Paris Restaurant Reservation Websites

Sorry Steve, can't help. Rarely make reservation at restaurants, never more than a couple of days out. Good luck.... Happy planning.....

Steve, is there a particular reason you can't make the reservation directly with the restaurant?

My initial attempt to reach the restaurant by e-mail was not successful. So I was looking for an easy way to make the reservation and bypass any issues related to language, technology and/or timing. If using these websites can be problematic then I will probably contact the restaurant directly several weeks in advance via phone (not sure if they speak English or not - I did find a review that indicates that they do). Since we will be in France at that point I may have to enlist the help of someone who speaks better French than me. Steve

We used toptable.com for a Paris restaurant reservation our first trip. Worked fine. We were treated very courteously and the food was great. Now we just call or stop by a day or two before we want to go.

Steve,
Could you E-Mail you hotel and have them call for the reservation? We've done that if we really want to get into a place. Places are glad to do that.

Steve, I have found that the online reservations link on most resturant websites don't accept reservations too far out, also some of the calenders start on Monday as opposed to ours that start on a Sunday.
Anyway....I was going to make a reservation based on some suggestions and reviews but think I will just 'wing it' who knows what area you may be in at dinner time, plus it gioves you the flexibility to maybe try a resturant that is popular with locals.

I recently wrote a blog entry on this subject: http://engineeringatravelplan.blogspot.com/2011/06/searching-for-restaurants.html Essentially, I have used TopTable, the Fork, and Book A Table to make reservations in European locales. The only issue I had with TopTable was that their submission forms do not also always indicated accurate hours or open days (i.e., closed on Sunday) for establishments. However, in these cases they will email you back that your reservation is "UNAVAILABLE" (usually within 24 hours). Another thing to be aware of, some of the restaurant's that TopTable features should be researched/reviewed in parallel using an independent source (TripAdvisor, Yelp, Urban Spoon, etc...). I wouldn't take their word alone that a place is great. I have also emailed or contacted (via online submission form) an establishment directly through their website to try to make reservations (with limited success). Another option is to request some assistance from the concierge at your hotel (if you have one). Just be prepared to tip them for their services (either upon arrival or checkout).

I generally find restaurants on the Michelin site. If the restaurant has a website (most of them do), Michelin will provide a link and I go directly to the website to make the reservation. I feel more comfortable working with the restaurant rather than a third party. Also, most sites will not allow reservations more than 60 days out.

Thanks to all for your input and suggestions! Since we will be in France several weeks prior to being in Paris I think we will just try calling the restaurant (and enlist help in French if needed). Steve