I was wondering if my fellow Fodorites had some good recommendations for places to eat around the Louvre or Notre Dame? Mostly, I would think I would want to eat outside and have a good meal, people watch, and soak in the atmosphere. I don't neccessarily want a posh indoors restaurant - I can get that in the States. Perhaps a restaurant with good food, great atmosphere with surrounding scenary to enjoy, seating outdoors, and nicely decorated. Not sure if we will do lunch or dinner in this area? Depends on how the day goes. Thanks so much!

Not far from Notre-Dame but on the Right Bank is Le Louis Philippe; we liked it. It is classic and not very inventive.

http://www.eat-out.net/restaurant-pa...louis-philippe

Nowhere near ND or the Louvre, but near Place des Vosges (and you should visit Place des Vosges), Chez Janou would seem to fit the bill. Anyway, you can take a peek at their website and decide.

http://www.chezjanou.com/

Sorry, Jill, I should have made clear that I have not dined at Chez Janou. It's been on my list for a few years and last May the guy I rented my apartment from highly recommended it but my dining card was already full. (I'm one of those. ) Anyway, I walked by a bunch and it smelled delicious and seemed like a fun, casual place--though for dinner you would want to reserve.

Chez Janou outside area looks very lively and seems very nice! I definitely do want to check out the Marais area, so thank you for the recommendation. I will be sure to let you know about the food.

My wife and I have eaten a couple of times at a cafe just off the northeast tip of Ile St Louis. It's on the right side as you walk from the island. I don't know the name, and I guess the address is the Pont de Sully. The food is what you would expect in any cafe (the omelettes are decent), but the outdoor seating has great people watching, and you can see Notre Dame and the Seine. Also, it isn't as crowded there as at the cafes right around Notre Dame.

Le Fumoir and Le Nemours are near the Louvre. Both are nice for lunch; I prefer Le Fumoir.

Hi Leely!

EJ

Le Nemours from the outside looks very nice! I will also keep Le Fumoir in mind. Thank you the recommendations!

another recommendation for a place on Ile St Louis - this is on the left. As you walk from the bridge from Notre Dame, it is the first place on the left.

I just did some googling and I think it is the Brasserie de l'Ile St Louis.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid..._louis_paris-i

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/f...ew-428134.html

Near the Louvre... go into Palais Royal and there is a place there thay many talk about - Le Grand Vefour. I haven't eaten there, but I've heard good things about it.

http://www.parisbestlodge.com/legrandvefour.html

Surfmom - I love how the Brasserie de l'Ile St Louis wraps around the whole corner of the street. The outdoor seating looks very fun and nice!

Le Grand Vefour looks gorgeous inside! Does it also have outdoor seating?

At number 31 rue St.-Louis-en-Ile, the “main street” of the Ile, is Berthillon which some say (I don't disagree) has the best ice cream in Paris. They have a branch called La Flore en Ile, 2 rue Jean du Bellay, also on the Ile. At #47 on the same street is an excellent gelato place, Amorino. You can have it in a cup or a cone, and they will cheerfully combine two or three flavors for you. You pay the cashier first, then tell the server what you want.

clarification:
when I said Amorino is on the same street, the street I meant is
St-Louis-en-Ile
They have other locations also:
http://www.amorino.fr/boutiques.htm

Yummy! I am falling in love with Paris and I haven't even arrived there yet!