Hello, I have booked a Louvre tour for Sunday morning, July 3rd. Afterward, I was thinking that we would have lunch at Angelina's but according to their website they have no reservations for the next two months. Would it be nuts to stand in line? I remember it fondly, but I now get crabby waiting in lines very long - so I need a plan B or perhaps a C and D as well. We will be headed to Notre Dame Eternelle in the afternoon, I hope - no reservations purchased yet. Could you recommend a place to eat near either the Louvre or la Defense where I could still make a reservation or have a chance at getting a seat without a lengthy wait? There will be three in our party. It doesn't have to be a big meal because we have Bustronome reservations later that evening. This forum is fabulous and I have taken copious notes! Many thanks, Laurie
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2703 posts
I think Angelina survives more on reputation than it does on substance. Recognizing I am in the minority, I do not recommend it. However, this gives you a chance to find something better. These suggestions are on rue du Mont Thabor, the block behind Angelina’s.
l´Adroise - I have not been for lunch, but the dinners are always good.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
I very much agree with Tocard about Angelina, i am not a fan. We really like Café Nemours, a block north of the Louvre, at 2 Place Colette, right at the entrance to the Palais Royal. Good food and service, and you won’t need reservations.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10623 posts
Just had lunch in the Tuileries at Café des Marronniers with a Paris friend. It opens at noon, first come first seated.
Posted by
Chicago
8552 posts
good point about time frames for good eating. This is particularly important if you want a fancy lunch. Lunch time is about 12 to 2:30 and you won't find seating in a restaurant outside those times (although there are plenty of places with continuous service and airplane food at other times.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14738 posts
I’ve eaten several times at Cafe des Marroniers in the Tuileries. Food was good, location outstanding! The only reason I didn’t eat there this last trip is that I was having severe allergies to the blooming chestnut trees and this cafe is in the midst of them. (Marronier = Chestnut, lolol!!)
There is also an Eric Kayser boulangerie kiosk right at the head of the Tuileries so you can grab something and sit in the gardens.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10623 posts
I don't think La Defense, the largest office complex in Europe, is going to have many place to eat open on a Sunday.
Posted by
California
158 posts
Right by the Louvre Rivoli metro is a good bakery called Bo $ Mie that has many sandwiches (hot and cold.) You can get them to go or eat at tables upstairs. Walk the block towards the Seine and you will come to the restaurant Le Fumoir where you can easily get a lunch reservation, then hop on the metro.
Posted by
Upstate NY, USA
892 posts
I'm not a foodie but I made zero reservations last October when I was in Paris. And I'm sure some would think some of my choices (The Great Canadian Pub; whatever the restaurant that's next to Shakespeare & Company) are not 'truly French' - but frankly, the food ANYWHERE in Paris is basically far better than almost ALL food in the US...........
Posted by
Los Angeles
4853 posts
it's really not hard to eat in Paris, if you ever watch one of those Youtube videos where the camera just walks around you'll see stacks and stacks of them, all right next to each other. I'd say wing it.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you all for the advice! And while part of me knows that (almost) any meal will be better because it's Paris, I also enjoy looking up the information before the trip even starts. As a librarian, research for upcoming trips is one of my favorite parts. Our original trip was scheduled for March 2020, so there has been a lot of research. It has been a welcome respite.
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
Personally, I wouldn't lunch at Angelina unless you want a rather lame club sandwich. Go their for their hot chocolate and signature pastries for your goûter/snack. If you want a good restaurant near the Louvre, try Le Marly AT the Louvre. Talk about an iconic view. I had the most delicious cod there last year and a Pavlova that was to die for....thinking about going next week too.
In La Défense I am afraid you'll have mostly chains as choices...like Hippopotamus at les 4 temps mall. It's not haute cuisine...but it's pretty good.