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Christmas Eve Dinner in Paris

Traveling this year with my wife for a Christmas weekend in Paris. Wondering what will be open for a dinner on Christmas Eve / Christmas Day?

Hoping to get to Cafe Panis for at least one meal. I e-mailed them to see their open/availability. Amazing location that we love so much...

Likewise, have a tentative reservation for us at Le Train Bleu for 24 December.... They emailed us back a Prix Fix Menu at 145eu/ea... and I was not expecting this, to be honest. With some dietary restrictions in-play, we will probably be looking elsewhere... If they don't also offer their main menu as well...

Any other suggestions.

Les Deux Magots perhaps?

Thank you!

Posted by
9462 posts

To be honest, most Parisian restaurants will only go to the trouble of opening and providing service on Christmas Eve if they do offer an expensive, prix-fixe dinner. Otherwise it’s not worth requiring their employees (such as my husband) to spend Christmas Eve working instead of at home with their families.

Posted by
3656 posts

Yes, restaurants that are open for Christmas dinner tend to be expensive -- 165€ is actually a pretty decent price for a well known place on Christmas Day. I don't think Les Deux Magots will be cheaper than Le Train Bleu. I've heard that a new chef has taken over Le Train Bleu, which will be good because before IMO the food was mediocre, especially for the price.
Chez Jenny near Place de la Republique used to be open on Christmas but it closed and is now Bouillon Republique. You may want to see if they will be open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. If they are, the price might not be too bad. I have not been to Bouillon Republique -- I saw it for the first time when I was in Paris last week. La Bonne Franquette in Montmartre might be open on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. Have you considered a river cruise with a meal? Some of the cruises are open on Christmas -- food will probably be okay (not great). A couple of years ago Bouillon Julien was open on Christmas Day. You may want to look at them as well to see if they will be open this year. What about looking in the 13th's Chinatown to see if there is any place that will work out for you? I have no specific place to suggest but a friend who lives in Paris mentioned that as a possibility when I asked her about her holiday plans this year.

Posted by
334 posts

Bouillon Julien is one of my favorite dining spots, Christmas or not. The food is consistently prepared well and is just fine unless you want high end (and high prices). Julien is reasonably priced and has a cool, deco vibe.

Posted by
7 posts

Thank you all for your replies & suggestions!

I have since cancelled the earlier reservation for Le Train Bleu and found a 7pm reservation available for 12/24 at Bouillon Julien. It's in the same district as our hotel and a 10-15 min walk at that.
Menu looks good too.

Merci!

Joe

Posted by
1329 posts

Café Capucines right down from the Opéra Garnier is generally open Xmas. And they are fantastic, (https://www.legrandcafe.com/en/)

Also the restaurant Georges at the top of the Centre Pompidou is generally open as well (as is the museum) (https://restaurantgeorgesparis.com/en/)

Another idea would be Bustronome - the gourmet bus. ( https://www.bustronome.com/fr/paris/)

That said, it may also be a great time to try food from the Maghreb as many of those restaurants will be open. Nothing better than a good couscous or tajine.

Posted by
7981 posts

If in. an apartment, I would definitely eat in as the shops are full of wonderful things and the butchers prepare amazing things to just pop in the oven -- one year we had a pork roast larded with dried fruits; another a duck deboned and stuffed with pate and trussed. Both were really good. And then there are all sorts of other little delicacies -- one year we got a little duck molded of pate which delighted our toddler grandchild.

But one drawback of a hotel is you have to eat out and so I am glad you found a place. It is hard to find places that are doing an ordinary menu for the reasons others have noted.

Posted by
1362 posts

Cafe Panis. I too enjoy sitting there and looking out at Notre Dame. During my visits I try to go there a few times to have either a hot tea or their Le Chocolat Chaud before heading to the apartment for the end of the evening. I even have a reservation for Bouillon Julien my last night in Paris.

I hope you find a place that meets your needs. 52 days an counting til I return.