I am looking for a upscale restaurant in Paris that will be appropriate for my 9 and 12-year-old children. In my unbiased opinion (yeah, right), they are mature and capable of enjoying a fine dining experience. Any suggestions for me? We're staying in the 7th, but can take the Metro anywhere. My budget is 50-100 Euro per person for this special occasion. Thanks for any advice.
Erik

Are you thinking upscale as far as the food is, or the service? Or maybe it's just the atmosphere? The only reason I'm asking is because you'll be in the 7th and I am thinking Altitude 95 at the Eiffel Tower might be a good spot. It has a great view, is a good spot for kids, would be within your budget. However, it is not upscale like, say, the Jules Verne.

When are you going? That might be a factor to consider, also.

I second Altitude 95, great view reasonably priced and ok for the kids.

Probably overpriced for the quality. Kids would probably do fine but for that why not take them to lunch at Jules Verne--or Tour d'Argent. It would be memorable for the food, service and view--something they will never forget.

Thanks for the advice above. We are going in 2 weeks. I think Altitude 95 sounds perfect for our situation. Wish me luck.
Merci,
Erik

We ate dinner one evening at Altitude 95 with our kids, who were age7 and 10, and it was perfect for us. There is a childrens menu, but our kids preferred the items on the regular menu. Enjoy and let us know how it goes!

If you eat at dusk you will also get to see the City all lite up.

All lit up.

Hi ed,

You might also want to consider Le Train Bleu.

Are reservations required or recommended at Altitude 95?

Good luck!!! Please let us know how it went when you come back! What a great idea, and what a nice idea for la kidsies.

Yes reservations are required,you can usually make them the morning of the day you want to have dinner.If you can make them by E-mail or the day you arrive in Paris it would be safer.

If you want to sit by a window, you need to reserve one month in advance (at least for a mid-August visit) by phone or fax (they will not do it by e-mail). Here is what they e-mailed to me just last week:

Dear sir/madam;

We inform you, that we do not take any booking by E-MAIL.
Would you please contact us by phone to the following number: 00331 45 55 20
04 or by fax to: 00331 47 05 94 40.

For a window table you have to reserve minimum 1 month before.

Looking forward to welcoming you soon in our restaurant "ALTITUDE 95"


I decided not to book. For my kids (3 boys, ages 15, 12 and 8), I think they would be just as happy with the cafeteria on the 2nd level. However, my parents ate there two years ago and liked it very much. It sounds like a good place with kids for a special meal, if that is what you want.

What "cafeteria on the second level"? Jules Verne is on the 2nd level--Altitude 95 on the first.

Gretchen I think they mean the cafe adjacent to A95.

This is off topic, but if you're looking for other kid friendly places to eat, the guide books all recommended the Hippopotamus and Bistro Romaine chains. Although the atmosphere at Hippopotamus was fun and they gave away the coolest balloons in the world, the food was BAD and expensive...think of paying $85 to feed your family at IHOP or Denny's...that's about the quality. Bistro Romaine was about as expensive, but the food was pretty good.

The Eiffel Tower website calls it a cafeteria. I assume you can get sandwiches and other simple things (my parents seem to remember it). Am I correct? Also, I went to a Hippopotamus in 1988. Back then at least, my wife and I thought it was akin to a bad Sizzler or Ponderosa. It was recommended by the hotel concierge!

Ewk:It was there the 3 times we've been to Paris,last time 2000. Light snacks,donuts etc.

Just for the kids,wouldn't one of the Seinne Cruise things be fun?
Sure the food may not be haute cuisine but golly-gee-whiz one is on a BOAT in the SEINNE!!! with the City floating by and the bridges overhead!

Our kids are bored to death on river boats.As for your kids,Who knows?