Cisternino

Step into the shop and you are instantly transported. Italian is spoken here, while Carlo and Martina bustle about serving the most Italian Parisians in the city—and the most Parisian Italians. Conversation starts right at the counter, amid recommendations and temptations, as you try not to be too distracted by all the delicious products surrounding you. Cisternino is an Italian story that has crossed borders. Founded in a small village between Lazio and Campania, this cooperative set up shop in Paris in 1998. Today, there are four Cisternino shops in Paris: this one on Rue Saint-Maur and three other locations across the capital. They continue to bring Italian products from small artisanal producers all the way to Paris. On the shelves, you will find a few Italian staples, but above all, lesser-known products such as Camerino pasta, recognizable by its intense yellow color, coffee from small Italian roasters, and cured meats from Imola, near Bologna, a region renowned for its charcuterie-making expertise. The same philosophy applies to the cheeses: products from small farms, delivered directly from Italy. Here, mozzarella di bufala reigns supreme, although Parisians often prefer burrata or scarmoza. Our favorite is the mild, creamy sheep’s milk ricotta, which never stays in the shop for long.