Travelling to Paris in June and would like recommendations for good places to eat near our hotel across from Gare de Lyon. We like places where you can dress casual and don't want 3 star restaurants. Have heard that the restaurant in Gare de Lyon is beautiful to look at but have no idea what food is like. We are thinking of doing a dinner cruise on the Seine but wonder if it is worth the expense.
Can anyone help?

Le Train Bleu is beautiful and you can dress casually. The food is good and has improved from past years.

Is that the one in the station?

yes!

And the food at LTB is much better than on Seine dinner cruises!

I'll give a "big" second recommendation to the Train Bleu in the Gare. We spend 2 months in France most years - so that means about 30 restaurant meals. We try to work out a return to Paris from the south of France or the Alps so we can spend the last night near the Gare de Lyon and have dinner at the Train Bleu. Even when we were in Paris for 3 weeks in the 7th in '08, we went all the way to Train Bleu to have lunch there. Don't miss - I consider this a "must see" in Paris.

This July, we'll take the TGV from Grenoble to the Gare de Lyon, have a wonderful dinner at Train Bleu, sleep at the Terminus Hotel there, then return home in the AM. I can "no way in the world" talk my wife out of doing something other than having dinner at the Train Bleu if we need to be near Paris for a flight home.

Stu Dudley

Stu, what a lovely way to end your holiday! I have only been to Leu Train once on an all girl evening. The waiters made a great fuss over us (well we thought their attention was great!) We included our waiter in several photos and at the end of the evening he presented each one of us with a large menu as a momento! I sometimes pull it down from the shelf and read through all the lovely dishes on offer.
We will be in Paris from 22nd July for 10 days but will think we will wait until our return in August to have lunch there.

Thanks. Will we need to make a booking? Is it open every night? We are there Mon, Tues, Wed night. We are staying at Hotel Terminus Lyon is that the same one Stu?

Here is a link to the web site. http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/navigation.htm Read the menu and drool. My wife is like Stu's; I could never spend time in Paris without a lunch there.

>>Will we need to make a booking? Is it open every night? We are there Mon, Tues, Wed night. We are staying at Hotel Terminus Lyon is that the same one Stu?<,

yes, yes, and yes.

Stu Dudley

We have reserved on-line which included special request for seating arrangements and they responded immediately, and our requests were met without any reminder. My yound-adult sons were "blown-away" by the evening.

We did the all-inclusive Champagne dinner, which I felt was worth the experience, though some courses were more impressive than others...I have had better foie gras elswhere, for example and I wasn't particularly impressed with the chocolates served with the coffee. I'd probably order a good steak and wine, next time, but don't regret having done it for this special occasion "en famille".

Do not miss at least going to Le Train Bleu for lunch or at least a drink in the lounge to see the room. It is so neat.

Thanks everyone. We've looked on their website at the photos and my husband is already showing everyone and telling them we are going to eat there.
Is there anywhere else for the other days and nights?

A La Biche au Bois, 56 avenue Ledru-Rollin, 01 43 46 15 13. A tiny place, so reservations are essential. Very good value menu, great cheese course, good for game.

I see I am in excellent company with Stu's recommendation also. The room is just exquisite, and don't miss the rest rooms. It is SUCH an example of what elegat travel was long ago. We didn't have a chance for a meal but sat in the lounge with a glass of wine and people watched for a slice of Parisian life. We won't miss a meal there next time.

MFK Fisher wrires about eating there, that's when I decided to dine there many years ago.

Just back from Paris. Ate at Le train Bleu. It was a great experience and worth every penny. Its not cheap but not outrageous either. The art nouveau decor was spectacular. We didn't need a booking. We got there at 7 pm and were given a table. Thanks to everyone who recommended it.

Thanks for reporting back Jenmorg - makes the answers to your questions so worthwhile when someone actually goes and has the experience! I can't wait to take my husband there in a few weeks time!

In all my trips to Paris, I have never dined at Le Train Bleu. But after reading this, I certainly will next time!

What did you have and, if it is not too personal, what did the evening cost? We will go next summer no matter what, but I'm curious how much the prices have gone up since we last ate there two years ago.