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Dinner out in Paris on Christmas

My family of 6 will be in Paris from Christmas Eve thru New Years.
Can anyone recommend good restaurants for Christmas Eve and Christmas day that would accommodate 6. We like all types of fare and cost is flexible. Its the holiday and many restaurants are closed so any recommendations are welcome.
We will be staying in the Latin Quarter but will gladly travel for a great time.

Posted by
3150 posts

For a unique, though expensive, dining experience that will transport you to the Belle Époque era, consider Le Train Bleu in Gare de Lyon. Had dinner there on Christmas many years ago and the only experience just added to the holiday.

Posted by
10120 posts

You just need to be aware that all four meals, Christmas Eve and Day, plus New Year's Eve and Day, are all special meals, often with a set menu and have to be reserved in advance. Both the Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve meals can go on into the night, though you might be able to find an early seating.
The Fork, La Fourchette, website should be helpful finding places for these meals.

Posted by
11056 posts

Dining rooms in hotels should be open. Try to get reservations now at other restaurants to see if they are going to be open.
If you are staying in an apartment with a kitchen, see if you can take out a special meal, probably picking it up early in the day Christmas Eve.

Posted by
2418 posts

Does anyone know if the Jews in Paris do as they do in the USA and go out for Chinese food on Christmas?

Posted by
820 posts

Chinese food on Christmas?

We ate chinese food on XMAS Day in Paris 5 or 6 years ago. A little neighborhood joint, lunch time, we were the only patrons in the restaurant, food was fantastic.

Posted by
3150 posts

I ate Chinese food on New Year Eve in Paris. Food poisoning at 2am and caught the metro at 6 wishing I wouldn’t explode again before reaching CDG.

Posted by
133 posts

Cant think of a better suggestion than the one by Philip:

consider Le Train Bleu

Posted by
23178 posts

You have asked the same question three times. Do you not like your previous answers?

Posted by
31 posts

Le train bleu booked solid for a while now and we don’t have an apartment so, other than Chinese- which we eat all the time- looking for some options

Posted by
3656 posts

Have you looked at the places in the thread that was linked? I have heard that Bofingers plans to be open this Christmas. Like Le Train Bleu IMO, the decor and history exceeds the food though the food at Bofinger is not as mediocre IMO as the food at a Le Train Bleu although I heard that LTB has a new chef do there is hope.

Posted by
870 posts

I know that Les Cocottes, a Chef Christian Constant restaurant near the Eiffel Tower, is open Christmas Eve and Day. It has received good reviews. I have reservations there for Christmas dinner. I have not eaten there, so I cannot give a personal endorsement. I am awaiting a confirmation of my Christmas Eve reservation attempt at D'Chez Eux. A few years ago we had dinner there on Christmas Eve. If I can get reservations for La Terrasse du 7eme (mentioned favorably on Rick Steves forum) for either Day or Eve, I might reserve there instead of Les Cocottes. You must email them or call for reservations which I did and was told they would open those holiday reservations at the beginning of December (cutting it pretty close for me).

Currently, I am searching for holiday meals the same as you. I'll continue to follow your post. Good luck to you (and me)!

Posted by
133 posts

Le Train Bleu or Chinese.. my brain just can’t comprehend this.

I am “muting this thread”

Posted by
3656 posts

Interesting to hear about Les Cocottes. Good to know that they now take reservations. When I last ate there, they did not take reservations. It was very convenient for us because we were staying around the corner. A restaurant near there that is usually open for Christmas Day is Le Violon d'Ingres.

Posted by
870 posts

Yes, JHK, Le Violon d'Ingres used to be owned by Christian Constant but he sold it. It was wonderful when we ate Christmas dinner there in 2016. I'd be interested in any current reviews.
I had remarked to the waiter about the wonderful potatoes and wondered how they were prepared. He did not know, but a few minutes later he returned with a very detailed description starting with obtaining a certain kind of potato from Belgium. . . I appreciated that he took my question seriously. My son still talks about their millefeuille.

Posted by
870 posts

I just booked Christmas Eve and Christmas night dinners on Open Table Ile-de France. They have @50 choices. If anyone can review L'Empire du 8eme and Market, I would appreciate it.

Posted by
2744 posts

I can’t believe people actually enjoyed Le Train Blue. We had a very bad experience. They’re selling the atmosphere and the food is not good. My French friends laughed when we said we were going and they were right. It’s great for drinks but you can find a better dining experience