Sunday dinner help Paris !

When and where?

I had two historical in mind but their reviews are disheartening.

Which 2 do you have in mind?

I have no clue about restaurants in Paris, but if you identify where/what you are looking at, those who are knowledgeable will be better able to help both geographically and in your target budget

Apologies. Thought it was under a Paris forum .

We had heard about Le Train Bleu in the 12th. It looked beautiful but we just didn’t have enough time to get there our last trip.

We had a fabulous yet expensive dinner at Jules Verne on the second tier of the Eiffel Tower. Worth it to us.

Most small intimate restaurants are closed Sunday nights. The large brasseries or the famous traditional places are open. These have mostly been bought and are run by companies, which explains the less than brilliant reviews for some. However, that doesn't mean they're bad, just that some reviewers didn't have their expectations met. You need to give more info about what you are looking for.

Bets! Thank you for great response!
My ideal choice would be Le Procope not fine dining.

That's been part of a group for a long time, but it is the original old building. It's like going for a good meal in Williamsburg, VA. I haven't been there in over forty years, so I can't to speak to how it is today, if you are served graciously or if it feels lacking.

Tocard knows restaurants in that area, so he may be able to advise.

You can learn a lot from Le train bleu's website, including the package prices. Remember that you are paying for the florid, expansive decor as well as the meal. Worth it once, in my bedazzled view. The meal itself will be conventional French cooking, adeptly handled in every respect. Not creative, not novel, but certainly comfortable and comforting.

https://www.le-train-bleu.com/fr/

Could you clarify your objectives?

I would agree that le Procope is not fine dining. I was last there about 5 years ago and found it unremarkable. The atmosphere is good, similar to the nearby Petite Chaise, both claiming to be the oldest restaurant in France. There are better options in my opinion at that price range, menus at about 40€, but most small restaurants, operated by a single chef, will indeed be closed on the weekends, occasionally the weekly closure will be Sunday - Monday. I just checked about a dozen of my top recommendations for this area, all closed on Sunday.

Another similar restaurant and a tourist favorite, open on Sunday, is Le Coupe-Chou in the 5th. Unremarkable food, served in a marvelous, old-world atmosphere.

You might consider one of the brasseries on blvd Montparnasse: la Rotonde, le Select, or la Coupole. For Sunday dining, I like them all.

One of the best restaurants in the 6th is le Bon Saint Pourcain which is closed on Sunday but worth a visit if you can change the day of the week you want to reserve. Reservations typically take 10 to 14 days.

And just remember that in addition to Sunday closures, in late August you are also likely to be dealing with at least some vacation closures (of course, not every restaurant closes, and certainly even those that do close do not choose the same week(s)).

Another tourist favorite is La Jacobine. I can’t vouch for it personally, but it seems to often be a hit for a more traditional (but not fine dining) French. It’s generally open on Sundays.

In August, I might be tempted for something less trad or perhaps seafood. If you like oysters and the like, maybe a place like Hugeuette on Rue de Seine.

So thankful !

If you’d like something a littler nicer, but def not fine dining, you might like Atelier Maitre Albert, in the 5th just across the river from Notre Dame. All their meat is spit-roasted. It’s open on Sundays and it also opens at 6:30pm.

I’ve enjoyed any number of lovely dinners here.

The first time we went to Paris (2011) we reserved dinner at 58 Tour Eiffel. It's now called Madame Brasserie. The food should still be excellent, but that's not why we remember it vs. countless Parisian restaurants since then. What made it memorable is that it's on the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower overlooking the Seine and Trocadero. We remember the restaurant every time we see a photo or drawing of the Eiffel Tower which seems to happen almost daily. (Picture us pointing and saying, "We ate right there!")

We arrived early for dinner so we could explore the tower. After going to the top, we took the elevator back to the 1st floor (which Americans would call the 2nd floor) and stopped at the gift shop. When we came out, it was pouring rain. Since we were already on the 1st floor, we managed to walk to the restaurant without getting wet. They were so pleased to see us on time and dry that we got a wonderful seat next to the window.

It's expensive but we'd do it again if we were meeting friends or family and wanted to give them the same memories. If money is no object, Le Jules Verne restaurant is also on the 1st floor and is even more elegant.

This isn't exactly what you had in mind, but if you want to celebrate as a French person does, Sunday lunch is the big celebratory meal for most French people, families, friends. A typical Sunday is a large meal followed by a walk. Dinner is a bowl of soup or a salad and some cheese. Several times we've gone to La Coupole on Bd Montparnasse near Bd Raspail at metro Vavin for Sunday lunch. It's quite the scene with birthday parties, post-Baptism or Communion family lunches, couples and families out for their Sunday meal. In general, the French will be having their main meal at lunch, while you'll find more tourists in the evening, For most people in France, as you probably know, breakfast is nothing more than a large coffee or cafe au lait or chocolate and yesterday's leftover baguette with jam. Hence, the large lunch.
From La Coupole, you are close enough for a post-Sunday lunch stroll through Luxembourg Gardens afterwards; just walk up rue Vavin for the shortest route.

This suggestion seems delightful however my flight is in the afternoon :(

Are you flying into Paris that afternoon?

Becky ! Arriving at 5 pm CDG .
My earlier reply was not delivered.
Have you ever dined in Le Closerie des Lilas?
Appreciated all the help so far !
Sunday was a bad choice ;)

I second with recommendation of La Jacobine. We loved it.
Le Procope--mixed reviews, we passed on it.
Don't dismiss wine bars--our favorite meal in Paris was at Les Papilles--small, informal but beautiful. Latin Quarter. Rez definitely needed. One or two main dishes offered per night. Don't know their hours/days they are open.
Les Juveniles is another recommended wine bar.
Poulette, pretty, recommended, very good.
None of the above are overly formal or fancy, just good, reliable food, nice settings, and good value.
Enjoy!

Have not eaten at the restaurant you asked about. But I also loved La Jacobine. It’s a small restaurant but I had one of my favorite meals in Paris there. Reservations necessary.

Someone on Les Frenchies--Paris Travel Tips (FB) just reported an extremely mediocre meal at Le Procope last night.

We once had a very nice meal at Auberge Bressane -- their dessert souffles were especially lovely -- it is in the 7th.

Bofinger with a spectacular interior (request the central room if you reserve here) and copious quantities of Alsatian food is open on Sundays.