10 Best Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Paris


 

Paris is a city known for its café culture, and certainly for its variety of great restaurants. Summer is just around the corner, and with this season of beautiful weather and long days ahead in Paris, it’s the perfect time to enjoy Parisian outdoor dining. Here’s my guide to the 10 best restaurants with outdoor seating in Paris. 

1. Girafe

Photo courtesy of Girafe – Sourced from their Instagram page

Dining outdoors at one of the best restaurants in Paris with an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower, it sounds too good to be true, right? But such dreams really can come true in Paris, and Girafe is definitely one of the best restaurants with outdoor seating in Paris. Here you’ll find seasonal modern French fare with a strong focus on seafood. Be sure to book in advance as this place is popular. 

girafe – 1 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris
metro station: trocadéro
open daily for lunch 12PM – 2:30pm and for dinner 7PM -11PM 

2. Le Flore en l’Ile

Photo courtesy of le flore en l’ile – sourced from their Instagram page

This adorable café is situated on the Ile Saint-Louis, you probably recognize it from ‘Emily in Paris’. This is actually the café that Emily goes to when she’s having a hard time in Paris after some colleagues make her feel unwelcome. 

Well, I can’t say I agree all around, but in this case, Emily had great taste. Le Flore en l’Ile is such a classic Parisian restaurant serving up delightful brasserie/café fare and with expansive outdoor seating options. There’s even a view of the Pantheon and Notre-Dame from here! And you simply can’t leave without trying some of their famous Berthillon ice cream – the best in Paris!

le flore en l’ile – 42 Quai d’Orléans, 75004 Paris
metro station: pont marie
open daily from 8AM-2AM

 

3. Café la Jatte

Photo by Jordan Plihal

While this restaurant’s not technically in Paris, Paris, Café la Jatte isn’t far and certainly is worth mentioning on this list. Located on Ile de la Jatte in Neuilly-sur-Seine, this restaurant feels like an escape to the Italian countryside – and just a quick hop by metro from the city center. 

The atmosphere is decidedly elegant but the lush outdoor seating area definitely adds a laidback feel. The dishes are fresh takes on French and Italian classics, think burrata and fresh truffles or linguine alle vongole. It’s easy to spend an entire evening Café la Jatte, and the surrounding island makes for a nice after-dinner walk. 

café la jatte –  60 Bd Vital Bouhot 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine
metro station: pont de levallois – bécon
open daily from 12:00PM – 2:45PM and from 7:00PM – 10:45PM

4. Loulou 

Photo courtesy of Loulou – Sourced from their Instagram page

If you fancy enjoying some delicious Italian cuisine from a terrace in the Tuileries gardens, then Loulou is the place for you. The quiet outdoor terrace feels elegant and tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but there’s no chance of forgetting you’re in Paris. The terrace at Loulou faces the Louvre, and is especially impressive during the Springtime when the gardens are in bloom. 

The menu at Loulou is balanced and classic. You’ll find Italian mainstays like antipasti, pizzas, pastas, and salads but all with an added air of sophistication. Remember, you’re dining in Marie Antoinette’s former garden after all!

loulou – 107 rue de rivoli paris 75001
metro station: Louvre-rivoli
open monday through friday from 12PM-3PM
open saturday and sunday from 12PM-4:30PM

5. L’arcane

Photo courtesy of l’Arcane – Sourced from their website

Situated on a cobbled hillside in Montmartre with a terrace nestled under a lush fig tree, l’Arcane is easily one of the most charming places on my list. This one Michelin star restaurant serves up sophisticated yet fresh takes on French cuisine with a strong dedication to seasonal ingredients.

While l’Arcane boasts a coveted Michelin star, it doesn’t mean that a meal here is hors de prix. In fact, if you come for lunch, the tasting menu will set you back just €55 per person. And afterwards, you have the perfect excuse to stroll around Montmartre, or even join our guided walking tour. 

l’arcane – 52 rue lamarck paris 75018
metro station: lamarck-caulaincourt
open for lunch friday and saturday from 12PM – 1:15PM
open for dinner tuesday – saturday 7:15PM – 10:15PM

6. Les Deux Magots

Photo courtesy of Les Deux Magots – Sourced from their Instagram

One of Paris’ most famous and most historic cafés, les Deux Magots is also one of the 10 best restaurants in Paris with outdoor seating. This literary café was once the hangout of Hemingway, Sartre, and the like. This was one of THE places to be during the Paris Jazz Age, and its kept many of the original touches. Situated on the bustling Boulevard Saint-Germain, Les Deux Magots is also regarded as one of the city’s ‘chicest’ cafés. This makes it a great spot for people watching. Here you’ll find upscale yet classic French brasserie fare, as well as a tempting selection of wines and desserts. 

Insider tip: head for the terrace on the side for a view on the Boulevard as well as the stunning Eglise Saint-Germain des Prés.

les deux magots – 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris
metro station: saint-germain des prés
open daily from 7:30AM-1AM
7.  Café Central

Photo courtesy of Café Central – Sourced from their website

Located just a quick walk from the Eiffel Tower itself on the bustling Rue Cler, Café Central is definitely a neighborhood favorite. Decorated in a  traditional brasserie style, this café offers good food and friendly service in the heart of Paris’ 7th arrondissement. But their huge terrace is the cherry on top. And it’s open rain or shine.

Comfort foods like homemade burgers, pizzas, salads, are on the menu here. Or you as more decadent dishes like ravioli with foie gras. 

café central – 40 Rue Cler, 75007 Paris
metro station: ecole militaire
open daily from 7AM – 1AM 

8. Ralph’s

If you’re looking for a memorable meal in one of Paris’ most beautiful outdoor restaurants, look no further than Ralph’s. This restaurant is situated just beneath the Ralph Lauren flagship store on the Boulevard Saint-Germain, and features an exquisite courtyard garden. You’ll find an assortment of French-American dishes on the menu, all done up in style, of course. 

ralph’s – 173 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
metro station: saint-germain des prés
open daily for lunch 12PM-4:30PM and for dinner from 7:30PM – 10:45PM

9. Mamma Primi

Photo courtesy of Big Mamma Group – Sourced from their Instagram

If you don’t know Big Mamma Group yet, this is one place you should definitely discover. This Italian chain is extremely popular and in my opinion, one of the best in Paris. They’re famous for their authentic and fresh Italian food as well as their beautiful restaurants and terraces.

And their location in the 17th at Mamma Primi has one of the best outdoor dining options in the city. While small, their verdant terrace is full of charm, and the food somehow tastes even better under the Parisian sunshine. 

mamma primi – 18 Rue Boursault, 75017 Paris
metro station: Rome
open daily for lunch from 12PM – 2:30PM
open daily for dinner from 6PM – 9:30PM 

10. Le Palais Royal Restaurant

Photo courtesy of le Palais Royal Restaurant – Sourced from their website

It’s hard to imagine a better location for a restaurant with outdoor seating than in the Jardin du Palais-Royal. Here you’ll be able to choose from sophisticated French haute cuisine (one Michelin star) in a beautiful setting. The outdoor dining option here is absolutely magnificent during the months of May and June when the roses in the garden are in full fragrant bloom.

le palais royal restaurant – 10 Galerie de Valois, 75001 Paris
metro station: palais royal
open tuesday – saturday from 12PM – 2PM and from 6:30PM – 9PM