Janette Bar De La Mer is the kind of restaurant that makes you feel like you’ve stepped off the streets of Paris and straight into a breezy Cap Ferret beachside cottage. Styled after the rustic-chic seafood shacks of one of France’s most beloved summer destinations, it brings a playful, nautical aesthetic that leans just kitschy enough to feel fun rather than forced. With a menu centered around oysters and seafood platters, it’s already drawing in Parisians eager for a taste of the coast without leaving the city.
The first thing you’ll notice is the takeout oyster stand in front, a casual yet brilliant addition for those who want to grab a few fresh oysters on the go. Inside, the selection is equally impressive. We often struggle to find oysters in Paris that aren’t oversized—the French seem to treat eating large oysters like a competitive sport—but here, the selection included smaller, delicate oysters that were perfectly briny and fresh.
To start, we had the scallop tartare, a beautifully prepared dish of diced raw scallops and herbs. The natural sweetness of the shellfish was enhanced by a delicate seasoning that let the freshness shine. Next came the gratin of spider crab, served bubbling in a cast iron dish. It was rich and creamy, the perfect way to make use of the smaller bits of meat found on a spider crab.
For the main course, the roasted octopus arrived atop a bed of smooth potato purée, with a lightly dressed salad adding just the right amount of acidity. The octopus was perfectly tender, cooked with the kind of care that makes you wonder how so many places can serve rubbery octopus. Everything we ate was rich without feeling overwhelming. A bottle of crisp Muscadet was the perfect pairing, bringing brightness to every dish.
Janette Bar De La Mer offers a casual yet stylish seafood experience in Paris, a little slice of the Atlantic coast tucked into the busy city. Whether you’re there for a full meal or just a few oysters and a glass of wine, it delivers the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay for one more glass.
Note:Janette Bar De La Mer provided support for the reporting of this story.