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Champs de Mars Restaurant, Paris

We had dinner at this restaurant in Paris last week and won’t return. We’ve been there at least a dozen times over the years. Prices have increased and service has decreased.

In June 2022 we vowed never to go there again. The food was fine but they charged us $12.50 for a coke and the served helped himself to a 30% tip. We chalked it up to our fault for paying cash and not paying attention.

Last week we gave the restaurant another chance. It was 9:30 pm, raining, and not busy. We enjoyed our dinner and drinks but had to ask three times to get the check. After 40 minutes the waiter finally brought the bill. Fyi, I don’t know if it’s common practice but they add an extra euro for each beverage ordered after 8 pm…. I paid 7.5 euros for a cup of hot tea. I used my credit card this time to avoid having the waiter just whisk away my cash. He took my card and left the table (I don’t like it when they do that), returned and asked how much I wanted to add as a tip. I thought that was rude. We won’t go back.

Posted by
7295 posts

Sorry you had a poor experience... This place is infamous and I always have a thought for the people sitting down when I pass by. 2.0/5.0 stars on Google Maps: possibly the worst rating in Paris.
In general, in touristy locations around Paris, you unfortunately have to check reviews before you sit down. Some places are truly awful.

Posted by
2161 posts

Hi balso, thanks for responding. It's just a shame what's happened to the place. Ten years ago, five years ago it was a nice restaurant. I thought the food was pretty good and although it's touristy, a nice location.

Posted by
10621 posts

It's illegal to take your credit card out of your sight, by the way. That's why all restaurants and cafés have handheld card readers.

Posted by
1081 posts

We used to go to this restaurant in 2013 and it was great, food was good and the prices were reasonable. It's sad that it has taken a change for the worse! Alas, nothing stays the same forever.

Posted by
2790 posts

This one is well known for being a rip off tourist place.

Posted by
17417 posts

I suggest you monitor your credit card closely for awhile to make sure no fraudulent charges appear. He should not have taken the credit card out of your sight. That may be common in the US, but should not occur in Europe.

Posted by
1003 posts

Looked it up on TripAdvisor, it is rated dead last in Paris, 14,468 out of 14,468...

I never eat somewhere without first looking it up on TA, or google maps, or something.

Posted by
2766 posts

Let's turn this topic around:
If you're there in that neighborhood
where would you recommend eating?

My go-to spot on Kleber is a little too much of a walk from there.

Posted by
7295 posts

Certainly not at Le Dome, across the street from Le Champ de Mars and apparently equally abysmal.
You have to go east, even a block is enough.
For example, le Café de Mars is pretty good and sensibly priced. And La Fontaine de Mars, while very touristy, is also a solid choice.

Posted by
6523 posts

Don't forget about Le Roussillon, a favorite of several of us here on the Forum. It's just a couple of blocks down Rue Cler. We've enjoyed every meal we've had there, and have always been treated fairly and well.

Posted by
1003 posts

Our favorite for the last 15 years in the 7th/Rue Cler 'hood is Le Bosquet, at the corner of Avenue Bosquet and Rue du Champs de Mars...good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or for an afternoon al fresco drink and good people watching...