Ave Maria Fusion Restaurant / Lounge

Bastille / Oberkampf - 11eme, Paris –

A festive fusion restaurant just a stone’s throw from the lively Oberkampf area, Ave Maria takes a quintessentially Parisian side street and transports it to locales all over the world.

Once past the vivid green exterior, artsy types and trendy bobos enter a colorful savanna of fairy lights, paper garlands, vintage art, and bric-à-brac souvenirs that reflect the mélange of cultures this venue seeks to unify.

Tucked together on long wooden benches beneath antique lamps and artificial plants, guests take a global gastronomic journey – from Latin America and Asia to Africa and Europe – with plentiful portions of diverse fare like coconut-infused curries, and cinnamon breaded chicken, all of which come with a small tropical fruit salad.

Groups of chatty young professionals and in-the-know backpackers sling back one – or two, or five – of the fruity cocktails on offer, cleansing their palates with mojitos for the grand finale: a selection of gigantic desserts like the Big Mac cookies and cream sandwich and the raspberry Lovely Tart.

There’s not much space to wait for a table, and considering the no-reservation policy, pre-party diners are wise to arrive early before heading on to one of the many bars and clubs in this popular area of the city.

But even if patrons do have to wait, Ave Maria’s fruity booze and gut-busting desserts leave guests singing a happy tune – even if they have to loosen their pants to do it.