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timing restaurant reservations

Posted by (KS, USA) on

We leave for out trip in less than two weeks and I need some help understanding the reservation etiquette for Paris, and possibly Bayeux/Honfleur, though I suspect it's similar. I'm planning to ask our hotel/B&B to make reservations for us, ahead of time, via email.

We have never made reservations for our other European travels; we prefer to go with the flow and dine on the go. However, from what I've read, to help ensure a good dining experience in France, we are better off making reservations for a restaurant/bistro/cafe that appeals to us. We will have busy sight-seeing days in Paris and I am a little concerned that it will be impossible to pick the perfect reservation time -- too early, too late, no crystal ball -- around the schedule of our other activities. So, I would like to know, how strict are reservation times? Can we show up early or late? Do we need to be right on time? I want to be a courteous visitor and abide by the "rules". Hope you can enlighten me. Thanks!

Posted by
2261 posts

With regards to Paris, right on time or a few minutes early is de rigueur. At one busy spot on rue de Rivoli, we were ten minutes early and they asked us to return in ten minutes, which we did and we were seated right away. If you are late and they are busy you may not have a table. Some popular places will require a call to confirm on the day of your reservation. Don't hesitate to call and make a res yourself, in Paris in particular phone calls will nearly always be answered by a French/English speaker, and you are more likely to learn something that you would not have found out using your hotel to do it for you.

It is hard to commit to times, pick some places that you really want to try though. Remember that typically a restaurant has two seatings, often for the first (7;30-8) seating the place will be pretty empty when you arrive, then fill up quick. A later seating (9:30-10) has the place in full swing, and often is a more local crowd, unless in the uber-tourist areas.

Posted by
9564 posts

Dave's exactly right, and I just wanted to underline that 7:30 is about the earliest any restaurant is open anyway. (Of course there are exceptions, but not that many. And some won't open until 8 pm).

And please don't show up late - my husband works in the business and I know the difficulty it creates for the staff and the other customers if you are late for your reservation.

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