Updated by Vanessa M in July 2023.
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 15 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 ishors 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
11. Les Ombres
Photo by Mathias Reding from Pexels
Les Ombres gastronomic restaurant, built by architect Jean Nouvel, leads onto a panoramic terrace that seems like a hanging garden of Mediterranean plants on the rooftop of the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. The restaurant is made of glass and has a spectacular view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower.
During the day, the iconic monument’s silver lace throws a shadow on the tables, while at night, its golden lights illuminate the eating area. Every hour during the evening, the ceiling at Les Ombres changes into a starry sky, paying homage to its famed neighbor.
Modern seasonal food is produced with high-quality ingredients and evokes the Mediterranean influences that its mentor adored. Desserts prepared by pastry chef Jérémy Schotte deserve special note, such as the farm-fresh skyr mousse with Buddha’s hand and a lemon leaf granita.
Les Ombres – 27 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris, France
metro station: Alma-Marceau
open daily for lunch from 12 PM – 2 PM
open Sat-thur for dinner from 7 – 10 PM
12. Le Train Bleu
Le Train Bleu, a famous restaurant in Gare de Lyon, offers a grand setting where the performance takes place both in the kitchen and in the diner. This historic establishment has a distinct and one-of-a-kind terrace where time and space blur during an unforgettable moment. Le Train Bleu and Michel Rostang’s cooperation promises delicious as well as regional food.
Arnaud 25, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
They have collaborated to reimagine the iconic Station Buffet, offering a menu that mixes French history with culinary enjoyment. The emphasis is on dishes with sauces, stews, and a cuisine rich in broths and stock, where generosity and sharing compete for attention.
With flambéed dishes and meat carving handled with precision and care by a team of devoted maitre d’s, this is one of the highly recommended restaurants in Paris. Le Train Bleu provides travelers and Parisians with a moment frozen in time and an experience that feels like the start of a fantastic trip of exploration across France’s most beautiful regions.
Le Train Bleu – Paris Gare de Lyon (Doublon), Pl. Louis-Armand hall 1, 75012 Paris, France
metro station: Gare de Lyon
open daily from 7:30 am – 10:30 PM
13. Café de l’Homme
This restaurant, which recently reopened after extensive renovations, offers panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower. It’s misleading to term it a café because it provides genuine meals, and requires reservations.
Photo by Darya Sannikova from Pexels
The view of the Eiffel Tower from Cafe de l’Homme is the nicest in town. Sip champagne and eat pastries on the terrace as the sun sets, or order a full meal with over 200 wines. You will never forget an evening at Cafe de l’Homme.
Café de l’Homme – 17 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France
metro station: Trocadéro
open daily from 12-2 am
14. Le Perchoir Marais
This is one of several Le Perchoir-rooftops in Paris hiding over the famed department store BHV MARAIS. As a result, the restaurant is known as Le Perchoir Marais. This very modern and sophisticated patio, which has been open since 2015 but has a brand new ‘Bistrot Marseillais’ design, gives panoramic views of the Paris cityscape.
Photo by Anna Urlapova from Pexels
The Eiffel Tower, the Seine, Notre Dame, and the Hôtel de Ville are all included. The Le Perchoir Marais rooftop bar is open nightly during the warmer season and serves a few bar foods (Lobster Roll/Mezze/Charcuterie), but it is mostly a cocktail bar.
The inventive and spicy trademark cocktails are crafted with seasonal ingredients and accompanied by Le Perchoir classics, a few beers, a few glasses of wine or bubbles, and organic lemonade.
Le Perchoir Marais – 33 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris, France
metro station: Hôtel de Ville
15. La Closerie des Lilas
Despite having far less popularity than other legendary locations, La Closerie des Lilas is just as important a literary and creative monument in Paris, having functioned as a watering hole and office for writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Paul Verlaine, and Guillaume Apollinaire.
Celette, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
La Closerie, with its red leather booths, zinc bar, and mellow candlelight, retains the air of old-world Paris. It has a restaurant with a lovely, leafy terrace for dining al fresco in the summer months, a cafe-brasserie, and live music most evenings. It’s located between the southern edge of the Latin Quarter and Montparnasse, which may explain why it’s long been a favorite hideaway for writers and artists.
La Closerie des Lilas – 171 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France
metro station: Raspail
open daily from 12 pm – 1:30 am
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