It’s an unfortunate reality that the closer you are to a major monument in Paris, the worse the food tends to be. But fear not! There are a few gems within spitting distance of can’t-miss sites in Paris – and as of right now, they’re no longer a secret.
Today, we’re visiting the world’s most popular tourist attraction (not hyperbole – established fact) and some of my favorite spots to eat nearby.
Quick and Easy/Cheap Eats
Generally speaking, the cheapest option wherever you go in Paris will be a market: buy a baguette, some cheese, some charcuterie, and some fresh fruit, and you’ve got lunch! The rue Cler market (closed Mondays) is no exception: with a great cheese shop, several bakeries and wine shops, and even a traiteur or prepared foods store, there’s more than enough to keep your belly happy. Consider buying your lunch ahead of your Eiffel Tower visit and enjoying it on the verdant Champ de Mars below.
While you can throw a rock and hit two bakeries pretty much anywhere in Paris, not all bakeries are created equal. Poilâne (49 Boulevard de Grenelle) is a bit of a walk, but it’s worth it for the slightly sour country bread that made this mini-chain famous.
If you don’t have the energy to walk that far, though, Le Fils du Boulanger (34 Avenue de Suffren) is a great option for fresh salads and sandwiches with an added benefit that’s rare in bakeries: indoor seating!
Just across the river overlooking the Tower itself, Carette (4 place du Trocadero) makes one of my favorite mille-feuilles in the capital (and also has a beautiful tearoom – a major plus for a rainy day).
If you’re starting to get sick of French food (hey, it happens!) the hamburgers and fries at Birdy (49 Avenue Bosquet) will make you feel right at home.
Mid-Range
I have a handful of restaurants I always recommend, and Café Constant (139 Rue Saint-Dominique) is one of them. Christian Constant’s ever-changing 36-euro prix fixe shows both the chef’s penchant for French products and Southwestern flair, and it’s a Paris rarity in that it’s open all day long (even on Monday). I’ve never been disappointed here.
Les Cocottes (135 Rue Saint-Dominique) is another Christian Constant address with the unique trait of serving most of its dishes in little cast-iron cocottes (thus the name of the restaurant). It’s slightly pricier than the Café and just as delicious.
I grew up hearing legends of Campanella (18 Avenue Bosquet), just across the way from the American University in Paris, where my mother was a student. What was once a simple café has gotten all dolled up in recent years: the menu offers all the French classics – steak tartare, steak frites, roast chicken – done up just right.
Le Comptoir du Troquet (53 Boulevard de Grenelle) features hearty Basque fare from Chef Christian Etchebest. Housemade terrine, hare stew, and pig’s ears are just some of the rustic specialties you may encounter here.
High End
My little sister took me to Chez l’Ami Jean (27 Rue Malar) for my 30th birthday, and it was easily one of the top five meals I’ve ever eaten. This restaurant could either be mid-range or high-end depending on whether you opt to order à la carte or give Chef Stéphane Jego free rein to impress, surprise, and satisfy you with his modern Basque cuisine tasting menu.
The newly Michelin-starred Tomy & Co (22 rue Surcouf) combines classic French ingredients like tête de veau and milk-fed lamb from the Pyrenees with a lighter touch and a few international flavors like harissa and gomasio for a contemporary French menu that’s sure to delight.
Antoine (10 Avenue de New York) gives you the opportunity to look out over the Eiffel Tower while you enjoy exquisite seafood, while Le Jules Verne, located on top of the Tower itself, offers perhaps the best views over Paris. Either one is as much an experience as it is a meal.
Did I miss a restaurant near the Eiffel Tower you love? Let me know!