Caffè Stern

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Living Piece of Parisian History

Stern Ristorante occupies one of the most storied addresses in Paris: Passage des Panoramas, the oldest of the seventeen arcades to survive Haussmann's sweeping urban renovation of the mid-1800s. The space itself was originally opened in 1834 as a letterpress by Moïse Stern and Anselme Aumoitte — and the layers of history are still palpable in every corner. Gambero Rosso has recognised the restaurant with 2 Forks in its 2025 guide, a testament to the quality and coherence of what the Alajmo group has built here.

The Alajmo Touch in the Heart of Paris

Stern Ristorante is part of the wider Alajmo family of restaurants, led by chef Massimiliano Alajmo and his brother Raffaele Alajmo as Maître des Lieux — the same family behind Le Calandre in Padua and Ristorante Quadri on St. Mark's Square in Venice. In Paris, their vision is interpreted by Chef Alessandro Fornaro, who, as the restaurant describes him, brings "sensitivity and a refined touch" to Max's culinary philosophy, balancing "coherence and originality" in a style that is personal, elegant and contemporary.

The Menu: Italian Trattoria Spirit, Parisian Setting

Inspired by the modern Paris bistro, the menu is structured like a classic Italian trattoria — antipasti, primi, secondi and dolci — but shifts with the seasons. Signature Alajmo dishes anchor the offering: potato cappuccino with bolognese ragù, dill tagliolini with lobster, squid, dentex and pistachio sauce, Venetian-style veal liver with fried yellow polenta, and pistachio gelato to close. It is Italian cooking at its most considered, served in a room that carries nearly two centuries of Parisian character.

Service and Wine

Restaurant manager Marco Galdi leads a front-of-house team that, in the restaurant's own words, "perfectly embodies the Alajmo approach to service, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere." The wine list leans predominantly Italian, drawing on small producers alongside more established names, and is available digitally, organised by typology and producer.