It’s the sort of place you’re reluctant to share for fear it might become a victim of its own success. Maison Sumac is the restaurant run by Virginie Galan and Anders Sicre, which has been based in the former chemist’s in Samois-sur-Seine, Place de la République. The place is just like them: warm, unpretentious and genuinely attached to the local area.
Much more than just a restaurant
Maison Sumac is a hybrid venue, and that’s what gives it its charm. There is the table, where Virginie cooks with fresh, seasonal produce, adding a touch of international flair (homemade ramen, bibimbap, tarama with sea urchin roe, gnocchi in a beetroot emulsion). There is the cellar, featuring a selection of natural wines from small-scale producers whom Anders knows personally. And there is the delicatessen, With organic and local products from the Seine-et-Marne region, including jams, oils, sausages and mustards.
The menu changes very frequently, sometimes from one day to the next, depending on what’s available at the market and the chef’s inspiration. It’s seasonal ‘bistronomic’ cuisine: unpretentious, yet showcasing genuine expertise in seasoning, spices and herbs.
The story
Before Samois, Virginie and Anders had co-founded the Café A in Paris’s 10th arrondissement, a venue that blended art, fine dining and music within a former 17th-century convent. The desire to get back to basics, on the banks of the Seine and on the edge of the forest, led them here with their two children. Today, Maison Sumac has become the heart of the village: people come here for their morning coffee, an evening drink, the vinyl records that Anders plays, or simply to have a good time.
What you need to know
The venue is small and intimate, so the reservation is recommended for dinner. In summer, the terrace on the square is very pleasant. Virginie also offers a catering service and takeaways. Easy parking on the square.
Timetable
Wednesday to Saturday: 10.30am-2.30pm and 6.30pm-10.30pm (source: Instagram, April 2026).
