them just six months after opening in 2023—he seems far less constrained in this brand-new spot on Rue de Paradis: cooler, more convivial, more playful. Here, he offers a cuisine driven more by heart (Elbi, in Arabic). A wine bar with plates to share (or not—your choice), the technique is still there, the cooking perfectly mastered (at temperature: 37.5°C; steamed: 85°C; fried: 180°C; grilled: 350°C; roasted: 400°C—yes, the menu is a little bewildering at first glance), and the intention is clear. In this place, the chef shares his passion for Egyptian cuisine—spiced, floral, generous—the one taught to him by his father, passed down by his aunts. And you’re encouraged to mop up every last drop.