Paris Restaurants with Eiffel Tower Views: Where to Eat

Intro ...

In the Sunday edition of my free Paris Discoveries Newsletter, I answer reader questions about Paris travel. Recently, readers have asked whether it makes sense to move from one Parisian neighborhood and hotel to another when time permits.

This article is part of the Paris Discoveries Q&A Archive and brings together my answers based on my own experiences with staying in multiple neighborhoods on longer trips.

You'll find advice about...

I've lightly edited, expanded, and updated my original answers, included a few practical tips for making the move from one hotel to another easier, and added photos to make this a more complete Paris travel resource.

Top photo: xxx, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

Paris Discovery Guide is a reader-supported publication. If you purchase through our links, PDG may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Merci for your support!

Cristina's Question: Can You Suggest a Kid-Friendly Bistro with Eiffel Tower Views?

I am traveling with my husband and 11 year old son to Paris in November / December, and I was wondering if you can help me find a good restaurant or cafe with a nice view of the Eiffel Tower.

I saw Giraffe but my son won't eat this kind of food… any suggestions please?

Susan's Answer:

I totally understand... my daughters wouldn't have eaten the food (mostly pricey gourmet seafood) there at age 11 either, and they'd have cared much more about the food than the view. I would suggest Margaux (10 Avenue de New York, across the river from the Eiffel Tower near the Pont de l'Alma bridge) - the food is simpler, kid-friendly in my opinion (but also appealing for adults), made in house and quite good, and reasonably priced considering the location.

Since they have a pasta dish on the menu, you can always ask them if they can make plain ravioli (since that's what the pasta dish features) for your son if he doesn't see anything he likes on the menu. Most Parisian bistros, cafes, and brasseries are usually happy to do this for kids, as long as they have uncooked pasta on their kitchen shelves. This was one of my own stand-by "traveling with kids" hack with my daughters at certain ages.

As far as I can tell, you can't book reservations on line at Margaux, but they do provide a phone number to call, or if you're in the vicinity, you can also stop by and make a reservation in person. When you speak with them, you also might want to request a table with a good view of the Tower.

My Own Favorite Paris Restaurant "Hack" When My Daughters Were Young(er)

If you're visiting Paris with kids Most Parisian bistros, cafes, and brasseries are usually happy to do this for kids, as long as they have uncooked pasta on their kitchen shelves. This was one of my own stand-by "traveling with kids" hack with my daughters at certain ages.

Harold's Question: What Are Some Memorable Dining Alternatives to Madame Brasserie with Eiffel Tower Views?

Harold's Question:

We will be visiting Paris for the 1st time in June of 2026.

We are considering having dinner at Madame Brasserie, primarily because the unique location in the Eiffel Tower. We recognize the restaurant is quite pricey and the on-line reviews are not all positive.

We are seeking a memorable dining experience. Is there an alternate restaurant we should consider for a unique dining experience??

Susan's Answer:

Hi Harold,

You're right about the less-than-stellar reviews, as well as the expense. The other thing about the dining experiences there is that although the Tower does sparkle around you once an hour, you don't get a view of the tower itself - just a small section of the frame.

So here are a few options that you could consider:

Book One of the Popular Seine River Dinner Cruises

In June, the sun doesn't set until around 10pm, but the dinner cruises that start around 8:30pm are timed to let you see the Eiffel Tower sparkle once the sky is fully dark.

My two favorites are Bateaux Parisiens (departs from Left Bank) and Bateaux Mouches (departs from Right Bank); both include live music during the dinner portion of the cruise, along with several seating options. The number of courses and type of wine you get vary slightly based on your seating choice.

In my experience, the best views are from the private tables next to a window, with the absolute best (and the most expensive seats) being those in the front area next to a window - but the other seating is fine too.

They're also two of the most expensive cruises (and in my opinion also have the best food and wine), but cost about the same as dinner by a window at Madame Brasserie.

Enjoy Dinner at a Restaurant on Land with a View of the Tower

My favorite is Chez Margaux, which has delicious bistro-style French classics at a very reasonable price point and is almost directly across the river with straight-on views. Book well ahead, and request a table with a view.

Other restaurants (although at significantly higher price points) with direct views include Les Ombres on the rooftop of the Branly Museum in the 7th arrondissement near the Eiffel Tower, and across the Seine in the 16th arr, L'Oiseau Blanc on a rooftop terrace at the Peninsula Hotel and Girafe on the first-floor terrace at Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine in the 16th. All require reservations well in advance of your date.

Savor a Drink, with or without Alcohol, at a Rooftop Bar with a (Distant) View of the Tower

One of my favorites is the rooftop bar at Hotel Terrass in Montmartre, which has been recently renovated with the French version of a western theme associated with a brand of whiskey. There's also a rooftop restaurant next to it - I haven't had the chance to have dinner there yet, but I've heard from others that the food is good. The best views are from the tables by the windows, so reserve one of those.

Otherwise, after a drink at the bar, head to your restaurant of choice. If you want to eat nearby, wander up Rue des Abbesses and you'll find lots of small bistros and cafes.