Places to Eat

Holidays by Destination Europe France Paris Places to Eat 

Generally

Given that Parisian children are expected to behave, they are allowed into most eating places. A child asleep in a buggy should be no trouble at all. Good for Sunday lunch are the big brasseries which welcome large family parties and are noisy enough to drown standard child kerfuffles. Also worth considering are the ethnic restaurants of France's one-time colonies, notably north Africa and Vietnam. Nem (spring rolls) seem nearly as popular as chips with French kids.

There are fast food options. City-wide is of course MacDonalds ("le McDo"), and Hippopotamus, a French fast food chain, marginally healthier, a kind of smartened Angus Steak House, which provides colouring, games and balloons at every table. Chez Clement, eight branches over the centre, so-so food but fast and easy. Bistro Romain, with a well priced junior menu. Burgers, like steaks, will come rare unless ordered "bien cuit".

Most museums offer a passable to decent cafe.

Specifics

We have not been able to check out all the following, but all are reported good with kids.

1st - Chicago Meatpackers 8 rue Coquilliere, Burgers etc;
Aux Pains Perdus 9 rue du 29 Juillet, Sandwiches etc;
Universal Resto galerie du Carousel-du-Louvre, 99 rue de Rivoli, Noisy world food centre, everyone in the party serving themselves to their favoured cuisine;
Cafe Very jardin des Tuileries, Gardens caf?, dubious value were it not for the setting; Toupary 5th floor Samaritaine store, 2 quai du Louvre, Department store cafe with terrace;
Angelina 226 rue de Rivoli, Tea salon (for the better behaved);
Altitude 95, Tour Eiffel, mainly for the view.

2nd - A Priori The 35-37 galerie Vivienne ,Salads and good child menu in delightful 19th century shopping gallery;
Patisserie Stohrer 51 rue Montorgueil, Fine pastries.

4th - Les Fous de l'Ile 33 rue des Deux-Ponts A restaurant and afternoon tea salon. Berthillon 31 rue Saint-Louis en-l'Ile for ice creams, closed school hols;
Le Loir dans la Theiere 3 rue des Rosiers, Relaxed tea room.

5th - Restaurant Perraudin 157 rue Saint-Jacques, Welcoming restaurant but closed weekends ex Sat pm;
La Fourmi Ailee 8 rue du Fouarre, Salads and gateaux with good weekend brunches.

6th - La Crepe Canettes 10 rue des Canettes Closed Suns and Mon pm, Crepes etc;
Rest. des Beaux Arts 11 rue Bonaparte, a classic bistro.

7th - Le Bar des Amis 24 rue Malar, Bohemian French restaurant well priced;
Caffe Toscana 34 rue des Saints-Peres, an Italian joint.

8th - Chicago Pizza Pie Factory 5 rue de Berri; Le Matignon, 1 ave Matignon, with good views of the Champs Elysees more of a real restaurant than some other options.

9th - Chartier 7 rue du Faubourg-Montmartre, A noisy, belle epoque restaurant;
Pizza Saint-Lazare 13 rue Saint-Lazare, 30-year-old pizzeria.

11th - Aux Petits Joueurs 8 rue de la Main-d'Or, Closed Suns, Lyonnais cuisine;
Le Wait and See 9 bd Voltaire, Street style bar with Sunday family brunches.

12th - Dame Tartine 59 rue de Lyon, a sandwich specialist.

15th - Bermuda Onion 16 rue Linois, with trompe l'oeil decor and decent Sunday brunches.

16th - Chalet des Iles Lac du Bois de Boulogne, only accessible by boat, the setting is all.
See also Meridian Montparnasse.

If you have any comments on any of the above, or any further suggestions, let us know.