La Cantina

After years of trying to take my husband to Père Lachaise cemetery, we finally made it on our most recent visit to Paris. And if you’ve ever wandered through Paris’s largest cemetery, you know just how massive (and hilly) it is.

So by the time we’d visited Jim Morrison’s grave — and, more importantly for us, that of composer Frédéric Chopin — then wound our way back down, we had definitely worked up an appetite.

Luckily, we stumbled upon La Cantina, a stylish restaurant just a couple minutes’ walk from the cemetery gates. Part pizzeria, part cocktail bar, this laid-back spot in Paris’s 20th Arrondissement turned out to be exactly what we needed for a relaxed lunch before making a trek across town.

The large corner patio was perfect for soaking up the beautiful weather and the giving my partner a glimpse into my old neighborhood’s atmosphere. Inside the restaurant, the décor is hip yet cozy, with comfy seating that made me want to go back for a drink or two for a happy hour (6pm–midnight) on a cooler evening.

But we couldn’t resist and still had a drink with our lunch — we were on vacation after all! The drinks were enjoyable, thought they certainly weren’t the star of the show.

That was the Neopolitan-style pizza! There are plenty of other options on the menu, though.

My Margherita pizza came out piping hot with a perfectly crisp crust, generous mozzarella, and just the right balance of tangy tomato and fragrant basil. At only 12€, it felt like an incredible deal for Paris, especially considering the friendly and attentive service, convenient location, and stylish décor.

My husband opted for the Prosciutto e funghi, topped with cured ham and mushrooms. Although it was a bit pricier at 16€, he said it was delicious and it was big enough that he was barely able to finish it.

I’ll admit, La Cantina may not be the kind of place you’d travel all the way across Paris specifically to try. But, if you’re visiting Père Lachaise or staying nearby, it’s a fantastic choice for lunch or dinner.