Dalia, a remarkable Levantine restaurant in the Sentier district

A new address has opened its doors and is now delighting the hearts and palates of residents of the 2nd arrondissement and beyond with its Levantine recipes. It's called Dalia. In the heart of the Sentier district, this new restaurant promises a journey through the flavors of the Levant, from Israel to Lebanon, via Syria, Turkey and Jordan. Intrigued?

Heading up the kitchen is chef Or Bitan, who has also worked at Miznon and Shouk. On the à la carte menu, straight from the open kitchen, you'll find a host ofdishes to share , inspired by the Eastern Mediterranean and enhanced by impeccably sourced seasonal French produce.

Recipes that are both healthy and gourmet, to be enjoyed on large tables ideal for groups of friends, and accompanied by a good cocktail . Because here, cocktails are not only original, they're top-notch!

So, which one do you fancy? The Dalia Mule (vodka, elderflower liqueur, house lime juice, cardamom, ginger beer and dried lemon chips; €10), the Miss Green (cucumber, mint, house gin, lime juice and hibiscus flower; €12), or the Eastern Stormy (diced lime, dark rum, ginger beer, bitter, ginger beer, zaatar leaf and dried orange chips; €11)?

• To be read
• Tintamarre, the good Lebanese restaurant in the 19th arrondissement
• Nonette, The Hood's banh-mi and donut counter
• Tips for the week of December 30, 2024 - January 5, 2025 in Paris: free or cheap outings

Shall we take a look at the menu? Dalia recommends two plates per person to share, so you can leave the restaurant with a full belly and a smile on your face. So we opt for Dalia's bread (homemade and served while still warm!), to be happily dipped in a trio of Levantine dips: roasted red peppers and walnuts, a delight, zaatar hummus, and finally labné and zhoug, a condiment made from chili, garlic and coriander.

We also love the house's flagship dish, the astonishing eggplant carpaccio (11€), topped with tahini, date molasses, whole pistachios, rose blossom, thyme and crumbled feta. The eggplants are served melt-in-the-mouth; a marvel of sweetness.

We also recommend the halloumi destructured pita (13€), a crispy pita generously topped with diced grilled halloumi,roasted apricots for a mix of sweet and savory flavors and fresh herbs; as well as the lamb kebab (10€), presented here not in pita bread but in the form of tender meatballs, to be dipped in tahini and crunched with grilled peppers and hot peppers.

We're telling you right now: you're not allowed to leave Dalia without sampling the desserts, so save a little room for them! In fact, you might miss out on a dessert to die for: the very, very gourmet croissant perdu (10€), a croissant dough served warm in a casserole dish, with raspberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

To finish on a lighter note, the malabi (9€), the famous Levant pana cotta with strawberries, raspberries and pistachios, is sure to satisfy the sweet tooth. Tempted? Then head for Dalia without further ado, you're going to love it.