Do you make lunch reservations in Paris?
 

Not a foodie and I'd rather spend my money on shoes but I love the atmosphere of great restaurants so I hope to hit a couple for lunch.

Do you find it necessary to make ressies for lunch at Michelin starred restaurants? I don't want to make ressies because I'll stress all morning about being at a certain place at a specific time.

I was also thinking of restaurants without a star like Les Ombres at musee de quai Branly which has a 37 euro formule for lunch. Will I be turned away at lunch without a reservation?

Don't freak and don't make reservations. You'll be out doing things like shopping for shoes or looking at beautiful paintings. So unless you're planning a special trip to a special restaurant you won't need a reservation and you don't want your plans chained to a restaurant. There are zillions of bistros. You can't eat a bad meal in Paris - even the baguette sandwiches from a cart are great. Relax!

I have to disagree and say there are plenty of mediocre and even bad meals to be had in Paris.

I think you will definitely need reservations at most Michelin starred restaurants - the establishments that serve lunch have plenty of diners hoping to cut down on costs.

If you want some place really special, then I certainly would make reservations, otherwise you should have no problem finding places to eat...and yes, I agree, you can get a bad meal..l'onion gratine with burned cheese on the top is an example...WAH!!!! I also feel compelled to add..all bakeries are NOT alike and just because it is baked in Paris does NOT mean it cannot be dry and gaggie. LOL

Hi am,

If you want to eat a a special place, you ought to make reservations.

((I))

Absolutely, you will need reservations for lunch at Michelin-starred restaurants and probably for those one level below. And you should make them before you leave for your trip.

Below "one level below" Michelin-starred restaurants, you can probably take a chance on finding a free table at a good restaurant, provided that you show up by 12:30 or at 2 pm or a little after. Just be sure to have a couple of options in the area, in case your first choice is complet (full).

Also, I don't know when you'll be in Paris, but keep in mind that many restaurants close for almost the entire month of August and that many Michelin-starred restaurants are closed on Saturday and/or Sunday throughout the year.

Thanks all. I do normally eat on the run in Paris at lunchtime but would like to have a couple noteworthy experiences this time around. Good to know what to expect.

Try Le Souffle, on r. du Mont Thabor.