Paris restaurants? Eiffel tower?

[goofyshell]

Does anyone have any fabulous Paris restaurant reccommendations? And is eating at 58 Tour Eiffel worth skipping the lines? We are only going to have two days in Paris and I would love to have one "special" meal (someplace we know will be good, perhaps 80-140$ without wine ) booked. Help!

 

[jazzielady]

Altitude 95 on the second (or maybe first, it's been a while so I can't remember) level of the Eiffel tower is in your price range. You'll love it and you can't beat the view!

 

[LindaR]

Ahhh, Paris!!!! Have a wonderful time! No restaurant advice. DD21 and I actually rented an apartment and ate most of our meals "at home"!!

It was wonderful shopping daily for bread, and whatever we were going to cook.

 

[LilyWDW]

The best places to eat are the places with less tourists. Look for people who live there. Look for the places that don't have all the glitz/glam in order to attract people visiting. Look for the places you would normally not give a second look to.

 

[kirbydog48]

Go to Tripadvisor.com and check out the forum for Paris. There are listings and reviews for restaurants on the left-hand side, and people's reviews. You can use the search function to find a restaurant in the area you're interested in.

 

[madscrapper]

We ate at Altitude 95 - I believe it has since been re-done and is the restaurant you mentioned.

It was wonderful - the food delicious - and who can beat the location!!

Jeannine

 

[laurie31]

If you just want to skip the lines, you can prebook your tickets online.

58 Tour Eiffel is on the first level, so you would still need to buy tickets to Level 2 or the top.

http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

The folks on TripAdvisor can tell you anything you want to know.

The general concensus over there is that the restaurants in the Eiffel Tower are overpriced for what you get, but if it's the experience you want, then go for it. I considered it, then looked at the menu online and decided against it, mainly because there's nothing really there that my kids would want to eat, but also because I know we can get a nice meal for less someplace else. Much less.

Try reading the reviews on TripAdvisor to get an idea of a restaurant in your price range, that might have a nice view of the Tower.

 

[jazzielady]

I don't know where anyone is getting 58 Eiffel tower. It's Altitude 95 (quatre-vingt-quinze).

 

[laurie31]

I don't know where anyone is getting 58 Eiffel tower. It's Altitude 95 (quatre-vingt-quinze).

Not anymore. It was renovated in 2009 and reopened with a new name.

Discover on the Eiffel Tower first floor, the brand new 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant, featuring a new cooking and boasting a new decor. Have a taste of exception in the middle of the sky.

Try the official website.

http://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/

http://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/english/restaurant-tour-eiffel-58.html

 

[kristilew]

The best places to eat are the places with less tourists. Look for people who live there. Look for the places that don't have all the glitz/glam in order to attract people visiting. Look for the places you would normally not give a second look to.

This.

I have no idea the names of the places we ate last summer, but everyone of them was the best food I've ever eaten. We would look for places where the sidewalk tables set up had some real character - not just a touristy set up - and where we could hear a steady buzz of French conversation. We let the servers bring us whatever they thought we should be eating. Oh, and allow plenty of time for your meals

 

[jazzielady]

Not anymore. It was renovated in 2009 and reopened with a new name.



Try the official website.

http://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/

http://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/english/restaurant-tour-eiffel-58.html

Wow! You learn something new every day. thanks!

 

[Longsx3]

Back in 2004 we ate at Altitude 95 for my daughters 8th Bday, it was awesome. Great View and Good food.

 

[goofyshell]

Thanks for the replies. I have been reading tripadvisor, but wondered if anyone here had any suggestions. Any more?

 

[laurie31]

Chez Janou is a suggestion from TripAdvisor...but I think I need a cigarette after reading the blog about it!

http://www.roboppy.net/food/2006/09/chez_janou_and_poujauran_pigge.html

Especially after seeing this pic of their chocolate mousse!

I do agree that if you wander away from the tourist areas and find a place with no English menu, you will not go wrong.

 

[LilyWDW]

Thanks for the replies. I have been reading tripadvisor, but wondered if anyone here had any suggestions. Any more?

I really wish I could remember the places we ate, but it was years ago. The best place was this little hole in the wall and was across the street from this HUGE, bright place. We also ate at the big place and it was good... but this tiny little restaurant was AMAZING. I swear there was less then 8 tables in there. I had the duck both times we went and OMG it was some of the best food I have had in my life. Perfect, sweet, and wonderful.

 

[surfgirl]

One of my favorite restaurants is Chez Francis. It is on Pont de l'Alma (Alma Bridge) next to the Seine. It actually has outdoor seating and windows that face the Eiffel Tower, so you can enjoy your meal and watch the Tower sparkle every hour !

We've always called in advance and requested a window table and been accommodated. We've taken kids there and they were so nice! I wanted noodles or pasta with butter for one of ours and asked the waiter if they had a pasta - he called someone and came back, "Penne?" "Oui, monsieur, s'il vous plait. C'est parfait!" (yes, please. perfect). A few years ago, they were all out of ketchup and my (at that time) 5 yr old gave the sad puppy eyes. The waiter went next door and came back with a small bowl. His face lit up when she said, "merci" (in French) and gave him a big smile!

(for you Princess Di fans, Pont de l'Alma is the bridge above the tunnel where her car crashed. There is still a little gold flame on the bridge there that has turned into somewhat of a shrine).

http://www.chezfrancis-restaurant.com/

We had such a great night one time that we walked home along the Seine from there to our apartment - to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle again. We were staying near the Louvre, and I figured it was about 2 miles. It was fun to see the boats on the Seine at night!