Dinner at Eiffer or Il St. Louis

"at the nicer restaurants at Eiffel"

That would be Le Jules Verne, a Michelin 1-star restaurant, expect about $200 per person for dinner.

Some say it's over-priced for the quality of the food on the plate. It's on the 2nd etage of the Tour but reportedly (I haven't eaten there) the view from some tables isn't what some expected (hey, what do you expect for a mere $200/person?!).

Thanks Kent,

I meant the restaurants located on the levels and not the little walk-up outside. Sorry foodies but nothing is worth $200 a plate.

"I meant the restaurants located on the levels and not the little walk-up outside."

Le Jules Verne is on the levels, the 2nd level.

I am thinking more 58 Tour Eiffel. Has anyone eaten there or do you prefer something on Il St. Louis. Thanks for your help.

Thank you Steve,

It is decided! Il St. Louis and ice cream for evening entertainment!

I haven't eaten at the Jules Vern since it changed hands several years ago. It now carries a one-star Michelin rating. The price is steep, but if you've never eaten at a rated spot, this might be the time to do it. This is the 'nicer' restaurant on the tower, the one on the level below has the ambiance and taste of a taco stand with only a microwave.

It a bit of a walk to Ile Saint Louis for desert -- at least three miles, longer if you hug the river. They sell ice cream all over the place and it all seems to taste the same.

It looks like the RER is the best way to get to Il. St. Louis from Eiffel. Correct?

RER C to St Michel / Notre Dame would do it.

I enjoy good ice cream, but the Berthillon we had on Ile St. Louis two years ago is the only one my taste buds still recall. It truly was extraordinary--the flavors literally explode in your mouth.

Two hundred dollar dinners---I've only had these twice, both in Paris, 1984, paid for by someone else, not me. Jules Verne was OK, nothing special. I think it would be better to eat somewhere with a spectacular view OF the tower, instead of eating at the tower. Tour d'Argent, on the other hand, was amazing. Not so much for the food as for the theatrics. Dinner for five was perfectly choreographed---five plates arrived on the table at the same exact instant, five covers flew up at the same exact instant. The story goes on and on--I still entertain people with it and its been 25 years. Most of the other diners seemed to be middle aged businessmen entertaining their "nieces."

Hi Lisa, We did have dinner at the Eiffel Tower our first night in Paris - and while it was a good motivator to get us out and about after we arrived, I would not recommend it.

The price was stupid expensive for what you got, the view not that great as we were not right at the windows - you get the idea ... :)

I would definitely go there, climb up and such - sned a postcard, enjoy the views and sight of the tower at night - but go elsewhere for dinner for sure. Find somewhere off the tourist track and enjoy!

Thanks Steve,

Bus #69 is a great idea. I actually have on my ititnerary for us to do that in the afternoon. I will switch it to the evening. Thanks again everybody for all the wonderful tips!

Yes, we had lunch at 58 Tour Eiffel (formerly Altitude-95) on 5/12/09 and what a disappointment. We have eaten in Altitude 95 on 3 previous occasions and the food was good, not great, but at least it was a nice environment. The new restaurant is a cross between a McDonald's and a buffet with food that is only passable.

After you are seated and read the directions on how to place your order you walk to a counter, where all the appetizers are on display in plastic dishes, select your appetizer and order your meal. The servers behind the counter are all wearing baseball caps just like McDonald's.

You return to your table and your order is delivered to you in a basket . . . all of it in hard plastic containers, like at a fast food restaurant. You also get a roll in a paper bag. Total cost for 4 appetizers, 2 hamburgers, 2 plates of pasta and 2 glasses of house wine -- 118 Euros.

We even complained and were told that everyone else seems to love it because "you're able to get in and out fast." We doubted that and our experience was not actually that fast. I would not recommend it unless the sole reason you are going is to skip the line. That is really the ONLY benefit.

I disagree with Ed. The salt caramel ice cream at Berthillon cannot be done any where else. Ice cream definitely does not taste the same other places. We visited twice and I still want more.

Salt Carmel Ice Cream?!!! Oh my....we will visit there for sure!

Thanks for all the awesome suggestions!